Walkerville, Illinois

Walkerville is a small village, of about one hundred inhabitants, situated in Township 11, Range 13. It was laid out by John Walker, who was one of the early settlers of the county, and who conceived the idea and founded the town in 1835. He was the first to settle in the new village. 'Squire Vinyard erected one of the first residences in the place, Jason C. Lewis built the first store, where he subsequently dealt in dry goods and groceries. He was appointed the first postmaster. 'Squire Vinyard also sold goods, and afterward was placed in charge of the postoffice. He sold out his goods toKinser & Brantlett, who became bankrupt and do not now live in the place. Their successor was Ezra Swank, who now keeps a small store and is the postmaster. 'Squire Vinyard also presides over a stock of goods ; and John Painter is the justice of the peace. No church building has been erected, but religious services are often held in the school house. The school building was erected in 1858 or 1859 by Newton Cox. Andrew Kelly built the first blacksmith shop and worked in the village for a number of years. He was succeeded by his son, Doctor Kelly, and the present proprietor is William Brubaker. Walkerville was once a flourishing village, and built up rapidly, but like many towns not on a railroad was forced into a decline.

Passage source: History of Greene County, Illinois : Its Past and Present, Containing a History of the County ; Its Cities, Towns, Etc. ; a Biographical Directory of Its Citizens ; War Record.., published 1879.

Andrew Kelley, early in the history of the little village, built a blacksmith shop and therein set up the first forge. He continued for many years and was succeeded by his son, D. Kelley, and he by Washington Brubaker.

Passage source: Past and Present of Greene County, Illinois, published 1905.

The business of Walkerville is represented by the following: James Howard, Jr., has a store in which he carries a general stock of merchandise, and does a good business. He began trade in 1890, and cuntinued until 1892, when his store house and stock were consumed by fire. He then removed to a farm on Apple Creek and engaged in farming one season, returned to Walkerville, purchased the Peter Simons store building and resumed merchandising. After one other move he settled down to business again in die Simons building where he is at present.

Passage source: Past and Present of Greene County, Illinois, published 1905.

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 Walkerville Township - it names this place 2 more 2 times.