USA > Illinois > Woodford County > The Woodford County history > Part 15
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Business was looking up in other areas, for auctioneers, C. L. Stivers and Garrett Mason, reported that farm sales were the best in 36 years.
Fred Grob left the employ of John F. Isch and started his own grocery store in the old Shetterly building on the south side of the square (now Garber's new store). A new ice company was formed by local business men headed by E. W. Kno- blauch and J. C. Snyder, to insure ice for the community. The Theena brothers, who had previously supplied ice, were gradu-
ally disposing of their various businesses, preferring to return to farming.
In 1910, William Ryan, editor of the Metamora Herald, stated that the town had prospered even though it was con- sidered a slow town in the days of the county seat. The town now had two grain elevators (J. R. Wagner and H. J. Wykle), two department stores, (J. W. Miller and Isch's), two hardware stores, ( Bride Bros. and Frank Giehl, Jr.) one general store, (C. Rohman and Sons), two grocery stores, (Fred Grob and L. B. Meister's with bak- ery) two implement houses, ( Belsly and Belsly and Waldschmidt Bros. ), three auto dealers, (the two implement houses and J. C. Snyder), two physicians, (Dr. J. 1. Knoblauch and Dr. C. A. Heinzmann), Dr. Harvey, dentist, a big lumber yard, (Jacob Schrepfer), a good bank, ( Snyder Bros.), the best harness shop in the country, (Wm. Broennle and Emil Grob), a number one meat market, (Theena's) two drugstores. (Susan K. Wagner and A. H. Wilson), a feed mill, (Jacob Regele), a millinery store, two blacksmith shops, (W. T. Bolle and Jos. Villiger), some of the best building contractors in the country, (Wm. and Ed. C. Briggs, Rudy Heintzmann, Joe Gulder ), The Metamora Creamery (a cooperative started in 1902 and the only one in the county now still operating successfully), a furniture store, a new ice company, the best newspaper in the county and a dozen other lines of business.
In 1912, a new surge in building began with the erection of a large furniture store on East Partridge Street, replacing an old residence and store that were there from the very early days of Metamora. 11. J. Waldschmidt, who had purchased Jacquat's business a few years before, was anxious to move in his pianos and furniture, which were located in two different stores. But the businessmen held him off, according to Alvin Willman, who was working for Waldschmidt at the time. They wanted to hold a public danee in the new building. The dance and oyster supper was a huge success, but it was the last time a celebra- tion of this type was held.
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Metamora Township
Raymond Schneider purchased the lot next door and another building went up. The Midget Theatre was located in the rear of the new establishment, and Schneid- er's barbershop occupied the front of the building. Bowling alleys were installed in the basement.
Ray Schneider installed a handsome new electric piano, with flute and mando- lin attachments for use in the Midget Theatre.
The following year, 1914. William Ryan, publisher of the Herald, and William Broennle, harness maker, purchased their respective properties from the Theena estate. The Herald building was moved onto W. K. Briggs' lots, west of the depot, and was used for an undertaking shop. Briggs had taken over the business of his late father. F. F. Briggs. While the Herald building was being moved, the paper was printed as usual. The business "on wheels" was no more hectic than any other busy week, Ryan said.
Broenle moved his store to the rear of his lot and operated there until his new building was completed.
A flurry of business transfers also oc- curred around this time. L. B. Meister sold his grocery and bakery business to his suc- cessful baker and employees, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hindson and Florence Holzinger. The ice cream and confectionary business had been a favorite spot for 15 years under Meister and continued uninterrupted under the new owners until 1921 when they sold it to Otto Gichl.
In 1914 Snyder Bros. purchased the Farmer's Bank, in business for two years, and consolidated the two banks.
Joseph Waldschmidt & Co. soll the implement and automobile business to Bernard Volz and Ben Schierer and pur- chased the grain elevator under the new partnership. Waldschmidt and Robert Schneider. The coal business became Wykle and Wilson ( Page Wilson). Volz. dissolved his partnership with F. L. Hein- inger, who joined Henry Waldschmidt of Benson, a few months later, and erected the Metamora Garage.
