LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 
 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 
 977.366 
 P97c
 
 E.
 
 ^J^lstoru of VVlalioniet 
 
 MAHOMET METHODIST CHURCH 
 
 CENTENNIAL 
 1955 
 
 ISABELLE S. PURNELL
 
 1855 CENTENNIAL YEAR 
 
 THE METHODIST CHURCH 
 
 1955 
 
 MAHOMET, ILLINOIS 
 
 Pastor— Rev. Selden L. Myers 
 
 District Superintendent — Rev. Leland L. Lawrence, D.D. 
 
 Bishop — Charles Wesley Brashares, S.T.B., D.D., LL.D.
 
 FOREWORD 
 
 This history of the Mahomet Methodist Church is being published in 
 conjunction with the Centennial Celebration, 1855-1955. 
 
 Much research has been done in records and books of history which 
 have included the secretary's records of various organizations, treasurer's 
 books, legal abstracts, altlases, as well as newspapers, scrap books, and other 
 sources. Older citizens of the town and former residents have been very 
 helpful in checking letters, diaries, etc. 
 
 In the beginning, the committee planned to write only a history of the 
 Methodist Church, but as more and more time was spent rereading all of 
 the materials, the relationship of the church to the community and its 
 organizations became more evident. Life in rural communities is so closely 
 knit that it seemed impossible to write the story of the church without 
 including the history of the town, its organizations, institutions, and their 
 development. 
 
 Space does not permit us to give credit to the many persons who have 
 assisted with this book, but we do appreciate the help of all who have made 
 this publication possible. Special recognition goes to Mrs. Louise Purnell 
 Jones who has served as proofreader. Those who assisted with the adver- 
 tising section were Mesdames Florence Weatherford, Besse Miller, Melvin 
 Miller, Ernest Turner, Harold Sloan, and Maurice Abraham. 
 
 Mention is made within the pages of this book of all the current 
 business and professional people in Mahomet who have contributed financi- 
 ally to the publication of this book. For their help we wish to give them 
 this special recognition. 
 
