The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-06-28
|OLD Settlers MEET.
Large Number of Pioneers Pic.
mic at Sibley Park.
EulOgies on the Late John G. Wise
Sr. and James ShOemaker.---Ad-
dress by Gen. Jas. II. Baker.

Sr. and James ShOemaker.---Ad-
dress by Gen. Jas. II. Baker.
The rain Friday morning and the
threatening clouds of the forenoon pre-
vented many of the old settlers from
attending the annual reunion of the
Territorial Historical society of Man
kato which was held on the picnic
grounds at Sibley park today. How
ever, the gathering was pleasant one,
the occasion affording an opportunity
of meeting and enjoying the annual
picnic dinner and exchanging of old
time experiences. Among those pre-
sent who came to Blue Earth county
prior to 1858 were: Rev. Father
Powell, G. A. Chapman, John Dia-
m ond, Gen. Baker. o. o. Pitcher, W.
B. Walker, L. g. NJ. Fletcher. j. G.
Fowler, U. Karmany, W. l.. Wilson
Thos Hughes, John Barnard, Fred
Kron, M. B. Haynes, VIM. Paddock,
A. G. Barney, Judge Daniel Buck, j.
B. Coy, VIM. Irving, Geo. Keenan,.
Stephen Lamm, Joe Kron, Chas. Bar
ney of Ceresco, J. c. Thompson of
Vernon, Jos. Dolby of Mapleton, James
Miller of Amboy, G. 81. Whitney of
Mapleton, c. b. Herman of Mime
apolis and Thos. Hayes of. Vernon
Center.
The ladies who came to Mankato in
the SOS and early COS attending to-
days reunion were:
Mrs. o. o. Pitcher, Mrs. Kron,
| mother of Fred and J. Kron, Mrs.
Nv. B. Walker, Mrs. Funk, and Mrs.
Catharine Cole.
In the death of James Shoemaker
the organization lost its president,
and John Diamond acted in that capa-
city today. The gathering was called
to order at 1 80 and prayer was offer
ed by Rev. J. W. Powell. A male
quartet, consisting of Glenn Schroeder,
D. G. Davies, A. o. Eberhart and
Albert Hughes. furnished the music.
| Huge baskets filled with eatables
were opened on the tables and dinner
was served to all present.
| The afternoon session was opened by
temporary chairman, John Diamond.
The quartet sung Sunday morning, "
and in response to an encore "Old
| Kentucky Home A. c. Chapman
read his report as secretary and treas
urer for the preceding year; The Or
ganization has a balance of $32. 70 in
the treasury and has a membership of
1879, including territorial settlers and
their wives. During the year FIVE of
their members have died. Deceased
members and date of death are: John
&c. Wise Sr.. Nov. II, 1900;J B.
Swan, Jan. 10, 1901; Geo. P. Hoerr,
Jan. 10, 1901; Jas. Shoemaker, May
%, 1901 Abel Keene, May %, 1901
Henry Goodrich, June 4, 1901. The
secretary read resolutions on the death
of James Shoemaker which were
adopted by rising vote. Letters from
P. K. johnson of Brainerd, and J.
l.. Washburn of Duluth, were also read,
both of which expressed regret at their
inability to attend the meeting and
eulogizing the late John G. Wise.an
James Shoemaker.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Thos. Hayes of Vernon Center nomi-
mated Thos. Hughes for president.
Mr.. Hughes declined and nominated
John Diamond, whose election was
made..unanimous, the secretary was in
structed to cast the vote of the mem
beers.
| Thos Hayes of Vernon Center declin-
ed the nomination for vice president,
but he was elected.
G. A. Chapman was again nominated
for secretary and treasurer but declin-
ed and NJ B. Haynes was chosen.
An executive committee consisting
of Leo S. Lamm, Thos. Hughes, A. G..
Barney and L. g. M. Fletcher was
| elected.
ADDRESS BY GEN. BAKER.
The address of the day was delivered
by Gen. Jas. g. Baker, which we
give in full:
| I am not here today to pronounce a
eulogy on the life and character of a
great statesman, or an illustrious ora
tor. But 1 am here with you, to COM
memorate the life of an old friend,
a true and worthy citizen, an honest
man and one who was the type of an
"old settler.
The good citizen who has long borne
a faithful and loyal part in the life
and upbuilding of a community is as
much entitled to have his obsequies
and his memory celebrated by his fell
lows, as the great man who falls as the
idol of his people. Nor are we here to
utter the measured phrases of pre-
meditated woe, but to speak kindly
and tenderly of the life and virtues OF
him, who was one of ourselves, and
who was so long living part OF the
city he loved so we'll. 1t is not the
great man, as men are measured by
the world, that aid most in laying the
foundations of an infant city, but it is
he, who, in a more humble way, is
the daily worker in the plain ranks
of the people, unostentatiously,
patiently, honestly, persistently, work
ing for the good of his community.
Such was James Shoemaker A plain,
private citizen, with no blazonry of
genius, with no grandeur of greatness,
but a good and honest citizen. ever