These abstracts contain not only births, marriages, and deaths, but also information from "gossip" columns that would be helpful in searching for ancestors. This includes "visits" that include a relationship or a different surname that includes the relationship, that is "… Mrs. John Smith of Buffalo, NY, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. John Brown, in Hinsdale", "Mr. John Brown has moved to Los Angeles", etc. Some listings are abstracts, others in which the articles were very short include the full text. The date at the end of the listing is the date of the issue of the newspaper. The volume and number are shown at the first listing for the date. When the same information was reported in several issues, for example "Mrs. John Smith of Buffalo has returned home after visiting …", I have only included the information once. The ¶ symbol in an abstract indicates the information following was in a separate article in the same issue. The newspapers are available on microfilm at Hinsdale Public Library but will not be loaned on interlibrary from there.

Volume II:

Miss Beatrice Kaynor of Spencer, Iowa, arrived in Hinsdale yesterday … visit her aunt, Mrs. H. P. Baldwin. Miss Kaylor passed a year in Hinsdale in 1895. Volume II, Number 27, Saturday, April 3, 1897

Miss Laura Boeteger spent Sunday in Hinsdale with her brother Mr. William Boeteger. April 3, 1897

Miss Clara Webber of Oak Park [visited] her uncle, Mr. A. H. Townsend [Sunday]. April 3, 1897

Mrs. William Benton of Aurora returned home after visiting in Hinsdale with her daughter, Mrs. F. L. Raymond. April 3, 1897

Postmaster Irvine announced the birth of Mr. Irvine, Jr., on Tuesday. April 3, 1897

Mr. Thomas Murray entertained … H. Crowles Smith who was visiting his aunt, Mrs. H. W. Cowles, in Hinsdale. April 3, 1897

Mr. Mears, father in law of Col. D. Munn of LaGrange, died suddenly on Tuesday … Mr. Mears [was] 100 years, 1 week, 1 day. April 3, 1897

Mrs. E. P. Orr returned Monday from Waterman [Illinois] where she went last week to attend the funeral of a relative. April 3, 1897

Mr. A. B. Osgoodby and his little son of New York City were guests of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Osgoodby April 3, 1897

Mrs. William Fox is enjoying a visit from her mother, Mrs. FOX [sic]. April 3, 1897

Dr. Frank Jay visited in Hinsdale Tuesday at the home of his sister, Mrs. George Lewis April 3, 1897

The death of Henry Kremholz … occurred Thursday morning at eleven-thirty … was thirty six years old and had resided here the greater part of his life. … in failing health for two years ... The funeral occurs from the German Lutheran church today. Volume II, Number 28, Saturday, April 10, 1897 [April 24, 1897, issue: Henry Kremholz, beloved husband of Julia Kremholz, nee Murphy, will be buried from the vault in Mount Olivet on Thursday, April 29. Trains will leave Polk street Depot at twelve P.M.]

Mr. and Mrs. Moody will make their home in Hinsdale on West [sic] Lincoln street May 1st. Mrs. Moody resided in Hinsdale several years ago with her sister, Mrs. George Hall. April 10, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. Crocker entertained a large number of relatives Friday in honor of Mr. Crocker’s birthday. April 10, 1897

Mrs. Colburn left this week for a visit with her daughter, Mrs. Baker, who lives in Sioux City …. expects to be gone a year. April 10, 1897

Notice: … I hereby give notice that I will not be responsible for the payment of any debts contracted by my wife, Sophia Wellman after this date, April 9, 1897. Henry Wellman. April 10, 1897 [April 17, 1897 issue: Attention Public. To whom it may concern: I hereby give notice that I will not be responsible for the payment of any debts contracted by my husband, Henry Wellman after this date, April 17, 1897. Sophia Wellman.]

