Logan County IL Archives History - Books .....Service Organizations And Youth Groups 1953 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 31, 2007, 12:43 am Book Title: A History Of Atlanta THE AMERICAN LEGION The American Legion, Gresham-Crutchley Post No. 341 was organized in 1920. There were forty-seven charter members: Dr. George W. Brock, Commander; Allen Applegate, Orville Atteberry, W. R. Barr, Allen Becker, Letto F. Becker, Lorin J. Bennett, J. E. Botkin, J. L. Bradway, Loy S. Brandt, Wayne Brandt, Fred L. Cheek, Walter E. Cheek, Dean Clawson, R. E. Crihfield, Albert Dreher, R. W. Dunham, Mark Ellis, Clifton C. Ewing, W. C. Finfrock, Leslie Gresham, Jesse L. Griffin, Carl Hawes, Elbert Hieronymus, Merlin Huber, Kenneth E. James, Milton Kieszling, Owen McKevitt, James McKown, Dean Montgomery, Earl L. Mountjoy, Keith W. Murphy, James L. Oldaker, Clyde E. Pack, Arthur Pech, E. Blinn Ransdell, John Neil Rice, Paul A. Schmidt, David W. Sullivan, Harold Wagner, Harry H. Watt, Wendell Watt, Wayne H. Weber, C. O. Wedeberg, Charles Williams, Clarence Wilmert and Norven Zoffer. The Post was named for the two boys who lost their lives in World War I, Bert Gresham and Roy Crutchley. The Post first met in the rooms over the Kitchell grocery. In 1936 it was decided to buy the home of the late T. N. Hamilton. Jesse Botkin was commander at this time. By volunteer labor of the members this home was soon converted into an adequate Legion Home. In 1947, after World War II, it was voted to sell this home and help buy the J. R. Patton house with the intention that it be made into a community Memorial center. This center is known as the Atlanta-Eminence Community Memorial. It is a memorial to the soldiers of World Wars I and II. The Legion supports many community activities. Beginning in 1950 the Legion has sponsored an annual Atlanta Homecoming. There are now 165 members. THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY The American Legion Auxiliary was organized November 14, 1930. The charter members were: President, Mrs. Laurinda Watt; 1st Vice-President, Mrs. Dessie Becker; 2nd Vice-President, Mrs. Annie Hayter; Secretary, Mrs. Ruth Crawford; Treasurer, Mrs. Mabel Clawson; Chaplain, Mrs. May Griffin; Sergeant-at-Arms, Mrs. Leatha Ryan; Mrs. Wavie Botkin, Miss Maude Gehlbach, Mrs. Eliza Griffin, Mrs. Rhoda Hayter, Mrs. Katherine Johnson, Mrs. Anna Kearney, Mrs. Norma Kindred, Mrs. Jessie Kistner and Mrs. Mabel Myers Temple. The Legion rooms were in the K. of P. building across from the Public Library. Meetings were held the first and third Mondays of each month. The first meeting was a business meeting held in the evening. • The' second meeting in the month was a social meeting held in the home of one of the members in the afternoon. This Auxiliary Unit became inactive after a few years. GRESHAM-CRUTCHLEY UNIT No. 341 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY The Gresham-Crutchley Unit 341 American Legion Auxiliary was organized Oct. 4, 1940. The Unit was named for Bert Gresham and Roy Franklin Crutchley both of whom lost their lives in World War I. The charter members were: President, Mrs. Grace Short; 1st Vice-President, Mrs. Ruth Schmidt; 2nd Vice-President, Mrs. Mary Patton; Secretary, Mrs. Mary Brandt; Treasurer, Mrs. Blanche Wiseman; Historian, Mrs. Leatha Ryan; Chaplain, Mrs. Iva Horn; Mrs. Ruth Applegate, Miss Grace Baldwin, Mrs. Lena Baldwin, Mrs. Dessie Becker, Mrs. Georgia Blackwood, Mrs. Emma Borgelt, Mrs. Aileen Bradway, Mrs. Hazel Brandt, Mrs. Rena Compton, Mrs. Susie Crutchley, Mrs. Millie Dillon, Mrs. Eliza Griffin, Mrs. May Griffin, Mrs. Nellie Harkreader, Mrs. Hazel Huber, Mrs. Venus Lake, Mrs. Cora Mountjoy, Mrs. Rachel Perlman, Mrs. Stella Reinhart, Mrs. Elizabeth Speciale, Mrs. Irma Tuttle, Mrs. Doris Usherwood, Mrs. Hazel Vogt and Mrs. Verda Wagner. The present membership is one hundred twenty-five. The Auxiliary contributes to the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Childrens School at Normal, the Veterans Hospitals at Dwight and Danville and to the Veterans at the Lincoln State School and Colony. Each year the Unit sends a girl to Illini Girls State, gives