Otto’s Column

LOCAL HISTORY A short summary of Frank O. L owden’s life

Editor’snote:OttoDick,Oregonhasresearched the people, places and events important in the Oregonarea’shistoryfortheOgleCountyHistoricalSociety.Thefollowingisoneofa seriesofthe articleshehaswritten.

BY OTTO DICK

In the late 1860’s Frank Lowden, age 7, walked behind a covered wagon from Minnesota to Iowa. His father farmed and his son Frank helped. During this time of helping his father he attended country schools.

When he was 15 he got a job teaching school. He taught for five years and earned enough money to attend the University of Iowa.

Following his college career which he paid for from his teaching income he attended the Northwestern Law School in Chicago.

At age 26 he graduated and practiced law in Chicago. His law practice and his intellectual skills gave him a comfortable living and social position in Chicago. Photos supplied by Otto Dick TOP LEFT: Frank O. Lowden as a young boy. CENTER: Lowden when he was a senior at the State University of Iowa, 1885. RIGHT: Lowden when he was a candidate for Illinois governor in 1916. BELOW: Governor Lowden on his horse

“Iowa”.

Political Career - Three Fairly Distinct Period

(Time Period One-1899-1900)

Lowden’s father was a member of the Democratic Party. Frank switched to the Republican Party after he moved to Chicago. This is interesting because Chicago was a Democratic stronghold.

He entered the presidential campaign and devoted his speaking ability to supporting William McKinley for President of the United States. President McKinley offered him a position in Washington D. C., but Lowden was not ready to leave his law profession.

In 1903 friends urged him to seek the nomination for Governor of Illinois.

At the Republican Convention lasting twenty-one days he was defeated by Charles S. Deneen.

After the Convention Lowden devoted his time to the election of Deneen for the governorship. During this time he served a twelve year apprenticeship working on reforms of Chicago’s City Hall.

While working on the City Hall reforms Lowden married Florence Pullman and in 1896 purchased a farm in Ogle County.

(Time Period Two 1906-1911)

He represented the Thirteenth District of this area as a member of the U. S. House of Representatives serving two terms. He retired for health reasons and turned his efforts to the Sinnissippi Farm.

He voted for the bill limiting the hours of labor on train crews and legislation regulating child labor.

(Time Period Three 1916-1921)

On Nov. 6, 1916, Lowden was elected Governor of Illinois by a majority of 149,824 votes.

He served as Chief Executive of Illinois during WWI and two years after the Armistice.

Upon assuming the duties of his office, Jan. 8, 1917, he turned his attention to reducing taxes in

LOCAL NEWS Oregon Presbyterian Church is sold, to be become daycare

‘Membership is declining overall and this is an example’ - Heinekamp

BY JEFF HELFRICH

jhelfrich@shawmedia.com

Oregon’s Presbyterian Church was recently sold and will become a daycare facility.

The church, at 200, S. Fifth St. was sold for $53,000 to Kandu LLC. The church held its last service in March and closed due to declining members and was transferred to and sold by the Blackhawk Presbytery. General Presbyter and Stated Clerk Eric Heinekamp said.

“The church has been there quite some time and has gotten smaller and smaller,” Heinekamp said. “We used a local realtor. People took tours and we sold it for close to listing price. We’re seeing this more and more in our congregation unfortunately.”

The church was built in 1874 and went under a “big” renovation in 1980. It’s size is 14,300 square feet.

“It’s beautiful with the pipe organ and stained glass,” Heinekamp said. “Churches run their course, unfortunately.

Heinekamp said everything is staying with the building with the exception of some religious items like the communion table, crosses, candlesticks and wall banners.

The money from the sale will go into a fund used to support other existing congregations and new church development to support other churches, Heinekamp said.

The church’s decision to close came largely before COVID-19, which has impacted attendance at places of worship in general, Heinekamp said.

“Membership is declining in more churches overall,” Heinekamp said. “Some are doing all online and some a hybrid. Membership is declining overall and this is an example.”

Oregon does not have another Presbyterian church. Heinekamp said he’s seeing displaced church members find other churches and the presbytery tries to follow up with members.

“We closed another in Freeport,” Heinekamp said. “Members may try to find another Presbyterian church close by or another denomination. We find they’re not dropping out of church completely, it’s more consolidation.

Heinekamp believes the largest contingent from the church will attend the Lutheran church across the street.

“They have similar practices,” Heinekamp said. “Some may go there. There’s one church downtown and others are on the outskirts. We’re not sure where they’ll go.” Earleen Hinton Shaw Media

The First Presbyterian Church in Oregon has been sold. It is located on the southwest corner of Jefferson and Fifth streets in downtown Oregon.

YOUR ENVIRONMENT Byron Forest Preserve to offer lecture about invasive feral swine in Illinois

The Byron Forest Preserve District will be offering a free Winter Lecture on Sunday, Feb. 14 starting at 2 p.m. via Zoom.

Peggy Doty, Environmental and Energy Educator, University of Illinois Extension will talk about feral swine, also known as Eurasian boar or feral hogs.

These invasive animals are not native to North America and pose a huge threat to native ecosystems and agriculture operations.

While there are no known feral hog populations currently in Illinois, increasing feral swine populations in neighboring states and climate change is making their appearance in Illinois more and more likely in the future.

This program will provide information about the history of feral swine in America and the concern regarding their impacts on Illinois land, fish, wildlife and farming if these animals arrive.

The talk will also cover current research on feral swine and successful methods of removing them.

To access this lecture, email the Byron Forest Preserve District at info@byronforestpreserve.com to register and receive the link and password for join this Zoom program. Call 815 234-8535 extension 200 for more information.

SPECIAL EVENT

Leaf River church to host blood drive on Monday, Feb. 8

The Leaf River United Methodist Church will host a Community Blood Drive on Monday, Feb. 8. Staff from the Rock River Valley Blood Center will draw blood from noon to 6 p.m.

Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.

One in three people will need blood and you never know when you or someone you love might be the one. Join us in sharing the Gift of Life.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can find the Leaf River United Methodist Church on Facebook or contact Laura at 815-276-5773, or the Rock River Valley Blood Center at 815-965-8751, toll free at 877-RRVBC-99 or on the web at rrvbc.org. For other locations where you can donate, go to rrvbc. org/drives-calendar.