August 7, 2018
The Spencer County Historical Society met on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, in the Rockport Library Genealogy Room.
The meeting was called to order by the president at 6:30 PM with twelve members and two guests present.
The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved as corrected. At the previous meeting it was stated the plaque honoring the sheriffs would list all their names. The plaque only had David Edwards, who was the first sheriff, and honoring all the following sheriffs.
The treasurer’s report was given.
A member showed the plaque he purchased from Grandview Aluminum to honor the first sheriff of Spencer County-David Edwards. The member is a descendant of David Edwards.
A member mentioned the owner was very pleased with the handling of the Lincoln powder horn at the Springfield, Illinois Museum. It will be on loan there for a year.
A member showed samples of wording for the two plaques which will be made to recognize the 200th celebration of the churches which have had active congregations since 1818. Actually, the Little Pigeon Creek Baptist Church has been in existence since June 8, 1816. She is going to check with the churches for approval on the wording and then check on prices.
A member brought up the need for a plaque to be placed near the Langford (Lankford) cave below the bluff, telling they were the first family living in Rockport. He suggested a member, who is a direct descendant, compose the wording. A motion was made and seconded to go ahead and pursue the plaque for the cave. The motion carried.
The president mentioned the book a member had compiled about the American Legion Baseball Tournament History, 1926-2017. The state said it could not be done, but he did it alone and donated a copy to the Library Genealogy Room.
The president stated two people are organizing material from the Southwestern Indiana Historical Society which was formed in 1920 to write a book. One has visited the Genealogy Room and was very complimentary of the materials. He called it “a jewel and it offered great assistance. Keep up the good work.” He is also using the Lincoln Inquiry. The Indiana Historical Society will be publishing the book.
The president also announced a member was selling mugs for the 200th anniversary of Spencer County. There are nine mugs, one for each township with a brief history, and a tenth larger mug with information about Abraham Lincoln.
The president said the Spencer County Bicentennial Book committee will be selling books at the Dale Fall Festival. The books are scheduled to be delivered soon. He also said if anyone wants to purchase a book which was not pre-ordered, they should contact him. The book will cost $49.00 which includes tax.
A member reported a person had contacted him concerning a program to honor Nancy Hanks Lincoln on her 200th birthday. He has been doing research on her life and how hard it was before marrying Thomas Lincoln. The member is going to work with the Lincoln National Boyhood Memorial to set up a program.
The secretary reported on communications she had received since the last meeting:
· There was one interesting e-mail from China concerning a (supposedly) misprinted book.
· A former Spencer County resident, who now lives in Georgia, had purchased one of every book the Society has for sale. When she received her books, she was surprised to see a picture of her great-grandfather.
· Kendell Thompson, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial superintendent, will be moving to Dayton, Ohio. What about the restoration of the mural, “Lincoln’s Forest College”? A member said funding had already been approved; the next step is up to the government.
The next topic discussed was the Historian of the Year Banquet. Several dates were mentioned for October. The president will check on the availability of the Cornerstone Methodist Church. More will be decided at the next meeting. As we did last year, the program will be presented first followed by the meal.
A guest talked about the Veatch family reunions that are held. The one for 2019 will be held in Springfield, Illinois. He is putting together a proposal to have the 2020 reunion at Spring Mill Park in Mitchell, Indiana, and have them visit various locations in Spencer County, especially Rockport where Col. James C. Veatch lived.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
The next meeting will be September 4, 2018 at 6:30 PM in the Genealogy Room.