USA > Illinois > Woodford County > The Woodford County history > Part 5
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Only three years later, spurred by the energetic efforts of Rev. Boswell, Wash- burn people were becoming interested in having electric street lights. A Mr. Searles of Chicago met with the village board to discuss a franchise. Like all city improve- ments, the new lights would involve some expense, and there were those who op- posed the idea, but Rev. Boswell continued his fight with the aid of the progressive minded citizens and on December 14, 1907, the franchise had been signed, a plant had been built, and the lights were turned on. W. E. Lycan was the manager. These arc lights burning from dusk to 1 o'clock were a great improvement over the gas lights.
Just before Christmas, in 1904, the vil- lage was again struck by a disastrous fire which destroyed the north business block of East Jefferson Street causing the loss of life of Jesse Weaver, who occupied a room over the Martini store.
In 1906 Mr. M. Wayt opened a cigar factory in the Old Central Hotel. A new bridge was built over Snag Creek at a cost of $225, accommodating both foot
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Cazenovia Township
1
Washburn business district in the early 1900's.
travelers and street traffic, and concrete sidewalks were replacing the old board walks. Columbian Hall was a popular place with the Kennedy silent movies, the bell ringers, and home talent plays. The hotel in town was having quite a time. It was operated under numerous managers for short times and Washburn was alter- nately with and without a hotel.
In 1908 the C. H. Ireland home burned and R. E. Patterson, who had bought the Washburn Leader in 1905, began a long campaign for a water works system for Washburn. A new real estate firm was opened in the Truitt building by Holman and Farnsworth; E. T. Harper sold his restaurant to Carl Fitschen and William Ramsey; people were warned against rac- ing their teams through the town streets and the 4th of July was the day of a big celebration with the former Senator C. N. Barnes as speaker. And it was in 1908 that Washburn voted on home option; the old calaboose was torn down; there were horse races at the Buckingham tracks; the first underground cable was laid by the tele- phone company, and a motor car which was a veritable palace on wheels was sent down the C. & A. tracks.
The year 1909 had scareely begun when a fire which originated in the old Schlitz building standing next to the Columbian
Hall burned all of the buildings south of the Fuik's store, now owned by the Ma- sonic Lodge. John Kuhlman, L. B. Holman and W. E. Taylor were injured when a chimney fell from one of the burning buildings. Every man in town was helping in some way, but the bucket brigade was insufficient to stop the fire before all the frame buildings on that corner lot were lost. Immediately there began talk of re- building.
The first village primary election was held March 9, 1909, a very quiet primary, with only a small number of votes cast. F. A. Ehringer was elected as president; trustees were George Garrison, B. F. Heighway, E. T. Harper, II. Fitschen, Sr., and Henry Sangbush; clerk, E. Baumgart, and Richard Gill as police magistrate.
In 1910 the record of Washburn's popu- lation showed 835 citizens; the news of runaway teams began gradually to give way to news of motoreycle wrecks and auto mishaps. The Strauch brothers, J. E. and Hugo, opened a blacksmith shop on north Jefferson Street. The highlight of the year was the C. & A. wreck which oc- curred September 25th. It happened on the sharp curve just south of town. Sixteen cars, the engine and tender were over- turned, and three men were seriously in- jured and burned by the sealding water
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Woodford County History
from the boiler. In the wreck, the whistle rod stuck, and it was the whistle's long wail that aroused townspeople early that Sunday morning.
By 1911 Frank "Dummy" Owen was gaining a reputation as a red hot ball player in the 3-I League; Sunday evening church services were held in Ehringer's Park where autos were parked inside and horses were hitched outside in order to avoid traffic jams after the closing song. The new Ireland Bank had its formal open- ing March 25th with music by Monk's orchestra; Fitschen's Opera House had a run on popularity after the Columban Hall fire, and the Butler and Robbins Opera House opened. The new theater had quite a staff with Brint Robbins as manager; R. G. Jones as business manager; George Moschel as treasurer; Harry Andrews as head usher; Frank Ramsey, check room; Ed Harper, house officer; Max Beschorner, stage manager; Otto Immel, stage carpen- ter and property man; and Cebe Eikel- barner became the "town crier" as hawker for the shows.
Promise of improved and extended electric service came with the purchasing of the Washburn Heat, Light, and Power Company by Hollenback and Vorhees of Fairbury. On the first day of 1912, Ed Ly- can, who had managed the plant when it was first installed, bought it from the Fair- bury men.
