Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-11-17
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETS.
MemberS and Friends Listen to Ad-
dress by johnson Brigham.

Members and friends of the Histori-
cal Society of Marshall County
Monday night. at the public
library auditorium, listened to
an address by Johnson Brigham. Of
Des Moines. state librarian. on
pioneering in Iowa" and to memorial
addresses by Thaddeus Binford and
Mrs. R. E. Sears on George F. Kirby
and Mrs. a. Janney both charter
members of the society.
Mr.. Brigham gave brief review of
the period Of Iowa history prior to the
thrush of the pioneer incidentally con-
Meeting the story of the elopment OF
John c. Fremont and Jessie Benton
with Fremont's exploring expedition In
to interior Iowa. Mr.. Brigham out
lined the history of the claim associa-
ton organized to protect the pioneer
from the land Spectator. He told
several interesting instances in which
the members of these associations at
Burlington, Iowa City. and Des Moines
had disposed of SPECTATORS on i'm
proved claims. Mr.. Brigham spoke of
Calhoun's denunciation Of these would
-monopolists and showed by a
famous decision that these claims were
founded on equity.
In his memorial to Nj Kirby Mr..
Binford gave a sketch Of the life and
work Of Mr.. Kirby, telling of his sue
cess as a civil engineer and how, in
the building of the Northwestern rail-
road across Iowa, Mr.. Kirby saw and
believed that Iowa was destined to be-
come a great state. Since 1872. when
Mr.. Kirby decided to make this state
his home, he was a resident of this
city In most all of the important en-
terprises that tended TO develop the
city and county Mr.. Kirby was in
terested Mr.. Binford spoke of Mr..
Kirby as a dignified man, dignified be-
cause he was serious and earnest in
his thoughts and work; that he was a
man among men to be admired and
command respect of all who knew him.
In alters of business and in matters
concerning society he was always COM
panionable and courteous. and altho he
was firm in his beliefs and convictions,
he was never arbitrary, and was al
ways ready to listen to reasoning of
others, and would cheerfully admit if
ne were in the wrong or mistaken. Mr..
Binford also spoke of Mr.. Kirby as a
delightful host. In closing Mr.. Bin
ford said. This society has lost val
liable member, each member has lost
friend this city has lost one of it's
most earnest, honest and influential
citizens; the state has lost an honest
and upright man, whose memory Will
long be cherished and never forgotten
by those who knew him."
Mrs. Sears spoke feelingly Of Mrs.
Janney, and paid many beautiful trib-
utes to her memory. Mrs. Sears told
Of her own and Mrs. Jancey's girl
hood days, when both were pupils AZ
the seminary in the old Woodbury. hall,
pupils Of Professor Wilson. Mrs. Sears
told Of Mrs. Janney's marriage and
husband in the mercantile business
which gave her the opportunity Of
making a broad acquaintance in both
the city and county. In knowing the
people Mrs. Janney kept in touch with
their needs and evidence Of her work
and charity are still fresh In the mem
DRY Of many. Mrs. Sears told Of Mrs.
Janney's club work. Mrs. Janney was
the second president Of the City Fed
Grafton Of Woman's Clubs, a position
she held for several years. She was
deeply interested in all the civic i'm
provements, and was instrumental
among others in securing the county
rest room at the court house. Mrs. jan
| torical society, and member of the
board Of the society, and aided much in
establishing the valuable collection of
relics for the society. She was. also in
terested in the project Of securing the