An old blacksmith shop had stood on this corner for many years, and had be- come an eyesore. Word had gotten out that the old shop was about to be rented to a blacksmith again. One morning. the local citizens were surprised to find that the old building had been torn down dur- ing the night and nothing remained but a pile of ancient lumber.
The following week, Waldschmidt pur- chased the lots from Bernard Greiser, and the Metamora Garage has been in business there since. L. B. Gries became Heininger's partner in 1923. When Heininger died the following year, Gries became sole owner of the business, leasing the garage until 1929, when he purchased the building.
The Wagner Motor Co. became the Wagner-Thompson Motor Co., with the partnership of F. W. Wagner and J. J. Thompson, formerly, the principal of Meta- mora Township High School. They pur- chased the garage originally built by J. C. Snyder and now managed by W. T. Bolle. Bolle and Thompson worked on the im- provement of a belt roller for the new Fordson tractor, secured a patent, and manufactured them here for a few years.
In 1917. S. E. Willman and his son, Alvin, formed a partnership and purchased the drugstore business from the late Luther Kessler, who had combined the businesses of Susan K. Wagner and A. II. Wilson dur- ing the year he was here. Alvin Willman has managed the business to the present day.
Conrad Rohman, a grocer in business here and in Roanoke during the 1870's, ro- tired after sixty-five years in this locality.
J. W. Theena purchased the late Frank Giehl Jr. hardware store after a few years of travelling around the country, following the sale of Theena's Meat Market.
The automobile age affected the town in another way. Lack of decent roads in the village caused some concern amongst the more enterprising local citizens, particu- larly around the village square, the center of business in town. A big booster cam- paign was started which ended in a rally in the Opera House. Typical of the times
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Woodford County History
the rally included speeches, songs, and a number of selections by the local band. The referendum carried by a 3 to 1 vote in the following day's election.
A celebration opening the new streets around the square was held on July 24, 1915. The bars closing off the streets were let down and an impromptu parade of about 40 cars drove around the square. The celebration included speeches by prominent citizens and a free motion pic- ture in the park. Intermittent showers threatened to dampen the spirits but a sur- prisingly large number of people stayed for the whole affair which also included a dance in the Midget Theatre and a band concert in the evening.
The cost of the paving was $15,257.60 shared equally by the Village and the businesses facing the square. Work was done by A. D. Thompson of Peoria.
The following year, the village board (J. C. Snyder, Pres.) offered to appropriate
funds for additional street paving if any citizen desired it, but evidently there were no takers. Two blocks of brick paving were installed from the northeast corner of the Village Square to the train tracks ( East Partridge Street) in 1922 at a cost of $1I,- 700.76.
In 1921, the town pump was removed from the square and a bubbling fountain was installed. Funds were raised for the purpose by the Metamora Home Econom- ics Club with the help of the American Legion.
The final break with the past came with the removal of the fence around the park in 1923. The old fence, erected in 1887, had been used for generations as a hitch rack to accommodate farmers who still used a horse to come into town. A section of rack made of iron pipe sunk in concrete was placed on each of the four sides of the square.
The Village Board also found itself
Metamora Public Park as it appeared in 1900.
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homeless in 1923. The state had completed its transactions to take over the courthouse and make it a museum. The board had made its headquarters in the courthouse for a quarter of a century. The west room of F. W. Wagner's building was rented as an office. ( The old J. B. Knoblauch Bldg. ).
On July 22, 1930 a special bond referen- dum was approved for the erection of a Village Hall and fire equipment storage rooms. It was built by Schrepfer and Martin.