a scholarship medal, based on courage, leadership, honor and scholarship, to an eighth grade girl, sponsors a poppy poster contest for school children and sponsors an Americanism essay contest for school children. Members who are Gold Star Mothers are Mrs. Roscoe Williams and Mrs. Louis Baker. Gold Star Mothers who have been members are Mrs. Minnie Young, •Mrs. Nellie Brandt, Mrs. Blanche Williams, Mrs. Jessie Hubner, Mrs. Edward Purlee and Mrs. Susie Crutchley. THE ATLANTA SPORTMEN'S CLUB The early settlers of Illinois found the prairies abounding in game of all kinds which afforded good meat for food and hides for clothing. Hunters and trappers came in large numbers to establish homes. They encountered many buffalo herds, also wolves, foxes, beavers and otters; also smaller game such as racoon, prairie chickens, wild turkeys, cotton tail rabbits and wild ducks and fish along the rivers. Gradually the land was cleared and eager Sportmen of the state who wished to exercise their skill with firearms formed clubs of various sorts. In 1927 Atlanta organized a Gun Club for the purpose of becoming skilled in trap shooting and marksmanship. Oran Atteberry was chosen president and J. A. Ash, secretary-treasurer. Then in September 1928 the Club was reorganized and became the Atlanta Sportsman's Club. This group was not very active until 1934. Several fox drives were held. In 1937 the Club organized as the Atlanta Chapter of the Logan County Sportmen's Club through the Lincoln Chapter and was also a member of the Illinois Federation. Its aim is bird rearing, feeding of game birds in winter, game cover and general hunting. The Club has grown to one hundred in membership and in 1947 took out its own Charter and is now working with the Conservation Department at Springfield to establish recreation centers, to improve game laws, to eliminate pollution of streams and to reclaim flood lands along the Illinois River. To Otis Hulva goes much of the credit for the continued activities of this Club. ROTARY CLUB The Atlanta Rotary Club No. 4142 of District No. 215 was organized in February 1937 with Charter Night being Feb. 23rd, 1937, under the sponsorship of the Lincoln Rotary Club. Charter Night was attended by some 350 Rotarians, their wives and guests and was held in the High School Gym. Dr. R. Lynn Ijams was the first president, with Charlew Few, Vice President; Ernest Seelye, Secretary-Treasurer, and Haskell Montgomery, Sergeant at Arms. The Board of Directors consisted of the following members: R. L. Ijams, Richard Patton, J. M. Dowdy, J. A. Hoblit, P. A. Crihfield, Charles F. Few and L. E. Mason. Regular meetings were to be held at 12:15 each Wednesday at the Christian. Church. There were 35 charter members and fourteen of the original Charter members are still active members and one is an honorary member. One member of the Club, J. M. Dowdy, has a record of perfect attendance. The Club is known throughout the present District as one of the top clubs in attendance. The Club has aided and sponsored numerous projects during its sixteen years as a service Club, but is best known for its sponsorship arid work with the Boy Scouts of Atlanta. At present the Club alternates its noonday meetings between the Christian Church, the Methodist Church and the Atlanta-Eminence Community building. BOY SCOUTS In 1915 the first Boy Scout troop was organized by Rev. Robert H. Newton, pastor of the Christian Church. It was sponsored by the churches of Atlanta and the Scouts met in the basement of the new Christian Church. The boys in the troop raised funds by caring for lawns and gardens. Of the fifteen boys who formed the first troop only two now live in Atlanta. When the United States entered World War 1 some of the older boys enlisted. The spirit of Scouting lived, but for a time there was no regular organization. On January 4, 1926 Troop 23 of Logan County Boy Scouts was organized, with Allen Houser as Scoutmaster. It was sponsored by a group of interested citizens and the Scouts met in the Library basement. The boys formed their own band and played for local gatherings. June Crandall and Verne Riley were the troop's first Eagle