USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of Woodford County > Part 12
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171
INDUSTRIAL.
DICKINSON & CO.'S CANNING FACTORY, Eureka, Ill.
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IHISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
original plant. and it will be ready for the next season's pack. Of the members of the firm, R. J. Dickinson has charge of raising the products, while E. B. Dickinson has charge of the office work and the factory. The plant repre- sents an investment of many thousands of dollars.
MINONK PRODUCE COMPANY.
Another important enterprise in the county is located at Minonk and is known as the Minonk Produce Company. In the spring of 1884 W. F. Priebe and F. J. Simater began business, buying and shipping poultry and eggs. They origi- nated the idea of shipping poultry in the summer time, and shipped the very first barrel of ice packed poultry ever sent out. The business of shipping has increased until ice pack- ed poultry is going into the eastern market in lots of 20 to 25 carloads per day. the chief points being Boston, New York. Buffalo. Baltimore. Philadelphia and other large cities. In 1897 the firm began to branch out and its growth has continued until they ship a million pounds of poultry a month, and handle 240,000 cases of eggs a year. They also handle a million pounds of butter annually. The branch houses are located in different points of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. The business in Minonk is managed by F. J. Simater, and represents a large investment.
CHAPTER XVI.
Towns of the County.
W OODFORD county has no large center of population but it has a number of prosperous villages and small cities. These have been the centers in the historic drama that has been enacted sinee 1836, which date marks the founding of the first town. They have not, however, been universally prosperous ; some have even passed out of exis- tence.
Towns as well as nations rise and fall. Changing con- ditions take from them their promise of growth; they reach their zenith of greatness and decay. History records the names of many cities that once gave promise of greatness, but are now known only as its pages record them. Even in the brief period covered by the annals of Woodford county, towns have been founded, prospered for a time, decayed and have become a matter of history.
The present division will record in its due course the rise and fall of at least three of these erstwhile promising towns.
The year of 1836 was important in the history of the development of the county. In that year the first postoffice was established at Black Partridge. It also witnessed the platting of four towns, Bowling Green, March 7th, 1836; Spring Bay, April 2nd, 1836; Versailles, June 3rd, 1836; Metamora, June 7th, 1836.
Bowling Green.
Bowling Green, in the southwestern part of Palestine
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
township, was laid out March 7th. 1836. by Elbert Diekason, surveyor. for Francis M. Willis. The name has been cor- rupted in common practice from Bolling Green to its present form. Bowling Green. October 21. 1837. an addition was made to the town by Aaron Richardson. The name of Ver- sailles is connected in the minds of pioneers. with county seat hopes and disappointments while that of Bowling Green is coupled with the idea of business push and enterprise.
Among the first settlers in Panther Grove were Charles. Josiah and Campbell Moore, who came in 1830. They set about constructing a mill. and soon had it ready for busi- ness This was before the establishment of the town, and was the first water mill of which we have any record. In 1831 James and Aaron Richardson came to the vicinity and soon became the leading figures in the growth of the town. They came from New Albany. Indiana. and as was usually the case had little capital to start with. James M. Richard- son had a horse, a one horse wagon. and thirty-seven cents in money when he came to Woodford county.yet within a few years he was one of the leading business men. not only in Bowling Green. but in the whole county.
In 1837 James M. and AAaron Richardson opened the first store. and for a number of years did an extensive busi- ness. This was the first store in the eastern part of the county. As in the case of Versailles. Bowling Green at that time belonged to MeLean county. and any official business had to be transacted at the county seat in Bloomington. A little later James Robeson opened a store there and enjoyed quite a trade. The mill erected by the Moores was sold to Francis Willis. and about 1839 James and Aaron Richardson erected a second mill. one-half mile southeast of town. It was built on an extensive plan for those days and was known far and wide as the Bowling Green mill. A dam was con- structed across the stream. and ample power was furnished for its operation. Many of the older settlers remember tak- ing wheat or corn to this mill for grinding. A fixed toll was charged for such service and it was frequently paid in grain,
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
as money in those days was a scarce article. The volume of business transacted here was surprisingly large. Bowling Green was the only town except Versailles in the east side of the county. and the trade was drawn for many miles. Col. B. D. Meek is anthority for the statement that the annual business of Bowling Green was at one time equal to that of Eureka at the present day.
