USA > Illinois > McLean County > Empire > Heritage of the prairie : a history of LeRoy and of Empire and West townships, McLean County, Illinois > Part 1
USA > Illinois > McLean County > Le Roy > Heritage of the prairie : a history of LeRoy and of Empire and West townships, McLean County, Illinois > Part 1
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977.359 H425 v.1
ER
53
/
History of Empire and West Townships
of McLean County, Illinois
By the LeRoy Bicentennial Commission
1
1976
895
THE
MARK
MOY
BUN
[LE ROY]
THE HOW
LeRoy's Oldest Retail Establish- ment Salutes LeRoy and The U.S.A. on Its Bi-Centennial Year.
Proud of her Past Confident of her Future ( LeRoy Slogan Centennial Celebration 1935 )
The How - LeRoy -
Furniture - Clothing - Footwear - Appliances
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN IL.L. HIST. SURVEY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
LIBRARY ILL. HIST. SURVEY
M. P. BISHOP FERTILIZER INC.
LIMESTONE - ANHYDROUS AMMONIA - CHEMICALS - LIQUID FERTILIZER - CUSTOM BLENDING AND CUSTOM SPRAYING Most Complete Line Of Fertilizers In Mclean County
DON'T PUT IT OFF - PUT IT ON
Phone: 309-962-2211
LeRoy, Illinois 61752
Owners: Gary Kennedy and George Fluegel
LU
ON
BICE
TENNIAL
AMI
1776-1976
Heritage of The Prairie
A History of LeRoy
and of
Empire and West Townships
McLean County, Illinois
Published By The LeRoy Bi-Centennial Commission
Kramer Publishing Company 1976
1
Happy 200th Birthday America
COMPLIMENTS OF
Permabilt of Illinois
Omni-Tech Systems, Inc.
410 N. Hemlock - P.O. Box 128 LeRoy, Illinois 61752
Enjoy The LeRoy Bicentennial Festival On June 25, 26 & 27
Produce-A-Plenty
FRUIT BASKETS MADE TO ORDER FRESH PRODUCE DAILY
Buy In Larger Amounts And Save
827-9758
Or 828-2851
1409 S. Main - Bloomington
WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS OF ANIMAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
DOME VETERINARY SUPPLY CO. TEL. 962-9223 AREA CODE 309 1 11 S. CHESTNUT ST. - LE ROY, ILLINOIS 61752
MERLE E. KIRBY TEL. 962-4981 LE ROY. ILL.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY U.S.A .!
WENDELL'S TAP
LeRoy, Illinois Phone 962-9032
Beer -- Wines Package Liquors Where You Meet Your Friends -- AIR CONDITIONED --
ART'S BARBER SHOP at PARK HOTEL 104 West Center Street
HOURS 7:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. Thursday Close 11:30 A.M.
2
977, 359 H435
Foreword
As a part of this historic American Revolution Bicentennial observance, the LeRoy Bicentennial Commission decided one of its greatest contributions to posterity would be a book covering the LeRoy community's own contribution to the 200 years of development of this greatest nation the world has ever known. After all, this nation was still in its infancy, barely a half century old, when early settlers began pouring in to this fertile area and started developing the rich heritage that is ours today. It should be noted that this nation was only 59 years old when LeRoy was founded and thus it has 141 years of interesting historical happenings and sidelights to contribute to our country's 200th birthday.
Woodrow Wilson, scholar, historian and 28th President of the United States, had this to say about the value of local history:
"A spot of local history is like an inn upon a highway; it is a stage upon a far journey ; it is a place the national history has passed through. There mankind has stopped and lodged by the way. Local history is thus less than national history only as a part is less than the whole. Local history is subordinate to the volume itself."
Every effort has been made to bring to these pages the sig- nificant highlights and sidelights in the founding, development and progress of LeRoy and surrounding community. Countless hours of research, delving into historical records, documents, pictures and papers have gone into the preparation of this book by dedicated local historians and writers to make it the most complete factual record to date.
As you read this volume you cannot help but become aware that this progressive LeRoy community and area that is ours today did not just happen. It came about through the struggles and trials, ideals and goals, monetary investments and hard work, dedication and devotion of many who have gone on before. This is our heritage! Let the history of the past be our inspiration for the future.
Yes, this community and this nation have been richly endowed and blest. Thus let us not forget the words of our first President, George Washington, who said in his first inaugural address: "No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States."
