STATE SENATOR RAY ELLIOTT PADDOCK

Sen. Ray Elliott Paddock
(photo by Illinois State Library, “Blue Book of the State of Illinois, 1931-1932”)


State Senator Ray Elliott Paddock gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. October 9, 1877 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL
D. December 5, 1953 in Chicago, Cook County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

According to the Antioch News (Antioch IL) January 2, 1984:

“Robert S. Paddock – Robert S. Paddock, 70, of Lake Villa, died Dec. 23 at Condell Memorial Hospital in Libertyville.  He was born Nov. 18, 1913 in Wauconda and was a lifelong resident of Lake County.  He was a farmer by occupation and farmed in the Volo area for many years. He was a member of the Lake County Farm Bureau and the Pure Milk Assn.  He married Helen Neumann on Dec. 12, 1934.  Survivors include his wife, Helen; seven sons, Robert L. (Joan) of Barrington, David N. (Carol) of Riverside, Calf., James H. (LeAnne), of Glen Boat Springs, Colo., Richard J. (Carol) of Antioch, Ray E. (Mary) of Keystone Heights, Fla., William L. (Patricia) of LIttletown, Colo, and Donald R. of Riverside, Calif; one daughter, George (Sharon L.) Stang of Lake Villa; one brother, James (Vera) Paddock of Wauconda, one sister, Doris Wiemuth of Wauconda; 26 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.  Funeral services were held Dec. 27 at the Strang Funeral Home in Antioch with the Rev. Stephen Williams of the United Methodist Church of Antioch officiating.  Donations may be made to the Westchester House in Libertyville in his memory.”

2. James Marshall Paddock born May 20, 1915 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL; married Vera A. Baumann (1924-1999), daughter of Burno Baumann and Gertrude Baumann (1904-1972); James died July 29, 2009 in Vernon Hills, Lake County, IL; James and Vera are buried in the Wauconda Cemetery, Wauconda, Lake County, IL

According to the Chicago Suburban Daily Herald, August 2, 2009:

“James Marshall Paddock – James Marshall Paddock lifelong resident of Wauconda – Memorial visitation for James Marshall Paddock, 94, will be from 11 a.m. until the time of memorial service at 12 noon Thursday, Aug. 6, at Kisselburg-Wauconda Funeral Home, 235 N. Main St., Wauconda.  Unurnment will follow in Wauconda Cemetery.  Jim was born May 20, 1915, on the Paddock Farm in Lake County and passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at The Park at Vernon Hills, after a brief illness.  Jim was a graduate of Wauconda High School, where he was active in athletics, and was a member of the Lake County Farm Bureau Baseball Team.  Jim was also an avid hunter and guide.  In 1946, Jim was appointed superintendent of the State of Illinois Division of Weights and Standards.  In 1950, Jim joined the Lake County Highway Department, retiring as assistant superintendent of highways.  Jim was a member of several organizations including Harvard and McHenry Moose Lodge, Round Lake Seniors and the Federated Church of Wauconda.  He was the beloved husband of the late Vera (nee Baumann); loving father of Randy (Sue); cherished grandfather of Randy Jr. and Nicole; proud great-grandfather of Jordan; devoted son of the late Senator Ray and Irma (nee Huson) Paddock, dear brother of Doris (the late Stan) Wiemuth and the late Robert; and uncle of many nieces and nephews.  Memorials appreciated to the Federated Church of Wauconda, 200 S. Barrington Road, Wauconda, IL 60084, (847-526-8471).  For information, 847-526-2115 or visit www.kisselburgwaucondafuneralhome.com.”

3. Doris E. (Paddock) Wiemuth born February 14, 1917; married Stanford “Stan” E. Wiemuth (1913-1982); Doris died March 5, 2010; Stan and Doris are buried in the Wauconda Cemetery, Wauconda, Lake County, IL

According to the Daily Herald (Arlington Heights IL) Marych 8, 2010:

“Doris E. Wiemuth a lifelong resident of Wauconda
Funeral services for Doris E. Wiemuth, 93, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the Federated Church of Wauconda, 200 S. Barrington Road, Wauconda, IL 60084, 847-526-8471.  Interment will be private in Wauconda Cemetery.  Doris was a lifelong and devoted member of the Federated Church of Wauconda and was active in various church groups and was also a member of the Wauconda Grandmothers Club.  She was the beloved wife of the late Stanford; loving mother of Valerie (Floyd) Whitman and Verdelle (the late Robert) Jonak; cherished grandmother of Mary (Elias) Speliotis, Darin (Kimberly) Whitman and Clay Jonak; and proud great-grandmother of Alexis, Ian, Zachary, Elisa, Audrey and Karen.  Memorials are appreciated to the Federated Church of Wauconda.  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Kisselburg-Wauconda Funeral Home, Wauconda, 847-526-2115 or visit www.kisselburgwaucondafuneralhome.com.”

