USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of Woodford County > Part 13
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Slabtown enjoyed a flourishing trade, and seemed des- tined to make a town of considerable size, but railroads pas- sing thru other parts of the county, opening them to direct connections with the outside world by rail, sounded the death knell to every hope of the little village.
Across the river from Slabtown was Farniville, named in honor of Mr. Farni, on whose land it was located. The name has since become Fannyville, thru common use. There was for many years a store there, conducted by Adolph Habeck. After closing his store he went to Roanoke, where
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
his death occurred several years ago. Jacob Hoger also con- dueted a boarding house there. No sign of their former business activities is to be seen at either Slabtown or Farni- ville. The former population has been scattered and many of its older citizens have passed to their reward. At the lat- ter point there still stands an Amish church, built in 1874, which has served as a place of worship since that time. There was at one time a postoffice at Farniville, but it only continued a short time.
John Finley, now a resident of Eureka, tells an interest- ing story in connection with Slabtown, that will throw some light on conditions at that time. Ile and Mrs. Finley had taken a lot of eggs to Eureka, but there was no market for them and they had to carry them back home again. The next day she took them to Slabtown and there received three eents a dozen for them, and took in exchange cotton at five eents a pound. Within three weeks from that time cotton was worth eighty-five eents a pound, due to the increase in priee eaused by the war in the south.
Washburn.
Before the construction of the Chicago and Alton rail- road, steps had been taken for the establishment of a town near the present site of Washburn. The first postoffice was across the line in Marshall county, and was about a quarter of a mile north of Washburn as it now exists. The first post- master was. William Maxwell. As will be seen from this statement, the early beginnings of the town were in Marsh- all county. The village at that time gave little indication of becoming the beautiful little city it has since become. The first store was opened by Amerieus Pogue, whose name figures also among the first business men of Minonk. This store was first opened across the street from the southwest corner of the school house lot.
The town was laid out in 1853 by Hiram Echols and was near the county line. The founder, being anxious to see
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
the newly established town prosper, offered to donate a site to the first organization that would put up a church. In 1852 Rev. Freeman had organized a Baptist church, and this society took advantage of the offer made by Mr. Echols and received the free site for their building, which was erected in 1855-'56, under the leadership of Rev. C. D. Merit, its pastor. This church served the purpose of a meeting place for this congregation for many years. Owing to the removal of many members of the congregation services were finally abandoned and the building was sold to the German Lutheran church. It is now used as a place of meeting by that congregation.
The first store building erected in the town was built by JJesse Hammers, whose name we find connected with the history of Cazenovia. The first residence was erected by Dr. Thomas. The question of a name for the new town caused considerable discussion. The name Mantua was suggested but it was found that there was already a town in the state bearing that name. It bore the name of Uniontown for a time, this being considered appropriate as the town was in two counties, and the interests of the two were thus united. This name was abandoned, however, and that of Washburn ultimately adopted.
Among the men who have long been connected with the business interests of the town may be mentioned Frank N. Ireland. of the Ireland Bank. Christian Haase also entered business there in 1868. Ile was a member of the legislature in the 42nd and 45th General Assemblies. Fred Ehringer opened a furniture store there in the early days of Wash- burn. It is still owned by members of the Ehringer family. John Immel came there in 1866 and has been doing blaek- smith work there since then.
The Ehringer Produce Company does an extensive busi- ness. A ereamery was started there a few years ago. but failed to be a paying investment and was abandoned. In 1901 a telephone exchange was organized, and it was oper-
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
ated by O. E. Shepard until 1909, when C. A. Fitschen took a half interest in the system, and the entire plan of work is being reorganized. They have 165 telephones in town and 125 in the country. Two years ago the Consolidated Elec- trie Light and Manufacturing company put in a system of electric lights.
The religious interests are cared for by six churches. The Methodist church was organized in 1857 but did not have a church building until 1863. This structure was de- stroyed by fire and the present modern church was erected in 1906. The German Evangelical church was organized in 1877, and the Christian church was erected in 1867. The Presbyterian church was also one of the early churches of the town. The Catholic church has been more recently or- ganized and ministers to the spiritual needs of about twenty families. The Lutherans occupy the building they purchased from the Baptist congregation.