O. J. LERE, Mayor April 1, 1976
3
N r
O'Neal's Garage
Phone 962-4921 LeRoy, Illinois
Compliments of Dr. & Mrs. K. Soundararajan and Family
Compliments of
Greg Bane
Happy 200th Birthday America
The Pillsbury Company
LeRoy, Illinois 61752
Ferdie Duncan, Mgr. Phone 962-9310 or 962-2261
In appreciation for the thousands, who by their sweat, toil, tears and unceasing devotion, have forged this Nation from a land of wilderness and raw, natural resources into a beautiful land with the finest communication systems in the world, beautiful homes, churches, libraries, streets, roads and a paradise for peaceful, pleasant living.
In gratitude and honored respect for the thousands, who by their sacrifice have given of their time, talents and lives on land and sea and air in our military forces, that we may enjoy peace, prosperity and freedom un- paralleled in the entire history of man.
May we pledge that their example be a guide and inspiration for us in the years ahead.
ARLO E. BANE
4
In Appreciation
The Bicentennial History Book Committee pauses here to express their appreciation for the articles written - the pictures loaned or given - the scrapbooks loaned - information so freely given - your time, effort and interest. To those who wrote articles:
To those who helped with typing:
Linda Wagers Nancy Lebeck
Janice Robinson Helen Meadors
Marian Spratt
George Lewis
Freda Horine
Greg Newlin
Addie Stewart
Frances Wagers
Ed Sennett
Florence Flegel Byron Kline
John Fippenger
Helen Meadors
Randy Bowman
Rev. & Mrs. H. Hudson
Shirley Chancellor Rev. & Mrs. B. Badger
Caroline Conn Mrs. Everett Cockrell
Marian Spratt
To those who loaned or gave pictures:
Mary A. Deffenbaugh
Joan Webb
Frances Wagers
Sarah List
Judson Chubbuck
Pauline Vreeland
Clara Tipton Florence Keenan
Ellen Iden
Della Johnson
Mrs. Clarence Mayer
Ralph Duvick
Helen Killion
Freda Smith
Louise Billings
Mrs. Allen Clark
Byron Kline
Sincerely,
The Bicentennial History Book Committee
THE BICENTENNIAL HISTORY BOOK COMMITTEE
Marian Spratt, Ch.
Florence Flegel
Mary A. Deffenbaugh
Helen Meadors
Frances Wagers
Caroline Conn
O. J. Lere
Greg Newlin
Byron Kline
Shirley Chancellor
Freda Horine
To those who helped in other ways:
Juanita Dagley Roy Thompson
Maxine Hillard Rex Butler
A. Lee Pray
Lois Evans
Judson Chubbuck John Tompkins
J.T. & E.J. Crumbaugh Libr. LeRoy State Bank
To those who secured the necessary ads:
Mary Lou Dean
Patsy Wright
Ron Wesbecher
Pat Michael
Therese Kennedy
To O. J. Lere who edited these many pages To Lloyd Conn for a special recognition To all of you and any others who made this book possible, we are grateful.
Joe Rutledge Elmer Staley Florence Flegel O. J. Lere
Betty Kline
The LeRoy Journal
5
Conservation Contractor
· Hedge Removal
. Land Leveling
· Waterways
· Ponds
· Land Clearing
Using Caterpillar-Built Equipment Jon Norin Call 309-722-3796 LeRoy, Illinois
Princess Theatre Family Entertainment
Jim & Karen Edwards
60 Years of Service (1916 thru 1976)
Built by Marcus West
FS
FS Quality Products
®
McLean County Service Co.
· PETROLEUM
· FERTILIZER
· CHEMICALS
· L. P. GAS
· FEED
· SEED
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A Farmer Owned Service
BILL'S USED CARS
Bill May - Owner
Good Quality, All Makes and Models
610 W. Washington LeRoy, Illinois The Old Victory Inn Factory Authorized RCA Sales & Service Phone [309] 962-9522 or 722-3447
SALES LOANS RENTALS FARMS
APPRAISALB PLAN SERVICE INVESTMENTS COUNSELLORS
Kirby Real Estate JAMES L KIRBY, BROKER
GIO E WARREN ST . LEROY
PHONE 962-7221
(309) 962-6931
L.S.C.
ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL SERVICE
TOM LEBECK JIM LEBECK
302-304 N. Walnut LeROY, ILL. 61752
COMPLIMENTS OF
John & Mary Amdor
HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY AMERICA
6
Table of Contents
Early History of LeRoy and Empire Township
9
1874 Map of Empire Township
12
Municipal Services
14
Map of LeRoy
20
Mayors.