Died on Wednesday of last week, Fred Degener aged 84 years at his home in Hinsdale. The funeral occurred Saturday and [burial] in Proviso Cemetery. [He was] an old resident of the county having lived here 30 years. Volume II, Number 29, Saturday, April 17, 1897

Mrs. Herman Fox returned Thursday from a visit at the home of her mother in Oregon, Ill. April 17, 1897

Born – A son to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Schuster on Wednesday, April 7th. April 17, 1897

Roy Benton of Aurora, Ill., visited his brother. Volume II, Number 30, Saturday, April 24, 1897

Mrs. Benjamin Ryder left Thursday for Danbury, Conn., where she will make her home. Mr. Ryder to follow in a month. April 24, 1897

Mrs. Caroline Ripley [who spent the] winter at the home of her son, J. A. Ripley, returned to Princeton Monday. April 24, 1897

A new physician has located in Hinsdale, Dr. A. S. Burdick of Tampa, Florida, where he practiced for four years. April 24, 1897

Mr. Thos. Shaw of Grand Island, Neb., is visiting his parents on First street. April 24, 1897

G. W. Munson leaves today for Holyoke, Mass., [for] wedding of his sister. Mrs. Munson who has been visiting there, will return with him. April 24, 1897

L. Heim has disposed of his bakery to E. A. Langkafel … Mr. and Mrs. Heim [will leave] for a three month visit to his old home in Germany. April 24, 1897

Mrs. Harriet A. Perry passed away shortly after nine o’clock yesterday morning at her home on Maple street. … in poor health for a year … sixty-five years old … resided in Hinsdale for twenty-five years … leaves husband, two daughters, and three sons. Funeral will be held from the home tomorrow afternoon and the remains … shipped Monday to her old home in Genesco, Ill. April 24, 1897

Mr. Z.W. Davis and family of Jackson Park Terrace moved this week into the residence of Dr. Ohls … will shortly purchase and build … April 24, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. Aug. Hintz christened their baby last Friday. Volume II, Number 31, Saturday, May 1, 1897

Miss June Bird and her sisters are visiting relatives in Burlington, Iowa. May 1, 1897

Mrs. Frank [M.] Needham is visiting … her parents in Russell, Iowa. May 1, 1897

Miss Nettie Shaw of Chicago spent her vacation from school this week with her cousin, Nina Wadington. May 1, 1897

Mrs. E. E. Carsley of Chicago visited her parents Mr. and Mrs. I. S. Bush. May 1, 1897

Miss Helen Hornbeck, a sister of Mrs. N. W. McLain, expects to leave Monday for her home in Bloomingburg NY. Mr. F. A. Hornbeck of Kansas City returned home after [visiting] home of his sister, Mrs. N. W. McLain. Mrs. J. K. Dorrance who has been making her home with Mr. and Mrs. N. W. McLain started Wednesday for an extended visit to St. Katherine’s [sic], Ont. May 1, 1897

Mrs. H. A. Fulton is in NYC where she was called by the illness of her mother. May 1, 1897

Mrs. E. H. Ditzler and daughter Jesse …. visited her mother in Naperville. May 1, 1897

Chas. L. Burdick of London, England, … visited his brother, Dr. Burdick, Hinsdale’s new physician. May 1, 1897

Miss Mattie Bebb of Chicago is [visiting] her sister, Mrs. J. B. Hench. May 1, 1897

Mr. Redfern, Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Blodgett and the Misses Blodgett attended the wedding of Mr. Charles S. Jackson and Miss Pearl Webster at St. Luke’s church, Evanston, on Wednesday evening. May 1, 1897

Madam Gordon left … for Burlington Iowa where she will visit Mrs. Perkins, nee Convis. Volume II, Number 32, Saturday, May 8, 1897

Miss Minnie Titsworth of Aurora is visiting her mother at the Park Hotel. May 8, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. Garry W. Munson [returned from] Holyoke, Mass., where Mrs. Munson’s parents reside. May 8, 1897