 Isabelle S. Purnell, Editor
 
 f11 
 
 (^ Table of Contents 
 
 Page 
 
 I. History of the Mahomet Methodist Church 
 
 1. The Old Church 1855-1895 1 
 
 2. The New Church 1895-1955 10 
 
 II. The Town of Mahomet 
 
 1. Early History of the Town 35 
 
 2. Roadways, Bridges, Etc 39 
 
 3. Churches 
 
 ^r Bethel M. E. Church 42 
 
 ^ Mahomet Baptist Church 42 
 
 ^-y Shiloh Methodist Church 44 
 
 ^jV Presbyterian Church 45 
 
 United Brethren Church 46 
 
 Church of the Nazarene 46 
 
 4. Cemeteries 47 
 
 5. Schools 47 
 
 6. Organizations 
 
 Senior Woman's Club 50 
 
 Mahomet Town and Country Club 50 
 
 Mahomet Farm Bureau Unit 50 
 
 Mahomet Home Bureau Unit 50 
 
 Grand Army of the Republic 51 
 
 Daughters of the American Revolution 51 
 
 The American Legion Post 1015 51 
 
 The American Legion Auxiliary of Post 1015 51 
 
 Masonic Lodge A. F. & A. M. 220 51 
 
 Mecca Chapter, No. 901, Order of the Eastern Star 52 
 
 The Pacific Encampment No. 126, I. O. O. F 52 
 
 Rebekah Lodge No. 417 52 
 
 Mahomet Community Boosters Club 52 
 
 Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts 53 
 
 Girl Scouts and Brownies 53 
 
 7. Activities 
 
 Fourth of July 54 
 
 Mahomet Fall Festival or Carnival 54 
 
 Farmers Picnic 56 
 
 Chautauqua 56 
 
 8. Early Residences 53 
 
 ^ 9. Supervisors 58 
 
 ^ 10. Mahomet Fire Department 58 
 
 / 11. Humorous or Unusual Incidents 58 
 
 P^ III. Business Houses of Mahomet 
 
 \^ 1. Abbott's Hall 60 
 
 '\ 2. Abbott's Wagon Shop 60 
 
 ^ 3. Bakeries 61 
 
 y^ 4. Banks 61 
 
 5 ^' 5. Barber and Beauty Shops 62 
 
 X ~' 6. Blacksmith Shops 62 
 
 y V 7. Brick Yards, Concrete Products, Gravel Pits 63 
 
 K '^ 8. Buggy and Harness Shops 65 
 
 » "^ 9. Contractors and Construction Workers 65 
 
 l/ ^ 10. Doctors and Dentists 66 
 
 ^ 11. Dressmakers 67
 
 12. Drug Stores 67 
 
 13. Dry Goods 67 
 
 14. Feed Stores 69 
 
 15. Garages '• 69 
 
 16. Gasoline Service Stations and Trucks 70 
 
 17. Grain Elevators 71 
 
 18. Grocery Stores and Meat Markets 72 
 
 19. Hardware Stores 73 
 
 20. Livery Stables 73 
 
 21. Lumber Mills and Yards 74 
 
 22. Newspaper 74 
 
 23. Millinery Shops 75 
 
 24. Mills 75 
 
 25. Plumbing and Heating 76 
 
 A 26. Post Office and Postal Employees 77 
 
 27. Repair Shops 77 
 
 28. Restaurants 77 
 
 29. Rooming Houses 78 
 
 30. Shelling 78 
 
 31. Taverns 78 
 
 32. Telephone Service 79 
 
 33. Theatres 81 
 
 34. Undertakers 81 
 
 35. Veterinarians 82 
 
 36. Miscellaneous 82 
 
 37. Recreation Enterprises 83 
 
 IV. Colorful Glimpses of the Past as seen through old Nevi'spapers 
 
 1. Items from the Sucker State 84 
 
 2. Items from the News Gazette 87 
 
 3. Receipts 87 
 
 4. Newcomb Township 87 
 
 V. Champaign-Urbana Advertisers
 
 HISTORY OF THE MAHOMET METHODIST CHURCH 1855-1955 
 
 X HE old records of the Mahomet Methodist Church were destroyed 
 when the parsonage burned in 1916 so all early history is drawn from 
 newspaper clippings, letters, and recollections from the older members and 
 former residents of Mahomet. 
 
 We find in one of the early histories of the county (1866) this para- 
 graph: "On the west of Champaign lay Middletown, which was an old town 
 and was early visited by Methodist ministers [in those days called circuit 
 riders]. Middletown was connected most of the time with some western 
 circuit; and it is most probable that it was Bloomington or Waynesville. In 
 later years it was connected with Monticello and Mount Pleasant [now 
 Farmer City]." 
 
 It is known that the Methodists of Middletown (now Mahomet) had 
 organized a class at an early date, probably in the 1830's, and were 
 occasionally visited by the circuit riders of that period. From 1843 to 1855 
 Middletown belonged to the Monticello circuit. In 1855, the Middletown 
 circuit was organized, and embraced all of the Sangamon settlements in the 
 county. The Middletown circuit originally extended from Fisher to Center- 
 ville. A house of worship was completed in 1856. 
 
 In his memoirs written in 1906 Robert Fisher recorded: "In 1848, we 
 moved on a farm father bought, one and one-half miles east of Mahomet, 
 Champaign County, Illinois, into a three-room house where he commenced 
 having meetings as there was no schoolhouse or church to hold meetings in. 
 He continued about three years before a place could be had in town. Father 
 helped organize the Mahomet Circuit in 1852, and then started a subscription 
 for the Mahomet Church which was the first Methodist one built on the 
 Sangamon River above Monticello." 
 
 The first mention of "Methodists" in this vicinity is made in the 
 autobiography of Peter Cartwright, "The Backwoods Preacher," who relates 
 that in the 1830's he made a trip from his home in Pleasant Plains, near 
 Springfield, Illinois, to the headwaters of the Sangamon, holding meetings 
 in the homes of the settlers. One of the pioneers, "Aunt Jane" Davis, told 
 that Peter Cartwright came to Middletown, and that she attended a meeting 
 held in the home of her sister, Mrs. Dr. Smither. (This is believed to be 
 about two miles north of the high school on what is now known as the 
 Henry Wilson Farm.) 
 
 Mrs. Nellie May Kilgore writes information taken from the notes 
 in the old family Bible owned and carried by Uncle John Kilgore and 
 still in her possession — "When the first Methodist Church was oi'ganized in 
 Mahomet, there were but a few families in this community, and the services 
 had been held in the cabin of John C. Kilgore, who frequently acted as the 
 minister and led the singing. One hundred years ago, Thomas Davidson 
 Wiley Davis, Sr., and John C. Kilgore organized and built the first church, 
 along with several other early settlers. The lumber came from a saw mill 
 located about one-half mile west of the Riverside Cemetery on the old 
 Kilgore farm." 
 
 The First Methodist Church was built in Middletown in 1855, and 
 stood originally on Lots 38 and 39 of the C. C. Hawes Addition, now the site 
 of the Mrs. W. G. Babb residence. 
 
 This church rested upon ten large boulders, all of which have been 
 removed except one which was at the northwest corner of the church 
 building and can be seen there today. Two boulders were removed several
 
 Aunt Jane and Uncle Wiley Davis 
 
 years ago to what was known as the Ford property. These, through the 
 courtesy of Guy Warner and Elbert Morrison, have recently been moved to 
 the church lawn and have been made into a lawn seat. Also, some of the 
 bricks from the chimney in the original house and stones from the farm 
 where Peter Cartwright conducted the first services have been set up as a 
 memorial on the church lawn. Two other boulders were moved to the Paul 
 Jones property. When they were removing the boulders, Mr. "Andy" Hyatt 
 noticed something shiny under the one large boulder which had served as 
 the corner stone. The tin box which had housed the papers and valuables 
 had decomposed, but one coin was shining — a three-cent piece dated 1853 
 which no doubt was the year that construction was begun. (Mrs. Bessie 
 Hyatt has this coin in her possession today.) 
 
 ■'"."^^'^Wj. 
 
 Sketched by Carolita Kroner Turner 
 2
 
 The church building faced south. It had no 
 tower, spire, bell, or vestibule. The building was 
 between sixty and seventy feet in length, perhaps 
 twenty-five or thirty feet wide, and had two front 
 doors, one on each side, the reason being that in those 
 days women occupied one side of the church, and men 
 the other. The seats were straight and uncomfortable 
 with a railing in the center. There were shorter seats 
 on either side of the side aisles. Three-Cent Piece 
 
 Heat was supplied by two large wood stoves, 
 one on either side Those were the days of wood-cutting and hanging 
 kerosene lamps. As one entered the church, there was a large library 
 against the wall between the two doors. A platform extended across the 
 front of the church. 
 