It was on the stage
line between Peoria and Bloomington. and was the first stop east of Versailles. A post- office was established at an early date and was located in the store of Richardson
Brothers. On the
organization of the county in 1841. Jo- seph Moore. from the vicinity of Bowling Green was chosen as one of the three county commissioners. That office at the time was one of great im J. M. RICHARDSON. portance as practical- ly all the affairs of the county were in the hands of the com- missioners. In the division of the county into voting pre- cincts, one was designated Bowling Green precinct. In 1844 James Richardson was chosen county commissioner and held that responsible position six years. He was the father of W. R. Richardson, who resided in or near Secor for so many years. Aaron Richardson was the father of Dr. Frank Richardson. the noted Christian minister of Kansas City. Mo.
The establishment of towns. more favorably located than Bowling Green. led to its decay and the final abandon- ment of the place, yet it played an important part in the
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
business and political life of the county at an early day, and its citizens are worthy an important place in the annals of Woodford county.
Spring Bay.
Within a few days of the establishment of Bowling Green. another town was laid out on the river in the western part of the county. The newly founded village was located so as to enjoy the river traffic. It was in what was at that time known as Tazewell county, and it was quite natural that the town should first be known as Tazewell. Later the name was changed to Spring Bay, because of the number of springs found in that region. The town was platted for James Day and Henry Matson. the plat bearing the date of April 2nd. 1-36. The first store was conducted by a man named Rire. In 1-43 Ira Y. Munn came to the village and opened a store which was conducted for several years under the firm name of Scott & Munn. In 1844 a postoffice was es- tablished at Spring Bay with C. S. Shults as the first post- master. Mail was then brought across the river from Peoria. Later mail was carried from Kappa. a number of towns be- ing visited on the trip. In 1>50 the first hotel was opened by David Conch. and in 1962. Joseph Hilenbrand built a saw mill that was later changed to a grist mill by William Burt.
One of the most extensive enterprises was the brewery owned by Peter Eichhorn. This was quite an extensive plant for that time and employel a number of men. The invest- ment in the enterpris- has been estimated at $25.000.
In 1-49 a contract was entered into by the county with C. A. Genoways for the construction of a lever. This was later changed thru an agreement with Mr. Munn. so as to greatly enlarge the original plan of the work. It was ul- cimately completed at the cost of about $4.000. the work be- ing done by William Delph.
In 1849 the town of Spring Bay was incorporated. be- ing the second town in the county to take this step. It has always maintained its organization. The officers at the
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
present time are : President. John B. Ahrens : trustees. John Winkler. Jr .. Rudolph Glanser. Orion Smith: clerk. Joseph Ilodge : treasurer. Ernest Fredrick.
Perhaps the name that is more widely known than any- other of the residents of Spring Bay is that ud Zeller. Dr J. G. Zeller came to Wholford county in ledi. fi prac- tieed medicine for many prar- in the western part of the county. A son. Dr. Georg- Zeller. has won a well wi le reputation as superintendent of the General Hospital for th - insane at Bartonville. His theory has been that shackles and bars are unnecessary in the care of the insane. He has a collection of hundreds of these that have been thrown aside by patients under his car -. Another son. Julius C. Zeller. has recently been elected president of the University of Puget Sound.
Captain Zeller, whose death oreurre a few years ago. was deeply interestell in the collection of Indian relics. and at the time of his deate harl a fine collection. that had been gathered by patient eforts, extending thru a number of Fears.
Versailles.
Among the famous towns of the former days was Ver- sailles, mentioned prominently in prece ling chapters. June 3rd. 1836. the village was platted for M. R. Bullock and John P. Beaty. on the S. E. 14. Section 20. and S. W. 12. Section 21. Township 20, Range 1 West of the Third Princi- pal Meridian. The plat was filed for record in the office of the Recorder of MeLean county. as Versailles was at that time a part of that county. The boundary streets were named North. South. East and West. while the intermediate streets were named Peoria. Chestnut. Bloomington. State. Walnut and Locust.
