USA > Illinois > Woodford County > The Woodford County history > Part 7
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
A third elevator, larger than either of the others, was built in 1873 by George Fritz. and Co. It had a capacity for storing 24,000 bushels of grain at a time. Later it was operated by W. A. Pickernell and T. E. Coleman. This elevator passed into the hands of James Shields. It was replaced by a larger modern one with a capacity of 70,000. Mr. Shields, who entered the grain buying business in 1896, was a native of Clayton Township and came to be well known as a successful grain buyer. In ad- dition to handling grain Mr. Shields also was a coal dealer. This elevator is still in use operated by Chauncey Tallyn. Modern
.
Main Street of Benson about the turn of the century.
40
Woodford County History
drying facilities have been installed and a larger number of storage bins have been erected to take care of the large corn yields.
The Benson Farmers Co-op Grain As- sociation was organized in 1920 and a new elevator was built. The lower part of the old elevator still stands and is used as a storage building for feed sold by the company.
The first officers and directors were: Jacob Schroeder, president; Frank M. Hock, vice president; DeWitt E. Tallyn, secretary-treasurer, Ralph Oltman, Louis M. Tjaden, Folkert Ilarms, George Hin- richs, director. The manager was Charles N. Bonges. The present officers and di- reetors are: Everett Aeschiman, president; Elmer Backer, vice president; William Kapraun, secretary-treasurer; Lester On- nen, George Tjaden, Edward Johnson, Chas. Stephens, Eldon J. Harms, Robert Harms, directors. James Schneider is the manager.
This elevator has also erected large stor- age and drying facilities. Total amount of grain handled by the two elevators in Ben- son last year was over 2,000,000 bushels. A large percentage of this grain was trans- ported by trucks to the river elevators where it was loaded on barges. The rest of the grain is shipped on the Santa Fe.
Churches
Clayton Baptist Church. The first religious organization in the township was the Clay- ton Baptist Church. The society was organ- ized on February 14, 1859 with a member- ship of about 20 persons. Meetings were held in home or a school house. Seven years later in December, 1865, a church had been built, which cost the society $1,100. The pastor in charge was Rev. Wil- liam Parker. The church was located two miles east and one mile south of Benson, with the church building in Clayton and the cemetery across the road in Greene Township.
In 1872 a parsonage was erected. His- tory relates that in 1878 there were two thriving Sunday schools. One was held in the church with A. W. Forney as super-
intendent; the other with T. E. Coleman as superintendent was held in the village. The church then had a membership of 118 per- sons.
St. John's Catholic Church. The building of the Roman Catholic church in Benson was started in 1873 by Rev. Father Stein- berg. The building is 40 feet wide, includ- ing the chancel, 60 feet long, and cost the denomination $1,700.
The first two baptisms recorded were those of Sebastian Vogel and William D. Ryan, July 11, 1878. The first marriage was that of Henry Weast and Catharina Voelker. These records were signed by Rev. Father Steinberg, who was the second priest to attend the congregation.
In July, 1877, the Capuchin Fathers from Metamora took charge of the parish. The first to sign the records was Rev. Father Francis Xavier, and later Rev. Father Angelin. In January, 1879 the records were signed by Rev. Father Peter Paul Gunder- man, O.S.F.
In November, 1901, Rev. Father Chapins succeeded Rev. Father Bettrand who was the last Franciscan to be in charge here. Rev. Father Peter Kluck was the second secular priest assigned here. He came From Peoria in September, 1902.
In December, 1903, Dominican Fathers took charge of the church. Recent years have brought many changes and improve- ments.
The Altar and Rosary Society is an ac- tive organization in the work of the church. It meets the first Tuesday evening of each month. The St. John's Men's Society meets every third Tuesday evening.
Benson Baptist Church. The Benson Bap- tist Sunday school was organized in Cole- man's Hall, April 26, 1874. Religious serv- ices were held in the hall until 1882, when it was considered advisable to build a church. On July 22, 1883, the church was dedicated. At the time no permanent church organization had been effected, so at a meeting of 28 members of other Bap- tist churches, it was decided to organize a Baptist church in Benson.
41
Clayton Township
At a meeting on March 2, ISSS, with Rev. E. C. Dady as moderator, the church was organized and officers were elected. The church was supplied by interim pas- tors until 1892 when Rev. Morwood he- came the settled minister, serving for five years. He was followed by brief pastorates of Rev. Jones, Rev. Marple, and Rev. Spencer.