Scouts. Conrad Miller was chosen to represent the Council at Culver Camp. The troop won many awards, among them a silver loving cup. After the Council acquired Camp Griesheim, Atlanta contributed and erected one of the cabins. At one time, during the period that J. B. Austin was Scoutmaster and Harold Haines assistant Scoutmaster there were six Eagle Scouts in the troop—Robert Applegate, Robert Crihfield, Thomas Hieronymus, Richard Howser, Bernard Twomey, Jr. and Carl Watt. The troop attended a Region 7 Camporee at Terre Haute, Indiana and came home with a blue ribbon. The Atlanta Rotary Club has sponsored Boy Scouts in Atlanta continuously since 1938 or '39. In 1943 the troop was reorganized by Scoutmaster Harold Haines and his assistants, Dick Gilbert, Dick Schmidt and Barrett W. Rogers. Mr. Haines was awarded the Scoutmaster's Key for length of service and outstanding qualities of leadership. Bob Ellis, one of the Scouts in the troop, had the pleasure of seeing his father, Judge William S. Ellis, one of the original incorporators of the Logan County Council, awarded the Silver Beaver on February 12, 1946. Three Scouts, Lynn Hieronymus, Allyn Ijams and Larry Johnson, received Eagle awards, January 26, 1950. Bob Ellis and Jim Dickerson went as delegates to the International Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, June 25, 1950. George Brock was Scoutmaster. The Atlanta Scouts are now Troop 123 of the Prairie Trails District of the Corn Belt Council Boy Scouts of America. They have their quarters on the second floor of the garage at the rear of the Community Building. The Troop Committee, the fathers and the Park District Board worked together to make these quarters a suitable meeting place. THE CUB SCOUTS On October 21, 1936 the Parent Teacher Association voted to sponsor a Cub Scout program in Atlanta. The following committee was appointed: William S. Ellis, Joseph Billeter, Mrs. Madeline Watt and Mrs. Leska Taylor. The first Cub Scout Pack was organized in November, 1936. A training course in Cubbing was given by William S. Ellis. The Charter was received January 14, 1937. Mr. Ellis was the first Cubmaster; Thomas H. Turtle was the first assistant. Members of the first Pack committee were G. H. Turtle, Phillip McCullough and J. P. Billeter. Mrs. Maxey Sugg was the first Den Mother, and Robert Applegate and Carl Watt were the Den Chiefs. William S. Ellis, Jr. was the first Atlanta Cub to pass the Bobcat requirements. After a few years interest lagged and Cubbing was inactive until 1948. The Atlanta Cub Scout Pack No. 123 was organized April 24, 1948. The Charter was received May 15, 1948, at which time an Indian Ceremonial was presented by the Pack. The Couples Class of the Methodist Church has continuously sponsored this group. Edward Pittenger and Leland H. Dunham were the first institutional representatives; George Stunkard the first Cubmaster; Eldon Givens, the first Assistant Cubmaster. The Pack, consisting of twenty-one boys, was divided into three dens. Mrs. George Stunkard, Mrs. Edward Pittenger and Mrs. Homer Hamblin were Den Mothers; Robert M. Ellis, Lynn Hieronymus and Allyn Ijams were Den Chiefs. Dr. R. L. Ijams and Russell Daugherty, Scout Executive for the Prairie Trails District, were active in the establishment of this Pack. Weekly Den meetings are held for the boys in the homes of the Den Mothers and monthly meetings are held at the Atlanta-Eminence Memorial home for the parents and Cubs. The Cub program furnishes fun for the boys and guidance in developing character, skill and interests. It fulfills the need of boys for belonging to a "gang." GIRL SCOUTS The first step toward Girl Scouting in Atlanta was taken by the Atlanta Woman's Club. On Nov. 10, 1937 that organization voted to sponsor Girl Scouting in this community. The objectives of the Girl Scout organization are: character building, creative recreation, responsible and democratic citizenship, community service, world friendship, the development of skills and attitudes that build better human relationships, which, in turn, make happier homes in better communities. On Jan. 5, 1938 the president of the Woman's Club