USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of Woodford County > Part 14
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In 1868 a Lutheran church was organized, which had a strong society, and the German Evangelical, known as the St. Paul church, was organized in the city and still exists. In 1870 the German Baptist church was organized. In the summer of 1856, A. H. Danforth, assisted by Samuel Work, Mr. Reeder and others organized a Sunday school, which was heldl first in the railroad station and was afterward re- moved to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Danforth was the first superintendent.
Minonk has three rail- roads, the main line of the Illinois Central, con- structed in 1852-'53, the Pekin branch of the Santa Fe constructed in 1875. and the Middle division of the Central built in 1873. These have made it an excel- lent commercial point and its business men have prospered.
In 1890 the Minonk Electric Light and Power Company was organized and a good system of CITY HALL, MINONK. electric lights was in- stalled, under the management of Josiah Kerrick. There is also an excellent system of water works in operation. Since 1904 the streets have been greatly improved by paving, the improvements thus far being confined to the business streets.
The city is controlled by the following officers: Mayor, A. B. Kipp ; aldermen, Nick Kruse, II. D. Fuller, Stock Inger- ski, E. Schroeder, Herman Kelm and C. E. Ridge; clerk, C.
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R. Denson ; treasurer, A. J. Ilenning ; attorney, J. A. Riley ; fire marshal, W. II. Ryan; marshal, J. L. Welch; night police, II. II. Green ; superintendent of water works, W. E. Minshall; police magistrate, ITarm McChesney.
In 1904 a substantial eity hall was erected, the corner stone of which bears the names of the following city officers : Mayor, 11. B. Meils ; aldermen, W. II. Ryan, F. M. Kerrigan, Kruse, Stoneman, Bonk, Davison and Clark.
Benson.
There is but one village in Clayton township. In 1872 the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern railroad was built thru the township, and Benson was founded upon the completion of the road. It was located in the midst of a wide territory of rich farming land, and it soon became a good grain point. The town was named in honor of S. II. Benson, of Streator, who was general freight agent at the time of its establish- ment. It was located on property owned by John Weast, and was surveyed February 20, 1873. A year later an addition was laid out known as Weast's addition to Benson. The township had been settled almost twenty years before the founding of the town and consequently there were farm houses not far from it. The house now owned by Mrs. Mor- itz was a farm house located on the site of Benson. The first house brought into the town was moved from the country by O. A. Cavan and was used as a hotel. The first house erected was built by F. D. Learned, who came from the farm to locate in town. Soon stores were put up and the business life of Benson began to show evidence of a healthy growth.
The first store was opened by Jurgens Ilarms and George Kirtehner in 1873. The firm kept a general stock of merchandise. Shortly afterward F. D. Learned opened a drug store. Strawn and Rannie erected a building on the corner of Front and Clayton streets and conducted a general store. The first station agent was Lyman Ballou, who was succeeded by Dan Davis. In March, 1873, the first mail was received in Benson, F. D. Learned having been appointed
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first postmaster. The office was connected with the drug store.
In 1874 Joseph Benkler opened a harness shop, and the same year. Abrahams and Zinser opened a hardware store. The first physician was Dr. Slemmons and he was followed by Dr. Austman.
In 1878 the town was incorporated, the first officers being as fol- lows: President, D. Davis; trustees, Charles Lauenstein, John Sch- midt, Peter Petri, Henry Ileineke, John Weast; clerk. O. L. Tueker; treasurer, O. A. Cavan. With the exception of three years, Theodore Schroeder has been on the board ever since the organization of the vil- lage.
In 1876 the first brick DAN DAVIS. building was erected by Jurgen Ilarms and Henry Heineke. Soon after this Chark Memmen and Ilenry Heineke opened a brick yard and tile factory. The next year it was purchased by Simon Peterson, who has operated and controlled it since that time.
In 1902 a telephone exchange was established, a stoek company being organized with a capital stock of $2,500. The officers are as follows: President, Jacob Roth ; secretary, R. H. Parks ; treasurer, S. L. Peterson. The exchange has 300 phones in operation.
The religious interests of Benson are well cared for. In 1873 the Catholic church was started by Rev. Father Marger, of Lourds. The land for the building was donated by John Weast. It was dedicated by Rev. Father Steinberg in 1875. During the period of the pastorate of Rev. Father Kluck,
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who was assigned to the church in 1902, the Father's Resi- dence was ereeted. The church is now under the care of Rev. Father Guilbert.