The parsonage was erected in 1902. The pastorate of Rev. Johnson began September 1, 1902. In 1904 the church underwent re- pairs which cost between $700 and $800. The church has had extensive improve- ments in recent years.
At this time the Sunday school has an enrollment of 80. The Missionary Society is very active in the work of the church.
M.E. Church. A Methodist class was or- ganized in Benson in 1890 by Rev. Foro- man, then pastor at Belle Plain. Services were held the first year in the school house. In 1891, a church building was crected, the contractor and builder was P. M. Burton of Minonk. A parsonage was built in 1894 and a barn built in 1896. During most of this period, the following were trustees: F. D. Learned, Henry Wilkey, V. House- worth, John Huxtable, and A. Il. Brubaker, who was president of the building com- mittce.
Rev. Foreman was here two years. Other pastors who served during the early years of the church were: Rev. McMean, nine months; Rev. Schenet, three months; Rev. Bowers, two years; Rev. May, two years; Rev. David. three years and nine months; Rev. David's father, three months. Rev. O. P. Graves was serving his fourth year in 1904. By that time the membership had increased from 16 at the time of the organi- zation to 96.
Services were held in this church con- tinuously until 1949, when members of the congregation united with the Roanoke Methodist Church.
In the spring of 1954 the building was sold to Wilbur Moritz, who with the help of his father-in-law Fay Hinds, converted the structure into an attractive modern dwelling. The top half was removed and
the bottom half is still on its original foun- dation. Most of the old lumber was used in the construction of the house.
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. In the spring of 1911 a number of Lutherans in the Benson area decided to take steps toward organizing a congregation in Ben- son. A committee was selected to secure a building site and make plans for construct- ing a church.
Services were first held in the Methodist and Baptist churches. Rev. 11. Telthorster and Rev. C. J. Lange were the supply pas- tors. By July 11, the committee had secured a building site from Gerhart Haase, and plans for a church building were approved. The length of the structure was 62 feet, the width 34 feet and the height of the steeple 80 feet. The cost of the building was ap- proximately $5,500. By late fall the build- ing was completed and still serves as the basie structure of the church today.
In November. 1911, a meeting was called by President Doorman. A congregation was organized and the Model Constitution of the Joint Synod of Ohio was adopted. The name chosen was St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Benson. At the first meeting only the minimum number of members were present to sign the con- stitution and elect the necessary officers. Charter members were Fred Garrels, John Uphoff, John Weber, Sr., Fred Linneman, Jacob Monk, Hie Frerrichs, and Wait Up- hoff. A call was extended to Rev. Fred Seifert. He accepted the call and was in- stalled January 7, 1912. The new church building was dedicated the same day.
According to the church records, the first baptism was that of Irene Thierer, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thierer. The first wedding was held on February 12, 1912, when John A. Johnson and Fenna Gerdes were married.
This congregation has had only four pas- tors: Rev. Fred Seifert, January 7, 1912 to January 23, 1919; Rev. W. Weidhaas, Feb- ruary 20, 1919 to November 7, 1920; Rev. Seifert recalled and served eight years until January 19, 1923: Rev. O. A. Braunschweig installed May 6, 1928 and served until June
42
Woodford County History
12, 1949. The present pastor, Rev. C. J. Gess was installed October 9, 1949.
On September II, 1914 it was decided to build a new parsonage. The contract was awarded to W. H. Brubaker.
This congregation was closely associated with Immanuel Evangelical Church of Minonk. Pastor Seifert was instrumental in organizing that congregation and for 25 years ( 1930-1954) Immanuel and St. Paul formed a parish.
Many improvements have been made since 1941. A building for an Educational Unit was finished late in the fall of 1957. In preparation for the fiftieth anniversary in 1961, extensive improvements were made.
St. Paul's now has an adult membership of 250, and a Sunday school enrollment of 100. Active organizations of the church are: the Mission Aid Society, the Luther League, the Fellowship Club, and a re- cently organized choir.
Schools
The first school in Clayton Township was taught in an upper room of the house of John M. Davidson. P. H. Davidson was the pioneer educator, as he was the in- structor of the 14 youngsters during the winter months of 1856-57. The first school house was built during the next summer -a small building on the southwest corner of Section 5. James McChesney taught the first term. Later a more substantial build- ing was erected.