In 1838. Durritt and Calloway opened the first store. This was followed by other styres until in 1941 quite a pros- perous community had been established. The town was progressive and its people were energetic. The movement
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
for the creation of a new county originated with the lead- ing citizens of that vicinity. They saw in the plan an op- portunity to make Versailles the seat of justice and a city of consequent importance. The news that a new county had been created, with Versailles named as its county seat for two years, caused great rejoicing in the town. From 1841 until 1843 the town was at the height of its prosperity. A stage line ran thru the village from Bloomington to Peoria. This brought attorneys and other visitors to the sessions of the court. A postoffice was established and the first post- master was named King. He was succeeded by Ben Kelley. In 1843 the commissioners voted to locate the county seat at Hanover, and the hopes of the people of Versailles were blasted. The town never recovered from the effects of this disappointment. After the news of the decision of the com- missioners was received, the people began to leave town and it soon lost its prestige. There were, however, evidences of its greatness for many years after the removal of the county seat. South of Versailles a saw mill was erected by John, Marion and Thomas Moore. It was later sold to Blaksley and Co., who owned a foundry at Metamora. The last store was owned by Ben Kelly, who was in business there for many years. This store, with a blacksmith shop, sehool and church, remained as relies of blasted hopes.
There were two churches at Versailles, the first estab- lished being the Church of Christ, the second the Methodist. The former was organized by James Robeson, W. C. Poynter and Amos Watkins, and for some time the school house was used as a place of worship. Later they erected a neat church, which served as a place of worship for many years. When the members of the congregation had become scattered and it was no longer possible to have services, the building was given to the Palestine church, and it was moved into that township. The M. E. church was erected at a mueh later date, Garland and David Moore taking a prominent part in its organization. A building was erected and services
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
were held for a number of years, but the congregation finally became scattered, and the church was moved into Palestine township near Panther Creek.
There are now but few evidences that the town of Ver- sailles ever existed. All the buildings and stores have long since been removed or destroyed. Few remain who remem- ber Versailles in its prosperous days, and these are aged men and women. The town site, however, remains platted as in early days, altho it is now farm property. This causes some annoyance in making out deeds or in clearing of titles, as the lands have been owned by so many different parties.
Metamora.
Metamora has for many years played a prominent part in the civic life of the county. Her citizens have held promi- nent positions and it has been the center of numerous county movements. In 1836 the town of Hanover was surveyed. The name of the postoffice was Partridge Point, as there was another Hanover in the state. About 1845 the name of both the village and postoffice were changed to Metamora, the name being suggested by Mrs. Peter Willard.
The first house in the newly established town was built by Jolm W. Page, and in a short time stores were opened. The first of these was by Wilson Tucker and the second was opened in a short time by Israel & Weeks. Later a store was opened that superseded both of the above and was on a much more substantial basis than those previously establish- ed. Both Mr. Parks and Mr. Willard, who had control of a store opened there in 1843, were, practical business men and enjoyed an extensive trade. The latter bought grain and was a member of the firm of Scott & Munn of Spring Bay.
One of the first industries to be opened in that region, aside from the usual saw mill, was a foundry, established in 1851, by L. C. Blakesley & Co., but it was not operated many years, as it was not a paying investment.
In 1843 the seat of justice was removed from Versail-
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
les to Hanover, and in 1845, the court house was erected. The removal of the county seat gave a new impetus to the growth of the town.
Hyl'-T
METAMORA HOUSE.
In 1843 the Metamora House was erected, and stil! stands, altho it has been altered in appear- ance greatly since that time. In 1851 the jail was erected and served as a place for the retention of county prisoners for more than forty years.
The church history of Metamora has been fraught with many changes and much interest. In 1847 the Episcopalians erected the first church. The next was erected shortly after- ward by the Congregationalists. In 1849 the Christian church was built.
The year following the Baptist society was organized and in 1854 their church was erceted. The Methodist structure was built in 1855. These organizations have for several years been quite weak and nnion services have been held. A pastor is employed, regardless of his denomina- tion.