The twenties witnessed more changes on the business scene. Route No. 116 was laid through town on the south side of the park and a short time later No. 89 going north was built. The Prohibition law caused saloons to convert to soft drink and ice cream parlors. The Businessmen's Club reactivated in 1921, but the Lyceum pro- gram was promoted by the senior high school class. The Midget Theatre became a community theatre on a cooperative plan. Radio now had the citizens agog. One Sunday evening, in 1923, patrons of the community theatre were treated to a radio program in connection with the show when Joe Waklschmidt connected his out- fit to the theatre. Concert numbers were heard distinctly throughout the hall dur- ing the show.
Art Garber opened an electric and radio shop next to the bank. E. E. Springer was the electrician and radio repairman with Garber.
The grain elevators became one again when J. R. Wagner gave up the business in 1920 and it was purchased by Waldschmidt and Schneider.
Emil Grob, now owner of the harness shop and cream separator business, pur- chased Raymond Schneider's business building for his expanded enterprises.
E. W. Knoblauch retired as cashier at the bank after 23 years under three owners. Hle had also been a part of several coopera- tive ventures in town.
Hindson again opened a bakery in 1923 and remained in business until 1948.
The Metamora Telephone Company moved its equipment into a combined of-
fice and residence, especially built for the purpose. The two position switchboard was moved into the front office with the electrical and other equipment located in the basement.
In 1924, the Dickinson Canning Com- pany abandoned its idea to locate in Meta- mora and established a plant in Morton. The canning company had made several attempts to locate a deep well for water but were unable to find a vein of sufficient quantity. Several local citizens subscribed to seeking a well, reluctant to give up the idea of a factory in Metamora.
In February 1925, the Metamora Can- ning Co. was organized with anthorized capital of $100,000. About forty local stock- holders pledged $65,000 with the balance provided by the Peoria Canning Co. S. M. Snyder of the Metamora State Bank, was a member of the board of directors. The site for the plant was selected for its access to the railroad, closeness to the center of town and the low cost of extending the water mains. A vacant lot was purchased from Sam Willman for $800.
The village also enjoyed other benefits from the new plant. Through arrangements between the Metamora Canning Co., Waldschmidt and Schneider, and the Cen- tral Illinois Light Company, a new line carrying a three phase current was ex- tended to Metamora from Eureka. The new line insured adequate power for the factory, long desired service for the grain elevator and stabilized voltage for the vil- lage. Electric service for the village had been of poor quality during the previous years; no doubt, caused by the increase in consumer usage.
Schrepfer & Martin and W. T. Bolle were the contractors for the new factory. By summer, the factory was in full swing canning peas in June and tomatoes in August. Fifty to seventy-five men vohm- teered to run the night shift that first year.
The perseverance of the businessmen in establishing an industry here proved to be wise. The canning factory was taken over by Hallmark in 1947 and became the Met- amora Woodworking plant.
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Woodford County History
In reviewing the history of the town, it became evident that the men who had the faith to establish a business here, were the same men who served on the village board, school boards, and in general, contributed to the improvement of the village when- ever they were needed.
The livery stable on Menard Street was a busy place in those days. It was an im- portant part of the town's busy activities, doing hauling for the merchants from the C. & A. depot and renting out buggies and hacks to townspeople and the salesmen going from town to town. Names like Dan Wagner, Gillan, John Eckstein, Wm. T. Rohman, and Roy Eichorn appeared in the Metamora Herald as owners and proprie- tors of the Metamora Livery Stable.
Likewise about a half block away up the alley stood the Metamora Ice House. Ice making was in full swing during January and ice was cut, hauled and placed in the ice house between layers of sawdust.
Close by was the town calaboose where vagrants were housed for the night. This stood directly back of the courthouse. Tramps were a part of the winter scene in every small town and they were well known to the city policemen.
Horseshoe courts were spaced around the square when men spent many leisure hours pitching horseshoes. Two lively mil- linery shops flourished at this period-Mrs. Sheridan's and Mrs. West's. Shetterly's Mil- linery had given way to a grocery owned by Fred C. Grob.