At a meeting of the school trustees J. M. Davison, Samuel Shepler, and Jacob P. Robinson on June 2, 1856, Robert Hester was elected treasurer. They proceeded to lay out the township into nine districts consisting of four sections each. At that time some of the districts did not have enough inhabitants to organize, so children were permitted to attend in other districts. The first school, known as Jefferson, was in District 3. New schools were built until each district was supplied, and it was said that the school facilities of this township were not excelled by any township in the county.
The Benson school was first located a mile east of town. After the town was established the school was moved. In 1878 a new building was erected. It was a frame building 28 by 46 feet, two stories high. Later a one room addition was built. In 1900, there were nine schools in operation in Clayton Township, with an enrollment of 392.
There was also a private German school within the limits of Benson. It was erected by the Germans of the community in 1875.
As the town grew, there was a demand for more adequate accommodations. In 1905 a modern school building was erected. It was a brick building; the cost of the complete structure was $15,000. The board in charge of the construction of this build- ing was S. L. Peterson, H. D. Lewis and F. W. Linneman. This building was used for both grade and high school students.
On April 3, 1920 an election was held to determine whether to organize a com- munity high school. The proposition passed. At that time the school building was re- modeled and added to in order to make additional room for the high school pro- gram that was operated in the grade school building.
A new Community High School building was built in the southwest section of town, and was completed in 1942. The old build- ing was used as a grade school for grades one through eight.
In 1948, the voters approved a unit dis- trict. The unit became effective July 1, 1956. Beginning the next term, the high school students from Benson were trans- ported to Roanoke that same time a junior high school program was initiated for the entire unit using the Benson High School building as the Junior High School attend- ance center.
In 1962-63 additional classrooms (2), a hall, locker rooms and rest rooms for girls and for boys were added to the Junior High building. The present enrollment in Junior Iligh is 179.
The old grade school building is used for all grades from kindergarten through the sixth. The cafeteria is also in this build-
43
Clayton Township
ing. The enrollment at the grade school is 156.
Some teachers, who devoted many years of their lives teaching the youth of this community, will long be remembered by former pupils. One of them, Verda Bru- baker Jochums, spent 24 years teaching in the grade school and high school here. She is also remembered for coaching the high school plays. Blanche Evans Abrahams, al- though not a native, made Benson her home and taught primary pupils for 26 years. Lawrence E. Toole taught country schools in this community, also high school, grade school and junior high in Benson for a total of 41 years.
Miss Martha Swan, who is a resident of Clayton Township, taught in this com- munity for 51 years-a remarkable record.
Banks
Banks have played a prominent role in the history of Benson and the surrounding community. The Benson Bank was opened in 1880 by B. F. Zinser. In 1900 the name was changed to First State Bank. In 1910 it had capital stock of $25,000, and a sur- plus of $20,000. At that time the officers were: president, S. L. Peterson: vice-presi- dent, Joseph Pickard; cashier, F. N. Tallyn; assistant cashier, F. C. Tucker. F. N. Tallyn later became president of the bank. On December 31, 1931 this bank ceased to operato.
Farmer's State Bank of Benson. A second bank was organized in 1901 by A. II. Bru- baker & Co. and was called the Farmer's Bank. It had a capital stock of $25,000. In 1910 the officers were: president, A. H. Brubaker; assistant cashier, R. C. Ficken. This bank was first operated as privately- owned bank but was changed to a state bank about 1913.
The original office of the bank occupied a building 25 feet by 75 feet. In July of 1955 the bank purchased the building cast of the original building and increased the size to 50 feet by 75 feet and completely remodeled both buildings into a modern one. The bank's assets in 1955 were ap-
proximately $2,000,000 and a capital of $150,000.00 and total resources amounted to $7,250,000.00. The bank personnel now consists of nine employees. Carl E. Thomp- son (inactive president of the bank ) has a record of 57 years in the banking business. James L. Thompson is executive vice presi- dent and has been with the bank in various capacities for 30 years.
Improvements and Additions. A system of water works was established in 1891. The committee appointed to investigate the various plans was composed of Henry Heineke, Joseph Bucklear, and A. HI. Bru- baker. The water tower was built about the same time and is still in use today. It stands as a sort of sentinel overlooking the town. The original well was near the tower. Two wells now furnish water for the village. The last one was drilled in 1965, on a two-acre plot north of town. This land was donated to the village by Ben A. Miller.
A telephone exchange was established in 1902. A stock company was organized with a capital stock of $2,500. In 1910 there were 300 phones on the exchange. We now receive service from the General Telephone Company of Illinois. In September, 1963, direct dial phones were put into use, At present there are 436 phones on the Benson exchange.
