Woodford County, Illinois - Chapter 18, 1910

THE introduction of railroads within the borders of the county was the signal for the inauguration of great changes. Regions that before were unsettled became the scene of vigorous life and activity. Where before there had been a wilderness there sprang up, as if by magic, towns that opened to the people the markets of the world. Prairies that prior to the construction of the railroads had been a vast expanse of virgin soil soon became the home of the sturdy pioneers, bringing under cultivation the lands about them, and dotting the landscape with their cabins. The region discussed in this chapter was largely settled after the introduction of railroads. It consisted principally of prairie lands, and was consequently of later settlement than the timber regions.

In 1852 and '53 the Illinois Central railroad was constructed and in 1854 -trains began to run thru Minonk township. Prior to this the territory on both sides of the track was unsettled. The settlement of the township and town were coincident, Samuel Werk, being the first actual settler. He had come from Pennsylvania to Illinois quite early but did not come to Minonk until 1854. It will thus be seen that the county had existed a number of years before Minonk was founded. In spite of this, however, it is the most populous city of the county. There is doubt as to the origin of the name, altho the general supposition is that the name is of Indian origin.

Dobson and C. W. Goodrich came the same year, 1854, and the former soon entered into business, lie opened a grocery store, and associated with him Americas Pogue, whose name occupies an important place as one of the first business men of Washburn also. They had a stock of the more staple articles in groceries. Mr. Dobson was also interested in other lines, being associated with Mr. Werk in the purchase of grain for a short time. In December, 1854, a postoffice was established, with Charles Dobson as first postmaster. In 1855 C. W. Goodrich and James Parker entered the lumber and grain business. The first residence in town was erected by Mr. Dobson and the second by Mr. Goodrich. At that time the town had two houses and two railroad shanties, with about twenty inhabitants, half of whom were railroad men. The nearest house was that of James Livingston, seven miles west in Clayton township. The town, however, soon began to attract settlers. The thot of a convenient railroad thru the village led to the settlement of the country around the village. The first farm was opened by Samuel Wiley, who came from Vermont.

A hotel was opened at an early day in the history of the town by Jonathan Macey from Indiana. This was frequently used by the settlers as a place for holding religious services. Among other early settlers were Dr. Isaac Garrison, the first physician ; L. G. Keedy, who became prominent as a captain in the civil war, and Thornton Taylor, who came from the western part of Woodford county.

D.. P. Kenyon, one of the pioneers of Minonk, was born in Rensselaer county, New York, June 25, 1822, and came to Illinois in 1855. Two years later he came to Minonk. where he still resides.

The village was surveyed and platted for David A. Neal, of Salem, Mass., in October, 1854, the territory embraced extending 780 feet on each side of the Illinois Central and 3,690 feet north and south. As the town grew the need of more perfect government was felt and on September

17, 1864, it was decided to incorporate as a village. The first election of village officers occurred September 30th, the board of trustees being composed as follows : Reuben P. Bell, A. Cholwell, C. W. Goodrich, Henry C. Dent and M. A. Gushing. The board organized October 30tb by choosing Reuben P. Bell as president and Henry C. Dent as clerk. The rapid growth of the village made it advisable to incorporate as a city, and steps were taken toward that end. March 7, 1867, the city of Minonk was incorporated, the following being the list of the first city officers : Mayor, John Stoner; clerk, M. L. Newell; aldermen, Samuel Work, H. R. Kipp, John Sparks and Henry C. Dent, one alderman being chosen from each of the four wards. September 20th, 1872, the city was incorporated under the general law.

In 1856 the first school was established, the settlers being firm in their belief that education is one of the essential elements in a well governed community. A temporary building west of the Woodford House was used as a school house. Francis Reeder was the first teacher. A year later a new building was erected at the cost of three hundred dollars, which served as a school house for several years. In 1864 a large frame building was built, the first principal being John Peck. In 1902 the present splendid structure was completed at the cost of more than $30,000. It is the best equipped school in the county, having a manual training department, well arranged laboratories, and a fine library. Thru gifts, one in memory of Donald Austin Stoddard, who lost his life in the Irocpiois theatre fire, and another thru the will of the late Mrs. Louisa M. Parks, the library has been greatly enlarged until in 1908 it contained 1,211 volumes. The building on the west side is also used for some of the lower grades. The first teacher received $79 for four months school ; the present salary of the superintendent is $1,350 per annum. For several years the schools have been under the management of Prof. Wm. Hawkes.

its spiritual growth. The Preshyterian was the first church organized in Minonk, the first preaching being done in the hotel in 1856. The following year the First Presbyterian church was formed. For a few months the newly formed society worshipped in the school house. In 1858 a modest little church was erected as a meeting place, which served that purpose until 1867, when a larger building was completed. The Methodists began to hold services in 1857, and soon had a flourishing society. In 1866 they built their church, which was superseded by a more modern structure in 1900.