21
Township Supervisors
22
Early History of West Township
25
1874 Map of West Township
26
Township Supervisors 29
Indian History 31
Parks. 33
Newspapers
35
Chronology of the Postal Service
37
Doctors
41
The LeRoy Fair
43
The Opera House.
49
Chautauquas. 51
Turkey Trot Day
52
LeRoy's Centennial
53
Farming Pictures 55
Churches 61
Fifty-year Organizations
65
Schools
69
Map of Schools
71,73
Cemeteries
79
Businesses 83
7
Bruce Memorial Home
ROBERT P. BRUCE
Phone: 962-3191
200 South Chestnut LeRoy, Illinois 61752
"Your One-Stop Insurance Store"
Crumbaugh & Bock Agency Phone 962-6111 211 E. Center St. LeRoy, Illinois
Coin-Op Laundry
George & Jeanne Goveia, Owners
Happy Birthday America
JIM'S GUN SHOP
· TRAPS · TRAPPERS PACKS
· SCALPING KNIVES . HAND MADE TOMAHAWKS · KENTUCKY RIFLES
· PHILADELPHIA DERRINGERS · GUN POWDER
Jim Crouch, Prop.
120 E. Center LeRoy, Illinois 61752
K & S Furniture
LA-Z-BOY® RECLINA- ROCKER'
· Mastercraft . Norwalk
· Tell City · Bassett
· A.A. Laun
· Riverside
. Howell Dinettes
Sealy
CARPET BY
Armstrong
HOURS:
Weekdays 8:00 to 5:00 Saturdays 8:00 to 8:00
Phone 928-5382 202 S. Main Farmer City, Illinois It's Worth Your While To Know Us
Webb's Men's Wear
The Top Brands In Men's Wear
LeRoy
Farmer City
Enjoy The LeRoy Bi-Centennial Festival
8
History of LeRoy and Empire Township
Buckles Grove Today
When Illinois became a state in 1818, no white settlers had ever come to that piece of the prairie which is now McLean County. Four years later, a few white families came across country from Pekin and started the little settlement of Blooming Grove, south of the present city of Bloomington. However, the very rich tract of land, 8 miles long and 6 miles wide composing Empire Township, was known only to roving bands of Indians, birds of the air and wild animals of the forest. The middle fork of Salt Creek flows through the entire length of the township and is joined by the West Fork in the southern part, together forming about 11 miles of running water the year around. Nine miles of Salt Creek was bordered with heavy timber composed of varieties of oak, walnut, hickory and many other valuable species. This grove covered about 7,000 acres. Besides this, there were about 2,000 acres across the north side, called "Old Town Timber."
In 1827 big John Buckles of Virginia happened to find this beautiful grove along Salt Creek. He had wandered around for years, hunting for the perfect location to settle his large family. He built a log cabin immediately in what was called Buckles Grove. John was a hunter, not a farmer, and this spot was ideal for hunting and fishing. Food, and logs for building, and fuel were right at his door.
John Buckles was a giant of a man weighing 380 lbs. He had 13 children but not all came here as some of the older ones had taken roots and settled along the way. He made a tannery, probably several of them, by hollowing out large oak logs for vats and using the bark in the tanning process. His boys soon became friends of the Indian boys who were nearby, playing games and running races.
Aside from the very valuable timber, there were about 22,000 acres of beautiful rich undulating prairies in the township. This as well as the timber attracted other settlers.
Jessie Funk and his brother-in-law, James Burleson, had driven a great herd of hogs into the grove the year after Buckles came. They established a camp for the hands caring for the hogs. There was much food there for swine including acorns. In that day livestock was driven across the country to market, often to Galena, Pekin or some other river town.
Also in 1828, Aquilla Conaway brought his family up from Kentucky. He bought Buckles' house and claim -- Buckles moving west from section 28 to section 29.
Nathan T. Brittin and Thomas O. Rutledge came to Buckles Grove in 1829. In 1830: Henry Crumbaugh and son, J.H.L .; Daniel Crumbaugh and sons, William, John, and Leonard A; Michael Dickerson and sons, Robert F., Henry C., and Caleb P .; Daniel Jackson, James Rutledge, Silas Watters and sons, John and Chalton; James Merrifield and son Otho; Levi Westfall, James Van Deventer, James and Jerry Walden, all settled in various parts of Buckles Grove.
All chronicals of that early day tell of the deep snow in the winter of 1830 and 1831. Persons caught out in it had to rely entirely upon the instincts of their horses or ox teams to find their way back home.
