USA > Illinois > Champaign County > Philo > Philo area centennial, 1875-1975 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
77.366 547 R
PHILO AREA CENTENNIAL
ENTE
100
NIAL
1875-1
1875-1975
.
ยท
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY
1151-4
Dedication
We dedicate this book to the pioneers whose yearning for something better led them from their safe homes to this unknown territory which made possible our good life here today.
Their motto might have been the same as the famous words of William Allen White.
"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today".
-William Allen White
The Pioneer
I do not even know his name I only know he bravely came And with him all he had he brought And with his lowly tools he wrought To build a cabin low and plain, A shelter from the wind and rain; And round his cabin rough and rude A bit of virgin land subdued.
I only know he gave his toil To rocks and trees that claimed the soil, Til on that precious bit of loam He founded what to him was home, A home his own he viewed with pride Til in the after years he died, No trumpet blare to sound his fame; No marble shaft to bear his name.
And where he wrought with toiling hands Are fertile fields and yielding lands, And modern homes where children play, And church and school to light the way, And railroads through the country side, And bridges o'er the rivers wide, And modern highways far and near, All monuments to the pioneer.
written by E. Erb
277,366 P547
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILO AREA:
The idea of having a Centennial was born among the trustees of the Village Board. They contacted the Rogers Company to send a representative to meet with the Village Board. The Rogers Company then made a proposal to a group of citizens which were representatives from each church and organization of Philo. The proposal was accepted and a contract signed with the Rogers Company.
The Philo Area Centennial Corporation was then formed. The officers of the Corporation selected an Executive Committee to manage the Centennial. The Rogers Company supplied a director six weeks prior to our Centennial.
Due to the combined efforts of the people of the area, the donation stock drive exceeded expectations by a considerable amount.
Many people participated in making the Centennial a success. To those people the members of the Executive Committee extend their heartfelt "Thanks" for a job well done.
Events were held prior to the Centennial such as a style show, forming of the Brothers of the Brush, Centennial Belles, promenades, and caravans. The Centennial Store was opened April 19 to sell donation shares of stock, plates, coffee mugs, beer mugs, ash trays, buttons, all type of Centennial clothing, Commemorative Coins, and a Historical Booklet.
We wish to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the members of the Executive Committee who helped establish, conduct and stage the entire Philo Area Centennial Corporation.
Richard E. Jones, General Chairman William E. Godsell, Co-Chairman
STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PHILO AREA CENTENNIAL CORPORATION
In Memory
Mr. Frank Ordel Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cain, Sr. Frank Cain, Jr. William A. Cain Joe McFall
Allerton Supply Co. Central Propane Champaign County Grain Association Champaign Co. Power Equipment Company Champaign County Seed Company Chesnut Quarter Horses Roger Cook Grading and Excavating Eastern Illinois Telephone Company Fertilizer Dealer Supply Inc. Gene Christian's Tree Cutting and Stump Removal Bob Giesler (Moorman Feed) Glenn's Restaurant John T. Godsell Trucking H. and H. Equipment Co. Don and Anne Hewing Corner Store Hoods Pharmacy Howard's Tavern Illini Trails Apartments - Richard Jones Illinois Foundation Seed Illini F.S. Inc. Irenes Holiday House LTD Lafenhagen Angus Farms Leo's Pub, Villa Grove Lewis Insurance Agency Locust Grove Cemetery Association
Lotus Warehouses Lowell Johnson (DeKalb Seed and Moorman Feed) M & M Engravers - Thelma Melohn Marty's Tool Sales
McCoy Insurance Agency Francis McMahan Modern Electric Company of Illinois Monicals Pizza - Kenneth Wood Owens Funeral Home Philo Arcade Philo Barber Shop Philo Booster Club Philo Coin Cleaners Philo Eisner Agency Store Philo Exchange Bank Philo F.S. - Bob and Ann Roberts Philo Volunteer Fire Department Philo Youth Football Pierce Fertilizer Roberts Garage