  • Siblings:
    • Jennie “Jane” P. (Paddock) Smith born March 2, 1852 in Barre, Washington County, VT; married Charles Deveraux Smith (1850-between 1930-1940) on October 4, 1870 in Lake County, son of Ashbel V. Smith (1823-1895) and Elizabeth A. (Brown) Smith (1829-1889); Jennie died October 5, 1936 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; buried in Forest Park, Cook County, IL

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Wednesday, October 7, 1936, page 18:

“SMITH – Jennie P. Smith, Oct. 5, beloved wife of the late Charles D., devoted mother of Ralph W. Smith of Denver, Colo., and Robert C. Smith of Oak Park.  Services Friday, Oct. 9, 3 p. m. at residence, 425 Home av., Oak Park.  Interment Forest Home.”

    • Nellie “Ellen” P. (Paddock) Wood born February 18, 1854 in Barre, Washington County, VT; married William W. Wood (1833-1902) on February 18, 1875 as his second wife, son of Samuel Linden Wood (1794-1967) and Ann Wood (1798-1875); first wife was Cordelia H. Carpenter (1844-1872) married about 1864; Nellie died May 22, 1934 in Lincoln, Grafton County, NY; Nellie and William are buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Claremont, Sullivan County, NY
    • Alice Lucy (Paddock) Smith born May 11, 1857 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL; married William B. Smith on June 29, 1875, brother to Charles Deveraux Smith, son of Ashbel V. Smith (1823-1895) and Elizabeth A. (Brown) Smith (1829-1889); Alice died November 12, 1938 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; Alice and William are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Waukegan, Lake County, IL

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Sunday, November 13, 1938, page 18:

“Mrs. Alice L. Smith.
   Mrs. Alice L. Smith, 81 years old, lifelong resident of Lake county, died yesterday in her home, 410 Hickory street, Waukegan.  She was the widow of W. B. Smith, who was the assessor of Waukegan township and president of the old Security Title and Trust company of Waukegan.  She was the mother of Col. A. V. Smith, state’s attorney of Lake county, who died in 1936.  A daughter, Mrs. Cyrus Blodgett, survives.”

    • State Senator Robert William Paddock born March 13, 1861 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL; married Mary French Nicholls (1868-1936) on May 28, 1885 in Cassopolis, Cass County, MI, daughter of John and Caroline Nichols; Robert was educated in Valparaiso, IN; taught at the Lake Forest Academy in Lake County, IL; became a prominent farmer and stockgrower owning eight hundred acres in Charlevoix County, MI; served the Michigan State Legislature (1903-1904); Assistant Superintendent of the Ohio State Industrial School (1904); Charlevoix city alderman (1912-1916); Robert died March 4, 1944 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, MI; Robert and Mary are buried in the Brookside Cemetery, Charlevoix, Charlevoix County, MI

According to the Charlevoix Courier (Charlevoix MI) March 8, 1944:

“ROBERT PADDOCK PIONEER CITIZEN
VICTIM OF LONG CONTINUED ILL HEALTH, IS DEAD
He Did Much For Cattle Raising Industry In Region and Was Leader In Civic Lines

   Robert W. Paddock, 82, retired farm manager and well known civic leader, did (sic died) Saturday following several months of ill health.
   Mr. Paddock was born in Volo, Lake county, Ill., on March 13, 1861, the oldest son of Robert and Nancy Paddock, formerly of Barre, Vt. While attending college at Valpariso, ind., he met and married Mary E. Nichols, of Charlevoix, on May 6, 1885. They made their home in Dayton and other Ohio cities until coming to Charlevoix in 1898.
   Mr. Paddock managed farms on the site of the present Loeb farm and in Norwood township. As a member of the old West Michigan Development Bureau, he pioneered in cattle and sheep raising and introduced the Aberdeen Angus breed in this district. He was also prominent in civic affairs having served in the State Legislature from 1902-04 and was alderman in Charlevoix from 1912-16. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. and the Knights of Pythias lodges and the Marion Center and Barnard Granges. He retired in 1926 and moved to East Jordan to make his home. Mrs. Paddock preceded him in death on November 13, 1936.
   Surviving are three sons, Capt. Hubert E. of the U.S. Navy, on active duty in the Southwest Pacific, Richard, of Midland, and William, of Alexandria, La. and several grandchildren.
   Funeral services were held at the See Funeral home at 2:30 o’clock Monday afternoon with Rev. Donald R. Evans officiating. Interment was at the Brookside cemetery.”