Oil was poured on Washburn's streets for the first time in 1912. This was the be- ginning of "almost" annual oil surfacing of the streets. Two long-time business men, Jacob Fuiks and Christian Haase, retired that year.
For the first time Washburn women were permitted the right to vote November 4, 1913. This was in a local election and in the printed results women and men were tabulated separately.
In 1914 all-night lights were tried as an experiment, but were discontinued because of the expense. Concerts by Roxy La Rocca and his band made up of Washburn mu- sicians were heralded as splendid. A novel sports attraction was the croquet tourna-
ment held by Dr. B. N. Watt on his cro- quet grounds at his home; and the old north elevator, considered a landmark, was torn down.
The Public Service Company of North- ern Illinois became the owners of the Washburn Heat, Light and Power Com- pany on July 20, 1916. The first annual Fall Festival and Autumn Show was held in September, and through a new lighting franchise all-night lights were begun De- cember 14th.
Hope for a water works system was squelched temporarily by the negative re- sult of an election held January 2, 1917. The peak of the land market was reached here when the lunker farm adjoining Washburn on the east was sold. Robert Peachey bought eighty acres at $300 per acre and Henry Lesch bought eleven acres at $336 per acre.
In the meantime, the United States had been drawn into the World War. C. T. Ireland, who had been elected Washburn's mayor only a week before, was called to the colors. He had enlisted previous to the election and having had National Guard training, he thought he had been dis- missed; but word came that he had been transferred to Company G in Peoria.
Two blizzards, the second following close upon the first, ushered in the year of 1918. As steps ahead, J. E. Strauch became the owner and manager of the Washburn Garage, and Ora Dyar opened the new Ford Garage.
With war time limitations on fuel, the Methodist, Christian and United Presby- terian Churches united for worship as a conservation measure. A gigantic auction sale held on April 27th to aid the Red Cross netted $2,200.
A very fine patriotic celebration was staged in Washburn on June 18th. The day began with a parade and ended in the evening with a Red Cross Benefit Dance. R. E. Patterson, Charles John Stephenson and Roxy LaRocca planned the day and every one in town served on the committee to help them.
November Hth, the Declaration of Peace
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Cazenovia Township
found a jubilant and thankful Washburn. A public holiday was declared by B. F. Heighway, president of the village board. At the barbecue which followed the pa- rade that night, 2500 free sandwiches were handed out.
According to the Bureau of Census, our 1920 population was 830, a decrease of five persons.
Chicken pox cases numbered so many as to be an epidemic in November and De- eember of 1921.
Joe Molitor, the last of our boys to re- turn from over-seas, arrived just in time to beat the New Year, 1922.
Before the village board was the ques- tion of reopening the "arch" or tunnel under Jefferson Street between George Butler's Garage and Quiram Brothers Store. When Washburn had board walks this arch had been used to carry away water coming through the swag in that block. Then when the concrete walk was put in, the Board decided the arch was not necessary for drainage. It was closed and two large sewers were put in its place. A rain of any proportion proved the error in the change from tunnel to sewer and after several engineers had examined the situation it was decided that the only solu- tion was to reconstruct the arch.
There were seventy-nine business men in the composite picture made in 1922. There were only forty-eight in a similar picture made fifteen years before. Changes and improvements were being made; the post office moved from the old building on East Walnut Street to larger quarters in the Lesch building; A. C. Martini, who had for years owned and managed a grocery and dry goods store, retired. The stock was sold to Lusher and Evans.
On October 2, 1923, the world-famous dirigible ZR-1 passed over Washburn on its return trip to Lakehurst, N.J. from St. Louis, and everyone turned out to watch this new wonder.
In 1925, an eleven-inch rainfall between ten o'clock Tuesday night, August 19th, and seven o'clock the next morning flooded every low spot in town, washed out bridges,
and destroyed grain and stock in the fickls along the creeks. This was the heaviest rainfall on record since 1876. Sub-zero weather hastened off the old year and hustled in the new. Thermometers varied between twenty and thirty below in Wash- burn and in nearby Wilbern the tempera- ture registered at the thirty-four below mark.
A blizzard coming late in the season had Washburn snowbound on April 1. 1926, and the town lost one of its long-time landmarks with the summer of that year; the old Toy Wagon Shop which had been the scene of the organization of the local Methodist Church, later owned by Ira Davidson and still later becoming the tailor shop of C. P. Danhof, was torn down and a new home built on the site.
At long last, on September 7, 1926, at a special water works election in which 445 votes were cast, the "fors" led with 258 votes, while the "againsts" had only 179.