Washburn has suffered seriously from fire. In 1887 two blocks were destroyed by fire, and December 23, 1904, a second fire visited the town destroying a block of store buildings. A third fire occurred in 1909 in which the opera house, one of the best in Central Illinois, was destroyed to- gether with several other pieces of valuable property. The opera house would seat 700 people and the loss probably exceeded $10,000.
A city hall has been built and is used by both city and township, and is a convenient place for public meetings. One of the largest stores in the city is that of A. C. Martini which was erected nine years ago. Two of the most extensive con- tracting firms in the county are located in Washburn, and do work in many surrounding townships. Henry Lesch and Fitschen Bros., each employ a large force of workmen and are widely known.
The village was organized in July, 1873, and the first officers were as follows: President, S. W. McCulloch ; clerk,
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IHISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
M. S. Fulton ; treasurer, F. N. Ireland ; street commissioner, William Cotton; constable, R. HI. Richards; trustees, Geo. C. Butler, F. Bennecke, Samuel Patrick, Henry Sangbush, J. G. Harris.
The Washburn school is located across the line in Marshall county, but its attendance is largely made up of Woodford county children. The school furnishes an excel- lent course of study and has a large attendance.
The city is governed by the following officers: Presi- dent, F. A. Ehringer; trustees, JJames Sharp, George Gar- rison, George M. Butler. JJohn Mason, Ed. Harper, Henry Sangbush ; clerk. Emil Baumgart; police magistrate, Rich- ard Gill.
ElPaso.
The city of ElPaso, which is one of the most beautiful in Woodford county, is located at the junction of the Toledo, Peoria and Western and Illinois Central railroads. It is justly famed for its business enterprise, as well as for its high moral and intellectual standards. It is a city of churebes, and these organizations have given the town the high moral standard it possesses.
ElPaso was laid out April 20, 1854, by James 11. Wath- an and George L. Gibson, who were owners of the land. Since that time a number of additions have been made to the original town. As was the case with so many of the towns it was first organized under a special charter.
The first place of business was opened by William and Isaac Jenkins, who were connected with the business life of ElPaso for many years. This firm kept a general store and also dealt in grain.
In 1857 the postoffice was established and Mr. Jenkins was the first postmaster.
The town grew quite rapidly after it became the june- tion of the Illinois Central and T. P. & W. railroads. Busi-
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ness was drawn from all directions and it was in a short time a town of much importance. Among the early settlers we find the names of James H. Wathan, George L. Gibson, William R. Willis, Christian Schafer, George II. Campbell, Wm. H. MeClellan and Thomas MeClellan. Early business men were Graft & Webster, R. A. Mcclellan & Co., Alex Hawthorne, grain dealers; S. T. Rogers, druggist; Crawford and Bartlett, furniture and undertaking.
ElPaso has always sought to maintain a high intellec- tual standard. One of the institutions in which ElPaso takes great pride is its library. As early as 1873 an organization was formed known as the Ladies' Library Association. The first officers were : President, Mrs. Dr. Stockwell ; secretary, Mrs. Delos O'Brian ; treasurer, Mrs. W. R. Bingham ; librari- an, Mrs. S. H. Worthington. At the time the fire occurred in 1894, there were 2,009 volumes in the library, all of which were destroyed. With the insurance money received, 500 books were purchased, and new quarters were opened. The institution prospered, and in 1906 a handsome library build- ing was erected in the west park, the funds being donated by Andrew Carnagie. It is now controlled by the following library board : President, F. B. Stitt ; vice-president, Miss Nell Patterson; secretary, J. F. Sturgeon; treasurer, Peter Thometz; librarian, Mrs. J. S. Tucker; J. S. Welch, F. S. Larison, P. G. Haas, Robert Nethereott. Miss Sarah Gough . and A. B. Turner.
From its earliest history ElPaso has had excellent edu- cational facilities. The first school building was erected in 1857, but prior to that there had been a school taught at the home of E. HI. King. In 1859, a new district was formed, the Illinois Central being the dividing line, and a two room school was built. In 1869 the new three story brick school house was erected, and it is still in use. This is now known as the MeKinley school. The west side was for many years furnished with a frame building, but in 1897 the Jefferson
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Park school was erected. This is a large, convenient brick building that is a credit to the district.
