USA > Illinois > Woodford County > The Woodford County history > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
Spring Bay Township
turn in the afternoon by the same boat.
Around 1918, the village began to gravel the streets; also, about this time, the first concrete walks were poured.
In the carlier days the streets of Spring Bay were lighted by kerosene lamps. In 1897 a lamp lighter was paid two cents per light to light the 35 kerosene lamps each night. By 1890, lamplighters received $30 per month for lighting and keeping lamps in good repair. The village paid the presi- dent of the board $24 per year, plus $1 for each arrest. Another expense of earlier days was the cleaning of the board walks. A man received three cents per board and those that were fined for assault and bat- tery charges could either pay their fine or work the fine out by cleaning the board walks. Year around the heaviest expense was the up-keep of the streets. Since the streets were mostly sand, load after load of straw was purchased, and used to add firmness to the sandy soil. There were al- ways weeds to be cut in summer, snow to be shoveled in winter, and straw to be spread any time the streets were frozen. The village pound was a fenced area where all stray animals were placed until called for by the owner. The owner of the animal had to pay a board bill for said animal. Here is an interesting quote from a June 15, 1918 village meeting: "Moved by Min- nie Fischer and seconded by Jennie Fischer that the police notify all parties having stock running at large, that they must keep them up, also no stock be allowed staked on the street at night-Motion carried. Spring Bay continued (in some ways) to make progress and lose in another as the population continued to dwindle for a few years as shown by the U.S. Census Bureau:
Year
Village
Township
1860
515
1870
235
1880
175
1890
147
1900
128
1910
119
220
1920
89
169
1930
85
210
1940
157
383
1950
203
649
1960
285
1,555
Driving the seven miles down State Route 26 from the south to the north end of the township, the countryside still, in 1968, has the appearance of being chiefly an agricultural area, but today the town- ship has another village-Bayview Gardens -and several subdivisions, Spring Beach (three subdivisions ), Spring Bay Gardens, Barron, Schmidt, Spring Bay Knolls, and Garbers. There was one other subdivision. Siesta Channels, that was annexed to Spring Bay on October 3, 1966.
Bayview Gardens
October 9, 1966, the citizens of Bayview Gardens met at the Bayview Baptist Church to vote on the question whether to incorporate or not. They voted to incor- porate. Since Bayview Gardens was less than one mile from the boundary of Spring Bay, it first had to get approval of Spring Bay to incorporate. Approval was granted, and Articles for Incorporation were filed January 4, 1967. An election was held at the church and the following village board was elected: Arthur R. Meyer, president; Loretta Allen, village clerk; Pauline Loof- fler, treasurer (appointed ); Elmer Locf- fler, Vestel Dykes, Orval Scheiter, Michael A. Gordon, Victor L. Patterson, and George T. Flanagan, trustees.
Bayview Gardens is Spring Bay Town- ship's largest village at this time with a population of 449.
Business Directory of 196S
Bayview Gardens has four industrial enterprises at the present time-Garbers Service Station, and Garbers Marine Sales and Service owned by Daniel Garber opened in 1954: Jans Market opened for business in August 1964; and Melvin Allens Trucking started in 1963.
Spring Bay's business area includes two Marine boat docks operated by Keith Zel- ler since 1963 and Richard Hamm, 1965. Cyrus Swaby opened his tavern on August
182
Woodford County History
4, 1967, and Urlagene's, a grocery and pack- age liquor store, owned and operated by Eugene McCarty since 1958. George A. Zeller II opened the Econette Cruiser and Marina in October 1957. 1949 was the be- ginning year for the Bruce Rich & Sons Auto Sales, and for several years Kohl's Garage, south of the Bay, has served the area. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Garber have had a meat-processing plant in operation since 1960. James Lambie has developed a recreation area for house trailers which
at the present has 90 house trailers sur- rounding a man-made lake.
Since only a small percentage of the materials gathered was used 1 would like to thank all of those interviewed and whose stories and informa- tion that does not appear in the book. It would be impossible to list all the individuals who helped. Here are a few of them: members of the Zeller family, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Loveless, Iven Hesselein, Bessie Dunnington, Christian Ho- shor, Mr. and Mrs. Russel Draggist, Ida Hoffman, Mrs. J. F. Sahlill, Mr. and Mrs. George Loser, Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, Perry Collins, and Oliver Garber, Sr.