The Baptist Sunday School was organized in 1874, and met in Coleman's hall for several years. In 1882 it was de- termined to build a place of worship and in 1883 the present church building was dedicated and the church organized with 28 members. The parsonage was erected in 1902. Rev. E. E. Krause has been pastor for some time, but resigned to take effect August 30. In connection with the church, is a country appointment at Jefferson school house. Here they have Sunday School and afternoon preaching. The early settlers of that part of the county organized what was known as the Meridian Baptist church, that held services in Washington school house in Linn township. This organiza- tion was maintained until after the building of the Baptist church in Minonk, when a number of its members united with the church there and services were abandoned at the Washington school. About eighteen year ago services were begun at the Jefferson.
The M. E. church was organized in 1890 by Rev. Fore- man, services being held in the school house the first year. In 1891 the present church building was erected. Three years later a parsonage was also built near the church.
The Benson school was first located a mile east of town. A few years after the establishment of the town the school house was moved, and in 1878 a new frame building was erected, containing two rooms. Later a one room addition was built. As the town grew the demand for more adequate provision became more pressing and in 1905 a modern school building was erected at the cost of $15,000 for the complete structure. The board having charge of the construction of the building was S. L. Peterson, H. D. Lewis, and F. W. Lin- neman.
Benson has suffered seriously from fire. In 1884 a con- flagration broke out that destroyed the block in which Geo. G. Flessner's store is now located. A number of buildings were
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destroyed. Only five years later a second fire occurred and destroyed the block of buildings where Hoffman & Bent- feld's store is now located. Some of the buildings have never been replaced but in most instances new and better structures have been erected.
In 1891 a system of water works was established. A committe, composed of Henry Heineke, Joseph Bucklear and A. II. Brubaker, was appointed to investigate the various plans, and as a result the present system was planned and completed.
The village is governed at present by the following of- ficers: President, Louis Meischner; trustees, Eno. J. Gom- mels, Joseph Vogel, Theodore Schroeder, C, E. Worthing- ton, M. C. Brubaker, Ilarm Geiken; clerk, J. W. Heiken; treasurer, R. C. Ficken ; marshal, Wirt Folkers.
Roanoke.
Situated in the midst of prairies of unsurpassed fertili- ty, stretching for miles in every direction; underlain with rich deposits of coal that but needed the hand of man to bring them forth that they might pour their wealth into the coffers of the people, it is natural that Roanoke should be- come a prosperous little city. Forty years ago the present site of the town gave little evidence of important achieve- ments or of the attainment of business success. Within the memory of the older citizens, Roanoke was founded, and these have witnessed its growth from a few scattered houses to a prosperous town with a thriving business.
In 1866 A. J. Darling opened a blacksmith shop in what is now the western part of town. He has witnessed the founding and development of the village. He is now con- ducting a hotel, while his sons, Darling Bros., have a black- smith and machine shop. The first store was opened by M. Pifer, who is now one of the pioneer residents of the county. IIe resides at Eureka and is 93 years of age. He was a pio- neer business man of Eureka as well as of Roanoke and was identified with the business interests there until increasing
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age caused his retirement from active life. The store he owned was located on the south side of Panther creek. In the early 70's the plans for a new railroad were completed, and in 1872 the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern was built thru the town. The citizens of the vicnity contributed $5,000 toward building the road on condition that a, swich would be put in at Roanoke. The same year that the railroad was built the town was laid out by D. T. Fauber, Ben G. Kindig and Hiram Barney. The plat was signed December 17, 1872. A postoffice was established and F. C. Pifer was appointed the first postmaster. He was soon succeeded by J. F. Wheel- wright, who received a salary of $12 per quarter. This was soon increased to $72 a quarter. The office now pays $1,300 per year.
The town at once began to improve. Henry Frantz put up the first building erected after the town was laid out and John Frantz opened a store. Jacob Engle, son of Peter Engle, the pioneer, also opened a store. The first doctor in the town was Dr. John, who served several terms as coro- ner. Fauber and Hall first bought grain in Roanoke, altho they never had an elevator. They also dealt in coal. The lumber yard was conducted by Doe Miller, but soon after passed into the hands of Phillip Moore, who was one of the pioneers in business life in that vieinity.