This was the year that aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, ( since becoming Col. Lind- bergh), parachuted from his plane in a storm and brought the mail from the wrecked plane to the Washburn Bank for safe-keeping until other arrangements could be made to carry it on to Chicago. This happened while the Colonel was carrying U.S. Mail between Chicago and St. Louis, before his hop across the At- lantic.
On January 20, 1927, 11. W. Packard be- gan drilling the well which would supply Washburn's water system. The spot se- lected was between the town hall and the fire hall. On February 2nd, having drilled 111 feet, water was struck. The water tower and tank were finished on June 30th. A contract was let at this time to George Harms for the remodeling of the town hall and the building of the pump house. The water mains were laid and the firemen purchased the first hydrant which was connected to the system just behind the town hall. All work was completed by Armistice Day when the dedication pro- gram was held at the Opera House. C. A.
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Woodford County History
Fitschen, mayor, was acting chairman of the day.
In April, 1928, Route 89 had been sur- veyed, grading was being done, and a bridge was being constructed over "Old Snag" where the route followed the old Stringtown road along Grant Park. With the building of the bridge a new channel was cut for the creek through the north- west section of the park. By August 9th, all pavement had been poured. With a strip of pavement eighteen feet wide run- ning right through the center of Jefferson Street, talk of paving the street from curb to curb was readily accepted.
Bus service came to Washburn in May, 1930.
The drinking fountain which stands on the bank corner at Walut and Jefferson Streets was installed and donated by the Golden Rule Club.
An increase of 24 inhabitants between 1920 and 1930 gave Washburn a popula- tion of 854, according to the National Census Bureau; however, a personal tabu- lation taken at the same time showed 862 people.
The Chicago and Alton had become the Baltimore and Ohio by 1931. Local mar- kets on July 22 were: wheat, 53¢; corn, 55¢; and oats, 26. Not until November did grain prices advance. In September of 1931, the town was without street lights, an economy measure, but arrangements were made to have the town lighted dur- ing the Fall Festival.
As the final stroke to the long-struggling train service, the little "Toonerville Trol- ley", with its comical "bcep-beep" was re- moved from the rails in January of 1932.
A survey of the waterworks system showed that 100 homes had been con- nected by 1932, and that 8,017 gallons of water were used daily.
In August, Judge Henry Horner, then candidate for governor of the state, talked from the steps of the Washburn Bank to a crowd of interested citizens.
The "old hotel" building on the west side of North Jefferson was torn down in 1932. It had been built in 1871. In October,
1932 Chris Krahenbuhl opened the Wash- burn Cheese Factory, employing 15 men. It was in that month that the record low for the wheat market was set. On the twentieth day of the month wheat was 36¢, corn 1212¢ and oats 10¢.
The year 1933 began with prices much the same as the old year had ended, but with a new President of the United States making bold strides to improve conditions. The first week of February brought one of the largest blizzards that the town had re- ceived for many years. Roads were blocked and traffic was at a complete standstill for two days. With the big snows of February and large amount of rainfall in the spring months, Snag Creek went out of its banks in May and the Illinois River was at its highest stage since 1884.
It was in the election of April 17, 1934 that Washburn voted "wet" for the first time in forty years. On the saloon proposi- tion there were 213 votes "yes" and 235 "no" votes and due to the way in which this certain ballot was worded the "no" votes were "for" the granting of said license. The liquor ordinance was adopted on May 22nd.
May turned out to be the driest month of May since 1879. The temperature ranged from 28 degrees to 100 degrees within four days' time. It is a queer quirk of fate that the town's first "Wet" month should at the same time be one of its driest.
By this time another old landmark along North Jefferson Street had served to its ultimate end and was torn down bit by bit. This was the Lenz Building, built about 1870 when the little stream that now runs through a tunnel under the street was al- lowed to trickle right across the road. This old building once housed the butcher shop of Frank Gill; and "Billy" McCulloch once lived in what they had fixed up to be "right nice" bachelor quarters. Bertice Moulton, barber, was the last to use the building.
Jerry Barnes, W. B. Ramsey, Edward Potzler, W. G. Lesch, H. W. Packard, G. A. Fitschen, William Ingold, and Ray
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Cazenovia Township
Beschorner were appointed as the local committee of the Federal Housing Admin- istration in March of 1935.
In May. 1935, free movies for the sum- mer were begun.
Fifty World War veterans received their bonus checks by calling at the Post Office on June 15. 1936. That year Washburn graveled State and Main Streets.