Worth Township
by MRS. PETER ROUMAN
Tins TowNsmp, which was organized in 1852, is bounded on the south by Tazewell County, on the west by Spring Bay Town- ship, on the north by Partridge Township. and Metamora Township on the east. Half of the township is excellent prairie for farming, along with some timbered land, while the other half is broken and hilly with high bluffs and deep brakes along the two main creeks, Partridge and Ten Mile. The abundant fine quality timbers attracted the earliest settlers since they used it in log houses and for making wagons and furniture. The soil is well watered by streams and their many tributaries and well drained by sloping land. It is believed to have been named Worth for some Indian leader with that name.
The highways in Worth are mostly wind- ing and hilly in the wood-clad areas in the west end. In the carly days it was impos- sible to build roads along the section lines due to the enormous expense and labor involved in building many bridges and grading down steep hills. Today, the scenery along the winding roads is pic- turesque. For many years the dirt roads were often impassable, but gradually, as automobiles came into use, some were graveled, others black-topped; then in the 1920's the paved highway through Ger- mantown to Peoria was a reality. At pres- ent most roads are improved throughout the area.
Various Indian tribes, including the Foxes, Sacs, and Ottawas, had roamed the land and left much evidence of their pres- ence. Many Indian arrows, axes, and beads have been found in the plowed fields, skel- etons in Indian burial grounds have been unearthed. The wooded land protected
these carly people from storms in winter and the prairies, woods and streams fur- nished them an abundance of food such as: deer, rabbits, squirrels, prairie chickens, wild turkeys and fish.
Back in 1887. in spite of the rugged and sloping soil, Worth was one of the most flourishing areas in Woodford County. Im- migrants came from Germany, Alsace, Eng- land, Ireland, France, Bavaria and Prussia. It is recorded that a small log cabin was built as early as 1831 by a Mr. Soward, and the Rev. Zadack Hall, a pioneer Metho- dist minister, pre-empted a claim to some land where Germantown Hills is now lo- cated, and built a cabin. It seems the early comers avoided the eastern arcas since it lacked timber and they called it a "desert".
The Germantown House was built about 1850 by Will Hoshor. It housed a tavern and grocery where food and lodging were provided for weary travelers. Later it was used as a dance hall and stood until about 1932. Frank Trapp operated the House for some years, but David Wissell was the last one to live there. Mr. Hoshor also built a sawmill at Germantown. There was a blacksmith shop, too.
The Union House on Route 116. where the State Police Headquarters now stands, was built more than 100 years ago and Peter Alig operated a tavern and small grocery there. It was also used as a meeting place for official business. For a time a Ross family owned it; the Rossmans, Anton Kneip and families lived there many years and after their death the farm was sold to Ernest Sullivan. Joseph Schaidle bought the house and several aeres, but soon sold it to the state. The old landmark was razed, and a handsome brick structure was built
183
184
Woodford County History
which has been headquarters since 1964.
Hickory Point, about 3 miles west of Metamora, was built about 1860 by Chris Delabough and John Sluga operated a lager beer tavern there. This was also the first meeting house and polling place in Worth Township. A number of years later a school house was built.
Jacob Schuck was the first supervisor when Worth was organized; Mr. Benjamin Williams the first justice of the peace, Jeff Hoshor was constable, and Joseph Vetter served as school trustee. Peter Engel settled in Worth in 1829 and held several offices. Justice Williams held his office for many years. He united many couples in marriage. When couples were not happy and wished a separation they came to him; he said if he could marry folks why couldn't he "un- marry" them? Another amusing incident was told when the Brown vs. Soward case was brought before Justice Williams. It seems that Mr. Soward, who was being sued by Mr. Brown, had sworn he would "whip Brown on sight." The day of the trial he "pitched onto him." The 'Squire said, "Set the chairs back and give 'em room." He would allow no interference un- til one said "nuff". So the case was decided.
From a brick yard operated by Peter Wiltz came the building material for many local houses. Henry Schwing was the first blacksmith in Worth, and about 1860 Mr. Hoshor built a saw mill operated with steam.
Lourdes was an early settlement in the township. There was a saloon, with Adam Bauer in charge, and a postoffice and grocery store with a shoe repair shop oper- ated by Henry Theobald. The outgoing mail was taken to Metamora by horseback twice a week and the mail for the area resi- dents was brought back for delivery.
Among early pioneers, names associated with Worth were Webber, Belsley, Simons, Wagner, Kerker, Alig, Tool, Noe, Zilch, Schertz, Brownfield, Naffziger, Cress, Smith, Molitor, Esch, Blum, West, Grove, Fischer, Schwenk, Koopman, and Winkler. Other names in Worth were Rev. John Boen, John Sunderland and son Thomas,
Samuel Beck, Peter Bauer, Leonhard Hes- selein, Benjamin Kindig, John M. Keru, and John B. Smith.
