Crete Township

Crete Township

The village of Crete was laid out in 1849, by Willard Wood, who lived here, occupying the site since 1837. Mr. Wood built at the place now occupied by the Hewes House, at the last-named date, and kept the house as a hotel. As mentioned in the history of Washington Township, places for the accommodation of the traveling public sprang up all along this great highway, and among the number was the Wood Tavern. Of course it was not the commodious hotel that now occupies the corner, but a small log structure ; though the use of that corner, with numerous changes and additions, has always been devoted to that purpose. Until about the time of the laying-out of the town, the same log cabin was the hotel ; but, at the date named, it gave place to a more pretentious afiair. Wood then erected a building 26x36 feet, which he occupied until 1865. In 1873, the Hewes brothers, Daniel and B. F., came into possession, and built the main part of the house, and have occupied it ever since.

The first merchant to locate here was H. H. Huntley. He opened his store directly after the town was laid out, in 1849. Z. Handerson came in a year later, and opened another store. George Gridley had been blacksmithing here for some years before the town was laid out.

Dr. H. H. Hitchcock, now of Chicago, was the first physician at the Corners, but removed from here about the time the village started. Dr. G. W. Minard, who still resides in the place, was a student of Hitchcock's, and succeeded to his practice.

The post office was established at the Corners in 1836, and was named Crete; and from this the village, in 1849, and the township, in 1850, have derived their names. Crete is one of the most enterprising towns on the line of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. It is composed of men of ability and thrift, as indicated by buildings, both public and private, which are of a superior charac-

Village Of Goodbnow

This town was the direct product of the building of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, and was laid out by George W. Goodenow the same year. Mr. Goodenow, at the same time, built a storehouse and put in a general stock of merchandise. The same year, William Kophmeir erected a hotel and saloon, and Herman Brinker built a wagon-shop and dwelling.

Next year James Darling built a blacksmith-shop, which was at once occupied by Samuel Rose. Darling removed to Kansas. Mr. Goodenow was first Postmaster, and still occupies the position. The village is situated on the southeast corner of Section 32, about four miles south of Crete. It is a fine location for a town, and but for the hard times which have intervened since its beginning, would doubtless by this time present a greatly improved appearance.