M. E. CHURCH, EL PASO, ILLINOIS.
ElPaso is a city of churches. Eight separate organiza- tions have structures in the town, some of them both modern and handsome. The first church was established in 1857, by
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TOWNS OF TIIE COUNTY.
the Presbyterians, under Rev. W. T. Adams. In 1864 the church was erected at a cost of $3,200. This served as a place of worship until 1903, when the present beautiful structure was built. About the time of the organization of this church, a Methodist Episcopal class was formed with Rumsey Smith- e.son, as pastor. Their church was erected in 1864. It was
BAPTIST CHURCH, EL PASO, ILLINOIS.
torn down in 1894 and a new building was erected in its place. This was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1895.
The Baptist ehuch was organized in 1858, under the ad- ministration of Rev. Wmn. Branch. Their church was also
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
erected in 1864. This has since served the congregation as a place of worship.
The St. Mary's Catholic church was organized in 1863, and their first church was finished in 1865. The present handsome edifice was ereeted in 1898.
In 1864 the Christian church was organized under the leadership of Elder John Lindsey and in 1865 their church was built. In 1863 the German Lutheran church was erect- cd. The English Evangelical church was an offshoot of the
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, EL PASO, ILLINOIS.
German Evangelieal society that once had a flourishing or- ganization there, but that has since gone down.
The Campbell House which is still a prominent feature in the life of ElPaso, was built in 1863. The opera house was built in 1895. The upper story is owned by the Masonie Fraternity while the lower story is owned by a stock com. pany, in which the controlling interest is held by A. E.
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
Fleming. In 1907 a city hall was erected. The corner stone of which bears the names of the city officers: Mayor, Peter Donner; committee, O. North, J. S. Welch, W. J. Render, S. W. Nevil, W. M. Kridner, E. Shreve; city clerk, II. J. Tegt- myer; treasurer. O. M. Parmelee; city attorney, Horace Baker; architect, G. H. Miller, contractor, J. A. Reichel.
FIRST NATIONAL BUILDING, EL PASO, ILL.
1
One of ElPaso's most attractive places is the green house owned by the ElPaso Carnation company, with C. J.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Snyder, manager. The company has 25,000 spuare feet of glass, and it has thousands of plants in cultivation.
The Catholic cemetery is located north of the city. The city cemetery is just east of town. In 1908 a handsome mausoleum was erected. It is the only one in the county, and has 200 crypts. These are arranged on each side of a driveway thru the structure. It is handsomely finished, and is made of concrete blocks, so interwoven with steel rods as to make it indestructible.
ElPaso has suffered seriously from fire at different times. Ech of the three blocks has had most of its buildings de-
NATIONAL
BANK
THE
EL PAS
BANDERCOOK CO ENS S.L.
EAGLE BLOCK, EL PASO, ILL. Erected 1871-'72; destroyed by fire July 19, 1894.
stroyed, but these have been replaced by modern structures. October 10th, 1882, the south half of Block 43, East Front street was destroyed by fire, the blaze starting in the old ElPaso House. May 8th, 1889, the Illinois Central coal sheds were destroyed, entailing a loss of $20,000. August 15th. 1893, the west end of Block 41, West Front street suf- fered, the loss being $12,500. But the greatest disaster of all was the destruction of the center of block 42, on Front street in 1894, where the fire raged for three hours, and $250,000 worth of property was destroyed. After each of
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
these ElPaso recovered from its losses and entered into the work of rebuilding with greater earnestness.
ElPaso was incorporated as a city in February, 1867, and the following officers were chosen : Mayor, J. II. Moore; elerk, John T. Harper; aldermen, William Neifing, D. B. Webster, M. T. Polhemus, George W. Fridley and W. T. Adams. The city was incorporated under the general law April 6th, 1891. It was then divided into three wards, there having been two prior to that time. The following were the officers chosen at the election following the re-organization : Mayor, Walter S. Gibson, the position being later filled by S. M. Ferrell; aldermen, Edwin Hodgson. L. M. Kerr, J. A. Smith, R. G. Ilebden, Ozias Johns, Adam Brown; clerk, S. K. Hayward, attorney, Walter Bennett ; treasurer, James Thompson ; supervisor, Gustave Anthenat ; marshals, Henry J. Morris, George W. Tegard ; police magistrate, J. II. Moore.