Service stations were coming into their own with the automobile a part of modern living. George Rohman, A. V. Rohman and Bertram Waldschmidt ran the major serv- ice stations-and all the garages sold gasoline. Villiger's Shoe Shop was sold to Hilton Parker who operated it until he moved to the brick building next to the courthouse.
One war came and was over, a second one followed and with this a whole new world emerged. This had its effect on Metamora as well, and found it facing a speeded up way of living and doing busi- ness. Two main highways came through
the town, No. 116 and No. 89, and there was less and less train travel. Radio and TV came into being and with it a totally new concept of life. Saloons became tav- erns, undertakers were now morticians, groceries were supermarkets, and there were no more general stores. Insurance agencies multiplied, as did garages and service stations. Beauty shops came into prominence. Many businesses moved away from the square, and industry came to Metamora.
From the years of the thirties to the pres- ent year of the Illinois Sesquicentennial many changes came to Metamora. Gone from the park are the hitching racks, water- ing tanks for the horses and the town pumps. Gone, too, is the old water tower, replaced by a shiny new one holding 200,000 gallons of water, pumped in from a well in Robinswood Addition, west of town. In the shadow of the new tower is the pumping and softening plant on Dav- enport Street, and just around the corner on Walnut Street, is the fire station.
If you were to walk around the park today. starting at the northwest corner on Partridge Street, you would find Isch's Gift and Thrift Shop operated by descendants of John Abersol, who started the business here about 1873; the K.C. Hall, Harold Roth's Barber Shop, Springer's Hardware, Brodt's Cleaning Service, the Laundramat opened by William Nauman; the Lincoln Memorial Courthouse, a vacant building waiting for some new business to occupy it, Alvin Wilhan's drug store ( Mr. Will- man just completed 50 continuous years in business!), and the enlarged and modern- ized Metamora National Bank, under the ownership of Ray J. Schertz.
Turning south on Davenport Street, across from the bank, is the basement building housing the American Legion Post No. 89, then the Illinois Prairie Dis- trict Library, Generose Scheirer's insurance office, Kenny Crandell's barber shop. Bock- ler's Real Estate and Insurance office, Or- ville Schertz's Furniture and Appliances store, the Lincoln Tavern with Ron Cook as proprietor, Hockenbury's Cafe, Fandel's
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Variety Store, the Village Hall and the Metamora post office.
On the south side of the park is Pelphry's Deep Rock service station; on the site of the well-known old Spiers House is the office of Dr. H. W. Riggert, and next to it you would find a supermarket of which the proprietor is Dennis Suter. On the corner is Bob Garber's TV store, and across the street is Kneip's Standard service station.
Completing our walk around the square, on the west side is the brick building owned by A. V. Rohman and leased to Cileo. The remainder of the block is oc- cupied by the Metamora Garage, a busi- ness owned and operated for many years by the genial L. B. ("Busy") Gries: since his death in 1963, the business has been carried on by Marvin Smith, Joseph Miller and Joseph Adams. One end of the build- ing is used by the Betty Gries School of Dance.
Our stroll around the park has ended, but looking up North Menard Street we can see in the first block the fine brick of- fice of the Metamora Telephone Co. In the first block of North Davenport Street is the office of Dr. C. R. Heinzmann, the town's one and only dentist. Were we to go farther east on Partridge Street, just beyond the park area we would find the newly-remodelled VFW Hall, with the Metamora Herald office next to it. Across the street is Masons' Funeral Home.
As is usual, businesses have located along the highways. Approaching Meta- mora on Route 116 from the east we pass Lloyd Schupp's Texaco service station and the Flamingo Tavern. run by Doug Bach- man: next to the railroad track is Schrepfer and Martin's lumber yard, from which one can see, a block away. the big elevators and drying equipment of the Metamora Grain Company owned by John ( Bill) Schumacher.
