Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-10-11
OIL PAINTING 0 F.
WILLIAM REDDICK
PRESENTED LIBRARY
WoMAN's CLUB MAKES GIFT OF
PICTURE IN HONOR OF MAN
WHO GAVE OTTAWA ITS GREAT.
d, EST PUBLIC BUILDING.

81 William Reddick, the man who gave
Ottawa her public library, was hon.
ored last night when an oil painting
OF him was unveiled and presented by
the members OF the Ottawa Woman 4
club to tho library board The pic
ture, which was purchased by the
club, will be hung in the library
Perene Shaver. the well known artist
was commissioned by the club tC
paint the picture. The study Is con
sidered one OF the finest pieces OF
work Mr.. Shaver has ever turned out
q The presentation was made at the
Ottawa High school at an open meet
ing Of the club. The sketch was on
an easel on the platform, draped by
antAmerican flag. Mrs. f.. s. Slewder
the club president, presided over tn,
ceremonies and made the prcsenta
ton. C. II. Kingman. president OF
the library boad, accepted the paint
Ing for the library.
The meeting was opened by com
munity song service in charge OF
John l.. Hoff.
Mrs. Slewder in unwilling the paint
ing and making the presentation
speech read o tribute to William Red
dick prepared By Mrs. j. w. Petit
first president OF the club. Mrs. Pet
tit was scheduled to make talk pay
ing tribute to Mr.. Reddick, but she
was unable, to attend the meeting. Hel
token read:
A Tribute to William Reddick.
In the rapid changes of the passing
years, 1t is well for our younger gen
GRAFTON to look backward to the mem
DRY of one of their greatest benefac
tors, William Reddick. Especially tC
them, as well as TO the general pub
lie, Is presented this portrait as a con
tinual reminder of HIS benefactions
''He was trained in the school OF
adversely; left fathcrless at the age
OF IL years, he learned the greatest oi
all lessons, to depend upon himself
Having learned the window glass
trade In Brownsville, Pa, he later went
with his young wife to Washington
d. c., where he blew glass for two
years and saved $1,000. the first
money of any amount he ever had
We know nothing of his early days o
schooling. excepting that they wher,
very meager, and that he longed fol
greater ones, longing which he ca.
ried through life. and which finally
found expression in the bequest OF
his palatial home to be used as q
public library that the boys and girls
who succeeded him might have great
or advantages in access to books. II
1888 he was elected sheriff OF Ia
Sale county and held the office until
1S46. He was land appraiser and
county collector at that time. He was
state senator from 1S47 to 1851. and
in 1870 was elected again for twc
years. He was a member of the
county board of supervisors for many
years, also a member of the state
board of trustees of the Kankakee in
sane asylum.
His portrait has long been placed
upon the walls Of that state instit l.
ton.
HE died March 10, 1885, beloved
and mourned by those who knew him
best and recognized his sterling quail.
ties. tt is tribute to his memory
that VIC present this portrait today to
The board of trustees of Reddick
library.
THE Womans club of Ottawa
wishes to express its gratitude to this
board in allowing them the use of its
auditorium for its board meetings, and
the use of its reference books as well
as its circulation library.
This portrait was recently painted
by one who knew him in daily life,
Mr.. Perene Shaver, our well known
artist, and it has been approved by
other early settlers of La Sale
county.
"'Honor to Whom Honor Is Due
is our motto, and we trust that you
will accept this memorial and hang
1t upon the walls which he has dedi.
Gated to the use of the people of OF.
tawa as a means of higher education. y
MIR. Kingman. in accepting the gift
expressed thanks on behalf of the
library boad and the people of OF.
tawa. He spoke briefly but with well
chosen words on the bigness and the
modesty of the founder of the library
and exhibited some very interesting
documents of historic valuo that had