Nicholas Fandel came from Prussia in 1858; his wife was Eva Alig. Jacob, Killian, and Fred Grebner came in 1852. Jacob loerger came from Germany in 1836 and bought a farm that his grandson Clarence Ioerger and his wife still occupy at this time.
Adolf Haedicke came from Germany in 1836, married Hanna Brautigan and settled on a farm near the Tazewell County line; at present his son and grandsons still live there. Johannes Simon and wife came from Abstadt-Bavaria with their eight daughters in 1850. They settled where Far Hills is now located and remained there all their lives; their daughters married men from that area. In a recent family history it was revealed that this family now has nearly 5,000 descendants.
Conrad Kerker of Bavaria arrived in 1829, and married Elizabeth Simon. His grandchildren still live on the farm he bought near Lourdes. Michael Kiesewetter came in 1857, bought a farm and in 1864 was drafted in the Army where he served until the end of the war. George Noe was also a settler from Germany who came to Worth with his two sons, John and Peter. Franz. Parr came from Bavaria and married Eva Stenger. After her death he married Gertrude Alig.
William Schwenk married Fannie Kerker in 184S; he was a carpenter, casket maker, and a farmer. Lorenz Schneider, also a farmer, married Katherine Simon.
Charles Theobald from Prussia married Anna Simon. Frank Trapp, a native of Ba- varia, married Gertrude Berkman; he died in 1862. Joseph Vetter of Wurtemburg mar- ried Elizabeth Groener.
Daniel Wagner, son of Jacob and Margaret Wagner came from Germany and married Mary Sharp. He was a farmer and cattleman in Worth Township. Christ Schertz, son of David, came from France in 1837. He built a log cabin in Worth Township, having no stove his wife cooked all the meals by an open fire in a fireplace.
185
Worth Township
Joseph Garber came from overseas by way of New Orleans. During a stop in Tennes- sce he became ill and died. His son Peter came to Worth and lived here all his life. Peter Schertz whose father, David, came from France in 1837 spent his life in Worth, also.
The Brownfields, John, Christ, and Tom, settled here in 1832. John was the father of 19 children. It was reported that the prop- erty now owned by the William Schneiders in Germantown Hills was owned by Tom Brownfield about 1838.
Martin Summers, an eccentric old Ger- man, settled near Germantown Hills long ago; he lived in a log cabin which stood on a high bluff overlooking Wolf Creek, a branch of Ten Mile Creek.
There are no railways passing through Worth Township; nor are there any towns. The winding road through Germantown Hills was named the "Old Mill Road" he- cause it was the main road to the mill which was on the river bank. Mill Point Trailer Court is located near the site of the mill which was destroyed by high water many years ago. After ISSS there was a wooden bridge crossing the river, but previous to that time there was a ferry which conveyed passengers and goods across the river for a small charge. It left the east side of the river near the Ten Mile Creek and reached the Peoria side near the old Al Fresco Park. The road through Lourdes to Metamora was known as Santa Fe or Seven Hills; some years ago part of it was closed, but at one time this was the only road from Metamora to Peoria. About 1943 a county road was built connecting Route 116 at the police station with Route 26, between Lacon and Spring Bay.
Much of the wooded land has been zoned for residential areas. The numerous subdivisions inchide: Far Hills, Skyline Drive, Edgewood Hills, Maple Lane, Jerry- ville, Murphy's Lane, Timberlan Road. Woodland Knolls, Forest Drive, Oak Ridge, Alconbury Road, Byerly's Hills, Fandel Road, Parkway Drive, Valley View, Fe- nestra Drive, Sunrise Terrace, and Rob- binswood.
Worth is a farming arca and in the 20's and 30's there were acres of fine berries as well as many excellent apple, peach, apri- cot and cherry orchards and well-kept vine- yards. But these are now mostly in the memories of the past.
An old record of 1877 reveals at that time in Worth Township the following table of crops were listed as:
Wheat 2,595 acres
Com 4,070 acres
Oats 807 acres
Meadow 1,265 acres
Pasture
389 acres
Orchards
290 acres
Woodland
13,024 acres
In 1954 Oak Grove was incorporated but on June 27, 1967, it was decided to name the community Germantown Hills. The vil- lage now has a supermarket, three filling stations, a 20-unit Motel, restaurant. farm store with nursery and museum, barber shop, garage, launderette, beauty parlors, tavern, Schrepfer and Martin Lumber and hardware store, and a library. The school, firehouse, two churches, and Novitiate are public buildings. The town hall serves as a meeting hall, polling place and road main- tenance shop. The library is located in one room of the Christ Church building.