Savoy Grain Corporation St. Thomas Altar Society Donald M. Smith Backhoe Service Tolono Ag. 4H Club Zion Lutheran Church Women
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Althaus Mr. and Mrs. Edward Anders Mrs. Emma Andrews Jess N. Ash
Mr. and Mrs. C.K. Asklund
Ellen Asklund
Neal Asklund
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Baldwin Bob Bales
Dave Bales
Donna Bales
Joanna Bales Thersa Bales
Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Bales
Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Barenthin
John and Rosalie Barnett Eddie and Doris Bates
Solon and Marge Bialeschki
Edward and Cathy Billman Bishop Family Paul A. and Mrs. Lona Boatman
Gernon and Harriett Boles Cathy Bolger John Bolger
Bill and Edith Bolger Jim Bolger Patricia Bolger Sue Bolger
The Neal Bollman Family
Polly Bonnell Richard Bonnell Dean Bonnell and Family
Don and Pat Boudreau Edward and Mary Bowers Mr. and Mrs. Irven Brand Mrs. Ruth Brazelton Olive C. Brennan Joseph and Juanita Brewer Mr. and Mrs. Dave Briscoe Phillip and Pamela Brown Howard W. Brulin Grace Buddie and Richard Bland
Mrs. Melba Buddie C.F. Buhnerkemper Lloyd and Dixie Burgener Billy D. and Mrs. D.D. Burr Mr. and Mrs. John H. Burr
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Burr Mr. and Mrs. Ted Burr Thomas Burr Catherine Cain Christine Cain Dan Cain Mr. and Mrs. Gene Cain Gregory Eugene Cain John Cain Family John L. Cain III Leo and Nellie Cain Mary Cain Mary E. Cain Naomi Cain Paul Cain Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cain Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cain Mr. and Mrs. James E. Calhoun Bobby Jay Cecil Brenda Jo Cecil Mr. and Mrs. Joe Charleston Don and Ellie Cheatum Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cheatum and Family Darren Christian Gene and Pat Christian Jim and Carol Christian Karen Christian Marcia Christian Ron Christian Donald and Carol Clark Howard and Anita Clark Jeffrey and Christine Clark John D. and Katherine E. Clark Robert and Helen Clark Wilson Clem Bill Clennon Howard and Esther Clennon Jim Clennon John and Mary Rita Clennon
Katherine V. Clennon Leo and Marie Clennon Madonna Clennon Martin J. Clennon Mike Clennon Rita Clennon Thomas and Barbara Clennon Mike and Ann Cler Shane, Michelle and Heidi Cler Charles F. Cole Lucille Cole Lawrence and Stella Collins Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cook Edwin Cooper and Family Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Cooper Ricky and Rolanna Cooper Earl and Lorraine Cox
Jess Cox Fred and Juanita Craven Richard Crump and Family Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Dalton Cathy Daly Joe and Maxine Daly Leo F. Daly and Family Margaret M. Daly Alvin and Ethel Decker Charles Decker Loretta Decker Walter and Mary C. Decker Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Drews Mr. and Mrs. Harry Duffy Herman and Francis Duggins Thomas Dosey Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eaton Delbert and Florence Edmison John L. Edwards Dennis and Sue Elkins
Mr. and Mrs. Byron Elkins
Carl Erb Family Amelia Etter Irene Evans Minnie Fehrenbacher Mr. and Mrs. Gene Flynn Kenneth Flynn Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Foltz
Mr. and Mrs. James Fox
Richard E. Franks Bonnie B. Franks
David L. Franks Fred Franks Gary L. Franks Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Franks Larry R. Franks Liza Jo Franks
Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Franks
Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Franks Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Franks Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Freeland Mrs. Mary Frances Fyffe Weldon and Alice Garrelts Mr. and Mrs. Donald Gentry Mr. and Mrs. Alexy George Mary Gerhart The Reverend Charles E. Glidden Debbie Godsell John Godsell, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Godsell Mr. and Mrs. Richard Godsell Steve and Jeff Godsell Mr. and Mrs. William Godsell Becky Gorman Deanna Gorman Gena Gorman