 Following are excerpts from a newspaper clipping taken from Estelle 
 Ford's scrap book, now in the possession of Isabelle Purnell: 
 
 Reunion of Middletown Circuit September 7, 1882 
 
 The first annual reunion of the pastors of the Middletown circuit of 
 the M. E. Church was held at the Big Springs (now Art Busch's pasture) 
 last Thursday. There were not as many old pioneer preachers present as 
 was expected, but those who could not attend sent their regrets, with many 
 kind words and blessings. There was at least one thousand persons present, 
 and a glorious time was had by the old gray-haired church members as they 
 talked and cried over their early struggles in trying to establish what is 
 today one of the most influential circuits of the M. E. Conference. 
 
 Rev. M. D. Hawes of Bloomington, Rev. Benjamin Bartholow of Cisco, 
 Rev. Calhoun of Farmer City, and Rev. J. W. Lee of Mahomet made short 
 addresses. It was decided to hold an annual reunion September of each 
 year. 
 
 Tlie following is a brief history of the old Middletown circuit and will 
 be of interest to many who live in the four adjoining counties and though 
 given in mere outline will be filled up by the older readers of this paper with 
 remarkable incidents and christian experiences. 
 
 The Middletown circuit was organized in the year 1855 from the old 
 Monticello circuit, which formerly embraced what now forms a large part 
 of Champaign and Bloomington Districts. Those instrumental in securing 
 the organization of the Middletown circuit were James W. Fisher, B. F. 
 Harris, John C. Kilgoie, and Hezekiah Phillippe. It was in the Danville 
 District with Rev. Amos R. Garner as pastor in charge. The first year of 
 separate organization was one of prosperity. The church building and 
 parsonage at Middletown was begun and completed the next year. 
 
 In 1856, Rev. C. Y. Hecox was pastor, under whose charge the circuit 
 greatly prospered. This was the year of great revivals throughout the 
 United States, and this circuit shared very largely in the blessed results. 
 
 In 1857-58-59, Rev. L. C. Weems, son-in-law of Peter Cartwright, was 
 the presiding elder, and Rev. C. W. Hecox was returned. Bethel Church 
 near the farm residence of B. F. Harris was built in 1857, and the close of 
 1859 found the circuit prosperous, over one hundred conversions having 
 been recorded. 
 
 In 1860, the circuit was transferred to Bloomington and named Ma- 
 homet with Rev. William Hindle and Rev. I. T. Miller preachers. This was 
 also a prosperous year. At the next conference the circuit was again placed 
 in the Danville District and took its original name, Middletown; with seven 
 separate appointments with Rev.'s William Hindle and H. S. Tryon in 
 charge. The camp meeting of this year was crowned with blessed results. 
 
 In 1862, Rev. S. Shinn was pastor and Rev. F. B. Sale in charge of the 
 work which prospered finely. In 1863, Rev. S. Shinn was returned in charge 
 and Rev. S. C. Abbott, a local preacher, was employed. In 1864, Rev. C. Y. 
 Hecox and S. C. Abbott had charge of the work. The church at Pancake's 
 Point was begun this year and was dedicated the next by Rev. G. Moody 
 and named "Shiloh." 
 
 In 1865, the Champaign District was formed with Rev. R. W. Travis, 
 presiding elder; and Rev.'s C. Y. Hecox and H. S. Tryon had charge of the 
 Middletown Circuit. In 1866 and 1867, the circuit was served by Rev.'s C. P.
 
 Baldwin, N. S. Buckner, and M. S. Curl. The Church at Centerville was 
 commenced in 1866-67 by Rev. R. W. Travis. The church known as Wesley 
 Chapel was finished in '68 at a cost of $3,000. The year was very prosperous, 
 and many gave their souls to God. After twelve years the old Middletown 
 circuit was again divided. Centerville circuit was organized in 1868, in- 
 cluding Centerville, Bethel, Hedges, and Argo. 
 
 In 1869-70, Rev. J. T. Orr assisted by F. Pasco and J. B. Martin served 
 the circuit. In 1870, the church at Fisher was built under the endeavors of 
 Rev. J. T. Orr. The year closed with such prosperity that the circuit was 
 again divided, and in 1871 Newcomb Circuit was organized. 
 
 Thus, in sixteen years a church property valued at over $13,000 had 
 been secured on the old Middletown circuit. With a membership of 800 
 members, scores have been taken to the home above, and influences sent 
 forth which abide to this day. 
 
 In the Sucker State appeared an article about another one of these 
 reunions: "In August, 1888, there was held a memorable reunion here in 
 Mahomet. Services were held both morning and afternoon, Rev. H. S. Tryon 
 and Rev. B. F. Sale giving the memorial addresses. The attendance having 
 increased beyond the capacity of the church to hold, and the weather being 
 more favorable, the people proceeded to the Grove after dinner. [The Grove 
 is where the Gladson Burton house now stands.] 
 
 "At the conclusion of the reunion, officers appointed for the ensuing 
 year were D. A. Phillippe, president; C. Dyer, secretary; committee of 
 arrangements, F. B. Sale, David Fisher, W. P. Dick, E. C. Bartholow, and 
 John H. Funston. 
 