appointed the first Troop Committee as follows: Mrs. Arthur Applegate, Mrs. Frank Bevan, Mrs. Oran Brandt, Mrs. Roy Colaw and Mrs. Harold Wiseman. After several meetings of the Troop Committee, mothers, potential leaders and a National Staff representative, two "Lone Troops" were registered with the National Organization May 5, 1938. During the first year of Girl Scouting forty-four girls, ten to fourteen years of age, and eleven adults were registered. Miss Emma Wiggers, Miss Esther Voile, Miss Mildred Kurth and Miss Pauline Lundgren were among the first of the Girl Scout leaders. The Atlanta Junior Woman's Club, soon after it was organized, voted to cooperate with the Atlanta Woman's Club in sponsoring the Girl Scouts. Mrs. Robert McKown and Mrs. Robert Wertheim, serving during the year 1940-41, were the first Girl Scout Committee. Girl Scouting continued active, having an average registration of thirty-three girls and nine adults, until May of 1943 when there were no leaders available. In March 1946 Mrs. Elton Fuller, Mrs. Sam Ewing and Mrs. Darrell Rankin volunteered to serve as leaders and Girl Scouting was revived. Twenty-nine girls, ages eleven, twelve and thirteen, and six adults were registered. In March, 1947 the first Brownie troop was organized in Atlanta. Twenty-two girls, ages seven, eight and nine, and five adults were registered. Mrs. Harold Gilbert and Mrs. Cecil French were leaders. In January, 1947 the troops in Atlanta ceased to be "Lone Troops" when the Atlanta Girl Seoul*Association was formed as part of the Logan County Council. Mrs. Paul Schmidt was chairman and Mrs. Eldon Givens, vice-chairman of the new organization. Mrs. Paul Schmidt has served as president of the Logan County Girl Scout Board of Directors and Mrs. R. L. Ijams has served as program chairman of the Logan County Council; Mrs. Arthur Applegate has served as a member of the program committee; Mrs. Elton Fuller has served as chairman of the County Membership-Nominating Committee; Mrs. Eldon Givens has served as a member of the County Staff and Office Committee. In February, 1948 the Girl Scouts were assigned a room in the Atlanta-Eminence Memorial Home and in April the mothers and fathers of the girls furnished and decorated it, making it a most attractive meeting place. The Girl Scouts helped with a general money making project for the benefit of the Memorial Home fund. With the advantages of better training for leaders and a wider scope of program activities which were a result of Council membership, the scouting standards of both girls and adults have steadily risen. In September, 1950 the first Senior Scout troop was organized. Mrs. D. A. Hofer and Mrs. Merle Liesman were leaders. Fourteen girls, ages fourteen to eighteen, and five adults were registered. Joyce Bateman, Virginia Bateman, Dorothy Dyer, Barbara Gilbert, Sally Givens, Joyce Ijams, Lynd Wertheim and Hannah Ijams have earned and have awarded the Curved Bar. At present there are eighty-four girls and thirty-three adults registered. FARM BUREAU AND THE 4-H CLUB The Logan County Farm Bureau was organized Dec. 5, 1917 with approximately 300 charter members. Murrel Miller was elected to the first executive board. Mr. E. T. Ebersol, first Farm Adviser, was employed February 1, 1918. In January, 1922 the Farm Bureau "Reflector," issued monthly was first published. Its purpose is to keep members informed on all activities of the organization. Among the services offered by the Farm Bureau are: assistance in the formation of co-operative and pure bred livestock associations, procuring high quality seed, sponsoring a baseball team and 4-H Clubs, maintaining a farm help bureau, a soil testing laboratory and a producer's market, making available information on insect and parasite control and offering all branches of insurance through the insurance department. Atlanta Community was represented at the Producer's Market by Mrs. Fred Zollars, Mrs. James L. Bradway, Mrs. F. L. Sumner and Mrs. Dean A. Hoblit, whose culinary offerings were always in great demand. Since 1943 many families have been enrolled in the Blue Cross Plan for hospital care through the Farm Bureau. The