In 1874 a movement was set on foot to organize as a village. The town at that time had the 300 inhabitants nee- essary for its organization. A petition for such election was circulated and on July 18, 1874, the people voted to in- corporate. John Frantz, M. N. Gish and A. Fisher were judges of election, and R. A. Fisher and R. T. Ogle were elerks. The first mayor was S. W. Shulenberger and the first elerk was G. P. Lyons.
The town and country surrounding enjoys an excel- lent telephone service, operated by the Roanoke Telephone Company, and under the efficient management of E. N. Wheelwright. The first line that sought admission to the
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town was from Secor. A little later one came in from the south and west, and entered Wren's grain office. Soon after eight lines were carried into N. R. Moore's grain office. John Scoon was the first manager and in 1903, E. N. Wheel- wright took the management of the exchange. In 1908 a stock company was formed, and now has 265 phones in op- eration. The office is nicely arranged and well equipped, and the wires along the main streets of town are underground.
In 1899 another important industry was started in Roa- noke by George HI. Willems, who in that year opened the tile and briek yards in that city. In 1906 he sold his interests to the American Clay Product Company, but Mr. Willems still manages the plant. The company gives employment to about 25 men the year around. The manager of this plant, George 11. Willems, has an interesting life history, having spent twelve years on the sea. He has served before the mast and also down below. He also made one voyage as second mate. Hle was twice shipwrecked, once being tossed about in the life boat for three days and nights, finally coming to land on the Fiji islands, where the shipwrecked party was taken up. The second time he was wrecked on coast duty and swam ashore. ,
Roanoke has suffered seriously at various times from fire. In 1892 the west block was burned, destroying a number of buildings, entailing a loss approaching $20,000. The fire started about midnight, and there was no means of fighting it save by the use of buckets. In 1902 a second fire occurred which destroyed the buildings on the east side of the street. Two years afterward A. Rosenak, whose store was destroyed in the second fire suffered a second loss in the burning of his store. In the spring of 1909 a number of frame buildings in the city hall block were burned causing a loss of several thousand dollars.
Altho Roanoke has a number of fine artisian wells that have stood the test for many years. the town has been slow about taking the steps for constructing a system of water
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works. The city now has a good well and will doubtless soon have a good system in operation.
Roanoke has been lighted by electricity for a number of years. The plant has been owned and operated by E. E.
SCENE OF THE ROANOKE FIRE.
Husseman until W. J. Whetzel purchased it and furnishes light from his power house in Eureka.
The religious interests of the city and township are well looked to by a number of churches representing various de- nominations. In 1846 the Christian church was organized in the vicinity of Roanoke. As in so many cases, the early services were held in the homes of the members until a suit-
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able place of worship could be secured. It was not until 1873 that their present church was erected. The organization was the result of the labor of Elder Abner Peeler. Two years later the Methodists began to hold services in the neighbor- hood, but their church was not built until 1875. In recent years the Catholic church has been erected at Roanoke, and has a number of members.
The schools of Roanoke have been the center of deep interest among the better class of people. The school has a three year high school course, and is prospering under the superintendeney of O. C. Kindig. In 1909 the district was enlarged so as to take in two outlying districts, and a mod- ern school building is in contemplation.
Among the names of men who have been prominent in the development of the town are C. A. Sauder, Henry Al- tofer and Theo. Ilerbst. The father of the former, Chris- tian Sauder, came to Illinois fifty years ago and the name of Sauder has been highly respected thruout the county. Mr. Altofer has been in the county since 1874, and has been con- nected with the business interests of Roanoke for many years. Mr. Herbst has been prominent in the business enter- prise of the town and has conducted an extensive establish- ment in the village for many years. A Rosenak has exten- sive business interests, and has been closely identified with the growth of the town.
The city is at present governed by the following of- fieers : President, A. L. Ray ; trustees, J. E. Woltzen, T. E. Brown, Samuel Ramsey, Charles Preller, John Gray, E. L. Fincham; clerk, A. J. Nafzinger; treasurer, Jacob Sand, Jr .; marshal, J. W. Fauber.
CHAPTER XIX.
Eureka.
TT is difficult to separate the history of Eureka from that Lof Eureka College, which institution was organized before the foundation of the town. At the time of the origin of the school there was no postoffice nearer than Washington, and mails were tardy in reaching their destination. In 1850 a postoffice was established and A. S. Fisher was the first post- master. The mails were brought weekly from Metamora, until the Illinois Central was completed. The carrier went from Kappa to Spring Bay onee a week. In 1854 the first goods were sold in Eureka in what was known as the "Poor House," a portion of the old Christian church devoted to the needs of the poor. This church was located near where the Soldiers' Monument stands in the cemetery. Thomas B. Sterrit sold goods there for a short time, and the next year built a store on the site now oeeupied by A. Boudman. Here he carried a general stock of goods that met the simple needs of the people of that time. Ilis store was a general meeting place for the boys of the neighborhood, who had few places to go and little to talk about. The store building now forms a part of the Boudman residence.