 "The only political speech of the day was delivered by Rev. Horace 
 Reed of Bloomington who (in the words of another) 'cast cold water upon 
 the occasion by making the only political speech.' " 
 
 Mr. Lee Dale says, "I left Mahomet in the early 1890's. However, I 
 well remember attending church and Sunday school in the old building 
 located in what was at that time the northeast portion of the town. Mrs. 
 Newell was one of the teachers of the primary class. Miss Jennie Pittman 
 [Jennie Sorenson] was another teacher." 
 
 Few people refer to the old Methodist Church without remarking 
 about the sexton, "Uncle John" Morse, father of Mrs. Florence Sackriter, 
 who was sexton for over twenty-three years. Mr. Dale says, "The church 
 had a sexton by the name of John Morse that we kids were scared of. He 
 called us down frequently whenever we became too noisy or whispered too 
 much. We all thought him really hard-boiled, but now I am satisfied he 
 was doing the right thing." 
 
 Mr. William Johnson said, "Mrs. Sackriter's father, John Morse, was 
 the janitor of this church as long as I could remember, but when they built 
 the new church he would not go along with them." 
 
 Fred Stearns wrote, "There were the two Amen corners — one for the 
 older women [on the east side of the church] and one for the men [on the 
 other side]. The organ faced the preacher, with the organist's back to the 
 audience. 
 
 "My mother, Mary A. Stearns, was organist for years; then Tillie 
 Kilgore, with Irene Ford as assistant. Choir members were: bass — Jule 
 Brown, J. C. W. Pittman, Henry Shively, J. L. Stearns, Dan Kilgore, and 
 Andy Phillippe; tenors — Jim Starling and William Neely; sopranos — Mary 
 Stearns, Irene Ford, Estelle Ford, Minnie Scott, and Mamie Pittman; altos — 
 Jennie Pittman, Emma Stearns, and Nellie Kilgore. Later the Women's 
 Amen Corner was replaced with a platform as high as the preacher's plat- 
 form for the choir, and that is when Charles Dale was introduced as cornetist 
 for the Sunday school and church services and was assisted by George 
 McClure with the alto cornet." 
 
 4
 
 S. J. Purnell told of the first-class fight over putting an organ into 
 the church, for it was believed that a musical instrument was of the devil 
 and did not belong in the church. Then after the organ was finally installed 
 there was another fight as to who would play it. 
 
 Bessie Raj^burn writes: "In 1884, the church was a plain, straight 
 church and faced the south with a board fence all around it, with maple 
 trees on the north and west and a hitch rack on the west. There was a stile 
 at the northwest corner. Nellie Watson, Mary Kieffer, and I used to play 
 on the stiles and walk the board fence. Brother and Sister West were the 
 minister and wife. Brother Bischoff held a revival, and the church was 
 crowded every night. We used to walk from the old Ham place down to 
 church because it was too muddy to drive." 
 
 Mrs. Ida Binkley Grindley tells us that she joined the old Methodist 
 Church in 1888 when she was fourteen years old. "When I was baptized 
 here at the old Methodist Church I was baptized at the ford in the Sangamon 
 River, and it was so low that I had to get down on my knees in order to be 
 baptized. There was no organ in the church when I attended; just singing. 
 The Honn house as it now stands in the grade school yard [old Methodist 
 Church] looks just like it used to, except the old church did not have the 
 porch on it, and the windows on each side were formerly doors. When the 
 old building was moved, it was sawed in two so it is a few feet shorter than 
 when it was originally built. The other part of the house M. E. "Nash" 
 Smith moved to his property. Uncle Dave and Aunt Emily Pittman always 
 went to the old church. Uncle Dave had the blacksmith shop and also re- 
 paired wagons. Aunt Emily was a real little lady— as short as a small child 
 and was quite heavy set. She always sat in the northeast corner, up in the 
 Ladies Amen Corner. Uncle Dave had made her a special little stool which 
 she used to get into the seat." 
 
 Mrs. Anna Purnell said the baptism road was near the old bridge. 
 Methodists were baptized at the river, the same as were the Baptists. This 
 road runs along the north side of the Geiger house. She recalls seeing 
 "Brother Simmons" performing baptismal services. 
 
 Mrs. Purnell remembers a controversy which arose some seventy 
 years ago in the church. Two church members, Uncle Wiley Davis and 
 James Park had a dispute over a land mark and a road opening. Uncle 
 Wiley opposed the petition which was set up by Mr. Park in the laying out 
 of a new road south from the Hume corner (where Wilfred Wood now lives) 
 to the present residence of Leland Dollahon. Uncle Wiley (who lived where 
 Herman Wyatt now lives) wished the road to remain as it was by going on 
 south following the ridge past his residence. Uncle Jim Hume wanted to 
 join the church, but Uncle Wiley objected because they had had this dispute. 
 Uncle Wiley also objected to Jim Park's joining the church so Jim picked up 
 his hat, walked out of the church and never returned. 
 
 In the summertime the windows of the church were open and the 
 horses were tied at hitch racks on the east and west sides of the church. 
 The horses would get to fighting so most of the congregation would turn 
 their heads to see if their horses were in on it. The preacher would stop 
 talking until the owner of horses would go out to settle the fight. Quite 
 often Mrs. Stucky would come over from her home (the same place where 
 Mrs. Hyatt now lives) to see that the horses were not abused as she was in 
 sympathy with the horses more than with the owner. 
 
 Mrs. Helen Tryon Bowditch writes: "The Methodist Church of Ma- 
 homet is very dear to me. I was born in the Methodist parsonage when my 
 father was pastor, and my mother carried me to Sunday school when I was 
 but one month old and laid me in a seat while she taught a Sunday school
 
 class. When my father's pastorate ended there we moved away, but 
 returned to Mahomet when I was nine years old, and I lived there until 
 I was married in 1896. 
 