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gorman Marty Gorman Anne Grady John and Therese Grady Matt Grady Maureen Grady Tom Grady Mr. and Mrs. Donald Graf Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Green Mr. and Mrs. Dan Gregory Mr. and Mrs. James Griffith Betty J. Grove Kenneth W. Grove Kerrelton D. Grove Kristina J. Grove Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Grove Robert W. Grove and Family Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Guiney Sharon and Teri Guiney Charles Gvey Jim and Kathy Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Ed Harnsberger Cathilyn and Richard A. Harris II Larry and Dorothy Harris and Family Richard and Jacquelyn Harris Mr. and Mrs. Gerald R. Hart and Family Christine Hasler
Donald E. and Mia Hasler Spencer Hasler George Hawkins and Family Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hays Miss Grace Hazen The Reverend John C. Hecht Don Heil Mr. and Mrs. James Helregel Bridget Hettinger Leo and Aileen Hettinger Mark and Eunice Hettinger Matthew D. Hettinger
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hettinger Peg and Teri Hewing Tim and Dan Hewing Mr. and Mrs. LaRue Highsmith Linda Alice Hilligoss Don and Judy Hinners Dorothea Hinners Ivan and Vera Hinners Walter and Wilma Hinners Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hite Janice Hoke and Children Charles B. and Marie E. Hughes Oney Hughes William L. Innes Mrs. Frances Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Jacobs
Carl and Bonnie Johnson Carl and Mary Johnson Roy, Joyce and Angel Johnson Bill and Cindy Jones David E. Jones Donna M. Jones Joan M. Jones Roy Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Jordan
William and Madelyn Kahn
Dick Kamerer and Family
Dean and Mary Keith
Russell and Kay Kelley
Mrs. John Keeler Gregory M. Khachaturian
Jon E. Khachaturian
Mary D. Khachaturian
Mr. and Mrs. Narbey Khachaturian
Steven J. Khachaturian
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Kirby and Family
Dale Kirby Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Kirby Chester and Mildred Klockenbrink
Lyle Klockenbrink
Carolyn Koenig Beth A. Lafenhagen
Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Lafenhagen
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Lafenhagen
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Lavenhagen and Family
Bill and Frances Leach
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Licht
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Lincicome and Family H. Paul and L. June Lincicome Jack and Maudie Livesay
J.E. Lookingbill and Family Mr. and Mrs. Howard Love Dennis and Cathy Lowary Kimberly Ann Lowary William Edward Lowary Bill and Lucille Lowry Cy and Ruth Madigan Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Malee
Janet, Julie and Jeanne Manuel
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Manuel
Royce L. and Lou E. Marble Mr. and Mrs. Leland Martin Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Matthews, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Mark McCloskey
Mark, Karen and Pam McCloskey Bud and Jean McCormick Charles McCormick and Family Wesley and Marcia McCoy Maurice A. and Linda R. McCoy A.M.F. McDonald Mr. and Mrs. Harold McHenry Mr. and Mrs. Mike McHenry
Mr. and Mrs. R.D. McQuecn Jesse D. Meharry Margaret Meharry Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Meharry Donald Melohn Thelma Melohn Joe and Doris Miceli Chriss Middleton David and Martha Middleton Bob and Beverly Miebach Gene and Mary Marget Miebach and Family B.J. Miller and Family Earl and Patricia B. Miller LeRoy and Mildred Miller Mr. and Mrs. Orville Miller Robert J. Miller William and Faythe Miller Bob Mitsdarfer Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mitsdarfer Ed and Ann Mitsdarfer Vic Mitsdarfer Debra L. Moore Jerry and Carol Moore Lee and JoAnne Moore Melinda, Stephanie and Susan Moore Sharon D. Moore
Mrs. Frances M. Morgan
Aldora Mumm Bobby Mumm Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. Mumm Ebert Mumm Harry Mumm Howard E. Mumm Jeffrey Mumm Jill Mumm Julie Ann Mumm Lillian Mumm Luther and Opal Mumm Michael J. Mumm Ron and Stephanie Mumm Mr. and Mrs. David P. Munger Lola Myers Lewis O. Myler Ruth Narbone Betty E. Newton Don and Doris Newman Dawn and Shannon Newman John and Jo Ellen Newman Robert J. Nussbaum Steve O'Connor Family Mr. and Mrs. Wayne O'Neal Albert and Betty O'Neill Danny O'Neill Dennis O'Neill Mr. and Mrs. Eugene O'Neill