The third church to organize was the Baptist, which was formed in 1858. Their meeting for considering articles of faith was attended by Rev. Baily, of Metamora ; Rev. Ketchum, of Panola; Rev. C. D. Merit, of Washburn, and Rev. Fuller, of Richland. In 1859 Benj. Hall was elected clerk, and was instructed to raise eleven dollars with which to purchase a lot for a church building. This serves to indicate the value of lots at that time. Their new church was not dedicated, however, until October 30th, 1864. The cost, including the furnishings and organ was $3,691.27. This provided a very comfortable meeting place for many years. During the war the members of this as well as of other churches kept up a correspondence with those from their congregation who were in the field. The will of the late Mrs. L. M. Parks, who died in December, 1902, left $2,000, as the foundation for a fund to erect a new church. The corner stone of this new structure was laid in November, 1907, but it was not dedicated until 1908.

No other churches were founded in Minonk until 1865, when two were organized, the Catholic and Christian. The latter was without a church home until 1867, when a neat, convenient building was erected, which with various changes has served the purpose of the congregation to the present time. The Catholics at once built a structure that served admirably as a place of worship until 1892, when the present magnificent structure was erected. The church is one of the strongest organizations in the county. It sustains a well equipped parochial school. In 1905 St. Patrick's school was erected near St. Patrick's church. This is a large, brick structure, well equipped for school work. The cost of the building was in the neighborhood of $15,000.

In 1868 a Lutheran church was organized, which had a strong society, and the German Evangelical, known as the St. Paul church, was organized in the city and still exists. In 1870 the German Baptist church was organized. In the summer of 1856, A. II. Danforth, assisted by Samuel Work, Mr. Reeder and others organized a Sunday school, which was held first in the railroad station and was afterward removed to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Danforth was the first superintendent.

Minonk has three railroads, the main line of the Illinois Central, constructed in 1852- '53, the Pekin branch of the Santa Fe constructed in 1875, and the Middle division of the Central built in 1873. These have made it an excellent commercial point and its business men have prospered.

In 1890 the Minonk Electric Light and Power Company was organized and a good system of CITY HALL, MINONK. electric lights was installed, under the management of Josiah Kerrick. There is also an excellent system of water works in operation. Since 1904 the streets have been greatly improved by paving, the improvements thus far being confined to the business streets. The city is controlled by the following officers : Mayor, A. B. Kipp ; aldermen, Nick Kruse. II. D. Fuller. Stock Ingerski, E. Schroeder, Herman Kelm and C. E. Ridge; clerk, C.

There is but one village in Clayton township. In 1872 the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern railroad was built thru the township, and Benson was founded upon the completion of the road. It was located in the midst of a wide territory of rich farming land, and it soon became a good grain point. The town was named in honor of S. H. Benson, of Streator, who was general freight agent at the time of its establishment. It was located on property owned by John Weast, and was surveyed February 20, 1873. A year later an addition was laid out known as Weast 's addition to Benson. The township had been settled almost twenty years before the founding of the town and consequently there were farm houses not far from it. The house now owned by Mrs. Moritz was a farm house located on the site of Benson. The first house brought into the town was moved from the country by 0. A. Cavan and was used as a hotel. The first house erected was built by F. D. Learned, who came from the farm to locate in town. Soon stores were put up and the business life of Benson began to show evidence of a healthy growth.

The first store was opened by Jurgens Harms and George Kirtchner in 1873. The firm kept a general stock of merchandise. Shortly afterward F. D. Learned opened a drug store. Strawn and Rannie erected a building on the corner of Front and Clayton streets and conducted a general store. The first station agent was Lyman Ballou, who was succeeded by Dan Davis. In March, 1873, the first mail was received in Benson, F. D. Learned having been appointed first posl master. The office was connected with the drug store. < In 1874 Joseph Benkler opened a liarness shop, and the same year, Abrahams and Zinser opened a hardware store. The first physician was Dr. Slemmons and he was followed by Dr. Austman.