 "It was the old Methodist Church, and I can see it so clearly in my 
 memories, a beautiful lawn with the parsonage in the rear. [This parsonage 
 was later sold to the trustees of the Presbyterian Church and was used as 
 their manse. Later, it was the old James Young home.] It was in this 
 church that I gave my heart to God. 'Twas here that I taught my first 
 Sunday school class and 'twas here I made my first faltering prayers in 
 public. I remember so well my dear Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Clara 
 Hume, and Anna Pippin." (Mrs. Hume and Mrs. Mary B. Caldwell taught 
 for many years. A Sunday school quarterly of Mrs. Hume's is now in the 
 possesion of Mrs. Anna Purnell, dated 1890— subscription price six cents per 
 quarter.) 
 
 Hazel Purnell Burns and Clara Hume 
 
 W. E. Johnston tells, "Mrs. Silas 'Grandma' Purnell had white 
 ponies, Vic and Nell, which she always hitched to a phaeton and drove to 
 church. If she rode one pony and not the other one, then the remaining 
 pony would jump the fence and follow. Mrs. Purnell was an untiring 
 worker in the church. They held big church dinners and entertained the 
 presiding elder [the same as the district superintendent of today]. They 
 spread the dinner on boards placed across the tops of the seats. There was 
 no place to heat coffee except to set the coffee pot on tpp of one of the 
 heating stoves. 
 
 "Mahomet used to be heavily wooded. One fellow went to church in 
 the winter time and his team got loose. They searched for his team in the 
 heavy timbers and never found them until the next spring. The team had 
 got caught with their sled and could not get loose and had starved to death 
 and only the carcasses were found in the timber just south of the railroad 
 tracks on the west side of Route 47 [West of Lisle Lester's home]. 
 
 "Mrs. Tom Scott was a Methodist and taught small boys. Tom Scott 
 was a Baptist and taught in that church. Each was loyal to his own beliefs. 
 
 "Johnnie Carter [Mrs. Henrietta Carter's father-in-law] rode horse- 
 back to church. Wiley Davis drove a rig; he let the women out, and then 
 hitched to the post which was next to the stile at the northwest corner of the 
 church. He allowed no one else to hitch to his post." 
 
 6
 
 'Grandma" Purnell and Vic and Nell 
 
 Frank W. Taylor tells of going to the church with his father who 
 innocently tied his horses to the first post — next to the stile at the northwest 
 corner. After church Mr. Taylor could not lind his team. Wiley Davis, 
 discovering someone had tied at his customary spot, deliberately moved Mr. 
 Taylor's horses, tying them at some other place. This made the elder Mr. 
 Taylor angry so he never returned to the church. 
 
 Fred Stearns writes, "I can remember when I was five or six years 
 old. Mrs. Newell taught us boys and girls in the southeast corner of the 
 church. Peter Kieffer, who lived southeast from the old Ernest Stout place, 
 was a worker in the church. Before he was converted he smoked, drank, 
 gambled, and probably was considered one of the most sinful men of his 
 day. He was converted in Bischoff's revival, and there was probably never 
 a better Christian in Mahomet then than he was. He taught a men's class. 
 One cold Sunday morning he told how the Lord had told him to go to 
 church, and the devil had told him to stay at home, and he said he had come 
 to spite the devil. One preacher, a good one, was West. As I remember, it 
 was during his pastorate when Bischoff was evangelist and ten or twelve 
 boys went forward and on probation, then later they joined the church. 
 I don't know of a one living today but myself. Others were Preston Carter, 
 Vern Brown, Billy Tryon, etc." 
 
 W. E. Johnston also tells of Peter Kieffer, "Old Man Kieffer would 
 make Saturday preparations so that when Sunday came he did only 
 what had to be done. Once he went to church with only a half dollar, put 
 it in the collection plate and said, 'The Lord will provide'; after church he 
 met a man on the sti-eet who had owed him three or four dollars for some- 
 time and who paid him right then and there." 
 
 Hazel Herriott McTaggart writes, "I have heard my mother tell of 
 how devout a Christian Grandpa Kieffer was. He never missed prayer 
 meetings and often he walked because he thought the horses were too tired
 
 to be used after working in the field all day. Mother spoke of the Amen 
 corner in the church. She also spoke of the long prayer and testimonial 
 service that followed the church service each Sunday morning and often 
 held till after one o'clock. I have a walnut jewel box [size IVz inches by 
 8 inches by 61/2 inches] which my Uncle "Dode" [Theodore] Herriott made 
 from the walnut wood in the old church. I have had the box about thirty 
 years." 
 
 Peter Kieffer Family 
 
 Stephen Abbott, grandfather of Nelle Morrison, gave a silver com- 
 munion service set to each of the three churches — Methodist, Baptist, 
 and Presbyterian, perhaps in the 1880's. Instead' of having the individual 
 glasses they used the one silver cup and each person drank from it. 
 
 According to S. J. Purnell, other members of the old church included 
 Henry Orr, George, Samuel, and Aaron Pittman, Samuel Stern, Jerry Har- 
 land, Mr. and Mrs. Willis Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. John Kilgore and four 
 daughters, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Cowan and daughter Connie, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Johnnie Waugh, Thomas and Elizabeth Davidson, D. J. and Anna Ford and 
 daughters Estelle and Irene, George Taylor, Thomas Wiggins, John Hume, 
 John Sterling, J. D. Brown, and Mr. and Mrs. William Caldwell. 
 