Passing the southwest corner of the park. we find The Toggery, a clothing store owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Meismer, and a Phillips station operated by William Perhay. At the west side of town is Jim
Byrum's Gulf Station, back of which is the new Colonial Laundramat. A large, new Super-Valu store and drug store. owned by the Schierer brothers, Harvey, Ed and John, and Ben Schierer's dairy and its ont- let store are both along the highway. Just beyond the corporation limits, across from the rootbeer stand and swimming pool, are located Jim DeBolt's Supply Store and Trotter and Ilodel's Garage. Out a bit farther on No. 116 are Flym's Drainage Products plant and Carl Fauber's Green- house. Several miles from town but playing an important part in our local economy are Lloyd Schumacher's Chevrolet Garage and Fred Mccullough's Disposal Service.
Back in town, in the first block of Route 59 is the Castle Tavern operated by LeRoy Meismer; Don and Willa Phillips' restau- rant and Hans Miller's garage; the latter adjoins the property on which stands the brick building that served as the county jail when Metamora was the seat of gov- ernment for Woodford County; it is now the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Theena.
Near the outskirts of town are the Meta- mora Woodworking Co., makers of Hall- mark greeting card display racks; McBride and Shoff, a machine shop: Metamora Im- plement Company owned by John (Jack) Garber and Colman Alig, dealers in farm machinery; the Metamora Abattoir. oper- ated by Harold Zobrist, who is also an auctioneer, and Metamora Industries, Inc., a fabrication plant. Near the Corporation limits is the Metamora Township Hall.
Some present-day services do not require regular office space and are therefore con- ducted from the operator's place of resi- dence. In this category would come the truckers, Elmer Dubois, Frank Fredericks, C. H. Schertz and Sons, Leo A. Reising and Willard Ahrens; the insurance agents, John V. Reeb, Ervin Jauch. Joe Powell, Lee Bachman and Roy Larson; the men who drive the bulk gas trucks, Ray Barber, Harold Kiesewetter and Robert Grob; and the contractors, Gilbert Alig, Richard Nau- man, and lona B. Schaidle and Sons. And we have William E. Krumholz, who does
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landscaping; Walter S. Dyar, who for many years has been producing hybrid seed corn, so important to this area; Morris E. Pelz, who obligingly opens up our choked sewers and drains for us; C. J. Schneider, a real estate agent, the Leo Mil- lers, who have our only motel; Tom Greb- ner, our capable painter; and Robert El- bert, who sharpens tools.
An important service of these modern days is that offered by the beauticians. Metamora must have lovely ladies, for they support nine beauty shops! The owners (and operators) are the Mesdames Wanda Goldsmith, Leona McClary, Janice Mc- Daniels, Ethel Noll, Emily Schrock, Helen Steider, Marjorie Van de Veer and Edith Volz, and Mr. Walter Schaidle.
Without the farmers of the area, our town could not have existed. For the past century they have been the backbone of the community, many of them serving on various committees and school boards, and helping in other ways in the growth of our social and civic life.
Some forty or more years ago, a Meta- mora lady with great foresight predicted that the then wide-open farm land and timber areas lying between our village and its big neighbor, Peoria, would some day all be occupied by homes and busi- nesses; it was a preposterous idea at the time, but if that same prediction were made today, in 1968, someone would be sure to add "and in the very near future!"
To the readers of today, it may seem that we have gone into great detail in de- scribing our town. We only hope that we have presented a clear picture for the reader of fifty or more years hence, when our "modern" way of life will be as old- fashioned as Grandma's hoop skirt!