    • Lois “Lola” E. (Paddock) Avery born September 9, 1863 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL; married Sidney R. Avery (1862-?) on January 8, 1886 in Lake County, IL, son of Norman S. Avery and Cynthia Avery; Lois died 1930; buried in Angola Cemetery, Lake Villa, Lake County, IL
    • Albert “Bert” E. Paddock born October 5, 1865 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL; married (1) Josephine “Josie” L. Mutaw (1872-1940) on January 29, 1890 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI, daughter of Lucien Mutaw (1833-1916) and Nancy H. (Harvey) Mutaw (1830-1915); married (2) Josphine Perry Klein on April 3, 1942 in Tavares, Lake County, FL; Albert died September 19, 1946 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; Albert and Josephine (Mutaw) are buried in the Wauconda Cemetery, Wauconda, Lake County, IL;

According to the Orlando Sentinel (Orlando FL) Saturday, April 4, 1942, page 10:

“LAKE COUNTY
Marriage Licenses

Albert E. Paddock, 76, Round Lake, Ill., and Josephine Perry Klein, 60, Mount Dora.”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, September 26, 1946, page 1:

“Albert E. Paddock

   Albert E. Paddock, 80 years old, a son of pioneer Wauconda township parents, died at St. Therese hospital, Waukegan, last Friday, September 20, 1946, after an illness of several months. (NOTE: death record shows date of September 19th)
   The deceased was born on the family homestead in 1886, and lived his entire lifetime in that community.  He was a farmer by vocation.  During his early years he thus became well known throughout the county.
   Survivors include his widow, Josephine; two sons, Leslie, residing in California, and Earl, of McHenry; one daughter, Mrs. Leslie Turnbull, Wauconda; one sister, Lola, of Elgin, and a brother, Senator Ray Paddock, of Lake county.
   Funeral services were held at 2:30 o’clock on Sunday afternoon from the Strang chapel in Grayslake, with Rev. Reed officiating.  The Grayslake chapter, A. F. & A. M., was in charge of rites.  Burial was in Wauconda.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1880 U.S. Census for Wauconda, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Robt. Paddock, age 53, married, occupation: farmer, parents born in Connecticut; Nancy Paddock, age 46, married, wife, born in Vermont, parents born in New Hampshire; Lola Paddock age 16, daughter, born in Illinois; Albert Paddock, son, born in Illinois; Ray Paddock, age 3, son, born in Illinois/ Wm. Dowell, age 34, occupation: servant, single, occupation: farm laborer, born in England, parents born in England”

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Robert Paddock, head, born April 1827, age 73, married 50 years, born in Vermont, parents born in Connecticut, occupation: farmer; Nancy Paddock, wife, born March 1834, age 65, married 50 years, 7 children born, 7 children living, born in Vermont, parents born in Vermont; Lois E. Paddock, daughter, born September 1863, age 36, divorced, born in Illinois, occupation: servant; Ray E. Paddock, son, born October 1876, age 23, single, born in Illinois, occupation: laborer; Paul Avery, grandson, born July 1887, age 12, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; William Batensby, laborer, born April 1855, age 45, single, born in England, parents born in England, occupation: laborer”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Ray E. Paddock, head, age 30, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Vermont, occupation: farmer – dairy farm; Nancy Paddock, mother, age 76, widowed, 7 children born, 7 children living, born in Vermont, father born in New Hampshire, mother born in Vermont; Lois Avery, sister, age 44, divorced, 1 child born, 1 child living, born in Illinois, parents born in Vermont; John A. Copeller, boarder, age 20, single, born in Indiana, born in Germany, mother born in Wisconsin, occupation: farm laborer – working out; George Dryer, boarder, age 28, single, born in Illinois; parents born in  Germany, occupation: farm laborer – working out; Michael Levadis, boarder, age 23, single, born in Russia, parents born in Russia, immigrated in 1900, occupation: farm laborer – working out”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, July 11, 192, page 5:

   “Ray Paddock and Miss Irma Huson of Fort Hill were married in Libertyville Wednesday, June 26.  They will be at home after July 21 at their home east of town.”