 Mrs. William Rayburn adds Joseph and Celia Pittman, Richard John- 
 ston and family, Julie Ann Scott, James Davidson, Benjamin McGath 
 Family, J. D. Pittman and Mary Abbott, A. E. Smith and family, Thomas 
 Dale, Tenie, Oscar, Charles, and Lee Dale; Betty and Hattie Burcham. To 
 these Charles Dale added James Starling, J. C. Pittman, James H. Lott, 
 Jerome Davidson, Silas Purnell, and Grandma Newell. 
 
 8
 
 Lola Wiles remembei's well Rev. A. N. Simmons, minister 1890-92. 
 Their son, about three years old, jumped around so much he shook the seat. 
 Mrs. Simmons vowed she was going to break him of that if she had to take 
 him out and spank him. One Sunday though she did not take him out, she 
 set him down so hard that it resounded all over the church. The father 
 preached right on as if nothing liad happened. The boy improved. 
 
 D. J. and Anna Ford and daughters Estelle and Irene 
 
 Here we have a copy of a church program for the years 1894-95 when 
 the church is referred to as the Mahomet Station of the Illinois Conference, 
 M. E. Church. Rev. A. C. Byerly was the presiding elder, and Rev. T. D. 
 Weems was pastor. Preaching was at 11:00 A.M. and 6:30 P.M.; Sunday 
 school 9:30 A. M.; Epworth League 3:00 P. M.; and prayer meeting on 
 Wednesday nighls at 6:30 P.M. 
 
 Church officers were: J. A. Bellinger, George Frankenbsrger, W. P. 
 Dick, W. H. Rittenhouse, O. S. Hyde, Wiley Davis, D. J. Ford, J. W. Starling, 
 William Stearns, and W. O. Dale. Class leaders were Peter Kieffer, Richard 
 Johnston, and Nathan Wiles. Trustees were J. A. Bellinger, George Frank- 
 enberger, Richard Johnston, John Stearns, Wiley Davis, D. Bailey, William 
 Caldwell, and J. W. Tanner. 
 
 Temperance, Mrs. M. E. Scott, Peter Kieffer, and Mattie Shively; 
 education, J. W. Starling, J. H. Hume, and Prof. F. D. Bowditch. Cliurch 
 records, W. H. Rusk and the pastor; parsonage and furniture, Mrs. Jane 
 Davis, Mrs. J. A. Bellinger, Mrs. M. E. Scott; church music, J. C. W. Pittman, 
 J. W. Starling, and Mrs. A. E. Tryon. Organist, Mrs. A. E. Tryon and 
 Claudine Dick, assistant. Ushers were D. H. Hartly and William Tryon; 
 collectors, J. A .Bellinger and Wiley Davis. 
 
 (Original in possesion of Mrs. Anna Purnell.) 
 
 9
 
 Following is a list of pastors who served the old Mahomet Methodist 
 Church. 1855-1896: 
 
 1855 Amos Garner 1873-75 H. S. Tryon 
 
 1856 C. Y. Hecox 1876-77 P. G. Carroll 
 
 1860 W. Hindall & I. T. Miller 1878 J. W. Sinnoek 
 
 1861-64 Amos Garner 1879-80 J. Montgomery 
 
 1865 C. Y. Hecox 1881 V. C. Randolph 
 
 1866 .... C. P. Baldwin & N. S. Bucker 1882-84 J. M. West 
 
 1867 C. P. Baldwin 1885-86 W. Murphy 
 
 1868 J. T. Orr & F. Pasco 1887 J. P. Denning 
 
 1869 J. T. Orr & J. Martin 1888-89 W. H. Schwartz 
 
 1870 .... M. D. Hawes & T. J. Coultas 1890-92 A. N. Simmons 
 
 1871 H. C. Adams 1893 L. A. Powell 
 
 1872 G. B. Wolfe 1894-96 T. D. Weems 
 
 It would seem that the older folks wanted to stay on in their old 
 church, with the beautiful old trees and the plain simple building, the men 
 sitting on one side and the women on the other. However, the younger 
 generation had a different opinion. They wanted to mix with the boys and 
 girls from other churches. They no longer felt the need of segregation of 
 the men and women within the church. The days for the old church meet- 
 ings did not have the same appeal for them — the place for that happy 
 religious meeting ground. These young people felt a new church was 
 needed, new and young shade trees. They were ready to lead forth into 
 the future. 
 
 "I recall the date," wrote Lee Dale, "when my father deeded to the 
 church the lots upon which the parsonage and church edifice were erected — 
 the present church. It was during the year of 1895." 
 
 The deed to the property tells the story. It was a warranty deed, 
 dated May 2, 1895, and filed June 18, 1895. 
 
 "Beginning at the Southeast corner of Lot 4, thence Northeast along 
 the west side of Lincoln Street to the Northeast corner of Lot 5, thence West 
 to a point 81 feet north of the Southwest corner of Lot 3, thence south to the 
 north side of Dunbar Street, thence east to beginning, all in Block 4 of Alan- 
 son Tucker's Addition to Mahomet, being the south 81 feet of Lot 3, all of 
 Lot 4 and part of Lot 5. 
 