The first concrete sidewalk in town was laid by the Kankakee Artificial Stone Co. in 1904. It ran for a distance of three blocks from where Frank Kapraun's house now stands toward the west. The walks on Front Street were laid the next year.
Electric power lines came to Benson in 1916. Street lights were turned on the eve- ning of November 2. Most of the homes were wired so homemakers could make use of many conveniences. Now vapor lights were installed on Front Street in 1960.
In 1949 it was voted to organize the Benson Community Fire District. The first truck was delivered in August, 1950. Lester Rudin was the first fire chief. There are 25 men in the fire department. Equipment consists of three fire trucks, a resuscitator, and an ambulance, which is radio equipped,
44
Woodford County History
and is used for rescue work. A new fire house was built on Front Street in 1952.
Original directors were Glen Peterson, president; Frank Kapraun, secretary; and Dick Redenius. When the latter retired, Carl Vogel took his place and these three are still serving. Harold Strauch has been fire chief since 1951. His assistants are Herbert Koch and Lyle Heineke. Herman Redenius is secretary.
In recent years many new homes have been built on all available lots in Benson. Henry Huschen sold lots north of Highway 116 where homes have been built. Another addition north of the Huschen ground was opened. On this ground Dr. Frank Lock built a home and office. An apartment house was built by Mr. and Mrs. Chauneey Tallyn in the same addition.
Organizations
Woodford county has the distinction of having the first county YWCA in the world. This work was started in the county in May, 1908. The county was organized the same as if it were a city. A branch was organized in Benson in the fall of 1908, and continued its work for many years. Later this organization became the Benson Community Club. In 1924, the name was changed to Benson Woman's Club. The club meets once a month from September to May. Mrs. Lloyd Wagner is the presi- dent for 1968.
The American Legion Post 454 of Ben- son was organized in 1946. This is an ac- tive Post with 101 members. The Legion hall is on Front Street and Robert Murphy is the commander.
The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 454, was organized in 1946. This unit has 90 members (70 adults and 20 juniors ) and is very active in many phases of the work of the organization. The first president was Mrs. Milledge Thomas. The president for 1968 is Mrs. Raymond Schoon.
The Benson Garden Club meets the third Thursday of each month from March to October. Mrs. Eugene Yount is the presi- dent for 1968.
The Benson Grade School Mother's Chib
meets the second Thursday evening of each month of the school year. All mothers who have children in school from kindergarten through the sixth grade automatically be- come members. The president for 1967-68 is Mrs. Robert Meinhold.
The Benson Junior Woman's Club was organized February 7, 1968. The first regu- lar meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Wesley Trantina on February 20. This new club has 27 members and will meet the third Tuesday evening of the month from September through May. Mrs. James Schneider is the president.
Old Time Blacksmithing Almost a Lost Art. Guy Mann still operates his shop in Ben- son. He learned his trade from Martin Weber at Melbern, Ohio. After serving four years as an apprentice, (which was re- quired in those days) he owned his own shop at Cecil, Ohio. After serving that com- munity for eight years, he settled in Ben- son, where he has operated his shop for 43 years. Mr. Mann has worked at his trade for over half a century shoeing horses and repairing vehicles and machinery.
Mr. Mann celebrated his fiftieth year of blacksmithing at the Illinois State Fair in 1965. He was employed by the state to set up an old-time shop as an educational pro- gram to bring back the lost art of black- smithing. Sinee then Mr. Mann set up an old-time shop at the Central Thresherman's reunion at Pontiac.
Longfellow wrote the poem "The Village Blacksmith" when the work was a very necessary and important part of everyday life. What would the poet say if he knew7 that the 1964 survey showed that 215 forge welding blacksmith shops are all that re- main in the United States. Benson is for- tunate in having a member of the now van- ishing art of blacksmithing.