The city is now governed by the following officers: Mayor, Peter Donner; clerk, John W. Beeker; treasurer, Peter Thometz; attorney, C. G. Schroeder; city collector, R. W. Gough ; superintendent of streets, James Fitzgerald ; city marshal, L. F. Tobias; night police, O. Johns ; police magis- trate, O. J. Lemon ; aldermen, Omer North, Elmer Shreve, J. S. Welch, George Stambach. William J. Render, William Tegard. ,
The ElPaso Fair is one of the most important organiza- . tions in the county. In 1879 the Woodford County Grange held a small but successful fair on Mr. Strickland's farm just north of the city. In 1880 the Fair Association was in- corporated. The officers of the Grange Fair were: M. II. Wart, president ; F. F. Waite, secretary : P. S. Bassett, vice- president ; J. M. Stonbraker, treasurer. Edwin Hodgson was chosen the first president of the new organization. The fair grounds are just north of the city, and several substantial buildings have been erected. The annual fair is largely at- tended. The following are officers: President. E. A. Childs; treasurer, A. H. Waite; vice-president, .J. L. McOmber ; sec-
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
retary, II. J. Tegtmyer; directors, W. II. Kingdon, S. C. Baringer, Frank E. Lewis, James Wilkey, J. F. Shepard, J. A. Gilbert, George HI. Scheer, A. E. Fleming, G. R. Curtis, John H. Roth, John Pleasants, S. W. Stingeon and F. B. Koerner.
In 1882 a system of water works was put in at the cost of $5,000. This was greatly improved in 1894. The city also has eleetrie lights and during the past three years some pav- ing has been done on the main street.
The city has an extensive telephone system controlled by a stock company. The following are officers: President, and manager, R. E. Gordon ; vice-president, F. B. Stitt ; see- retary and treasurer, L. K. Evans; directors, F. B. Schafer and M. A. Adams.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Minonk.
T IIE introduction of railroads within the borders of the county was the signal for the inauguration of great changes. Regions that before were unsettled became the scene of vigorous life and activity. Where be- fore there had been a wilderness there sprang up, as if by magic, towns that opened to the people the markets of the world. Prairies that prior to the construction of the railroads had been a vast expanse of virgin soil soon became the home of the sturdy pioneers, bringing under cultivation the lands about them, and dotting the landscape with their cabins. The region discussed in this chapter was largely settled after the introduction of railroads. It consisted principally of prairie lands, and was consequently of later settlement than the timber regions.
In 1852 and '53 the Illinois Central railroad was con- structed and in 1854 -trains began to run thru Minonk town- ship. Prior to this the territory on both sides of the track was unsettled. The settlement of the township and town were coincident, Samuel Werk, being the first actual settler. Ile had come from Pennsylvania to Illinois quite early but did not come to Minonk until 1854. It will thus be seen that the county had existed a number of years before Minonk was founded. In spite of this, however, it is the most popu- lous city of the county. There is doubt as to the origin of the name, altho the general supposition is that the name is of Indian origin.
When the railroad went thru and established a station there, Samuel Werk became the first station agent. Charles
(199)
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Dobson and C. W. Goodrich came the same year, 1854, and the former soon entered into business. Ile opened a grocery store, and associated with him Americus Pogue, whose name occupies an important place as one of the first business men of Washburn also. They had a stock of the more staple articles in groceries. Mr. Dobson was also interested in other lines, being associated with Mr. Werk in the purchase of grain for a short time. In December, 1854, a postoffice was established, with Charles Dobson as first postmaster. In 1855 C. W. Goodrich and James Parker entered the lumber and grain business. The first residence in town was erected by Mr. Dobson and the second by Mr. Goodrich. At that tine the town had two houses and two railroad shanties, with about twenty inhabitants, half of whom were railroad men. The nearest house was that of James Livingston, seven miles west in Clayton township. The town, however, soon began to attract settlers. The thot of a convenient railroad thru the village led to the settlement of the country around the village. The first farm was opened by Samuel Wiley, who came from Vermont.
A hotel was opened at an early day in the history of the town by Jonathan Macey from Indiana. This was frequently used by the settlers as a place for holding religious services. Among other early settlers were Dr. Isaac Garrison, the first physician ; L. G. Keedy, who became prominent as a captain in the civil war, and Thornton Taylor, who came from the western part of Woodford county.