In 1878 the town was incorporated, the first officers being as follows : President, D. Davis ; trustees, Charles Lauenstein, John Schmidt, Peter Petri, Henry Heineke, John "Weast ; clerk, 0. L. Tucker; treasurer, 0. A. Cavan. With the exception of three years, Theodore Schroeder has been on the board ever since the organization of the village.

Jurgen Harms and Henry Heineke. Soon after this Chark Memmen and Henry Heineke opened a brick yard and tile factory. The next year it was purchased by Simon Peterson, who has operated and controlled it since that time.

In 1902 a telephone exchange was established, a stock company being organized with a capital stock of $2,500. The officers are as follows : President, Jacob Roth ; secretary, R. H. Parks; treasurer, S. L. Peterson. The exchange has 300 phones in operation.

The religious interests of Benson are well cared for. In 1873 the Catholic church was started by Rev. Father Marger, of Lourds. The land for the building was donated by John Weast. It was dedicated by Rev. Father Steinberg in 1875. During the period of the pastorate of Rev. Father KLuck,

The Baptist Sunday School was organized in 1874, and met in Coleman's hall for several years. In 1882 it was determined to build a place of worship and in 1883 the present church building was dedicated and the church organized with 28 members. The parsonage was erected in 1902. Rev. E. E. Krause has been pastor for some time, but resigned to take effect August 30. In connection with the church, is a country appointment at Jefferson school house. Here they have Sunday School and afternoon preaching. The early settlers of that part of the county organized what was known as the Meridian Baptist church, that held services in Washington school house in Linn township. This organization was maintained until after the building of the Baptist church in Minonk, when a number of its members united with the church there and services were abandoned at the Washington school. About eighteen year ago services were begun at the Jefferson.

The M. E. church was organized in 1890 by Rev. Foreman, services being held in the school house the first year. In 1891 the present church building was erected. Three years later a parsonage was also built near the church.

The Benson school was first located a mile east of town. A few years after the establishment of the town the school house was moved, and in 1878 a new frame building was erected, containing two rooms. Later a one room addition was built. As the town grew the demand for more adequate provision became more pressing and in 1905 a modern school building was erected at the cost of $15,000 for the complete structure. The board having charge of the construction of the building was S. L. Peterson, H. D. Lewis, and F. W. Linneman.

Benson has suffered seriously from fire. In 1884 a conflagration broke out that destroyed the block in which Geo. G, Flessner's store is now located. A number of buildings wer§ destroyed. Only five years later a second fire occurred and destroyed the block of buildings where Hoffman & Bentfeld's store is now located. Some of the buildings have never been replaced but in most instances new and better structures have been erected.

In 1891 a system of water works was established. A committe, composed of Henry Heineke, Joseph Bucklear and A. II. Brubaker, was appointed to investigate the various plans, and as a result the present system was planned and completed.

The village is governed at present by the following officers : President, Louis Meischner ; trustees, Eno. J. Gommels, Joseph Vogel, Theodore Schroeder, C, E. Worthington, M. C. Brubaker, Harm Geiken; clerk, J. W. Heiken; treasurer, R. C. Ficken ; marshal, Wirt Folkers.

Situated in the midst of prairies of unsurpassed fertility, stretching for miles in every direction ; underlain with rich deposits of coal that but needed the hand of man to bring them forth that they might pour their wealth into the coffers of the people, it is natural that Roanoke should become a prosperous little city. Forty years ago the present site of the town gave little evidence of important achievements or of the attainment of business success. Within the memory of the older citizens, Roanoke was founded, and these have witnessed its growth from a few scattered houses to a prosperous town with a thriving business.

In 1866 A. J. Darling opened a blacksmith shop in what is now the western part of town. He has witnessed the founding and development of the village. He is now conducting a hotel, while his sons, Darling Bros., have a blacksmith and machine shop. The first store was opened by M. Pifer, who is now one of the pioneer residents of the county. He resides at Eureka and is 93 years of age. He was a pioneer business man of Eureka as well as of Roanoke and was identified with the business interests there until increasing age caused his retirement from active life. The store . he owned was located on the south side of Panther creek. In the early 70's the plans for a new railroad were completed, and in 1872 the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern was built thru the town. The citizens of the vicnity contributed $5,000 toward building the road on condition that a swich would be put in at Roanoke. The same year that the railroad was built the town was laid out by D. T. Fauber, Ben G. Kindig and Hiram Barney. The plat was signed December 17, 1872. A postoffice was established and F. C. Pifer was appointed the first postmaster. He was soon succeeded by J. F. Wheelwright, who received a salary of $12 per quarter. This was soon increased to $72 a quarter. The office now pays $1,300 per year.