Gregory O'Neill Jaylee O'Neill John D. O'Neill, II John D. and Karen O'Neill Julie O'Neill Kevin O'Neill Lee H. and Jane M. O'Neill Mike O'Neill Paul and Mildred O'Neill T.M. O'Neill Mr. and Mrs. Timothy O'Neill William and Rena O'Neill Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Painter
Clifford Paul
Gladys M. Parry Linnetta M. Parry
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Payne Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Perry Pastor and Mrs. Paul D. Pfeffer
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Pierce
Vern M. Pierce Arthur and Vareta Plotner
Charles L. Plotner
Clarence and Mary Plotner
Judith H. Plotner
Matilda R. Plotner
Mike and Linda Plotner
Randall W. Plotner
Wilbert and Helen Plotner
Ronald Pratt Family
Mr. and Mrs. Jack D. and Kerrie Lynn Price
J. and Jack Quinlan
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rahn
Lisa Rahn Mark Rahn Russell and Judy Rahn Teresa Rahn Virgil and Norma Rash
Cindy Reed
Mr. and Mrs. Danny Reed and Family
Dwight and Dorothy Reed Mary S. Reed
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Reinhart
Charles Reinhart Family Gregory and Susan Reinhart
Mr. and Mrs. John F. Reis
Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Rennels
Frank A. Revell and Family Mr. and Mrs. Clif Rexroad Jim Rhodes Carolyn Rice Darrel Rice Dick and Marge Rice Dirk Rice Don and Betty Rice Katharine G. Rice
Kathelene Rice Karen Rice Melanie Rice Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Rice Robert Rice David and Phyllis Richter Betty Jo Richards Janet Richards Mr. and Mrs. Rowe Richards Sandra Richards Richard and Linda Rippey Christopher Deon and Debra Sue Roberts Melvin and Wilma Rockwell Mr. and Mrs. James Rose James Rose, Jr. Jeri Rose Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Rubenacker Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ruffner Ted and Linda Rund Maurice and Cora Sandwell Ted E. Sandwell Glenn and Helen Sappenfield Dr. and Mrs. James V. Scott James V. Scott, II Roger Selle Ralph and Georgia Clark Sensenbrenner Vincent and Mary Sergent Andrew Serio Mr. and Mrs. Frank Serio
Josephine Serio Mr. and Mrs. Howard Shirley Aric, Ted and Dale Silver Duane and Shirley Silver Frank and Mable Silver Greg Silver Robert and Barbara Silver Walter Silver Mr. and Mrs. Dean Skaggs Bob and Ruth Sloman Frank Smith Geraldine Somers Mrs. John Somers Oswin Spitz Family Mr. and Mrs. George Stahl Mr. and Mrs. Louis Stahl
Dr. and Mrs. H.C. Stansel Mike Stenger Florence E. Stewart Pauline Stone Mr. and Mrs. William Storm Clifford and Helen Sudkamp Mary F. Sutton Allan Swanson Shawn Swanson Sue Swanson Tammy Swanson
Floy and Bert Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Dale Terven and Family Leonard and Mary Thinnes
Harold and Elizabeth Thomas
Coleman and Mabel Trumbull
Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Vanzele and Diane
Joe B., David G., and Charles A. Vermillion
Mary G., Virginia M., and Barbara L. Vermillion Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Walden
B.R. Walding Family Mr. and Mrs. Dave Walker Mr. and Mrs. Neil Walker
Robert and Shirley Walters
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Warfel
Mr. and Mrs. John Warren
George Weasel
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Weiss
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wetmore Tom Whitt
James P. and Vera C. Wiley
Roy C. Williams Art Wilson
Gladys Wilson
Wilber and Sandra Wilson
Mrs. Lelah Wimmer
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Winings
The Witherbee Family
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Lee Wood
Gary Woods Jean Woods Todd Woods Troy Woods Ron and Brenda Woodworth and Family
E. Carl and Mary J. Woolsey Gene and Kay Wubben
If we have inadvertently left anyone off this list it was an oversight and we are truly sorry.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to acknowledge the willing assistance of the many people who contributed articles, his- tories, general information, pictures, clippings, newspapers, and the many good ideas used in the making of this book.
Time did not allow the thorough checking of all material presented and please consider the idea that the history of Philo may be a mixture of fact, fiction, poetic license and family tradition.
I would especially like to thank my historical book committee for the many hours they spent gathering information for the book.
