. Historical encyclopedia of Illinois. gs will be permanent, perhaps out-living the popular Chautauquas which, in theWest at least, are not yet as long lived as the OldSettlers Association of Dawson Township. July 11, 1885, fifteen citizens of the vicinityof Ellsworth met in Shinkles Hall in Ellsworthto organize an Old Settlers Reunion. Henry was elected Chairman and DanielArrowsmith Secretary pro tern. This meetingwas the start of the Old Settlers Organizationof Eastern McLean County, which has continuerlup to the present time, 1907. All of the originalpromoters are deceased, but
. Historical encyclopedia of Illinois. gs will be permanent, perhaps out-living the popular Chautauquas which, in theWest at least, are not yet as long lived as the OldSettlers Association of Dawson Township. July 11, 1885, fifteen citizens of the vicinityof Ellsworth met in Shinkles Hall in Ellsworthto organize an Old Settlers Reunion. Henry was elected Chairman and DanielArrowsmith Secretary pro tern. This meetingwas the start of the Old Settlers Organizationof Eastern McLean County, which has continuerlup to the present time, 1907. All of the originalpromoters are deceased, but four, viz.: MatthewRichardson and William Van Gundy of O. Rider of Paulding, Ohio, and C. H. Whit-aker of Indianapolis, Ind. The first President ofthe organization was Mark Banks, elected Au-gust 27, 1885, who died February 9, 1907, whowas elected each year until 1902 when the infirm-ities of old age compelled him to retire. The firstreunion was held August 27. 1865, at ChristinaPark two miles south of Ellsworth, and was. JAMES H-M^GREGOR HISTORY OP McLEAN COUNTY. 699 held there until ISO, when it was moved 80rods north to Betzer Park where the twenty-third annual reunion was held August 8, of the original members had the least ideathat these reunions would continue longer than afew years, that the attendance would grow tosuch proportions, or that they would work upsuch interest every year, and it api)ears as thoughthey will continue indefinitely, as the youngerpeople are taking up work as the old ones haveto relinquish it. We have had a number of distinguished speak-ers to address the crowds such as Judge , Gen. McClernand, Hon. T. C. Kerrick,President David Felmley, Gov. J. W. Fifer, H. Rowell, Judge T. P. Tipton, Rev. J. , Hon. J. A. Sterling, Judge R. A. Russell,L. H. Kerrick, I. N. Phillips, Richard Ed-wards, Dr. A. E. Stewart, S. H. West, and a greatma)iy others equally prominent. Judge Tiptonwas President of the day from 189
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