Business in Benson in 196S
Meismer Produce and Kent Feeds-O. A. (Tony) Meismer
Phimbing and Excavating-Ernest Gerdes Koch's Garage-Herbert Koch
A & M Grocery-Alfred and Mabel Man- ninga
Monk's Variety-Cassie Monk
45
Clayton Township
Benson Farmer's Co-op. Elevator-Jim Schneider, manager
Shields Elevator-Chauncey Tallyn
Cal's Tap-Caovin Haase
Benson Cafe-Diek Niemeyer
Benson Laundry-Dick Niemeyer
Monk's Grocery-Ernest Monk
Lou's Longbranch Tap-Mrs. Lumnell Morgenstern
Heineke Electric (wiring and appliances ) -Joe B. Jochums
Illinois Prairie District Library (sub sta- tion )-Tillie Kolb, librarian
Beauty and Flower Shop-Mrs. Angeline Haase
Trantina's Gas Station-Virgil Trantina Redenius Garage (on Highway 116)-Carl Redenius
Peterson Shelling-Glen Peterson
Mann's Blacksmith Shop-Guy Mann
Kent Lumber Company-Ernest Garrels, manager
Tuloma Fertilizer-Skip Brooks, manager Painting and Decorating-Jack and Bill Miller
Woltzen Trucking-Louis Woltzen
Quality Oil Company-Charles ( Chuck ) Rudin
Wilcox Folkers Memorial Home Auctioncer-Clark Pinkham
Corn Shelling (rural Clayton )-Robert Harms
Kapraun Welding (on Highway 116)- Roger Kapraun
Mrs. Shirley Wolf is acting postmaster at this time. Mrs. Henrietta Hinds, who had been postmaster here for 16 years, re- tired in July, 1967. She first served as sub- stitute clerk beginning in 1947. Her ap- pointment as postmaster was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September, 1951. She has also served as postmaster in Secor be- fore coming here.
It is interesting to note that in 1936 the Petersons bad 15 threshing rigs in opera- tion. The grandfather, Simon Peterson, his son, H. L. Peterson and grandsons Glen, Raymond, and Virgil (three generations) were all engaged in this business. Now Glen operates the corn shelling business assisted by his brother Raymond, and his son Errol who is the fourth generation en- gaged in this business. Bill Fischer is also an employee.
Lyle Heineke is the third generation of the Heinekes to be in business in Benson.
The grandfather, Henry Heineke, was one of the first businessmen here. Lyle's father, John Heineke, was in the grocery business here for 29 years, now Lyle is in the electri- eal business.
Ernest Monk followed his father, Will, in the grocery business.
Chauncey Tallyn is the second genera- tion of his family in business here, Ilis father and his uncle, Bruce and Sidney, were in the furniture and undertaking busi- ness here for many years.
Darrell Kirby succeeded his grandfather G. Lasher as a barber.
Oldest Residents. The oldest resident of Benson is Mr. Henry Reinken, who cele- brated his 99th birthday last December 21. Ile was born in Osfriesland, Germany and came here with his parents when he was 16 years old. He resides with his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. David Moritz, Sr.
Mrs. Lena Mennen celebrated her 91st birthday last September 13. She too was born in OsFriesland, Germany. She came to this country with her parents and an older brother when they were small children. They first settled in Peoria and came to this county when Mrs. Mennen was a young lady. For the past four years she had made her home with her daughter and husband Mr. and Mrs. Eilert Johnson. At present she is being cared for at the Roanoke Manor Nursing Home.
Memories of Benson
People are always having difficulty fol- lowing directions in Benson as the streets are laid parallel to the railroad, which runs diagonally. Coming in off the highway it is somewhat confusing. People like to say the town is "crooked."
Folks like to "kid" Bensonites about be- ing homesick for Benson when they are out of sight of the water tower.
Once a little jail house stood near the water tower. Kids called it the "calaboose." Residents can't recall anyone being locked up there, but tramps or hoboes were al- lowed to spend the night.
The firehouse stood nearby, really it was
46
Woodford County History
just a shed where the hose cart was kept. The old fire bell hung above it, and in case of fire someone would hurry to ring the bell. Several men would run to get the cart when the old bell clanged.
An old blacksmith shop stood on State Street and early in the morning you could hear Mr. Bridges pounding out the plow shares. You could really hear the anvil ring.
Bridges' hotel stood on the corner where Arnold Wehking's house now stands. Here, traveling salesmen could spend the night. Men who came from out of town to work in Benson could get room and board.
There once was a creamery, down by the tracks, where butter and cheese were made. A large shed has been erected there now in which township road machinery is stored.
The old stockyards have long been gone. That was a busy place because lots of cat- tle and hogs were shipped by Santa Fe. Now they are hauled by truck. Tony Meis- mer's Produce building is on that location.
Flessner's store was in the building that is now the Legion Hall. There you could buy anything from a can of beans or a pound of coffee, to a pair of shoes or a washing machine.
Benson Lumber Company will long be remembered. W. H. Brubaker bought the business in 1911. Many homes and farm buildings in this community were built by this firm.
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.