Woodford County, Illinois - Chapter 17, 1910

Chapter 17

THE name Slabtown is familiar to almost every boy or girl in the county, yet few of them know that it was once a busy village with bright prospects of future greatness. It was located on the banks of the Mackinaw river in Montgomery township, near the present site of Mackinaw Dells. In 1835 a saw mill was built by Joseph Gingerich and Peter Farni. It was not until fifteen years afterwards that a store was opened by Isaac Evans. He kept a stock of groceries and general merchandise. It was from a little store building that the town derived its. name. The owner, Isaac Evans, had built his structure of slabs from the mill, hence the name. This store changed hands frequently, passing first into the hands of Fred Niergarth. Finally after numerous changes it became the property of Minor Bros. This firm owned a well equipped grist mill on the banks of the Mackinaw river and did a thriving business. The mill was equipped with three buhrs. The firm was composed of three brothers, John, James and William. The former afterward went to Peoria and became deputy sheriff of that county. Joseph Klopfenstein opened a butcher shop there in 1858 and also had a grocery in connection with it. He came to Eureka twice a week, and supplied that vicinity with meat. It appears strange to the reader of the present day that Eureka should have at one time depended on the meat market of Slabtown for its meat. He was frequently able to supply his customers with venison that Samuel Finley had secured for him. Mr. Klopfenstein made this trip for two. years.

Carlson and Siebens conducted a brewery, and were also at one time owners of the general store there. The chief industry of the place, however, was a large distillery owned and operated by two Frenchmen from St. Louis named Boutcham and Cari. The plant cost about $30,000, and when in full operation employed about 50 men. The distillery was erected in 1847. After the railroad was completed thru Eureka, they sent most of their products to Eureka or Cruger for shipment by rail. R. N. Radford, who was connected with the postoffice at Eureka, at the time the firm was doing business at Slabtown, states that he collected as much as five dollars a week postage from this firm on mail received by them. The owners of the plant lacked capital for the conducting of such extensive business, and did not meet with success. In 1859 the distillery was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. Christian Farni, a wealthy farmer who had unbounded confidence in the members of the firm, lost heavily as a result of their failure. He had sold the entire products of his farm to the firm and was also security for them. His loss amounted to $34,000. His brother, Peter Farni, also lost heavily, but not nearly so much as Christian. There were others who suffered losses, but these were the principal parties. The distillery had been well equipped, having in connection with it a grist mill for grinding their own grain.

Slabtown enjoyed a flourishing trade, and seemed destined to make a town of considerable size, but railroads passing thru other parts of the county, opening them to direct connections with the outside world by rail, sounded the death knell to every hope of the little village.

Across the river from Slabtown was Farniville, named in honor of Mr. Farni, on whose land it was located. The name has since become Fannyville, thru common use. There was for many years a store there, conducted by Adolph Habeck. After closing his store he went to Roanoke, where his death occurred several years ago. Jacob lloger also conducted a boarding house there. No sign of their former business activities is to be seen at either Slabtown or Farniville. The former population has been scattered and many of its older citizens have passed to their reward. At the latter point there still stands an Amish church, built in 1874, which has served as a place of worship since that time. There was at one time a postoffice at Farniville, but it only continued a short time.

John Finley, now a resident of Eureka, tells an interesting story in connection with Slabtown, that will throw some light on conditions at that time. He and Mrs. Finley had taken a lot of eggs to Eureka, but there was no market for them and they had to carry them back home again. The next day she took them to Slabtown and there received three cents a dozen for them, and took in exchange cotton at five cents a pound. Within three weeks from that time cotton was worth eighty-five cents a pound, due to the increase in price caused by the war in the south.

Before the construction of the Chicago and Alton railroad, steps had been taken for the establishment of a town near the present site of Washburn. The first postoffice was across the line in Marshall county, and was about a quarter of a mile north of Washburn as it now exists. The first postmaster was William Maxwell. As will be seen from this statement, the early beginnings of the town were in Marshall county. The village at that time gave little indication of becoming the beautiful little city it has since become. The first store was opened by Americus Pogue, whose name figures also among the first business men of Minonk. This store was first opened across the street from the southwest corner of the school house lot.

the newly established town prosper, offered to donate a site to the h'rsl organization thai would put up a church. In 1852 Rev. Freeman lia<l organized a Baptist church, and Ihis society took advantage of the offer made by Mr. Echols and received the free site for their building, which was erected in 1855- '56, under the leadership of Rev. C. D. Merit, its pastor. This church* served the purpose of a meeting place for this congregation for many years. Owing to the removal of many members of the congregation services were finally abandoned and the building was sold to the German Lutheran church. It is now used as a place of meeting by that congregation.