The Catholic church was organized in' 1863, by Rev. Father Derters, of the diocese of Chicago. In the beginning services were held in the court house. In 1864 the corner stone of their church was laid. The first structure was built of brick 50x30 feet. From 1864 to 1866 Redemptorist Fathers from Chicago visited the church once a month. In the latter year the congregation was given in charge of secular priests who attended it until 1877. On July 4th, of that year the Capuchin Fathers of Cumberland, Indiana, assumed charge of the congregation and Rev. Father An- thony was the first pastor, Washburn and Washington being mission points. In 1877 the building of a larger church was
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
begun. It was completed in May, 1878, the convent and church improvements costing $10,600. The pipe organ cost $1,100. In 1885 the spire was completed at the cost of $1,895, and a fine chime of bells was installed. In 1878 Father Francis Xavier came to the church and remained until 1881, when Father Joseph Cal assumed charge of it. Father Joseph Anthony came in 1884. and remained until 1888, when Father Joseph Cal returned. In 1894 the Francisean Fathers of Cincinnati, accepted the place and Father Ed- mund Klein was sent there. He was succeeded by Father Leopold Osterman, who was in turn followed by Father Eugene Butterman. In 1900 Father Eugene was succeeded by Father Otto Zeigler, the pastor at present. The church property is valued at more than $25,000.
St. Mary's Orphanage is the greatest institution of its kind in this part of the state. It was established in 1880 as near as can be ascertained. The Sisters of St. Francis, of St. Francis Hospital, Peoria, first had the work. Later the Sisters of St. Francis of St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, of Peoria, assumed control and have had charge for twenty years. The Bishop of the diocese has oversight of the institu- tion. The Home bal but fonitoon inmates in 1880, now it has 72 chil lien. They are e''red for by seven sisters, at the Heal of whom is Sister Terest, sister superior. A magnifi- cent a.biition has recently been completed at the cost of $20- 000, and the home is now splendidly equipped. They have their own water, gas and steam plants. The home has a well arranged school room in connection with it. St. Mary's school is the parochial institution of the church. They have a separate, well-equipped building and a large enrollment of pupils.
The first school house in Metamora was built about the time of the erection of the court house. It served the purpose until 1850, when a new brick structure was erected. Prior to the time of the building of these, instruction was given in private houses, and for a number of years this was all the
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
schooling received by the children of the pioneers. The building of 1850 was destroyed by fire, and in 1873, a new brick edifice was erected that has served as a school house since that time. Recently the district has been enlarged to take in two outlying districts.
In January, 1859, it was incorporated, and the follow- ing officers were chosen : President, Samuel J. Cross; elerk, Edgar Babcock; trustees, James Whitmire, William Lamson, F. F. Briggs, and Il. L. S. Haskell; justice of the peace, Elijah Plank. In 1875 it was organized under the general law as a village. The following officers were then elected : A. II. Kinnear, N. Portman, Garmon Gish, J. B. Knoblauch, 1. F. Hirsch, and A. E. Nesmith, trustees.
No town in the county has ever been connected with so many men of state and national reputation as Metamora. The old court house has been the scene of trials in which men, who have since moulded the affairs of the nation, were interested as attorneys. The immortal Lincoln was a fami- liar figure on the streets of Metamora. Mrs. T. B. Spears, whose husband was proprietor of the Metamora House, re- members distinctly the visits of Mr. Lincoln to the town. She also remembers Mr. Douglas in his visits there. Robert G. Ingersoll was another of the early visitors at the sessions of court. He was at that time practicing at Peoria. Adlai Stevenson for many years practiced law in the Woodford county courts. A host of other prominent figures in the political arena were frequent visitors in the county seat.
In 1894 the election was held that resulted in the re- moval of the court house to Eureka. Metamora has not, how- ever, suffered greatly from its removal. There is a greater spirit of enterprise evident among the business men than be- fore, and it has improved greatly during the past few years.
One of its more recent enterprises is the ereamery, own- ed by a stock company composed largely of farmers. Since its organization it has been a paying investment. Thousands of pounds of high grade creamery butter are turned out
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TOWNS OF THIE COUNTY.
every month, and it commands the highest price. Another important enterprise was the corn dump factory owned by Camp Bros. The firm recently moved its headquarters to Washington.