Miss Daisy Wentworth returned from Mississippi Wednesday [where she was visiting] her mother, Mrs. Hopkins. May 8, 1897

Miss Nellie Webster of Chicago [visited] her aunt, Mrs. G. F. Lewis. Volume II, Number 33, Saturday, May 15, 1897

Mrs. Conkey, nee May Totman, of Appleton, Wis., was the guest of Miss Helen Van Liew Thursday. [She] is a former Hinsdale lady. May 15, 1897

Little Sidney Sayer, the young son of R. R. Sayer of Park avenue barely escaped injury … in the city while being driven to the home of his grandfather, Judge J. L. Lombard. May 15, 1897

Mr. Wm. Bebb, a brother of Mrs. J. B. Hench, [has established a dental practice] at 3977 Cottage Grove avenue. May 15, 1897

May Nicholson … celebrated her eighth birthday Wednesday. May 15, 1897

Walter Bromley … is visiting his sister in Birmingham, England. May 15, 1897

Andrew Anderson committed suicide Thursday afternoon [about two-thirty p.m. at his home on South Grant street]. Last fall he had dislocated his hip … tried to cure it by Christian Science … since then Anderson’s life contained little but misery. He left a wife, son, and daughter. Mr. Anderson was fifty-nine years old and came from Sweden six years ago. May 15, 1897

Mrs. J. A. Ripley was called to Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday … by death of her sister. May 15, 1897

Miss June Bird entertained last Saturday in honor of her cousin Miss Eugenie Hayden … those present included Mr. Frank Holmes of LaGrange, Miss Pearl Bird, Messers. Frank and Bert Holmes, Ralph Wamsley, and W. Morgan of LaGrange. May 15, 1897

Miss Mary Irish is [visiting] her grandmother and aunt at St. Charles. Miss Mary Irish played in a concert given in St. Charles this week … talented violinist. Volume II, Number 34, Saturday, May 22, 1897

Mrs. A. Fee arrived at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Warner, from San Francisco last week. May 22, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Jackson, nee Webster, of South Evanston were the guests of their cousins, the Misses Blodgett during last week. May 22, 1897

Miss Mary Bellows enjoyed a visit from her father, Mr. F. Bellows of Maryville, Mo., Tuesday. May 22, 1897

Mr. G. S. Townsend of Oak Park visited his brother in Hinsdale [and left] taking Perry S. Townsend with him. May 22, 1897

The Rev. J. E. Maxwell of Chicago Presbytery, and former pastor of the Hinsdale Presbyterian church has received a call … to the pastorate of the American-British church of Leipsic, Germany. If he accepts the call, he and Mrs. Maxwell will sail in August for their new home. May 22, 1897 [June 5, 1897 issue: Rev. Maxwell has accepted the call … The Chicago Evening Post … published last Saturday an elaborate account … he was born near Berlin, Ohio, and his grandfather was a clergyman in the Episcopal church. He was prepared for college in one of academies of Philadelphia … took a two years’ course at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, … post-graduate course in McCormick Seminary … In Bloomsbury church in the City of London, Oct. 1, 1895, Dr. Maxwell was married to Mrs. Sarah Knisely formerly of Hinsdale. Photograph of Rev. Maxwell accompanies article.]

Annual spring cleaning bee of Torode Cemetery, three miles north of Hinsdale, … number of Hinsdale people have relatives buried there … many of the most prominent persons in this part of the county are buried there including Hinsdale families Hesses, Townsends, Davis, Plummer. Volume II, Number 35, Saturday, May 29, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. John Ritchie of Austin spent Wednesday with their sister, Mrs. E. J. Wallace. May 29, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Bird with their daughter June started on a trip … May 29, 1897

Madame Cushing entertained Mr. and Mrs. George Berry of Wilmette … [they] are the parents of Miss Berry who is a teacher [here]. May 29, 1897

