Freeburg Township

Freeburg Township

On Nov. llth, 1836, the town of Urbana, as it was first called, was platted by John T. Lemen. It comprised eight blocks, divided into 128 lots. Geographically, it was th* south-east quarter of the south-east quarter sectioa 19, T. 1 S., R. 7 W. A large public square was planned in the centre. Various additions have been made to the original town as follows : by Thomas Temple, 36 lots east of town, October 19th, 1853 ; by D. C. Wallace, 90 lots, Sept. 5th, 1853 ; by Reazin Thrifts, 8 lots, July 31st, 1857 ; by Philip Ranch, 14 lots north, Aug. 23d, 1854; by Geo. W. Smith, 3 blocks east, Sept. 1, 1853; by mill company, 12 blocks north of town, and others at a later date - in all fourteen different additions. The name was changed from Urbana to Freeburg in 1859, and Joseph Reichertmade the first addition of 42 lots Dec. 30th, 1859, to Freeburg. The post-office was located in 1851, with Geo. W. Smith as postmaster.

Prominent among the industries are the mills. The first built was what is now called Reichert's, in 1853-4, by Temple, Potter & Co. Its original cost was about $25,000. Has five run of stone. Capacity 250 barrels per day. It, together with the cooperage attached, gives employment to thirty men. The flour is shipped chiefly to St. Louis. Four different brands are made: No. 1, "Potter's Mills;" No. 2, "St. Clair;" No. 3, "Southern Star;" and No. 4, "Urbana." Joseph Reichert, proprietor.

Frederick Mills, in the northern part of the town were built in 1866, by Darmelatter, Meng & Co., at a cost of $40,000. Has five run of stone, with a capacity of making 200 barrels of flour per day. Is well equipped with first class machinery. W. H. Wildermann became proprietor in 1877.

A brewery was built by Heizmann and Barthel, in 1859. Now owned by Joseph Reichert, and operated only sufficiently to supply a local demand.

Leading Business Houses

A singing and literary society, which is in a very flourishing condition, having 38 members, and about 600 volumes in its library, was organized March 5th, 1867.

Freeburg Fire Co., No. 1, was organized April 12th, 1876, with forty-nine members. Have an engine manufactured in Philadelphia, costing $1000. Peter Etting, present captain. Have an engine house, the property of the company.

Upon the incorporation of the town Messrs. James Hill, Sr., Philip J. Koesterer, John Klingel, Christ. Barthel, and Fred. Koeberlin, were elected as Trustees. The present officers are Charles Weber, Pres., Joseph Koesterer, Jaoob Ratherni, Nich. Groh, Jacob Hoeder, Henry Serth, Otto Heizmann, Clerk ; William Barthel, Treas., and Val. Volz, Constable.

Source changes here: from Centennial, McKendree College, with St. Clair County History, by McKendree College, Lebanon, Ill, published 1928; 330 words in this source stream.

Freeburg Township

This town was formerly in Fayetteville Precinct, but since the adoption of township organization it is in Freeburg Township. It is a few miles south of Belleville on the Illinois Central railroad. An important fact in its early history is that it was first platted by John T. Lemen in t8j6. Its name at first was Urbana, but in 1859 '' was changed to Freeburg in honor of a European city which had been the early home of many of the immigrants who settled in this growing city. The original plat consisted of one hundred and twenty-eight lots, but more than a score of additions have been pl.itted since and now the town covers an area of more than half a square mile. A post-office was first established m 185 1 with George W. Smith as postmaster. It is on route 13 Illinois highways, and is surrounded by a rich agricultural region which supports numerous business enterprises in the town, such as general stores, hardware, furniture, dry goods, drug store, lumber yard, bank, garages, and other shops such as the needs of the people require. Perhaps the biggest business enterprise of the place is that of the manufacture of fine flour. Years ago there were two large mills with a capacity of near a thousand barrels a day. Also the coal mining industry has been a means of livelihood to many of the citizens. The progressive character of the town is shown by the fact that it had an excellent water and light system before some of the larger towns had provided themselves with these modern conveniences. There are four churches represented in Freeburg. The Catholic, Evangelical, Baptist, and Methodist. Much attention had been given to education as well as religion. Besides an efficient grade school there is a four year recognized community high school, housed in one of the best high school buildings in the county. Freeburg high school is nearly always represented among the students in McKendree College.