 "From Thomas Dale and his wife Maggie Dale to Trustees of M. E. 
 Church, Mahomet, Illinois. Trustees: J. A. Bellinger, Wiley Davis, George 
 Fiankenberger, David Bailey, Richard Johnston, William Caldwell, John 
 Stearns, and J. W. Tanner. Witnesses: B. D. Abbott and L. D. Weems. 
 Deed recorded in Deed Record No. 104, Page 165." 
 
 This site was very low and in fact for twenty-five years the children 
 of the Village used to skate in the winter time on the pond. This pond was 
 made by the excavating for the clay which in turn was made into brick and 
 used in the construction of the present brick Baptist Church in Mahomet. 
 "Cad" Maxwell told that Isaac Minnear helped haul the brick to build the 
 Baptist Church and that the brick was made on the Irle premises, south of 
 the M. E. Church. 
 
 Fred Stearns tells of the laying and dedicating of the corner stone— 
 "The Thomas Dale Lot was settled on for the location. Farmers came in 
 with teams and scoops. Several of us boys came with teams for grading and 
 excavating. Rev. T. D. Weems was the pastor and a fine man for every 
 occasion. The corner stone services were held after the basement was dug, 
 the walls up to where the floor height comes. There was a large audience 
 for the corner stone laying. The trees were quite small at this time. It was 
 
 10
 
 a hot day. Rev. Byerly who gave the address said, 'I must keep my hat on 
 as there is not a liair betw^een me and heaven,' and he did so." 
 
 Estelle Ford had a copy of the program for the corner stone laying, 
 with a notation on it that C. N. Clark of Urbana had donated the stone. 
 
 Programs of the corner stone laying and the dedication of the church 
 were carefully preserved. 
 
 CORNER STONE LAYING, M. E. CHURCH 
 Mahomet, Illinois July 30, 10:30 A. M., 1895 
 
 — Programme — 
 
 Hymn Choir Coronation 
 
 Prayer Rev. Graham 
 
 Song Epworth League 
 
 Remarks Bro. Hartly 
 
 Song Choir 
 
 Fraternal Address Rev. Talbot 
 
 Song Choir 
 
 Fraternal Greeting A. F. & A. M. 
 
 Address Rev. A. C. Byerly, P. E. 
 
 Collection Same 
 
 Placing Box in Corner Stone 
 Formal Laj'ing Same 
 Benediction 
 
 Wiley Davis, Sr. ) 
 
 J. A. Bellinger i Committee. 
 
 J. C. W. Pittman \ T. D. Weems, Pastor 
 
 New Church 
 
 11
 
 DEDICATION SERVICES 
 January 5, 1896 
 
 Doxology 
 
 Invocation Rev. Mr. Graham 
 
 Hymn No. 248 Coronation 
 
 Scripture Rev. Mr. Talbott 
 
 Hymn No. 871, page 186 Tune St. Thomas 
 
 Sermon Dr. Earl Cranston 
 
 Financial Statement T. D. Weems 
 
 Collection 
 
 Trustees Present the Church 
 
 The twenty people who contributed most for the building of the new 
 church were: J. A. Bellinger, Wiley Davis, J. C. W. Pittman, Ladies Aid, 
 Mary E. Scott, William Stearns, Mr. and Mrs. George Frankenberger, J. M. 
 Dickson, Epworth League, S. A. Fisher, R. G. Rayburn, George McClure, 
 Lizzie Davidson, William Holzer, H. S. Tryon, B. F. Thomas, John Carter, 
 Mary E. Carson, B. F. Harris, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Lott. The original cost of 
 the church was $6526. 
 
 Ministers of the New Methodist Church 
 
 1894-96 T. D. Weems 1916-18 U. Grant Johnston 
 
 1897-99 M. A. Hewes 1919-21 E. A. Hedges 
 
 1900-01 C. R. Morrison 1922 C. H. Davis 
 
 1902 D. W. English 1923 J. F. McAnally 
 
 1903-05 T. S. Mitchell 1924-28 B. M. Petty 
 
 1906-09 E. L. Darley 1929-30 B. D. Mallinson 
 
 1910 T. O. Holley 1931-35 C. D. Robertson 
 
 1911-13 C. W. Caseley 1936-38 J. W. Dees 
 
 1914 J. E. Strevey 1939-44 H. Ray Funk 
 
 1915 J. S. Smith 1945-52 H. K. Gaither 
 
 1953- S. L. Myers 
 
 Fred Stearns relates, "The church as it is today had a close call soon 
 after it was finished. It was cold enough for people to wear overcoats. 
 The church was being lighted when our chandelier fell to the floor, breaking 
 the kerosene lamp and setting fire to the building. Gene Crocker happened 
 to be there. He immediately took off his overcoat and smothered the blaze. 
 He was greatly honored by the whole congregation and afterwards was 
 presented with a new coat." 
 
 The Estelle Ford scrap book carries an account of the Martha Wash- 
 ington Tea which was held February 22, 1898, with Rev. M. A. Hewes as 
 pastor in charge. The names of 112 persons were registered. 
 
 This same book registered those who attended the M. E. Church Fish 
 Fry on April 5, 1898. There were thirty-seven present for the dinner and 
 sixty for the supper. The minister and his wife were given free dinners. 
 The meal was 25c a plate. Receipts for the day were $24.55 and expenses 
 were: Fish, $7.45; Sucker State, 57c; telephone, 55c; Miscellaneous, 80c, 
 making the total expenses $9.37, leaving a net profit for the entire day of 
 $15.18. 
 