The first store building erected in the town was built by Jesse Hammers, whose name we find connected with the history of Cazenovia. The first residence was erected by Dr. Thomas. The question of a name for the new town caused considerable discussion. The name Mantua was suggested but it was found that there was already a town in the state bearing that name. It bore the name of Uniontown for a time, this being considered appropriate as the town was in two counties, and the interests of the two wrere thus united. This name was abandoned, however, and that of Washburn ultimately adopted.

Among the men who have long been connected with the business interests of the town may be mentioned Frank N. Ireland, of the Ireland Bank. Christian Haase also entered business there in 1868. He was a member of the legislature in the 42nd and 45th General Assemblies. Fred Ehringer opened a furniture store there in the early days of Washburn. It is still owned by members of the Ehringer family. John Immel came there in 1866 and has been doing blacksmith work there since then.

The Ehringer Produce Company does an extensive business. A creamery was started there a few years ago, but failed to be a paying investment and was abandoned. In 1901 a telephone exchange was organized, and it was oper- ated by 0. E. Shepard until 1909, when C. A. Fitschen took a half interest in the system, and the entire plan of work is being reorganized. They have 165 telephones in town and 125 in the country. Two years ago the Consolidated Electric Light and Manufacturing company put in a system of electric lights.

The religious interests are cared for by six churches. The Methodist church was organized in 1857 but did not have a church building until 1863. This structure was destroyed by fire and the present modern church was erected in 1906. The German Evangelical church was organized in 1877, and the Christian church was erected in 1867. The Presbyterian church was also one of the early churches of the town. The Catholic church has been more recently organized and ministers to the spiritual needs of about twenty families. The Lutherans occupy the building they purchased from the Baptist congregation.

Washburn has suffered seriously from fire. In 1887 two blocks were destroyed by fire, and December 23, 1904, a second fire visited the town destroying a block of store buildings. A third fire occurred in 1909 in which the opera house, one of the best in Central Illinois, was destroyed together with several other pieces of valuable property. The opera house would seat 700 people and the loss probably exceeded $10,000.

A city hall has been built and is used by both city and township, and is a convenient place for public meetings. One of the largest stores in the city is that of A. C. Martini which was erected nine years ago. Two of the most extensive contracting firms in the county are located in Washburn, and do work in many surrounding townships. Henry Lesch and Fitschen Bros., each employ a large force of workmen and are widely known.

The Washburn school is located across the line in Marshall county, but its attendance is largely made up of Woodford county children. The school furnishes an excellent course of study and has a large attendance.

The city is governed by the following officers : President, F. A. Ehringer; trustees, James Sharp, George Garrison, George M. Butler, John Mason, Ed. Harper, Henry Sangbush; clerk, Emil Baumgart; police magistrate, Richard Gill.

The city of ElPaso, which is one of the most beautiful in AVoodford county, is located at the junction of the Toledo, Peoria and AVestern and Illinois Central railroads. It is justly famed for its business enterprise, as well as for its high moral and intellectual standards. It is a city of churches, and these organizations have given the town the high moral standard it possesses.

ElPaso was laid out April 20, 1854, by James H. AVathan and George L. Gibson, who were owners of the land. Since that time a number of additions have been made to the original town. As was the case with so many of the towns it was first organized under a special charter.

The first place of business was opened by AYilliam and Isaac Jenkins, who were connected with the business life of ElPaso for many years. This firm kept a general store and also dealt in grain.

ness was drawn from all directions and it was in a short time a town of much importance. Among the early settlers we find the names of James H. Wathan, George L. Gibson, William E. Willis, Christian Schafer, George II. Campbell, Wm. H. McClellan and Thomas McClellan. Early business men were Graft & Webster, R. A. McClellan & Co., Alex Hawthorne, grain dealers; S. T. Rogers, druggist; Crawford and Bartlett, furniture and undertaking.

ElPaso has always sought to maintain a high intellectual standard. One of the institutions in which ElPaso takes great pride is its library. As early as 1873 an organization was formed known as the Ladies' Library Association. The first officers were : President, Mrs. Dr. Stockwell ; secretary, Mrs. Delos O 'Brian ; treasurer, Mrs. W. R. Bingham ; librarian, Mrs. S, H. Worth ington. At the time the fire occurred in 1894, there were 2,009 volumes in the library, all of which were destroyed. With the insurance mone}^ received, 500 books were purchased, and new quarters were opened. The institution prospered, and in 1906 a handsome library building was erected in the west park, the funds being donated by Andrew Carnagie. It is now controlled by the following library board : President, F. B. Stitt ; vice-president, Miss Nell Patterson ; secretary, J. F. Sturgeon ; treasurer, Peter Thometz; librarian, Mrs. J. S. Tucker; J. S. Welch, F. S. Larison, P. G. Haas, Robert Nethercott. Miss Sarah Gough and A. B. Turner.