Wolves caused more trouble than anything else, coming right up to the houses to steal pigs, chickens and sheep. They destroyed much of the wild game the people needed for food. During the winter of the big snow, many wild animals perished but the wolves seemed more plentiful than ever. On moonlit nights, people could step to their cabin doors and see them frisking about in the snow. Deer, with their sharp little hooves cutting through the crusted snow, were an easy prey for the wolves. Wolf hunts were the main sport of the day, one farmer even trained hounds to catch them.
In December, 1836 a sudden change in weather from 40° above to 20° below, accompanied by a high wind from the west, froze water on the fields in waves. Horses out in it had an inch of ice on their skins and harness so stiff it couldn't be removed until the next day. Hiram Buckles' overcoat billowed out from him so stiffly frozen he couldn't get through the door. Salt Creek was frozen clear to the bottom and was bank full. As other water flowed over it, ice froze in tiers five feet above the banks.
Another menace to these pioneers was prairie fires. A small wind could whip a path of flames for many miles destroying all along the way. People ran to ponds and streams for protection until it burned itself out.
9
10
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
CERTIFICATE Nº2730 S
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:
WHEREAS Later Buckles, of M. Jean County, Illinois
was deposited in the GENERAL LAND OFFICE of the United States, a Certificate of the REGISTER OF THE LAND OFFICE at Marville
whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jeter Buchlis
according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands," for the South East quarts of Section laverty Nine, in Veronskej herity two, Auch, of change con, East, wie the Westin' lands weer to sale at Danweer . Ilinois, containing one hundred and sixty leres
according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Ofice by the SURVEYOR GENERAL, which said tract has been purchased by the said Peter Buckles
NOW KNOW YE, That the
WANTED STATES OF AMERICA. in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, HAVE GIVEN AND GRANTED, and by these presents DO GIVE AND GRANT, unto the said Jeter Buckles
and to fles heirs, the said tract above described: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appartenances of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Feler thu chlad and to his heirs and assigns forever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, have caused these letters to be made PATENT, and the SEAL of the GENERAL
LAND OFFICE to be hereunto afired.
GIVEN under my hand, at the CITY OF WASHINGTON, the Winterth day of Piacea in the Year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thevth, deurne and of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES
the Fifty forud i
BY THE PRESIDENT:
inSkuland Reader
OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE
20453=
Recorded, Vol.
E
1837 Patent issued to Peter Buckles and signed by President Martin Van Buren
There is no record of anyone being molested by the Indians. There were Indians around -- hundreds of them, who marched by single file on their yearly hunting trips along Salt Creek, always friendly but some inclined to steal.
In spite of the hardships and struggle to barely exist, church and school were not neglected. In 1832, the Clearwater School was built of logs about 1 mile south of LeRoy. Lame Will Johnson was the first teacher. His legs may have been weak but not his arms for he was first class with the hickory stick. He was pretty fond of whiskey and on one occasion passed it out to his pupils so all were slightly intoxicated. Once they locked him out of the school. He managed to climb to the roof, cover the chimney and smoke out his pupils. Once a month, he got religion and repented.
Church services also were held in Clearwater School. The first services ever held were in the William Conaway home by the Rev. James Latta, a missionary. In 1831 Rev. S. R. Begg came and made Buckles Grove a part of the Methodist Circuit. Silas Watters headed that group and was very active in the religious life of the settlement. In 1850 he met with other prominent Methodists, including Peter Cartwright, in Bloomington to establish Wesleyan University.
The Presbyterians in 1832 started holding services in the home of Peter Buckles and were called the "Salt Creek Congregation," a name given to it by Abraham Lincoln who surveyed this area. They met in the homes and Clearwater School until the town of LeRoy was started. Then Mr. Buckles donated the land for a church, the same site the present church stands on. The Rutledge family also were very active in establishing this church.
By the 1830s Buckles Grove, built around John Buckles original claim, had become quite a settlement. Also many were staking claims elsewhere in the township. J.W. Baddeley, an Englishman, deciding Buckles Grove would be an excellent site for a town, laid out the town of Monroe. He put up a store and stocked it for trade.
However, others had noticed the rapid growth of Buckles Grove. Among them Gen. A. Gridley and Gen. Merritt Covel, surveyors from Bloomington, who studied the lay of the land and decided that the natural knoll which lay almost in the center of the (Empire) township would be an ideal location for a town. About a mile to the east, south and west were the Buckles Grove settlers, while settlers to the north in Old Town Timber were only 3 miles distant. So in 1835 they purchased the 80 acres of which the elevation was surveyed and laid out the town of LeRoy. Mr. Baddeley was offered very liberal inducements to abandon his town and move his store to LeRoy. This he did and he and Amos Neal were the first to sell goods in the new town.