According to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 (1913 Waukegan, Illinois, City Directory – Volo Directory):

“Paddick (sic) Ray (Irma) farmer

According to the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918:

“Ray Elliott Paddock, R.F. D. Round Lake, Lake County, IL age 40, born October 9, 1877, occupation: farmer by myself, nearest relative: Irma G. Paddock, wife, short height, stout build, blue eyes, light brown hair, signed September 12, 1918”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Ray E. Paddock, head, age 42, married, born in Illinois, father born in Vermont, mother born in New Hampshire, occupation: farmer – general farm; Irma G. Paddock, age 33, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Robert S. Paddock, son, age 6, single, born in Illinois; James M. Paddock, son, age 4 1/12, single, born in Illinois; Doris E. Paddock, daughter, age 2 10/12, single, born in Illinois; Charles S. Rossdeutcher, servant, age 26, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Germany, occupation: farm laborer – general farm; Cora I. Dowell, servant, age 42, widowed, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois, occupation: servant – private family”

According to the 1922 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989, Wauconda, IL:

“Ray Paddock, residing in Wauconda, Illinois, occupation: Vice-President Wauconda Bank (Wauconda Trust and Savings Bank), spouse: Emma (sic) Paddock”

According to the Barrington Review (Barrington IL) January 19, 1928, page 2:

   “At the installation of offices of the O.E.S. (Order of the Eastern Star) on Wednesday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Paddock were duly installed as Worthy Matron and Worty Patron.”

According to the Belvidere Daily Republican (Belvidere IL) Thursday, April 5, 1928, page 4:

Ray Paddock Candidate For State Senator
Asks That You Give These Facts Concerning His Life and Activities Earnest Consideration When You Visit the Polls to Vote on April 10, 1928.

   “He was born and grew to manhood on a farm in western Lake County.
   He was educated in the Public chools (sic) of Lake County and in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso.  He returned home at the age of seventeen and took over the management of a 240-acre farm and continued farming until eight years ago, when he rented his farm and moved to Wauconda.  Since that time he has been engaged in real estate and is president of the Wauconda Trust and Savings Bank.
   In the past he has been identified with every movement where the interests of the farmers of this locality were concerned.  In 1909 when the order was sent from the Chicago Health Department to the effect that all milk coming into the Chicago market must be from cows that had successfully passed the tuberculin test, and without any provision for indemnity for cattle lost and no assurance of an increased price for milk with others interested he brought this matter to the attention of the dairymen through meetings held all over the district, which resulted in the formation of the Milk Producers’ association.  From this association a committee was appointed, of which he was a member, and went to Springfield to get relief for our people.  The result was that our mission was successful.
   In an effort to get higher prices for our milk, he has stood shoulder to shoulder with his fellow dairymen for what they believed they were entiled to, and as a director, he has done everything in his power to get better prices for our products.  At the present time it is his belief that the farmer should receive more of an indemnity for cattle lost through the test, it being his opinion that the farmer is bearing too heavy a share of the burden.
   He became a member of the (Lake) county board in 1915 and has been chairman of that body for three terms.
   He has advocated and supported the bond issues that have made the present system of roads in Lake county possible.
   While he was chairman of the county board, working with the finance committee, a program of economy was worked out and presented to the various county officers which received their wholehearted support, and resulted in saving Lake county approximately $50,000.00 per year.
   How Route 20, from Waukegan to Woodstock, came to be on the sixty million dollar bond issue program:
   The bill, as presented for passage, did not provide for this route.  He discovered this on a certain Friday.  The bill was to go to second reading the following Wednesday.  He arranged a joint meeting in Waukegan with the result that a committee, including himself, went immediately to Springfield, and was successful in having the bill amended to include this important route.  If this very prompt action had not been taken, this route would not be paved at the present time.
   He has lent his best efforts to have Route 176 built at the earliest possible moment and has worked in conjunction with those from McHenry county and Lake county who are interested, with the result that bids have been received on this entire route and contracts will be awarded as soon as the necessary right-of-way has been secured.
   It has been his purpose as supervisor to work for what he considered the best interests of Lake county.  If permitted to serve as your state senator, he will give the same earnest attention to the welfare of the district he represents.”

