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Charles Fremont “Charlie” Palmer (1861-1957)

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Charles Fremont "Charlie" Palmer (1861-1957)

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    1899 Palmer Anniversary    		 Placeholder
    ca. 1875-80
The following May 25, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 4:
    Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hayden of Harvey, Ill., entertained the following guests at a five o'clock dinner, Sunday, at the home of her father, Charles Palmer, in honor of his 83rd birthday: Mrs. Etta Ragon, a sister and John Palmer, a brother, all of Crown Point; Mr. and Mrs. L.W. Shurte, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Brown and Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Hayhurst.
A copy of the following newspaper article, hand-identified as being from the May 14, 1954, Star, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

    This Is About 'Uncle Charley' Palmer, His 93rd Birthday And A 'Wild' Cat Bill

    When Charles Palmer was up from Lowell with his daughter, Mrs. Harry Hayden, to see his sister, Mrs. E.E. Ragon Thursday, he made one of his highly prized calls at the STAR office and left with the editor one of his treasures to "put in the paper."

    What he brought is valuable and rare but it didn't seem quite so important to his friends here at the STAR as the fact that he is going to have his 93rd birthday May 14. Many friends over the county can recall with fresh satisfaction the reception the Haydens planned for "Uncle Charley" when he was 90. His anniversary has been observed more informally since, as this one will be, but the "heart" of the day is always the remembering messages from friends this matchless young man has made and kept through the years.

    Although he retired as a builder and contractor 30 years ago he still carpenters a little every day on the corner shelves he specializes in now.

    "What he brought" is a $10 bill in "wild cat currency," issued by a bank in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1839 and given to him by his uncle. Albert Taylor, whose passing occurred only a short time before a story of the extinct bill appeared in the Lake County Star when Capt. Johnny Wheeler was at the helm. Mr. Taylor had had the bill, endorsed on the back by what appeared to be the name of J. Binyon, in his possession for 63 years and had earned it by doing a few hours' work for James Palmer, father of Adelbert Palmer, whose name appears frequently in the down-county news of earlier days reprinted each week in the STAR.

    Wild cat money, it seems, was so called because of its "at will" issuance by individual banks, and merchants in those long ago days found it wise to refer to a listing when a "wild cat" bill was offered him to see whether the fostering bank was still in business. On the face of "Uncle Charley's" bill, whisper-thin and darkened by the years, is a guarantee that reads "Directors and Stockholders (responsible) and Security Given for Double the Amount of Issues."

    Although the earlier story declared that "its present owner would not part with it at any price," he told the editor Thursday that the relic, which has been shown at both the Lowell and Crown Point centennials, is now "on the Market."

A copy of the following newspaper article, hand-identified as being from the May 17, 1954, Tribune, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

    CHARLES PALMER MARKS 93RD BIRTHDAY

    Charles Palmer marked another birthday on May 14th, becoming 93 years young. The event occasioned a deluge of cards and calls, and dinner guests on Sunday evening were Mr. and Mrs. K.C. Johnson of Berwyn, Ill., and Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Johnson and sons of Lowell.

    In good health and mentally alert, Charlie enjoys the priceless possession of a wide, wide circle of friends and the cards they send in remembrance of his birthday are to him most precious. He extends his appreciation.

The following newspaper article, hand-identified as being from the May 12, 1955, Tribune, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

    CHARLES PALMER TO MARK 94TH BIRTHDAY

    Charles Palmer will mark his 94th birthday on Saturday, May 14, and he is looking forward to the annual shower of cards from his many friends who never forget the one day that is a source of real pleasure to him. Mr. Palmer spends many hours day after day reading and enjoying the cards he receives.
Last updated on February 3, 2007.

Go to Charles Fremont "Charlie" Palmer, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.

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