Peotone Township

Peotone Township

In 1855, a year after the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, the site of the village was bought from that Company, and, in 1856, it was laid out by David Goodwillie. For a couple of years, no one seemed disposed to embark in business here, as the settlements, prior to that time, had been made mostly in the western part ; and what little business was done was transacted at Twelve Mile Grove, in the adjoining township. Gradually the eastern portion of the township began to be settled, and a demand for postal and commercial privileges began to arise, which were no sooner demanded than they were supplied.

In 1858, John F. Pickering erected a house, in which he lived and also opened a small stock of goods. In the Spring of the next year, he erected the first real store-building. Thus opened, business of various kinds began to appear; and, in the Summer of 1859, several families came to the village, bought lots and made some improvements. A post office, the first ever established in the township, was established about this time. In the Winter of 1859-60, as has been stated on another page, the first school was taught. The first teacher was W. W. Clark. Dr. Charles Stedman located here soon after, and was the first resident physician. A warehouse had been erected by Messrs. Harding & Comstock, in 1857 ; but this being the beginning of the "hard times" period, yet fresh in the minds of many of the early settlers, but little, by way of grainbuying, was done for several years. Partially owing to the same cause, the town improved but slowly until the midst of the war or near its close when money was plenty, and produce plenty and in great demand. Then, Messrs. Comstock, Gilkerson & Worden, and Messrs. Schroeder & Rathje, began buying large quantities of grain ; and, in 1868, both firms erected elevators. This was, indeed, the beginning of the period of Peotone's solid growth. Prior to 1866, not more than fifteen houses were to be found here, one of which was the store. From that time forward, for about eight years, the town improved rapidly. New dwellings, stores, shops and churches went up. During that period of prosperity, three churches, a good schoolhouse, and most of the stores and other buildings now found in the lively little town were erected. Then began to be felt another period of hard times, consequent upon the panic of 1873, since which time Peotone, like most other places, has shown no signs of special activity. In 1869, the village was incorporated. The first election was held June 6, of the year named, and the following oiBcers were selected : C. A. Westgate, President; B. S. Smith, Emanuel Wirt, Joseph Imholtz and John F. Pickering, Trustees, and John F. Pickering, Clerk. The present ofEcers are: Philip Sultzbaugh, President; E. B. Cowing, Fred. Schroeder, N S. Beedy, Martin Collins and James Barnhardt, Trustees ; Martin Collins, Clerk ; James Barnhardt, Treasurer ; John Conrad, Police Magistrate, and Fred. Wahls, Constable.

In 1869, the old school-building, which had been erected ten years before, was found to have outlived its usefulness, or rather its capacity was found too limited for its purpose. It was thought by some that additions to the old building would be the better way to enlarge the school capacity ; but it was finally resolved to build anew from the ground, and dispose of the old building for other purposes. The house erected is a very fine one, for a place of this size, and cost about $7,000

The M. E. Church was the first to organize, and one of the two first to build. The organization was effected in 1858, by Rev. John Hitchins, and consisted at first of ten members. The building, which stands in the west part of the town, was erected in 1867, and cost the society $3,000. The parsonage, owned by the Church, cost $1,000. Rev. Henry Hill is present Pastor.

The German Evangelical Church was erected the same year, the society having been recently organized. In 1870, it was set ofi" as an Independent Church, having formerly belonged to the Rockville Circuit. The building is a frame structure, and stands in the southeastern part of the village. Though to outward appearance a good building, it was poorly constructed, and must, at no distant date, be taken down and replaced by one of more substantial character. Rev. John Wellmar officiates as minister.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1871, by Rev. J. H. Trowbridge, with seventeen members. The building of the new schoolhouse a year or two before, and its recent occupancy, left the old schoolhouse vacant. This house had not been a stranger to the sound of the Gospel or the songs of praise. All of the denominations, during a period prior to the erecti'on of their houses of worship, had made use of this building for Church and Sunday school purposes. So when the building was vacated by the school, the society purchased it and refitted it for their use. Rev. W. F. Wood is minister of this congregation. The parsonage is the best in the village. The German Lutheran Church is the best building of the four. It was built in 1875, and stands in the southwestern part of the village. The organization of the society had been accomplished four years before, by Rev. F. Baeber. The present Pastor is Rev. Christopher'

Wobus. In connection with all of the congregations are flourishing Sunday schools, and each minister is provided with a comfortable parsonage.

Peotone Lodge, No. 636, A., F. & A. M., was established October, 1869. The charter members were Samuel Jamison, Charles A. Westgate, John B. Sollitt, Charles Gates, David Grilmore, Benjamin Sellers, Rufus K. Reynolds, August Herbert, Henry Rape, W. F. Hutchinson, D. F. Mason, J. M. French, A. A. Manson, J. D. Downing, J. L. Miller, John M. Tobias and F. Eldei^

The regular communications are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of month. The present membership is thirty-seven. The present principal officers are C. A. Westgate, W. M. ; Charles Gates, S. W. ; R. G. Jorgenson, J. W. ; Thomas Collins, Sec, and Philip Sultzbaugh, Treas.