With suitable weather and good ice, the old Zion Held ice pond became a popular place for lovers of ice skating in January, 1937. In August, 1937, John Ehringer was granted a license by the Village Board to operate a bowling alley within the city limits.
The new year of 1939 brought glory to the old town when brothers John and Ed Arends were winners of the Star Brothers Bowling Tourney in Peoria. John claims Washburn as his address and his brother, Ed, is now a resident of Peoria.
The contract for graveling of streets, which was let by the Village Board to W. C. Barth in July, 1939, was the final step of having all streets within the town limits surfaced with gravel.
The 1940 census taken in Washburn showed a population of 937. Armistice Day was observed with a program held at the Legion Log Cabin; the speaker for the occasion was Mrs. Victor E. Reynolds of Peoria. During the Christmas season a life- size scene of the Nativity was on display between the Firemen's Hall and Butler's Opera House. Charles Hinck, C. Eugene Hull, Wm. Ingold and R. H. Beschorner deserve much credit for this remarkable portrayal, as do the many persons who assisted them.
Two new enterprises came to Washburn in 1941: The Livestock Products Company of which H. M. Tjaden was part of the firm, and a store selling homemade bakery products, operated by the Misses Madeline and Martha Garber.
Washburn celebrated its centennial, the anniversary of its first division into town lots, on August 16, 17 and IS, 1951. An exhibit of antiques, a flower show, a gallery of old pictures and tent exhibits were dis-
played during these three days. A pageant, "Washburn: Yesterday and Today" was presented in Grant Park the evening of August 16, followed by the crowning of the 1951 centennial queen, Mary Ann Gardner, and the 1851 centennial queen. Mary Jane Glaub. A dress revue, IS5] to 1951, followed by a band concert and a free street dance brought the celebration to a close on Saturday evening.
Many changes have taken place since Washburn celebrated its centennial. Fit- schen Brothers Hardware Company started in business in ISS9 at 117 South Jefferson and moved in 1909 to their new building. which they still occupy, at 137 South Jef- ferson. This was the site of Columbian Hall and the Smith Hotel. Henry, John A and Angehuis Fitschen. brothers, were proprie- tors of a lumber and hardware business. After Henry died, his son, John B., took over the management of the construction and lumber company. John A. and Angelus later retired, leaving the firm to John H. and George, their respective sons. With the death of John H., George purchased the business, and Company was added to the name. Loel, son of George, is the pres- ent head of Fitschen Brothers Hardware Company, which celebrated its 79th year in business this March.
In 190S, Hinek Bros. purchased the building known as Hinck's Restaurant since that date. They had been in the bakery and restaurant business since 1904. After the death of Theodore Hinck and his sister, Margaret Schwab, Charles Hinck had charge of Hinck's Restaurant until his death in November, 1967. Then the doors of Hinck's were closed, after 60 years in business.
In 1911, Ilugo M. Strauch worked as a clerk for August C. Martini in his grocery store; then in 1914, with Julius Uebler, he bought the general store owned by "Duke" Wendland on the site of the present post office. In 1916 he moved across the street to 117 South Jefferson and changed from a general merchandise to grocery store. In 1926 he opened a dry goods department in the Haase building adjoining on the
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Woodford County History
north, but closed it out seven years later and moved his grocery to that location. With "Hooks" Strauch's retirement, his son Walter assumed the management of the business now operated as Walt's Superway.
Eddie's Tap began business at 117 South Jefferson soon after H. M. Strauch moved out. Duane Quiram now runs Quiram's Tap at this address.
Many business places have remodeled. New fronts have been added to some. The old building on the corner of Jefferson and Walnut was razed in 1966 and a new building ereeted to house the Washburn Plumbing and Heating at 100 South Jef- ferson.
From the twelve blocks laid out in 1851, the Village of Washburn has developed in several additions, the most recent being the Peabody Addition south of Route 89 with nine homes; Crestview, north of Route 89 with 10 homes, both additions being at the west edge of Washburn; and Edgebrook, south of Parkside Drive to Park Street with four homes, one new.
Snag Creek Golf Course, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Christ, adjoins the southeast part of Washburn in Section One. It is a 9-hole course with Snag Creek running through it. A building used for supplies and refreshments stands near the entrance.
Washburn is lighted by mercury vapor lights. Its streets are blacktopped or paved. Natural gas is available for homes and business purposes. A sewer system is under consideration. Street signs have been erected and houses have been numbered in recent years.