Mrs. Sarah E. Tylor died Tuesday afternoon at the family residence in Downers Grove … suffered many years with Bright’s Disease and on Monday last underwent an operation that resulted in her death … former resident of North Lincoln street, Hinsdale. Husband and son survive. May 29, 1897

E. W. Banker visited his son, Bert, in Benton Harbor [Michigan] Wednesday. May 29, 1897

Mrs. F. A. Fournier leaves today for Valparaiso [Indiana] where she will attend the graduation of her daughter, Agnes. [There is a photo of Mr. F. A. FOURNIER on page 8.] May 29, 1897

Miss Ada Higgins left Hinsdale Friday for Newcastle, Penn., [to visit] her aunt Mrs. Tho. French. Mr. French, who was the former proprietor of Hinsdale’s hotel, is now manager of the great summer hotel, Rock Point. May 29, 1897

Mrs. Thomas McGee was the guest of her daughter in the city. May 29, 1897

Born – a son to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell on Saturday last. Mr. Mitchell is operator at the West Hinsdale Cabin. May 29, 1897

Mrs. W. H. Freeman and son Courtney [will spend the summer in] Cape Cod. May 29, 1897

H. L. Edwards returned from Ithaca, NY, where he has been attending his [ill] father, Prof. H. S. Edwards. May 29, 1897

Mr. E. H. Ditzler visited his mother … in Naperville and [saw] his sister Mrs. Cable of Calif. whom he had not seen for 18 years. May 29, 1897

Mrs. B. G. Edgerton [and son Sam] [went to Wisconsin to] visit her mother. Volume II, Number 36, Saturday, June 5, 1897

Mrs. Hill who resided in Pasadena, Calif., during this past winter arrived in Hinsdale last Saturday and is making her home at present with her daughter, Mrs. F. J. Candee. June 5, 1897

C. C. Snow enjoyed a visit from his cousin, Mr. George Fisk of Harvey, Ill. June 5, 1897

Born – on May 29th to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Carpenter of Normal, Ill., a daughter. Mrs. Carpenter formerly a resident in Hinsdale. June 5, 1897

Prof. H. S. Edwards [died] at the home of his daughter in Ithaca, NY, at two o’clock Monday morning ... the funeral was held [Wednesday afternoon in Hinsdale] at Unity church, where Rev. C. F. Elliott conducted the services and spoke of his remarkable musical career … one of leading organists. [Burial] in Oak Forest cemetery. Prof. Edwards was seventy-seven years old, being born in Gorham, Me., in January 17, 1820. [Lived in] Hinsdale ten years. The deceased leaves two sons, Willard H. and Harry Lincoln, and one daughter, Alice. His aged wife also survives him. [lengthy article] June 5, 1897

Commencement exercises of high school will be held at 8:15 Thursday evening … graduates are Miss Mabel Robinson, Miss Nina Orr, and Albert Wolf. The grammar department holds its exercises Friday morning … valedictorian is Miss Ruth Beach, oration will be given by John Childs, and the salutatory by Robin Thayer. Volume II, Number 37, Saturday, June 12, 1897

Mrs. J. M. Frost entertained her sister, Mrs. F. K. McDonald and daughter of the city Wednesday. June 12, 1897

Chas. Marks is extremely happy over the arrival of an eight pound baby boy … on June 1st. June 12, 1897

Mr. Tho. Dawson [left] for Scotland where he will visit his old home and … relatives. June 12, 1897

Born – on June 1st, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider. June 12, 1897

Born – a son to Mr. and Mrs. C. Harold Vaughan yesterday morning. June 12, 1897

Born – a baby girl to Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Tate yesterday morning. June 12, 1897

Mrs. J. G. Honold of Maryville, Mo., visited Miss Mary Bellows. June 12, 1897

Mr. James McLain and wife of Kansas [?? partially illegible] visited their uncle Mr. N. W. McLain this week. June 12, 1897

Mr. E. H. Bailey and family [left for a] visit to their old home in Kenosha, Wis. June 12, 1897