County Rural Youth, sponsored by the Farm Bureau, is very active. Richard Applegate was one of the first presidents of this group. On October 21, 1947, the Logan Farm Service Company was organized and now has service stations in several Logan County towns. J. Hardin Ellis represents the Atlanta territory on this board. In the fall of 1938 the Logan County Co-operative Food Locker was formed. In 1945 they purchased the Myrick plant in Atlanta which they operated until the present new building was completed. E. L. Hughes has been a director on the board from this vicinity since 1943. The artificial semination program was started in the fall of 1949. Both the Agricultural and Home Economic 4-H Clubs were sponsored by the Farm Bureau until 1946 when the present Home Bureau was organized and became the sponsor for the Home Economic Clubs. Much credit is due Mr. Oscar F. Mount joy and Mr. J. A. Hoblit, Sr. for the first corn and beef 4-H clubs in this area. The farm girls and boys of the community have shown a great deal of interest in these projects and have won; some important awards. Among the State corn award winners were: Arthur Miller, highest yielding acre plot; Julia Irish, Corn Princess Utility Corn Show; John A. Hoblit, Jr., Corn Prince Utility Corn Show and Joseph B. .Mountjoy, Corn Prince Utility Corn Show. Frank D. Hoblit and Carolyn Mountjoy received blue ribbons in the County Calf Club show. A large number of the Club members have received top awards at the County Fair. John T. Brandt won the 4-H Championship on sheep at the International Show; Robert M. Ellis, first place State Sheep Production; Lyle Miller, first place State Dairy Judging and Walter Rankin, first place State Dairy Heifer. In 1948 John W. Horn received the medal from the Lincoln Kiwanis Club, an award given annually to the outstanding 4-H Club boy or girl in the County. HOME BUREAU AND THE 4-H CLUB On April 20, 1918 Atlanta was represented at a meeting of the Logan County Committee of Women's Council of National Defense at Lincoln to' discuss the need for a leader of an organization which would render a greater service to the war emergency work. Under the direction of this leader, or Women's County Adviser, conservation of food, uses of substitutes in a balanced ration, conservation of health and child welfare would be taught. Speakers from the extension department of the U. of Illinois appeared before various women's groups to demonstrate the use of substitutes. The Atlanta Women's Council of National Defense, registered Nov. 1917, met at the school house June 14, 1918 and the Atlanta Unit of the Logan County Home Improvement Association was organized. Mrs. A. B. Applegate was elected Chairman and Mrs. Maskel Lee, Secretary. Mrs. A. B. Applegate was selected as temporary representative on the county board with Mrs. A. P. Miller as alternate. On June 28, 1918 at a meeting in Lincoln of the chairmen of all districts of the Logan County Home Improvement Association, the first Logan County Home Bureau was organized. Mrs. A. B. Applegate was appointed to serve on the committee to secure a Home Adviser. Miss Lena Corzine was the first Home Adviser and began her work October 15, 1918. The following members of the Atlanta Unit served on the county board: Mrs. A. B. Applegate, Mrs. Bert McKinnon and Mrs. J. R. Patton. Mrs. John A. Hoblit and Mrs. Herman Hahn were unit representatives. The Atlanta Unit met the third Friday of each month. The meetings were held in the Atlanta Library, the school house, the Baptist Church and in the homes of members. Production, preservation and nutrition of foods, improvement of home furnishings to promote happier family living, health, clothing construction and household accounts were some of the projects. On October 15, 1920 a tour of the model home of Mrs. H. M. Dunlap at Savoy, Illinois was made by members of the Home Bureau; four cars of women representing the Atlanta Unit attended. Mrs. John A. Hoblit was County Tour Chairman. Members of the Atlanta Unit served as hostesses at the Home Bureau tent maintained at the Lincoln Chautauqua for the convenience of Logan County Home Bureau members attending