Officers of the Village Board are Dr. F. M. Kennedy, mayor; Mrs. Georgia Ann Pelz, secretary; Mrs. Mary Ann Jury, treas- urer; other members are Elmer Nuske; Elmer Schierer: Donald Scrivner; Kenneth Winkler; Richard Beschorner and Robert Glaub.
Grant Park
Beautiful Grant Park occupies seven and one-half acres of land, donated to the town in 1916 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Ire-
land in memory of their son, the late Capt. Grant R. Ireland. Snag Creek meanders through the park, dividing the south play- ground area occupied by the recently erected Lion's Club Shelter from the lower and larger part of Grant Park. The outer shelter on the south side is a gift of Mrs. Madge Spangler. On the north side of the park is the large memorial shelter built after World War II. A wading pool for young children, two tennis courts, a ball diamond, playground equipment, running water, restroom facilities, and cooking grills, are some of the improvements that have added to the comfort and pleasure of the people who enjoy Grant Park. A play supervisor is in charge during the summer months. Grant Park draws crowds from towns within a radius of 50 miles, and was one of the few of its kind for many years.
A stone park entranee, completed in 1920, was torn down and replaced by ever- green planting in 1959. Two boulders in- side the entrance, one on each side, bear bronze tablets. The east tablet bears the names of our men in the War of 1812 and in the Civil War. The west tablet bears the names of those who served in World War I.
Grant Park is under the supervision of a Park Board, which is elected by ballot, and is supported by a mill tax from the Park District. This Park Distriet was formed as a result of an election which was held on January 26, 1949. The first com- missioners were Mrs. Edith Ireland, Mrs. Emma Owen, Edwin Abel, Bernard Broers, and Thomas Parkin, Sr. The present Park Board officers are Calvin MeCully, presi- dent, L. Jack Swanson, viee-president, Mrs. Mary Ann Jury, secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Wayne Gross, Miss Helen Shultz and Russell Schertz, trustees, and Verle Safford, legal advisor.
Washburn Nursing Home
Washburn Nursing Home at 231 Park- side Drive, Washburn, is the only conva- lescent home in Cazenovia Township. It was formerly the Charles H. Ireland home.
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Cazenovia Township
After the death of Mrs. Hannah B. Ire- land it was sold in 1951 to become a mirs- ing home and passed through several own- ers before being sold to Mr. and Mrs. Milton Adolphson, the present operators. Mrs. Adolphson, a registered nurse, was formerly Betty Elaine Peabody.
There are 32 beds and 32 patients, with a waiting list. An active craft program with Mrs. Dorothy Hicks, chairman, provides occupational therapy and items for sale to the public.
Professional People
Beyond their names and the knowledge that in 1878 they were practicing physi- cians in this community, not much infor- mation is available about Dr. Garrett Now- kirk or Dr. N. V. Maloney. The same holdls true for Dr. C. E. Vernay, a dentist, and for Dr. W. A. Gray, a dentist who came to Washburn from Peoria twice a month, in the 1890's.
Dr. James Tweddale
Dr. James Tweddale began practice in Washburn after graduating from Rush Medical College and continued to practice until okl age and ill health brought his retirement. He made his home with his sons until his death January 5. 1916.
Dr. A. E. Trask
In IS78 Dr. A. E. Trask of Galesburg began his visits to Washburn. Dr. Trask, an ophthalmologist, carried a jewelry box from which he sold his wares. For well over fifty years he called in Washburn. Dr. Trask died in 1939.
Dr. B. N. Watt
In ISS6 Dr. B. N. Watt came to Wash- burn and opened his office. A dedicated doctor, he continued to serve the needs of the community for 56 years. Dr. Watt passed away about 20 years ago.
Dr. Frank Miles Garrett, D.D.S.
Born in Sodus, Michigan, in 1876, Frank M. Garrett graduated from Northwestern University Dental College in 1901 and be-
gan practice in Washburn the same year. Ile retired in 1958, having practiced as a dentist for 57 years. Dr. Garrett was a 50- year member of the American Dental As- sociation, a life member of the Illinois State Dental Fraternity, and a past presi- dent of the Peoria District Dental Society. He died in May, 1962.
Dr. F. B. Ireland
Born on a farm near Washburn in 1871, Dr. F. B. Ireland graduated from Chicago Medical College and began the practice of medicine in Varna. He came to Washburn in 1906. In 1917 Dr. Ireland enlisted in the U.S. Army, received a commission as Ist Lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps, was promoted to rank of captain, and served his country until June, 1918. Re- turning to Washburn, he practiced medi- cine for several years. Dr. Ireland passed away in 1945.
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