The businessmen you may remember:
The bakers :
L. B. Meister C. H. Hindson Bernard Bursott
John Knoblauch John Zimmerman Henry Wagner Joe Marchand Joe Stickelmaier
The decarators :
J D Griggs Max Reichhuher Joe Sehertz Henry Parker Charles Rich Clifford Fehr
Max Lewis
Otto Weppler
Alex Wagner Mrs. Frank Nauman Clarence and Frances Rohman
Irene's Josie Waldschmidt
Joe Fairbanks
Jim Knight
Bill, Otmer and Eleanor
Nauman
Everett Seeher
Bnrsott's Lunch Room
Frank Goldsmith
Welte's Friendly Spot Phillip's Lunch Box
The barbers :
Jim Frantz
Milton Goodyear
Charles Roseberry
Elmer Musselman
Jerry Stockham
Albert Kranz
The implement dealers :
Getz and Goutsche
J. H. Reeder
John, Peter and Ralph Belsly L. J. Barclay
Ezra Schlipf
The funeral directors :
F. F. Briggs
William Briggs
Joseph Scholl
Henry Heininger
William Kuhl
Ray Miller
Xavier Knoblauch
Roy Teman
Oscar Painter
Ralph Lightle
Susan K. Wagner
Alex Mason
Clem Ray
Carroll Volz
The doctors and dentists.
Dr. James S. Whitmire
Dr. A. M. Amarose
Dr. Z. H. Whitmire
Dr. Moore
Dr. W. A. Mansfield
Dr. J I. Knoblauch
Dr. S. W Lakin
Dr. J. P Harvey
" H. Hindson
L. B Meister
J. O. Malone
Jerry Tippy
Frank Schmitt
Rndy Heintzman
Briggs Bros.
W. T. Bolle
Joe Heintzman Donald Gilliatt
The restaurant managers . Ed Bachman
Mayme Hodges
Mrs. Emma Wagner Znndels Zimmermans
Rudy Garber
Chris Wiedman
James Hall's Carpenter House
Ernest Harroun Ray Mark
PARK BOARD
To fulfill a need for better recreation and outdoor education, an election to form a park district and to elect a five-man board was held July 29, 1967. On Aug. 1, 1967, after necessary legal requirements had been completed, the district and board were officially formed. Members of the board are: Willard Bockler, Nelson Tate, Jr., Kenneth Crandall, John Rauh, and Robert Schertz.
Woodford County History
John Theobald Carl Villiger William Nauman Harry Maus Ray Gries Ben Morris
The cobblers :
Max Gasse
John Nauman Henry Theobald
Carl Villiger Hilton Parker
Pierre's Maggie's
Sasso's
Boken's
The merchants :
John Abersol
H. Jacquot Peter J. Wiltz
Cyrus Niles
H. Conrard
George Noirot Herman J. Pelz
John A. Isch Conrad Rohman and Son
Luther Kessler Charles Kiey Andrew Wiltz
Bride Bros. Albert Suter Sam Willman Joseph Theena
William C. Hockenbury
C. F. Easely Frank Giehl
John W. Miller
John F. Isch F. C. Grob
The contractors :
John Orth
C. A Stauffer
Harry Waldschmidt
O. F Giehl
A. W Garber
Pat Macalwee
The tavern keepers :
Joe and William Noe "Pap" Eckstein Bill Myers J'oe Elbert
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Metamora Township
TOWN OFFICIALS
Mayor-Don P. Smith Clerk-Harry F. Johnson Board Members-Marvin Keys, Marvin Smith, Francis Kerrigan. Ronald Krolak, Robert DePauw, Robert Harbers, Jr.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS
Supervisor-Leland Klein Clerk-Kenneth L. Smith Assessor-Robert Deatherage Auditors-Walter Shea, Leonard Schierer, Daniel Krumholz, Sr.
Highway Commissioner-Chester Schertz
F
Opened in 1868, the Woodford County Alms House housed the needy elder citizens of the county until recent years.
Minonk Township
by
ILARRY D. SMITH and ROBERT W. WEBSTER
This township is a full Congressional town, and is designated as Town 28 North, Range 2 East of the Third Principal Meridian. It is situated in the extreme northeastern cor- ner of Woodford County and is bounded as follows: On the north by La Salle County; on the east by Livingston County; on the south by Panola Township and on the west by Clayton Township.
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