The early town was laid out around a square. Lots were sold in December, 1835 and bidding was spirited. However, building had a very slow start. About 1837 Hiram Buck put up a hotel and by the fall there were a few log houses, stores and one frame store building erected by Edgar Conkling. At that time Mr. Buck, also a surveyor, laid out Conkling's and Woods' additions embracing about 120 more acres, lying on the west, north, and east sides of the original town.
In 1838, a Post Route was established between Danville, Bloomington and Peoria, passing through LeRoy. A post office was opened in Buck Hotel with Mr. Buck the first postmaster. At first the mail came by a Post Rider (on horse) then by Fink and Walker "Mud Wagons" which by courtesy were called stages. For a long time this firm ran nearly all the stages in northern Illinois and Indiana.
The following excerpts were taken from a letter written and sent by Hiram Buck on December 18, 1836 from Bloomington with no envelope or stamp but marked 18c postage due.
"Land is slowly rising. I'm offered $11,00 an acre for mine. Money is plenty. Pork worth 5 to 51/2c ; wheat $1,00; corn 20c; oats 25c ; all in demand. My stock and loose property is worth probably twice as much as I was worth altogether when I landed here. Should I sell this place, I shall move about 10
The Barnum Flour Mitt was built in 1859 by liohart and Dickerson. The flour from the mill was called "Empire State".
miles east and settle in the town of LeRoy and buy a farm adjoining the town and keep a public house. This town has been laid off within the last year and the proprietor was induced to lay off the addition spoken of before. It lays on the road leading from Danville to Pekin and has every advantage of travel .----- It will no doubt become a place of business. At any rate it is as well located as any inland town in the west.
"Our country is about equally divided on the great question of politics. The candidates for the U.B party carried their ends in August by a majority of one vote and U.B. got 2 more than Harrison."
Early settlers listed by Simeon West (Article on Pioneers of Empire Township, 1904) and other historians are as follows:
1830 - Ambrose Hall, William Davis, James Lawrence, Richard Edwards, Jacob Karr, William Johnson.
1831 - Reuben Clearwater, Amos Conoway, Joshua Hale, Aaron Williams, Andrew Deffenbaugh.
1832 - Abram Buckles and brothers. Peter, Thomas, and William; T.G. Barnett.
1835 - Mahlon Bishop, James Wiley and brother, Thomas; John W. Baddeley and son, John C., from England; Isaac Murphy ; James Lucas.
1836 - T.D. Gilmore (from Kentucky); Elijah Hedrick, Elisha Gibbs and son, Simeon; Steven Conkling.
1837 - Hiram Buck and son, Thomas; Robert and John Barr; James Lincoln; Thomas M. Whitaker; James Bishop; Minor Bishop; Levi and Daniel Knott.
1840 - John and Jessie Karr; Thomas Martin; Thomas Rice; Henry Rice; Hamilton Gilbert.
1841 - Montgomery Crumbaugh.
In 1843, E. E. Greenman, a popular peddler to Buckles Grove residents, was persuaded to open a store in LeRoy. He rented a building for $1.00 a month and paid $1.00 a week for board. When his landlord doubled his rent, he bought a lot across the street for $10.00, hired a man to saw up logs from the nearby timber, and in 21 days was in business in his own building. S. D. Baker went in with him. In 1857 they moved the old building and built a fine brick structure for $3,000.
Other early merchants were Richard Edwards, Kimler and Bishop, L.H. and B.F. Park, E.L. Moorehouse and son, and Mr. McLean.
11
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Fred Phillips and Ed Spearman at the Big Four Depot.
T.J. Barnett commenced trade in LeRoy in 1852 and the next year built the post office building which was the first brick structure in town. Later he sold this and bought the Greenman building. He went into partnership with J. Keenan and in flush years sold $55,000 worth of goods. In 1854 and 1855, the firm of Crumbaugh and Reed had a large trade.
All the goods from these early stores came by way of Pekin, being shipped there from St. Louis on boats up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Farmers hauled their wheat to Pekin to be sold or ground for their own use.
In 1841 Elisha Gibbs built a good mill, run by steam, located on the south side of town. This served well until it burned in 1844. Buckles and Farmer built a steam grist and saw mill on the east side of town in 1853 and it burned in 1856. Hobert and Dickerson built a large steam mill in the west part of town near where the depot stood. This changed hands to Breener and Barnum, then Breener and Keenan and later to Barnum and Kennan who added a large grain and lumber trade.
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