Eureka received its name at a meeting held at the home of A. S. Fisher, when plans were being made for the estab- lishment of a postoffice. John T. Jones and John Lindsey each claim the honor of having suggested the name for the new town. It is a word of Greek derivation, meaning, “I have found it." The word Eureka is said to have originated in the following interesting manner. King Iliero, of Syra- cuse, had a magnificent golden crown, of great value. He had taken it to a worker in gold to have some alteration
(213)
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made in it, and on its return suspicioned that a part of the gold had been taken out and alloy had been substituted, but the work had been done so skillfully that it prevented de- teetion. Ile called in Archimedes, and demanded that he should devise some means of deteeting the presence of alloy, without in any way disturbing the crown as it was then made. After long pondering the philosopher conceived the idea of weighing the crown in the air and then weighing the water the crown would displace. So elated was he by his discovery that he went about shouting Eureka ! Eureka ! I have found it ! From that time the word came into use.
After the completion of the Central railroad thru the eastern part of the county, mail was brought from Kappa. George Taggart was carrier, and at one time it was necessary for R. N. Radford who was acting as depu- ty postmaster, to go to Kappa after the mail, the carrier claiming that the waters were too high to make the trip. There was an accumulation of two weeks' mail. This ir- regularity continued until the completion of a railroad thru the town. When the T. P. & W. was built, however, it ex- tended thru the region a mile north of the original site of the village.
In 1855 the town of Eureka was platted on its present site, the plat being drawn for John Darst, the owner of the land on which the new town was located. It was filed for record December 29th, 1855, and the early part of the year following, the first town lots were sold. The business part of the community was at onee moved to the vicinity of the new railroad.
R. M. Clark built the first store on the new site, ehoos- ing as a location the corner of First and College streets, where R. D. Smith's briek building now stands. J. J. Jones erected a store about the same time. He had previously bought out Thomas Sterritt and had been made postmaster.
The first blacksmith shop was opened by Wilson Hatha- way in 1854. The first hotel was erected by A. M. Myers on
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the northeast corner of First and College streets. There had been boarding houses connected with the college previ- ous to this, but no hotel. In 1851 a boarding hall had been erected that would accommodate fifty students. This later became a ladies' boarding hall and was ultimately destroy- ed by fire.
In 1856 11. C. Baird came to Eureka and entered busi- ness. A. V. S. Baird also came from the same state and he- came a resident of the new town. Mr. Baird is still in busi- ness and is the only one of the original business men of Eu- reka, who is still in active business. Another of the pioneers of the town, who still has a place of business there, is Ben 1 .. Moore, the photographer, who has been conducting a gallery in Eureka forty-seven years, and is the oldest pho- tographer now in business in the county.
One of the early enterprises of Eureka was a packing house, first located in the north part of town, on what is known as the Risser property, and under the management of Alex. Campbell. Later it was moved to a site near the Streator junction. There it was conducted by Thompson and Roebuck. The firm employed about thirty men and packed a large amount of pork daily. The plant was de- stroved by fire.
In 1882 Gudeman Brothers purchased property in the north part of town from Ben L. Moore, and erected a saw mill. In a short time a large brick and tile factory was open- ed. The firm manufactured a high grade of pressed briek and enjoyed a large trade, but a combination of circum- stances made the business unprofitable. The Eureka Briek Tile & Electric company was organized to get the concern on a paying basis, but the plant was finally closed.
The first system of water works was located on land donated by this firm to the city of Eureka. All the pumping was done by the firm, and the first electric light plant was installed by the same firm. On the closing of the plant of this company, C. C. MeDonald bought the electric light plant,
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
and conducted it until 1905. In that year W. J. Whetzel installed his new plant and now furnishes lights for Eureka, Roanoke and Metamora.