Industries in Worth are Roanoke-Con- crete-Products Plant and Caterpillar Prov- ing Grounds, where a new road has been constructed from the old state road to the Tazewell County line.
Ernest Harroun operates a slaughtering and meat-processing establishment on his farm a short distance from Hickory Point.
Lloyd Schumacher purchased 10 acres from Colman Alig on Route 116 about three miles east of Germantown Hills and in 1966 opened a modern garage and serv- ice station.
William Schneider has a cider and wine press by his garage in Germantown Hills. This was the site of the old blacksmith shop of days gone by. There were also several sorghum mills, where the sugar cane was taken to be pressed.
186
Woodford County Ilistory
Churches
The first Catholic church built in Worth was on the site of the present cemetery of St. Mary's at Lourdes. The area was first called "Black Partridge" for an old Indian Chief of this vicinity, but the name was soon changed to "Lourdes."
It is related that the family of Nicholas Phillips who came from Loudray, France in 1827, was the first Catholic family to set- tle there, but more soon followed. In 1839, the first priest who came to visit that new community was Father John Raho from LaSalle on a missionary tour. He celebrated Mass in a home or out-of-doors. He re- ceived permission from Bishop Rosita to build a church in 1840. The logs came from nearby timbers and all the good pioneers worked diligently in the erection of the humble building. Fathers from Ottawa and Joliet came once a month to minister to the faithful. The nearest Bishop then was Rt. Rev. Kendick at St. Louis. Priests later came from Peoria and Chicago. In 1855 a new brick church was built across the road for $12,000 and was dedicated to the lm- maculate Conception of Mary. The build- ing is the present structure and Mass is celebrated every Sunday. Father Mager came in 1871 and served the parish until his death in 18S1 and is the only Priest buried in the St. Mary's Cemetery at Lourdes.
The parish house was built in 1871 for the pastor's residence; an addition was put on in 1884, but about 1923 the pastor took up his residence in Metamora and the house was rented to other tenants. In 1940 the house was completely remodeled by the parishioners and used by the Sisters who taught school until the school closed in 1955.
The congregation has grown rapidly and now numbers 450; Rev. Fr. Aurelian Munsch O.F.M. is the present Pastor and has been there for the past seven years. During his stay much has been done to improve and beautify both the exterior and interior of the old church.
During the pastorate of Fr. Caesar Kron
( 1924-1928), a huge outdoor Grotto was erected with the help of the whole parish. It is an exact replica of the original Grotto at Lourdes, France and will be a lasting memorial. It was built with colored stones of all sizes gathered by the men of the parish. Fr. Philip Matuska organized pil- grimages to the original Grotto.
Amish Church. The first church of this de- nomination in the State was organized in 1833 where East Peoria now is located. Some time later the members of the Amish church living in Worth found the need for a church in their midst, so it was decided to build a brick one about three miles east of Germantown in the year 1854. Land was also obtained for a cemetery a short distance east of the church and is now known as the Hickory Point Cemetery. In 1911 a new frame building was erected one mile east of Metamora and the old church was torn down. Some years ago a boulder with an inscribed bronze plaque was placed along Highway 116 to mark the site of the first church.
Christ Church. Prior to 1960 a group of residents of the Germantown Hills area was affiliated with the Metamora Christian Union Church. At that time the group felt the need of a church in the community; it was decided to buy three acres of land and the residence of Mrs. Bertha Pedrick, and soon afterward services and Sunday school were held in the house. Rev. John Story was the minister. One year later Mrs. Ped- rick donated one acre of land adjoining the church property and with the aid of the Metamora church a fine brick church was erected in 1963. It has a membership of about 70 families and the present pastor is Rev. Hayward Kehl.
Baptist Church-A group of 11 charter members of the Baptist Church of German- town Hills and Peoria area organized and built a small church in the village, which was later sold to the Mennonites. Soon, with increased membership it became necessary to have a larger church; the parish bought five acres of land from Ern- est Sullivan on Schmitt Lane where in
187
Worth Township
1963, a larger building was ereeted and dedicated in 1965. It now has 100 members with the Rev. Don Russell of Washington, Illinois serving as pastor.
