Ancona, Illinois

The parties who laid out the town Avere also interested in its business and its early improvement; and David Boyle, who was one of the proprietors, and Jeremiah Mathis, brother of the other, built the first store house. Mathis also built a hotel, and was the conductor of the same. About this time the coal mines in this vicinity were being developed ; and people from all sections of the country, within fifty miles, came here for coal. Being unable to make the trip in one day, and sometimes having to await their turn, necessitated hotel accommodations for those who were obliged to stop here over night. So extensive did this business become in a few years that three hotels Avere at one time in successful operation. Those times are all passed; and the weary and worn traveler, unless he be so fortunate as to find a friendly villager who will take him in, must pursue his tedious journey a few miles further. Dr. J. Hill came in soon after the town was established, and built a residence and opened an office. C. R. Kyser, who had been living in the township, came to the village and built a blacksmith shop, and carried on the trade.

Passage source: The History of Livingston County, Illinois : Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. .., published 1878.

The history of Ancona is quite similar to that of Reading. With the change of dates and names, the remarks which apply to the one, might with propriety be repeated. Ancona was, however, founded on a different basis. The Great Air Line Railroad, from Fort Wayne to Council Bluffs, had been projected, surveyed and partially graded through this section, and there was not a doubt entertained that it would be completed. Accordingly, in 1854, the town of Ancona was surveyed for Orson Shackleton and Joseph Gumm. Depot grounds were set apart, and a street for a track surveyed. True to expectation, the road was graded through the village, and then Ancona real estate was held at high figures. Lots were sold out rapidly, and buildings went up as if by magic. Stores were opened and a hotel was built. Orson and Benjamin Shackleton built the first house, a store, and occupied it with a stock of goods. The Shackletons were form New York, and remained here until about eight years ago, when they removed. L. B. Smith, who had been living in the township, and who was formerly from Pennsylvania, built the first dwelling, which was the second house in the place. He is still a resident, and occupies the same old house. William Boatman, also a Pcnnsylvanian, soon after erected a hotel, and as this was but a short distance from the coal banks it was well patronized. Boatman afterward sold the hotel to Joel Willet, who had been living in the township. Boatman still resides in the village. Willet is dead, but the hotel is still kept open by members of the family.

Passage source: The History of Livingston County, Illinois : Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. .., published 1878.

Johnson Bradley came here in 1854, from Ohio, and started a wagon shop, and still carries on the trade at or near the old stand. C. R, Kyser, who had been living in the village of Reading, this year sold out his possessions there to Jacob Bussard, and came to Ancona and opened a blacksmith shop. Joseph Gumm had also been in business in Reading, and, seeing a bigger thing here, removed his store to this point. Gumm and Kyser have both gone further west.

Passage source: The History of Livingston County, Illinois : Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. .., published 1878.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Reading Township.