In 1905 a new system of water works was constructed, the pressure used being supplied by compressed air. Since its construction it has been extended as far south as the col- lege
The town grew from the time of its foundation, so that in 1859 it was incorporated. The first officers were as fol- laws: Trustees, C. L. Wellman, J. R. Burton, R. M. Clark, Samuel Stitt and A. S. Fisher. Of these R. M. Clark was chosen president of the board and A. S. Fisher clerk. A. M. Myers was elected police magistrate. August 30th, 1880, the original charter was surrendered and it was incorporated as a village under the general law. At a meeting of the board of trustees March 4th. 1894, a petition was granted submit- ting the matter of incorporation as a city to a vote of the people. The result indicated 232 in favor of such in- corporation and 152 opposed to it. The following were the first city officers : Mayor. B. J. Radford; clerk, Roy L. Moore ; treasurer, Lyon Karr; aldermen, F. M. Hoyt, R. T. Payne, G. W. Lewis, C. II. Radford. W. W. Pratz and Frank Englis.
In 1909 the first paving was done, College street being paved from the railroad to the cemetery. The work will be carried on as rapidly as possible until the principal streets are paved.
The religious interests of the people are cared for by four churches. In 1832 the Christian church was organized with thirteen members at the home of Elder John Oatman. It was re-organized in 1836, and in 1847 they built their church which stood about where the soldiers' monument stands in the city cemetery. In 1863 a new church was erect- ed on the site of the present structure. This served the pur- pose of a church until 1902, when the beautiful building now in use was erected at the cost of almost $20,000.
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In 1858 the M. E. church was organized by Zedock Hall, and in 1862 the church was erected. This served the purpose admirably until 1886 when the present building was erected. The Presbyterian church was organized in 1868, with Rev. Hart as its pastor, and in 1875 the present church was built.
The second church to organize in the vicinity of Wal- nut Grove was the Christian at Mt. Zion. Services are still held there and the organization is now more than half a century old.
Since the removal of the county seat to Eureka, it has enjoyed a slow but steady improvement. Better houses have been built, the town has put in more and better walks, and there has been a general tendency upward.
Cruger.
The town of Cruger was platted May 15, 1856, by Benoni P. Pratt. It was named in honor of W. II. Cruger, who was vice-president and chief engineer of the railroad now known as the T. P. & W. The road was completed as far as Cruger in 1854, and the next year continued farther east. It was then that the first thots of a town were indulged in. The first warehouse was built by Mr. Kellogg and later Mr. King also erected one. The first store was opened by B. P. Pratt, who came from Peoria. A postoffice was established with Wil- liam Flager, the station agent, as postmaster. This postoffice was continued until August. 1909. when Cruger was attached to Eureka, as part of one of the rural routes. F. J. Schrei- ber, whose death occurred a few years ago, was for more than forty years postmaster of Cruger. He was at that time the oldest acting postmaster in the United States in point of years of service. The height of its business prosperity was reached when two general stores were in operation.
Secor.
The village of Secor was platted for Octave Chanut, June 10th, 1857. The new town was on each side of the rail- road, and soon began to attract settlers. It was named for Zeno Secor, one of the directors of the recently completed.
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IHISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
railroad. The streets were named for men, such as Van Alstine, Hereford, Nichols and Cruger streets.
The first store was conducted by E. T. VanAlstine, father of John VanAlstine, and grandfather to Frank A. and L. II. VanAlstine, widely known thruout the county as having been circuit clerks. Jacob Lahr and Henry Smith had blacksmith shops. Another early blacksmith was Chris- tian Mahlsteh who came to Secor from Cruger. F. X. Hau- sler opened a furniture store. A postoffice was established and Mr. VanAlstine was the first postmaster. Charles R. Richardson was another of the early merchants, and Deacon Trosber was the first to conduct a boarding house. Dr. P. L. Tribbey came to Seeor in 1857, John Tribbey, his brother, came the same year, while D. W. Tribbey came in 1859 and S. A. Tribbey a year later. The first named served two terms as coroner of the county. Rudolph Harseim came there in 1862 and opened a general store. This was later owned by his son, E. J. Harseim, and has now passed into the hands of his younger son, Adolph R. Ilarseim. In 1866 II. Ludwig engaged in business there and is still conducting a hard- ware store. One of the most extensive investments made in the town was the great hotel erected by Isaac Underhill. It was a two-story brick structure, with four large store rooms on the first floor. The second story was used for a ho- tel and sanitarium. Mr. Underhill owned a large amount of land around Secor, and had extensive plans for the future of the town, but the plans failed. The hotel was closed and its owner suffered heavy losses. It was finally destroyed by fire. The original cost was $48.000.
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