According to “A Natural History of the Chicago Region” by Joel Greenberg, Chapter 10 – Lake Michigan’s Rim: Beaches, Dunes and Bluffs, page 279-283:

   “As early as the 1880s, people began thinking about preserving the western dunesland.  In a 1944 letter preserved in the Dunesland Preservation Society files, the great Jens Jensen reported that in 1888 Robert Douglas raised the subject “of conserving the rich flora in the Waukegan Flats for all times.”  And in 1914, Dean Howard Ganster, a member of the Waukegan Park Board, tried in vain to get Waukegan to buy the area as a park.
   The years that followed saw large blocks of the area converted to industrial purposes.  Commonwealth Edison built its coal-fired generating station in 1920, and Johns Manville, completed its plant in 1922.  These projects no doubt led a growing sense of urgency on the part of conservationists, and it is probably not a coincidence that the first legislation authorizing a dunes park was introduced into the Illinois General Assembly in 1923.  It may also be the case that once Manville and Edison stated their appetite for land, politicians become more comfortable backing conservation initiatives.
   That first legislative effort went nowhere, for the $2 million price tag for the land deemed exc excessive.  Similar bills followed, and support gradually grew.  A staunch proponent of the park was State Senator Ray Paddock of Wauconda, and in 1928 he convinced five of his colleagues on the appropriations committee to tour the area.  The senators were “impressed beyond expectations (with the) rare beauty of the site” and declared they would recommend that the land be bought.  They were also motivated by another consideration, as stated by downstate Senator Stewart Cuthbertson of Bunker Hill (near St. Louis): “The state will have to do something for the Chicago district, and I believe it can be done providing this park.”
   Despite the senators’ endorsement, the assembly failed to pass Paddock’s bill.  In 1930, in fulfillment of his promise to Paddock, Governor Louis Emmerson visited the property.  He was accompanied by his advisory committee on state parks and Secretary of State William Stratton.  Again, there was unanimity that the park was a worthwhile project deserving state action.  This time the price tag was $5 million.  A flurry of reports indicated that private and public sources had committed to the land acquisition, but for whatever reason both the philanthropy and the state resources evaporated, and the land remained in private ownership.
   Yet it wasn’t until May 10, 1943, under the administration of Governor Dwight Green, that the state at last bought its first parcel of 450 acres.”

According to the Barrington Review (Barrington IL) January 31, 1929, page 2:

SENATOR PADDOCK GETS IMPORTANT COMMITTEE POSTS

   “Springfield, Illinois – The eight district’s new senator, Ray Paddock of Wauconda, had been unusually well treated in the matter of committee appointments.  He was made chairman of the committee on County and Township Organization, a post which means considerable work and is seldom given to a newcomer at Springfield.
   Senator Paddock holds membership on seventeen committees, among the major ones being the committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Dairying, the committee on Education, the committee on Revenue and Finance, and the committee on Road and Highway Transportation…”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Wauconda Town, Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL living on Slocum Lake Road, the household members were:

“Ray E. Paddock, head, age 52, married at age 34, born in Illinois, father born in Vermont, mother born in New Hampshire, occupation: none; Irma G. Paddock, wife, age 42, married 24 years, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Robert S. Paddock, son, age 16, single, born in Illinois; James M. Paddock, son, age 14, single, born in Illinois; Doris E. Paddock, daughter, age 13, single, born in Illinois”

According to “A History of Island Lake, Island Lake, Lake County, IL pamphlet, c1994:

   “It took a little imagination and a healthy entrepreneurial spirit to envision a lake community in the agricultural area, just west of Wauconda in the late 1920’s.
   The area had no lake or island, just rolling farmland, a gravel pit and Mutton Creek.  In 1929, a group of area residents including Ray Paddock, Homer Cook and Dennis Putnam bought the land that is now Island Lake from Dowell, Smith, Burnett and Darrell.  They decided to dam up Mutton Creek and establish a lake development patterned after their own community of Wauconda.
   But their plans were no match for the Depression of the 30’s.  There were just a few families settled around the newly created lake before the National Mortgage and Invest Company, controlled by Mark and Joseph Horowitz, took control of the land eventually developing the surround lake lots as Island Lake Estates.  An advertising campaign appeared in the Chicago papers which state “…Island Lake Estates, sensibly priced in a beautiful wooded area only 37 miles from Chicago…”  Many of the earlier purchasers were from Chicago.  Lots with lake rights sold for as little as $95.  Small frame cottages sold for $695 and a log cabin $985.  One early resident remembers “…going down to the crystal clear water of the lake and catching Northerns with ease.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Friday, December 14, 1934, page 7:

State Senator Paddock’s Son Is Wed in Elopement

   “Robert S. Paddock, 21 years old, son of State Senator Ray Paddock of Volo, and Miss Helen Neuman of Barrington eloped and were married early yesterday at Waukegan by Justice of the Peace Henry Wllenwein.  The bridegroom and Miss Neuman met while they were high school pupils.”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Ray Paddock, head, age 62, married, highest grade completed: H-1, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: farmer – farm; Irma G. Paddock, wife, age 53, married, highest grade completed: H-2, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; James Paddock, son, age 24, single, highest grade completed: H4, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: Inside Dairy Work – Bowman Dairy; Lloyd Dowell, hired hand, age 45, single, highest grade completed: 7, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: farm laborer – farm”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942:

“Ray Elliott Paddock, RFD Round Lake, Lake County, IL, telephone: 2117 Round Lake, age 64, born October 9, 1877 in Lake, IL, nearest relative: Mrs. Irma Paddock, own farm in Round Lake, Lake County, IL, signed April 27, 1942”

According to “Worts/Wirtz A Family History: Chapter V – Items of Interest” by Robert E. Worts, 1988:

VOLO AND THE WASHINGTON HOTEL

   “Today, Volo is not much different than it ever was. Many of the old buildings remain and can be identified even though some have had their original lines altered. How much longer Volo will remain the sleepy little farm village is uncertain because the inexorable march of progress is encroaching upon it.”
   “After a postoffice was opened in 1848, more settlers were attracted to the area. Among the early arrivals were the Rossdeutschers. Browns and Bacons. Prior to November 27, 1868, Volo was known as Forksville, probably because of the Fork in the road in town facing east. A tornado destroyed the Volo Methodist Church on March 24, 1902, and in 1906 the Post Office was closed. As of this writing, the house is still standing to which Theodore moved when he retired and where the Theodore Worts family portrait was photographed. In addition, on the south fork on the road, a building, which was originally a creamery, is still intact and operated now as a tavern such as it was when John A. Worts and “Teddy” Wagner had it after Prohibition was repealed.”
   “Unfortunately, one of the most interesting structures of old Volo and Forksville no longer exists. At first it was called the Gale Hotel, but is best remembered as the Washington Hotel. It was located at the fork in the road and faced west. As near as I can determine, it was razed in the late 1950’s.”
   “In 1851, Nathan Geer, editor of the Waukegan Gazette, toured the plank roadbed between McHenry and Lake Counties. He wrote that at the fork in the road at Forksville stood a hotel operated by a Mr. Gale. The old plank road only lasted a few years, but over a hundred years later, the building was still standing. Before being razed, the building was the private residence of Catherine Molidor who purchased it from Jacob Worts many years before.”
   “During its century or more of existence, the building had been used as a hotel, saloon, dance hall, and a residence. In the 1950’s, the then State Senator, Ray Paddock mentioned some things he remembered about Volo as told to him by his father. The Paddock family home stood by the plank road, a short distance east of Volo. Actually, the plank road went no further than Squaw Creek, except in a few spots.”
   “Senator Paddock’s father told him that the hotel was a favorite retreat of Lake and McHenry County soldiers home on furlough during the Civil War. Festive parties and dances were held there. At one such gathering, a sportive Union soldier aimed a kick at a window, so the story goes, but as the window as already open he kicked himself out into the yard. Later that evening, the soldiers gathered mattresses from the rooms and were about to set them afire in the parlor, when somebody prudently interfered with their plans. That must have been quite a party.”
   “In the early 1890’s, Jacob Worts opened a meat market on the first floor of the building and had living quarters in the rear. The second floor was rented as a dance hall. After a couple of years, Jacob sold the place and went back to farming, but in 1908, he re-purchased the place from Matt Bauer who had been operating a saloon there. Jacob continued the saloon business for several years and then sold it to his sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Michael Wagner. For some reason it returned to Jacob’s ownership and he eventually sold it to Catherine Molidor as a dwelling.”