Chautauqua during the summer of 1921. The dues of $2.00 were raised to $3.00 in 1921. The response to the efforts of local leaders, the Home Adviser and the U. of Illinois extension service was not great enough to make possible the continuation of the organization after the year 1922. A group of women representing the townships of the county met Jan. 29, 1946 to discuss the possibility of organizing a Home Bureau. On April 23, 1946 the Logan County Home Bureau was organized with 540 members. It was incorporated in July, 1946. Mrs. Harold O. Quisenberry represented the Atlanta and Eminence Units as director on the first Executive Board of the Logan County Home Bureau. Mrs. Mabel Albrecht has served continuously as Home Adviser. The Atlanta Unit was organized July 16, 1946. Mrs. Frank Bevan was elected chairman; Mrs. DeWitt Yeast, vice chairman and Mrs. Howard Hieronymus, secretary-treasurer. There were 80 active and 10 associate members. The membership dues were $5.00. The aim of the Home Bureau is—"To have every home economically sound, mechanically convenient, morally wholesome, mentally stimulating, artistically satisfying, physically healthful, socially responsible, spiritually inspiring, founded on mutual affection and respect." Meetings were first held in Woodman Hall, later in the Agriculture room at the school house. On December 18, 1947 the new Atlanta-Eminence Memorial Home became the regular meeting place. Lesson projects have included home furnishings, family living, foods and nutrition, home management, health, clothing and child guidance and hand craft. Included in hand craft were glove making, leather tooling, metal craft, textile painting, chair caning, shell craft, decorative stitches and rug making. The County organization has sponsored several tours, among them a tour of New Orleans, La. and Natchez, Miss, in 1947; tours of Holland, Mich, at tulip time in 1947 and 1949; tours of Washington, D. C. in 1947 and 1950. The Atlanta Unit co-operates each year in conducting T. B. X-rays and contributes to the Cancer and Polio funds. A "Breakfast in Hollywood" was held Jan. 11, 1947 in the High School gymnasium as a money making project. A large crowd attended and enjoyed Tommy Bartlett's program and the hat contest. In May, 1929 the first Atlanta Home Economics 4-H Club was organized, with Mrs. O. F. Mountjoy, leader. Twenty-four girls, ages ten through seventeen, were enrolled as members. Meetings were held in the Atlanta school hous and in the Hoblit rural school. The following girls were delegates to the State Contest: Carolyn Mountjoy and Julia Irish, dress revue delegates; Nadine Heft and Irma Brandt, delegates for the judging of clothing. Helen Paulsen was a Foods Project delegate to the State Fair. After five years of successful work the Club became inactive and there were no 4-H Economic Clubs until the organization of the Logan County Home Bureau in 1946. When the local unit of the Home Bureau first organized it sponsored three 4-H Clubs. Mrs. Arthur Begolka, Mrs. William Turner and Mrs. DeWitt Yeast were leaders. Mrs. Yeast is a present member of the County 4-H Committee. Sixty-five girls have been active in 4-H work during the past six years. Dixie Lee Baker was a delegate for dress revue from Logan County to the State Fair in 1951; Rosemary Bruce entered her dress to be judged for clothing construction at the State Fair in 1952; Lynd Wertheim attended 4-H camp in Petersburg in 1947; Alice Begolka served on the County 4-H Federation Board in 1949. Following is the pledge of the 4-H Club—"I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living, for my club, my community and my country." Additional Comments: Extracted from: A HISTORY OF ATLANTA 1853-1953 Prepared by Citizens of Atlanta As a Part of the Observance of the Centennial, June 11,12 and 13,1953 THE PUBLICATION IS SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA WOMAN'S CLUB Atlanta, Illinois 1953 Published By The Stewart - Pinks Publishing Co. Atlanta, Illinois File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/logan/history/1953/ahistory/serviceo68gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 25.7 Kb