From its earliest history ElPaso has had excellent educational facilities. The first school building was erected in 1857, but prior to that there had been a school taught at the home of E. H. King. In 1859, a new district was formed, the Illinois Central being the dividing line, and a two room school was built. In 1869 the new three story brick school house was erected, and it is still in use. This 'is now known as the McKinley school. The west side was for many years, furnished with a frame building, but in 1897 the Jefferson

M. E. Church, El Paso, Illinois

ElPaso is a city of churches. Eight separate organizations have structures in the town, some of them both modern and handsome. The first church was established in 1857, by the Presbyterians, under Rev. W. T. Adams. In 1864 the church was erected at a cost of $3,200. This served as a place of worship until 1903, when the present beautiful structure was built. About the time of the organization of this church, a Methodist Episcopal class was formed with Rumsey Smithevson., as pastor. Their church was erected in 1864. It was

Baptist Church, El Paso, Illinois

The St. Mary's Catholic church was organized in 1863, and their first church was finished in 1865. The present handsome edifice was erected in 1898.

In 1864 the Christian church was organized under the leadership of Elder John Lindsey and in 1865 their church was built. In 1863 the German Lutheran church was erectc 1. The English Evangelical church was an offshoot of the

Presbyterian Church, El Paso, Illinois

The Campbell House which is still a prominent feature in the life of ElPaso, was built in 1863. The opera house was built in 1895. The upper story is owned by the Masonic Fraternity while the lower story is owned by a stock company, in which the controlling interest is held by A. E,

The Catholic cemetery is located north of the city. The city cemetery is just east of town. In 1908 a handsome mausoleum was erected. It is the only one in the county, and has 200 crypts. These are arranged on each side of a driveway thru the structure. It is handsomely finished, and is made of concrete blocks, so interwoven with steel rods as to make it indestructible.

Eagle Block, El Paso, Ill

stroyed. but these have been replaced by modern structures. October 10th, 1882, the south half of Block 43, East Front street was destroyed by fire, the blaze starting in the old ElPaso House. May 8th, 1889, the Illinois Central coal sheds were destroyed, entailing a loss of $20,000. August 15th, 1893. the west end of Block 41, West Front street suffered, the loss being $12,500. But the greatest disaster of all was the destruction of the center of block 42, on Front street in 1894, where the fire raged for three hours, and $250,000 worth of property was destroyed. After each of

ElPaso was incorporated as a city in February, 18(i7, and the following officers were chosen: Mayor, J. II. Moore; clerk, John T. Harper; aldermen, "William Neifing, D. B. Webster, M. T. Polhemus, George W. Fridley and W. T. Adams. The city was incorporated under the general law April 6th, 1891. It was then divided into three wards, there having been two prior to that time. The following were the officers chosen at the election following the re-organization : Mayor, "Walter S. Gibson, the position being later filled by S. M. Ferrell; aldermen, Edwin Hodgson, L. M. Kerr, J. A. Smith, R. G. Hebden, Ozias Johns, Adam Brown ; clerk, S. K. Hayward, attorney, "Walter Bennett ; treasurer. James Thompson ; supervisor, Gustave Anthenat ; marshals, Henry J. Morris, George W. Tegard ; police magistrate, J. II. Moore.

The city is now governed by the following officers: Mayor, Peter Donner ; clerk, John W. Becker ; treasurer, Peter Thometz ; attorney, C. G. Schroeder ; city collector, R. W. Gough ; superintendent of streets, James Fitzgerald ; city marshal, L. F. Tobias; night police, 0. Johns; police magistrate, O. J. Lemon; aldermen, Omer North, Elmer Shreve, J. S. Welch, George Stambach, AVilliam J. Render, William Tegard. ,

The ElPaso Fair is one of the most important organizations in the county. In 1879 the WToodford County Grange held a small but successful fair on Mr. Strickland's farm just north of the city. In 1880 the Fair Association was incorporated. The officers of the Grange Fair were : M. II. WTart, president; F. F. WTaite, secretary; P. S. Bassett. vicepresident ; J. M. Stonbraker, treasurer. Edwin Hodgson was chosen the first president of the new organization. The fair grounds are just north of the city, and several substantial buildings have been erected. The annual fair is largely attended. The following are officers: President, E. A. Childs; treasurer, A. H. Waite ; vice-president, J. L. McOmber ; sec-

In 1882 a system of water works was put in at the cost of $5,000. This was greatly improved in 1894. The city also has electric lights and during the past three years some paving has been done on the main street.

The city has an extensive telephone system controlled by a stock company. The following are officers : President, and manager, R. E. Gordon ; vice-president, F. B. Stitt ; secretary and treasurer, L. K. Evans ; directors, F. B. Schafer and M. A. Adams.