J. C. IRVING'S RESIDENCE.
The old court house is now the property of the village, and it is used as a place of public meeting. Altho it is no longer the scene of important action as heretofore, it is still a center of historic interest. The long series of years of service has made it an important place because of the memory of what it has been The village is at present con- trolled by the following officers: President, Frank Giehl;
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
trustees, Joseph W. Meek, J. C. Snyder, Joseph Gulder, Joseph Getz, John Sehrepfer, Henry Lanzenberger; clerk, J. W. Frantz; police magistrate, A. J. Martin ; treasurer, Ed. W. Knoblauch.
The village has a well equipped telephone exchange. It has a large patronage both in town and in the surrounding country.
No history of Metamora would be complete without a reference to John L. MeGuire, who for many years has been its leading citizen. He was born in Ireland, in 1844, and came to America when 9 years of age. In 1858 he settled in Metamora and has continued to claim that as his residence since that time. In 1862 he enlisted in the 51st Illi- nois Infantry and served until the close of the war. lu 1870. he married Miss Della Page, whose death occurred a few years ago. He has been prominently connected with the politi- val affairs of the county, and represented this dis- triet in the legislature two terms, being elected J. C. IRVING. in 1894 and 1896.
J. C. Irving is another prominent character in Meta- mora. Ilis father, David Irving, was born in Somerset county, New Jersey. In 1844 he moved to Woodford county and was awarded the contract for building the court house at that place. J. C. Irving was born in Metamora in 1850, Ile was a student in Eureka College and after leaving school was connected with the Sentinel for some time. He served eight years as deputy circuit clerk and in 1888 was elected to that responsible office. He has held numerous positions of trust in the city of which he is a resident.
CHAPTER XVII.
Slabtown and Farniville.
T NIE name Slabtown is familiar to almost every boy or girl in the county, yet few of them know that it was once a busy village with bright prospects of future great- ness. It was located on the banks of the Mackinaw river in Montgomery township, near the present site of Mackinaw Dells. In 1835 a saw mill was built by Joseph Gingerich and Peter Farni. It was not until fifteen years afterwards that a store was opened by Isaac Evans. He kept a stock of gro- ceries and general merchandise. It was from a little store building that the town derived its name. The owner, Isaae Evans, had built his structure of slabs from the mill, henee the name. This store changed hands frequently, passing first into the hands of Fred Niergarth. Finally after numer- ons changes it became the property of Minor Bros. This firm owned a well equipped grist mill on the banks of the Mackinaw river and did a thriving business. The mill was equipped with three buhrs. The firm was composed of three brothers, John, James and William. The former afterward went to Peoria and became deputy sheriff of that county.
Joseph Klopfenstein opened a buteher shop there in 1858 and also had a grocery in connection with it. IIe eame to Eureka twice a week, and supplied that vicinity with meat. It appears strange to the reader of the present day that Eureka should have at one time depended on the meat market of Slabtown for its meat. He was frequently able to supply his customers with venison that Samuel Finley had seeured for him. Mr. Klopfenstein made this trip for two years.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY
Carlson and Siebens conducted a brewery, and were also at one time owners of the general store there. The chief industry of the place, however, was a large distillery owned and operated by two Frenchmen from St. Louis named Boutcham and Cari. The plant cost about $30,000, and when in full operation employed about 50 men. The distillery was erected in 1847. After the railroad was completed thru Eureka, they sent most of their products to Eureka or Cru- ger for shipment by rail. R. N. Radford, who was connected with the postoffice at Eureka, at the time the firm was doing business at Slabtown, states that he collected as much as five dollars a week postage from this firm on mail received by them. The owners of the plant lacked capital for the con- dueting of such extensive business, and did not meet with success. In 1859 the distillery was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. Christian Farni, a wealthy farmer who had unbounded confidence in the members of the firm, lost heavi- ly as a result of their failure. He had sold the entire pro- ducts of his farm to the firm and was also security for them. His loss amounted to $34,000. Ilis brother, Peter Farni, also lost heavily, but not nearly so much as Christian. There were others who suffered losses, but these were the princi -- pal parties. The distillery had been well equipped, having in connection with it a grist mill for grinding their own grain.
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