Mennonite Church. About the year 1950, a congregation of Mennonites was organized in Germantown Hills and services were held in the grade school until 1962. At that time the small Baptist Church was pur- chased. Now there are Sunday and mid- week services regularly for the congrega- tion of 40 members. Rev. Wayne King is the minister.
It is believed that many years ago there was a German Lutheran Church in western Worth, but the exact location has never been obtained.
Cemeteries
Besides St. Mary's Cemetery on the Lourdes grounds and Hickory Point Ceme- tery, there are several other burial plots in various locations. Near the Art Ilacdicke home, below the state hill, there is a family plot called Haedicke Cemetery. The old Koch burial plot is in the present Cater- pillar Proving Grounds. The Union Ceme- tery is in the north western part of Worth. On the Eller property just west of German- town there is an old abandoned burial plot with a few graves. Another, sometimes known as the Winkler Cemetery is located a few miles north of Lourdes. Mater Dolo- rosa Cemetery is on the grounds of the MIt. Alverno Convent.
Schools
Germantown School is undoubtedly the first school built in Worth Township. It was a small, one-room log cabin erected about 1836. This was used until about 1876 when it became too small. A larger one- room frame building was the next school house and was used for nearly 50 years. when more space was added. A few years later. about 1940, more room was added and another story built. On December S. 1953 it was destroyed by fire with a loss of more than $40.000. A new brick building 100 feet from the fire was not damaged. This building was finished hurriedly and
put into use, with an enrollment of 200. Since that time there have been more im- provements and additions including a kitchen, cafeteria, and gymnasium. The children are brought to classes by bus. In 1967-68 there are 450 pupils enrolled and 17 teachers employed. Mr. Ray Combs, who has been the principal for the past 17 years, still holds that position.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wernsman 87, is perhaps the oldest resident of the area who at- tended the school 82 years ago. She recalls some of the earliest teachers. Among those were: Jacob Schrepfer, Frank Fischer, Jose- phine Zeller, Minnie Runner, Margaret Me- Givens, August Bhim and Mrs. Willhoit. Later from 1915-1930 some of the school masters were: Allington Jolly, Mr. Silldorf, Theresa Theobald, Cecelia Daly, Izola Steider, Agnes Robertson, Maureen Ehrin- ger, Gladys Schertz, Alverda Schertz, and Miss Perdelwitz. Many of the old timers recall the enjoyable family picnies, box socials, programs and spelling bees given in the "country schools".
Lourdes School dates back to 1840. It was a one-room cabin built of logs with an opening on one side for light and a fire- place made of stones for heating. There were no desks, rough planks were used for seats that were fastened to the wall with wooden pegs. The schoolmaster's desk was a board fastened to the wall and he used a hand-made wooden stool. Slates were used instead of paper and books were very searce. Reading, spelling, arithmetic, and writing were the main subjects taught. In 1871 the building was moved across the road and used for a grocery store and post office. About ISSI, a new frame building was erected where the first school stood. From 1850 until 1882 the teachers were: Engelbert Nader, Leonard Wagner, Anton Limbach, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Thomas, Laura Page, and William Weiderholt. In J870 there were 100 children in Lourdes school; practically all of them walked long dis- tances, coming from Worth, Partridge, Spring Bay and Metamora Townships. Two nuns arrived from LaCrosse, Wisconsin in ISS2 and taught the school. In 190S another
188
Woodford County History
classroom was added to the building. Since 1882, the school was a district school, al- though it kept the character of a parochial school with religious classes before school hours. Because it was inadequate according to modern standards, the Lourdes School was closed in 1955, the Centennial year for the church, the children being transferred to Metamora schools.
There were a number of rural schools also. They were scattered in various loca- tions:
Pleasant View Distriet No. 39-Last year for classes was 1953-1954, and Eileen Stiv- ers was the last teacher.
Oak Hill Distriet No. 40-Last year for classes 1949-50. Emma Schupp was the last teacher. Oak Hill became a part of Meta- mora CC1 by election 12/3/49.
Hickory Point District No. 66-Last year for classes 1954-55 with Delores Klein be- ing the last teacher.
Prairie Lake District No. 70-Last year for classes 1943-44. Last teacher was Glen Stevens. By election this school became a part of Metamora CCI on December 3, 1949.
Hill Side District No. 117-Last year for classes was 1954-55; last teacher was Ruby Johnson.
The buildings were sold, some used for homes, others moved and used for other purposes.
Some interesting figures have been found concerning the schools. In the year 1920 there were 337 students in Worth schools. Operating expenses for that year were $15,622 and the property value was $14,050.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.