My thanks to -
Olive Brennan Howard Eaton Frances Jackson Ruth Madigan Ann Mitsdarfer Matilda Plotner Floy Taylor
General Chairman of the Commemorative Book,
Dennis Lincicome
CENTEN
OTTIHd
ANNIAL
CENTE
100
OTIHd
100
187
9
OF
P CORPORATEE
VILLAGE OF INCORPOR
HILO
APRIL 19 1875
APRIL 19 1875
ILLS
IGN
CO.
COMMEMORATIVE COIN
6
1875 -1975
ED
CHAN
Grand Prairie of the West
The village of Philo and the surrounding area, located in Champaign County, Illinois, in cele- brating its Centennial year, looks back upon its history, its first settlers and the many who over the years, through hard work and perseverance, have made this county one of the richest and most progressive in the state, also looks forward to greater challenges and opportunities in the future.
Champaign County is a part of what the early French explorers called the Grand Prairie of the West, which they described as extending from the headwaters of the Mississippi to the Wabash River.
In the beginning the pioneer generally stayed close to a wooded area, along the course of a stream. There they would have wood to build a home, for fires to keep warm and for cooking, and plenty of water. As a result of this the more fertile, easily cultivated prairie stretches were long neglected.
Localities Designated By Groves
Before the county was divided into townships, many of the localities outside of the villages were designated by groves and fords and other natural features. "The Big Grove" was the large grove of natural timber just north of the city of Urbana, partly in Township 19 and partly in Township 20. The Salt Fork was a general term which designated the land covered by timber along that stream and the neighboring farms. Homer and Sidney are villages along this stream. The Sanga- mon included the neighborhood along both sides of the river from its headwaters to the Piatt County line. Others were the Okaw and Ambraw settlements, the Middle Fork (of Salt Fork) was understood to mean the timber, sometimes called Sugar Grove, in the northeast part of the county. Sadorus Grove was the name of the isolated grove of timber at the head of the Kaskaskia River, where Henry Sadorus and his family set- tled in the spring of 1824, when they came to this county.
Nearer Philo were Bowse's Grove which refer- red to a small grove of natural timber on the east side of the Embarrass River. This was later called Shaeffer's Grove and is in Crittenden Township, which is just south of Philo Township.
Lynn Grove, generally spelled Linn Grove in the oldest records, was the name attached to a beau- tiful eminence which was crowned with trees of Nature's planting in the southwest corner of Sidney Township. There were other small groves in Champaign County.
The Tow-Head
About one mile north of the village of Philo, in the early days there was a tuft or small patch of timber and brush along the margin of a small pond, which protected it from the annual prairie fires, less than one acre, which from the earliest settlement of the country, was a noted landmark for travelers and which was known far and wide as the Tow-Head. It was called the Tow-Head because of its resemblance of a human head, due to the clump of trees situated on a high knoll. Its position upon a very high piece of prairie made it visible for miles around.
Tradition has it that many years ago before the settlement of the prairies, a band of regula- tors from an Indiana settlement, having found the trail of a horse thief, who had successfully come with the stolen animal as far as the Tow- Head, found him fast asleep in the shade of this little grove and, without even the form of a trial, hung him on one of the trees. (Note: For this rea- son this little clump of trees was also known as "Dead Man's Grove.") The Tow-Head was near the road which led from the Salt Fork timber westward to Sadorus Grove and the Okaw. The Tow-Head has long since yielded to the march of improvement and the pond is no more and now yields each year either a fine crop of corn or soy- beans.
-
A Distinct Watershed Divide
There is a distinct watershed which divides the Wabash system from that of the Illinois and Mis- sissippi Rivers. The Kaskaskia empties into the Mississippi and the Sangamon, flowing into the Illinois River, are a part of the system of the "Father of Waters" which drains the western third of the county. The Salt Fork of the Vermil- ion, the Middle Fork of that stream and the Little Vermilion, and the Embarrass are portions of the Wabash system and drain the remainder of the county. Generally speaking the Sangamon River and its branches drain Mahomet, Condit,
This Page sponsored by: PHILO EXCHANGE BANK, Serving Philo since 1883
East Bend and Brown Townships and the Kas- kaskia, with its tributaries drain Scott. Cham- paign, Tolono, Colfax. Sadorus and Pesotum Townships.