D. P. Kenyon, one of the pioneers of Minonk, was born in Rensselaer county, New York, June 25, 1822, and came to Illinois in 1855. Two years later he came to Minonk, where he still resides.
The village was surveyed and platted for David A. Neal, of Salem, Mass., in October, 1854, the territory em- braced extending 780 feet on each side of the Illinois Cen- tral and 3,690 feet north and south. As the town grew the need of more perfect government was felt and on September
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TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
17, 1864, it was decided to incorporate as a village. The first election of village officers occurred September 30th, the board of trustees being composed as follows: Reuben P. Bell, A. Cholwell, C. W. Goodrich, Henry C. Dent and M. A. Cushing. The board organized October 30th by choosing Reuben P. Bell as president and Ilenry C. Dent as clerk. The rapid growth of the village made it advisable to incor- porate as a city, and steps were taken toward that end. March 7, 1867, the city of Minonk was incorporated, the fol- lowing being the list of the first city officers : Mayor, John Stoner ; clerk, M. L. Newell ; aldermen, Samuel Work, H. R. Kipp, John Sparks and IIenry C. Dent, one alderman being chosen from each of the four wards. September 20th, 1872, the city was incorporated under the general law.
In 1856 the first school was established, the settlers being firm in their belief that education is one of the essen- tial elements in a well governed community. A temporary building west of the Woodford House was used as a school house. Francis Reeder was the first teacher. A year later a new building was erected at the cost of three hundred dol- lars, which served as a school house for several years. In 1864 a large frame building was built, the first principal be- ing John Peek. In 1902 the present splendid structure was completed at the cost of more than $30,000. It is the best equipped school in the county, having a manual training de- partment, well arranged laboratories, and a fine library. Thru gifts, one in memory of Donald Austin Stoddard, who lost his life in the Iroquois theatre fire, and another thru the will of the late Mrs. Louisa M. Parks, the library has been greatly enlarged until in 1908 it contained 1,211 volumes. The building on the west side is also used for some of the lower grades. The first teacher received $79 for four months school ; the present salary of the superintendent is $1,350 per annum. For several years the schools have been under the management of Prof. Wm. Hawkes.
Side by side with its intellectual development has gone
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
its spiritual growth. The Presbyterian was the first church organized in Minonk, the first preaching being done in the hotel in 1856. The following year the First Presbyterian church was formed. For a few months the newly formed society worshipped in the school house. In 1858 a modest little church was erected as a meeting place, which served that purpose until 1867, when a larger building was com- pleted. The Methodists began to hold services in 1857, and soon had a flourishing society. In 1866 they built their church, which was superseded by a more modern structure in 1900.
The third church to organize was the Baptist, which was formed in 1858. Their meeting for considering articles of faith was attended by Rev. Baily, of Metamora ; Rev. Ketch- um, of Panola ; Rev. C. D. Merit, of Washburn, and Rev. Fuller, of Richland. In 1859 Benj. Hall was elected clerk, and was instructed to raise eleven dollars with which to purchase a lot for a church building. This serves to indicate the value of lots at that time. Their new church was not dedicated, however, until October 30th, 1864. The cost, in- eluding the furnishings and organ was $3,691.27. This pro- vided a very comfortable meeting place for many years. During the war the members of this as well as of other churches kept up a correspondence with those from their congregation who were in the field. The will of the late Mrs. L. M. Parks, who died in December, 1902, left $2,000, as the foundation for a fund to erect a new church. The corner stone of this new structure was laid in November, 1907, but it was not dedicated until 1908.
No other churches were founded in Minonk until 1865, when two were organized, the Catholic and Christian. The latter was without a church home until 1867, when a neat, convenient building was erected, which with various changes has served the purpose of the congregation to the present time. The Catholics at once built a structure that served
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TOWNS OF THIE COUNTY.
admirably as a place of worship until 1892, when the present magnificent structure was erected. The church is one of the strongest organizations in the county. It sustains a well
INTERIOR OF MINONK CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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equipped parochial school. In 1905 St. Patrick's school was erected near St. Patrick's church. This is a large, brick structure, well equipped for school work. The cost of the building was in the neighborhood of $15,000.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
The Polish inhabitants of the city have in recent years or- ganized a Catholic church, and it is in a flourishing condition.
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