Walnut Township

Walnut Township

The first house in Walnut was built at Red Oak Grove in 1828, by the Anient brothers. There was no other settlement in the township for about ten years. This old landmark was like an oasis in the desert, for it furnished shelter, food and rest for the weary traveler on the old Peoria and Galena stage road, when there was no other house within a radius of many miles. This property was afterwards owned by 0. I)enhnm and in 1831 by JamesjMagby. In 1833 James Clay])oll became the owner and in 1836 sold it to Lutlier Denham, who lived there for a term of years.

This is the history of that early claim, which was the only sign of civilization in that part of the country until about 1837. In this last named year a claim was made just south of Walnut Grove and (Jreenbury Triplett and A. H. Jaynes "jumped" it. They afterwards sold it to Truman Culver. In 1843 Oliver Jaynes settled on the south side of the grove; Richard Brewer, on the north side and Peter McNitt on the' east side. Soon after T?icliard Lancfford.

Tast Axd Pkesext Of Bukeau Couxty

rhineas Wolfe started the first store in the village of Walnut. There were but six families in Walnut in 1S45, Eiehard Brewer. E. Kelly, Edward Triplett, Truman Culver, Thomas Sanders, Greenbury Triplett and James Bartlett. The Fulton branch of the Burlington was completed in ISTl. At that time there were three creneral stores, a grocery and a drug store. The town was platted by Kichard Brewer and for a time it was called Brewerville, but was changed to Walnut. The village was incorporated October 2G, 1876, and by the census of ISJOO had a population of seven hundred and ninety-one.

On July 31, 1890, a very destructive fire swept over the village and a large part of the business portion was destroyed. Again in August, 1900, the llames spread over the fated village, both of the fires left Walnut in a desolate condition; the accumulations and improvements of years were swept away in a few short b.ours. People from the adjoining country flocked there to see the ruins and many predicted that Walnut would never recover from her misfortune. Not so with her citizens. While the loss was keenly felt, there was but one tiiought among the citizens and that thought was the slogan, "'Walnut shall rise again, better, safer and fairer than before," and with this determination in mind they heroically went to work and Phoenix-like Walnut rose from her ashes and stood out before the world, newer and richer than ever before, and is today an example of what grit and push can do. Walnut is one of the best business points in the county. It is noted for its large shipments of grain and live-stock. Her business enterprise is worthy of imitation. The population by the census of 1900, including the village of Walnut, was one thousand five hundred and one. Walnut village was seven hundred and ninety-one. The following named gentlemen have served as supervisors :