Mrs. J. E. Maxwell is in Indianapolis visiting her sister before sailing for Europe. June 12, 1897

Mrs. S. L. Kennedy of Rockford … visited home of J. A. Ripley … Mrs. Kennedy resided in Hinsdale in the 80’s. June 12, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Webster enjoyed a visit from Rev. W. Stover, temporarily of Oberlin, O., Mr. Stover is a missionary to West Central Africa and expects to return [there] August 10th. His wife is a sister of Mrs. Webster. June 12, 1897

Mrs. M. L. Raftree [and] son will depart for Conway, Mass., where they will be joined by Miss Olive Raftree who is attending Hill View school [there]. June 12, 1897

Mrs. C. C. Woodworth of Marysville, Ohio, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. L. MULLER. Volume II, Number 38, Saturday, June 19, 1897

Mr. Peter Fleming is visiting his daughter, Mrs. J. C. Ross. June 19, 1897

The Rev. Richard Lewis of Grand Haven, Mich., has been visiting … his son, George R. Lewis. June 19, 1897

Mrs. A. J. Morgan of Omaha is visiting her son, Fred, of this village. June 19, 1897

Mrs. John C. Y. Moore of Minneapolis has been visiting his [sic] mother, Mrs. Moore. June 19, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell left for a visit to his old home in Decatur, Ill. June 19, 1897

Mr. H. D. Wyllie and sons Hubert and Graham leave for a trip east today. June 19, 1897

Born – to Mr. and Mrs. Weisenstein, on Monday, a son. June 19, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Linsley of Oak Park visited his mother and relatives in this place Sunday. June 19, 1897

Mr. and Mrs. George H. Williams went to Michigan … to attend commencement at the Michigan Military Academy from which their son, Albert, graduated. Albert C. Williams graduated June 16th from Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake, Michigan. June 19, 1897

Miss Flora Potter of Jamestown, Penn., is visiting her cousin, Mrs. Dr. Burdick. June 19, 1897

Phillip Clarke celebrated his 8th birthday on Thursday of last week. June 19, 1897

Mr. C. L. Loveland formerly of this village but now of Chicago … is the father of a baby boy [born] Monday. June 19, 1987

Wilson Burtt expects to leave July 3rd for California where he will visit his mother before returning to West Point. Volume II, Number 39, Saturday, June 26, 1897 [July 3, 1897 issue: … and brothers who live in Pasadena.]

Married at Grace Church at 10 o’clock Thursday morn Mr. Chas. W. Prior and Miss Sarah Ellwood both of Chicago … by Rev. Wm. Reid Cross. After the wedding the couple were entertained at the home of the groom’s brother, Mr. F. J. Prior … until they left for NYC. June 26, 1897

Miss Katherine Torrence, principal of the high school, returned to her home in Terre Haute, Ind., Saturday. June 26, 1897

Miss Marion Granger returned to her home in Willoughby, Ohio, Saturday after [teaching in] Hinsdale for two years. June 26, 1897

H. A. Scotford of Ionia, Mich., is spending the summer with his brother, F. E. Scotford. June 26, 1897

Mrs. P. Slater of Hinckley, Ill., visited her daughter Mrs. E. L. Benton. June 26, 1897

Miss Grace Sanders of Chicago, a daughter of Dr. Sanders, visited Sadie Noble. June 26, 1897

Mrs. Wm. Benton and her daughter, Emeline, of Aurora [visited] Mrs. F. L. Raymond. June 26, 1897

Miss Hannah Morebach of Chicago [visited] her uncle, J. G. Lozier. June 26, 1897

Prof. H. Z. McLain of Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Ind., [visited] his brother, N. W. McLain. June 26, 1897

Mr. A. R. Hubbard and son, James, of Rochester, NY, visited relatives in Hinsdale … Mr. Hubbard is one of the leading bankers of Rochester. June 26, 1897