The Embarrass rises south of Urbana, on the University of Illinois farms and drains the south- western part of Urbana Township, and Philo, Crittenden, Raymond and Ayers Townships. North of the Embarrass the Vermilion system spreads over the eastern townships of South Homer, Sidney, St. Joseph, Ogden, Stanton, Comprimise, Rantoul, Kerr and Harwood Town- ships.
The Effect of Ice-sheets and Glaciers
No other single agent has been so effective in the modification of the surface of the earth as have glaciers and ice-sheets. These ice-sheets or glaciers were hundreds and possibly thousands of feet thick, and hundreds of miles in width and length. The debris which they brought from the Laurential mountains of Canada was distributed over Illinois, generally; much to the enrichment of the soil. Much of it was pushed along in front of the ice-sheet, so that when the forward move- ment began to be retarded, this material was left scattered along the edges of the advancing body. Much material was carried along under the ice- sheet and was ground and distributed over the glacial area. The material which these glaciers brought into the State of Illinois, as the basis of her vast material wealth, goes under the general name of Drift. The Illinois ice-sheet is believed to have covered almost all the State of Illinois.
These great ice-sheets moving down from the north, scouring off the land, its successive onward stages are indicated by ridges or, geolo- gically speaking, moraines, which rise above the surface of the surrounding country to heights varying from twenty to a hundred feet. These ridges or moraines were formed by a mass of rocks, dirt, etc., which was deposited at the side of the glacier as it moved from the northwest to the southeast of the county.
Neighborhoods
There were neighborhoods in the county which for some peculiarity or other in their early set- tlement took upon themselves some peculiar names, many of which are now forgotten or are no longer used. One of these settlements was located in Philo Township, along the ridge which divides the waters of the Salt Fork from those flowing into the Embarrass (Ambraw), which, about 1853 to 1856 and for several years later,
became the home of a colony from Massachu- setts and other Eastern states. Some of the group were E.W. Parker and his brother, G.W. Parker. who brought the first piano to this area; David, Lucius and T.C. Eaton; Asa Gooding; Dennis Chapin and J.P. Whitmore and others who gave the neighborhood the name of Yankee Ridge, which it bears to this day. It was named for the place they came from and for the ridge which was on higher ground and had better drainage for that day.
The Black Prairie Soil
At one time almost the entire valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries was covered with water, which gradually receded to the present water courses, and left the prairie in the condi- tion of alternate wet and dry places, with a black, mucky soil. The prairies later became drier and was adapted to the wants of men and animals.
The black, friable mold of which the prairie soil is composed, is due to the growth and decay of successive seasons of the coarse swamp grasses which covered a great part of this area. The grass would start growing in the spring, grow luxur- iantly during the summer and fall and decay during the winter, to be added to the annual ac- cumulation, which over the years became from one to as much as five feet in thickness.
Drainage Necessary
For years the swamps and lowlands were con- sidered to be worthless. There was a great deal of sickness from malaria and other diseases. The great work of drainage was begun during the 1850's. In 1878 the State Constitution was amended by the addition of the drainage section, which authorized the formation of drainage com- panies, the digging and tiling of ditches and for reasons of regulation and systematic work it di- vided the submerged lands into districts, with supervising officials. The tile factories came into being and many a rod of tile was laid. The lands reclaimed are now some of the most productive and valuable in the county.
Native Wildlife and Vegetation
When the first explorers came to Illinois they mention many animals that they saw as they traveled, among them deer, moose, all sorts of fish, turkeys, wild cattle and small game. In Champaign County toward the end of the nine- teenth century and even later, prairie chickens,
quails, squirrels, rabbits and other small game were plentiful.
There were many flowers native to Illinois to be found among the tall grass and along the streams and among the trees.
One man writing about his first sight of the Grand Prairie said, "The grass waving in the beautiful sunlight of June and all the wild flowers indigenous to the prairies bowing their heads to the breeze, presented a sight that I thought the most beautiful I had ever beheld, the remembrance of which, notwithstanding seventy years have passed and gone since then, is still as vivid to my mind it seems, as the day when I first viewed the beauties of the grand old prairies of Illinois."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.