According to the Belvidere Daily Republican (Belvidere IL) Wednesday, April 14, 1948, page 8:

Paddock Easy Winner

   “Senator Ray Paddock, of Wauconda, again made an impressive demonstration of his high standing and popularity in all three counties, Boone, McHenry and Lake, and he was an easy winner over his opponent, Albert E. Nordstrom, of Waukegan.
   The vote for state senator was as follows: Boone county, Paddock, 1,490; Nordstrom 569. McHenry county, Paddock, 3,808; Nordstrom, 1,287; Lake county, Paddock, 14,925; Nordstrom, 5,439.
   Total vote: Paddock, 20, 223; Nordstrom, 7,295.”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL living on Maple, the household members were:

“Ray Paddock, head, age 72, married, born in Illinois, Occupation: State Senator, Farm Helper – Son’s farm, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in? U.S., What is the highest grade of school that he has attended? C-1, Did he finish this grade?: Yes, Last year, in how many weeks did this person do any work at all?: None, Last year (1949) how much money did he earn working as an employee for wages or salary?: $3,000, Last year, how much money did he receive from interest, dividends, veteran’s allowances, pensions, rents, or other income?: $2,500, Did he ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during – : WWII? No, WWI? No, Any other time, including present service? No, If ever married has this person been married more than once?: No, How many years since this person was last married?: 38 years; Erma Paddock, wife, age 63, married, born in Illinois”

According to the “Our Campgaigns” website (https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=417965): 

“Illinois State Senate Eighth District
Lake, McHenry, and Boone Counties
Election Results

General Election: November 6, 1928
Term Start: January 9, 1929
Term End: January 11, 1933
Ray Paddock (Republican) 40,787 (100.00%)
56th and 57th Illinois General Assembly

General Election: November 8, 1932
Term Start: January 11, 1933
Term End, January 13, 1937
Ray Paddock (Republican) 37,720 (57.63%)
Leo Dailey (Democratic) 27,732 (42.37%)
58th and 59th Illinois General Assembly

General Election: November 3, 1936
Term Start: January 13, 1937
Term End: January 8, 1941
Ray Paddock (Republican) 44,581 (59.64%)
Leo Dailey (Democratic) 30,171 (40.36%)
Write-In (Nonpartisan) 1 (0.00%)
60th and 61st Illinois General Assembly

General Election: November 5, 1940
Term Start: January 8, 1941
Term End: January 10, 1945
Ray Paddock (Republican) 60,325 (67.98%)
Theodore Reusch (Democratic) 28,417 (32.02%)
62nd and 63rd Illinois General Assembly

General Election: November 7, 1944
Term Start: January 10, 1945
Term End: January 12, 1949
Ray Paddock (Republican) 56,566 (66.28%)
Charles F. Hayes (Democratic) 28,784 (33.73%)
64th and 65th Illinois General Assembly

General Election: November 2, 1948
Term Start: January 12, 1949
Term End: January 14, 1949
Ray Paddock (Republican) 56,312 (66.11%)
Harold Bergan (Democratic) 28,863 (33.89%)
66th and 67th Illinois General Assembly”

According to the Belvidere Daily Republican (Belvidere IL) December 9, 1953:

Services Held For Paddock, Former Solon

   Private funeral services for Ray Padock (sic), of Wauconda, who served this district in the Illinois state senate for 24 years before his retirement last year, were conducted Wednesday afternoon at Wauconda with burial in Ft. Hill cemetery near Hainesville.
   Paddock died Saturday night in Illinois Research Hospital where he had been a patient for about a month.  He was 76 years of age.
   A lifelong Lake county resident, Paddock was first elected to the state senate on the Republican ticket in 1928 and served continuously until his retirement a year ago.
   Paddock was a graduate of Valparaiso Normal school and also was a member of the Masonic order.  He was Wauconda township supervisor from 1915 to 1928 and also served one term as chairman of the Lake county board as a chairman of the board of review.
   Sen. Robert McClory of Lake Bluff, who succeeded Patrick (sic) in the senate, paid tribute to the veteran legislator.
  Sen. Ray Paddock was a capable and respected member of the state senate during his 24 years of service.  He was devoted to his family and to his government.  His principles were always the highest.  His accomplishments and his influences will continue to be felt for years to come.
   Paddock is survived by his widow, Irma; two sons Robert of Volo and James of Wauconda; a daughter, Mrs. Doris Wiemuth also of Wauconda, and 10 grand-children.
   He was born Oct. 9, 1877 in Wauconda, the son of William R. and Nancy Stickney Paddock, who had come to this area from Vermont as early settlers.”