The town at once began to improve. Henry Frantz put up the first building erected after the town was laid out and John Frantz opened a store. Jacob Engle, son of Peter Engle, the pioneer, also opened a store. The first doctor in the town was Dr. John, who served several terms as coroner. Fauber and Hall first bought grain in Roanoke, altho they never had an elevator. They also dealt in coal. The lumber yard was conducted by Doc Miller, but soon after passed into the hands of Phillip Moore, who was one of the pioneers in business life in that vicinity.

In 1874 a movement was set on foot to organize as a village. The town at that time had the 300 inhabitants necessary for its organization. A petition for such election was circulated and on July 18, 1874, the people voted to incorporate. John Frantz, M. N. Gish and A. Fisher were judges of election, and R. A. Fisher and R. T. Ogle were clerks. The first mayor was S. W. Shulenberger and the first clerk was G. P. Lyons.

The town and country surrounding enjoys an excellent telephone service, operated by the Roanoke Telephone Company, and under the efficient management of E. N. Wheelwright. The first line that sought admission to the town was from Secor. A little later one eaine in from the south and west, and entered Wren's grain office. Soon after eight lines were carried into N. R. Moore's grain office. John Scoon was the first manager and in 1903, E. N. Wheelwright took the management of the exchange. In 1908 a stock company was formed, and now has 265 phones in operation. The office is nicely arranged and well equipped, and the wires along the main streets of town are underground.

In 1899 another important industry was started in Roanoke by George II. Willems, who in that year opened the tile and brick yards in that city. In 1906 he sold his interests to the American Clay Product Company, but Mr. Willems still manages the plant. The company gives employment to about 25 men the year around. The manager of this plant, George II. AVillems, has an interesting life history, having spent twelve years on the sea. He has served before the mast and also down below. He also made one voyage as second mate. He was twice shipwrecked, once being tossed about in the life boat for three days and nights, finally coming to land on the Fiji islands, where the shipwrecked party was taken up. The second time he was wrecked on coast duty and swam ashore. ,

Roanoke has suffered seriously at various times from fire. In 1892 the west block was burned, destroying a number of buildings, entailing a loss approaching $20,000. The fire started about midnight, and there was no means of fighting it save by the use of buckets. In 1902 a second fire occurred which destroyed the buildings on the east side of the street. Two years afterward A. Rosenak, whose store was destroyed in the second fire suffered a second loss in the burning of his store. In the spring of 1909 a number of frame buildings in the city hall block were burned causing a loss of several thousand dollars.

Altho Roanoke has a number of fine artisian wells that have stood the test for many years, the town has been slow about taking the steps for constructing a system of water

The religious interests of the city and township are well looked to by a number of churches representing various denominations. In 1816 the Christian church was organized in the vicinity of Roanoke. As in so many cases, the early services were held in the homes of the members until a suit- able place of worship could be secured. It was not until 187)4 that their present church was erected. The organization was the result of the labor of Elder Abner Peeler. Two years later the Methodists began to hold services in the neighborhood, but their church was not built until 1875. In recent years the Catholic church has been erected at Roanoke, and has a number of members.

The schools of Roanoke have been the center of deep interest among the better class of people. The school has a three year high school course, and is prospering under the superintendency of 0. C. Kindig. In 1909 the district was enlarged so as to take in two outlying districts, and a modern school building is in contemplation.

Among the names of men who have been prominent in the development of the town are C. A. Sauder, Henry Altofer and Theo. Herbst. The father of the former, Christian Sauder, came to Illinois fifty years ago and the name of Sauder has been highly respected thruout the county. Mr. Altofer has been in the county since 1874, and has been connected with the business interests of Roanoke for many years. Mr. Herbst has been prominent in the business enterprise of the town and has conducted an extensive establishment in the village for many years. A Rosenak has extensive business interests, and has been closely identified with the growth of the town.