Reading Township

Reading Township

Excepting the county seat, this is the oldest laid out town in the county, having been surveyed and platted previous to 1851. In the year named, it was surveyed by Franklin Oliver for David Boyle and Caleb Mathis, from the southeast quarter of Section 15. Scarcely a prettier location for a town could be found in the whole county than this. The ground is high and dry ; and being on the bank of a fine little stream of water, good drainage is rendered easy. The first house built in the village was put up by L. S. Latham. Dr. Follet built an office near the same time.

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.

Jacob Bussard, in partnership with William B. Lyon, opened up a store a short time after. They afterward dissolved, and each carried on the business independentl}^, thus making at one time three flourishing general stores. Prior to the establishment of Reading, the people in all of this section of country went to Lacon and Ottawa to do their trading ; and, consequently, this enterprise, in connection with the coal banks, drew a large amount of business to this point. The town grew rapidly, and bid fair to be a place of importance ; but railroads, built soon after in other parts of the country, drew business and capital away from the place, and Reading was left to languish. The town is still a

Village Of Ancona

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.

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.

The enterprise that did most to actually develop and give solidity to the town was the flour mill erected by Erastus Loomis, who came here from Ohio, in 1857. At this time there was no such convenience in this vicinity, or for miles west, and it naturally drew a large amount of trade from the surrounding country. Wheat was then considered a good crop, and a great deal of flour was made, not only for home use but for the purpose of shipping abroad.

After a while, the railroad seemed to be a delusion ; and, though it was a severe blow to the little village and the neighborhood, they did not continue to mourn. A few years subsequently, however, the mill was removed, and their hope of making this a town of any great consequence went out.

Streator was built a few years ago, and has quite overshadowed this place and Reading. The Chicago, Pekin & Southwestern Railroad was constructed through here in 1872, and stations being made of these two places has given to them new life, and they are now convenient local trading points.

Village Of Coalville

This is a little town, laid out by L. H. Mallery, October 6, 1865, near the coal beds, on Section 2. The town is occupied almost wholly by parties interested in the mining of the coal, of which immense quantities are taken out here. As much as 2,000 tons are mined per year ; and before the works at Streator were established, more than double this amount was mined. The mines are owned by L. H. Mallery and others, Avho allow them to be worked by other parties, who pay the proprietors a percentage of the products.

Reading is a fractional township, consisting of Congressional Town 30 north, Range 3 east, except Section 1 and part of 2 (which are cut off by the Vermilion River), and Sections 80 and 31, and parts of Sections 18 and 19, of Town 80, Range 4. It is traversed by Moon Creek, from the west, and another small tributary of the Vermilion, flowing from the southwest.

The Western Extension of the Chicago & Alton Railroad crosses the northwestern corner of Section 6 ; and the C, P. & S. W. R. R. divides the township into two nearly equal parts, from northeast to southwest.

The land is of a very rich and productive character, well adapted to the raising of corn, oats, rye and vegetables, large crops of which are produced.

Source changes here: from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Livingston County, Vol. 2 by Strawn, Johnson, and Franzen (1909)., by Dale C. Maley, published 1909; 188 words in this source stream.

Reading Township

The village of Reading was surveyed and platted for David Boyle and Caleb Mathis, in 1851, from the southeast quarter of section 15, and these gentlemen erected the first store room. Among the early merchants were Jacob Bussard and William B. Lyon, who formed a partnership and carried a stock of general merchandise. Caleb Mathis built and conducted the first hotel. The village has not increased much since then. At the present time there is only a general store, in which the post office is located, and a grain elevator. A Methodist Protestant church is located in the village. The Santa Fe road runs through the town.

Village Of Ancona

Ancona was laid out in 1854. Orson and Benjamin Shackelton conducted the first store, William Boatman was proprietor of the hotel, and C. R. Kyser opened the first blacksmith shop. Erastus Loomis built a flouring mill in 1857, but it was removed several years later. The town at present has about fifty inhabitants. There are two general stores, a blacksmith shop, and two elevators in the village. A Christian church is located here. The Santa Fe road runs through the town.