 Listed below are some of the articles contributed for the Annual 
 Church Fair held in 1898: Estelle G. Ford, 2 pillows, 2 aprons, 1 medallion; 
 B. F. Thomas, Sr., cord of wood and fifty eleven-foot rails; Mrs. Belle Bryan, 
 wash stand set, doilie, mirror, frame; Mattie Shively, 1 apron, 4 pincushions, 
 toy trunk; Mrs. A. V. Purnell, 1 doll, baby book, 2 bags; AlUe Johnston, 
 
 12
 
 1 hat pin holder, 1 pin cushion, 1 pen wiper; Mattie Keene, sunbonnet; Mrs. 
 Thomas Dale, 2 cups and saucers, 3 aprons, handkerchief 83c; Mrs. Wiley 
 Davis, 2 head rests, combing apron and one bag 90c; Mrs. Pet Ruhl, 2 ker- 
 chiefs, creamer and sugar bowl; Mrs. Lizzie Wright, 3 aprons, 75c; Nannie 
 Hayward, 5 mats, 50c; Mrs. Robert Wright 50c cash. 
 
 The next three passages reproduce newspaper clippings taken from 
 Estelle Ford's scrap book: 
 
 1899 Epworth League District Convention in Progress at Mahomet 
 
 The good people of Mahomet are sleeping in hammocks and on cots 
 this week, and the patient small boy of that town is waiting for the second 
 dinner table, for Mahomet is entertaining the one hundred fifty to two 
 hundred delegates who have gathered to attend the annual convention of 
 the Epworth Leagues of the Methodist Church in Champaign District. 
 Mahomet is not a large town, but there is not a town in the county whose 
 people can come nearer entertaining the visitors than can Mahomet . . . 
 
 The opening session of the convention was held in the handsome new 
 Methodist Church yesterday evening, the building being packed to the doors 
 by delegates and citizens who had turned out to hear the lecture of Bishop 
 C. C. McCabe. Tickets were sold in advance, and many who had not pur- 
 chased tickets were compelled to return to their homes, being unable to even 
 secure standing room. 
 
 Bishop McCabe's address was quite outstanding. Only a year or two 
 before his death, Mr. Charles Purnell quoted McCabe's text and repeated 
 parts of his address, even though Mr. Purnell was only 15 years old at this 
 time. 
 
 Fred Stearns has the ribbon banner in his possession from this Con- 
 vention — "Ninth Annual Epworth League Convention — June 21, 22, 23, 
 1899." (The Epworth League as an organization was established May 15, 
 1889 in Cleveland, Ohio.) 
 
 A Trip Around the World— 1901 
 
 Last Saturday evening the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society gave 
 their long looked for entertainment, "A Trip Around the World." The first 
 train started promptly at 5:00 o'clock. It was a little early but for the most 
 part was successful. The later trains had more passengers, some having 
 more than the desired number. The Riverside Park hack and a bob-sled 
 were provided to carry some of the passengers while the rest made the trip 
 on foot, but the ground having frozen by 7:30 o'clock, walking was not 
 unpleasant. Mr. Oscar Dale acted as guide. 
 
 The first stopping place was America, at Uncle Wilej' Davis' house 
 where we met excellent impersonators of President and Mrs. Roosevelt, 
 Qeorge and Martha Washington, General Miles, Uncle Sam, and Columbia. 
 After being presented to each one we were invited to partake of the national 
 dish of Boston baked beans, coffee, and sandwiches. Twenty minutes was 
 the limit, for each party had to make way for the one following. At the 
 end of that time we left and proceeded on our tour to Japan, at D. J. Ford's. 
 
 Here we were presented to the Mikado of Japan and the Japanese 
 Nightengale and were served with tea, wafers and crackers by Japanese 
 ladies, in true Japanese fashion on the floor. The house was decorated with 
 Chinese lanterns. We were also shown the handkerchiefs which were so 
 long in coming to this place. They were excellent specimens of hand work. 
 We were here given the names by which we weie to be presented at the 
 next stopping place. There were some noted people in our crowd. Pope Leo 
 of Rome, Marrietta Holly, General Lew Wallace, Trilby and many others. 
 At the end of our time we proceeded to England, at G. L. McClure's where 
 we were presented to the King and Queen of England. As each name was 
 called he was required to bow three times, kiss the Queen's hand, shake the 
 King's hand and back out of the room. Most of the party complied with 
 the request except Pope Leo, who said that the Pope of Rome did not have 
 to bow to anyone. 
 
 We were served with scalloped oysters and pickles, and passed on to 
 the next place which was Holland at Mattie Shively's. Here the Queen 
 of Holland and Prince Henry received us and we were served by Holland 
 
 13
 
 lassies, with a Dutch supper consisting of quite a variety of foods after 
 which we passed on to Iceland, for ice cream and cake and we were left to 
 get home the best we could. After all had made the trip the celebrities 
 were taken around and all returned to the depot to visit with each other. 
 
 In America, W. H. Holzer impersonated President Roosevelt; D. J. 
 Ford George Washington; Mrs. Robert Wright, Martha Washington; C. R. 
 Morrison, General Miles; C. A. Pricer, Uncle Sam; Sarah Hale (now Sarah 
 Jahr), Columbia. At Japan, H. A. Davis, the Mikado; Mrs. H. A. Davis, the 
 Japanese Nightengale. At England. T. H. Rea, King; Mrs. G. L. McClure, 
 Queen. At Holland, Liliie Lott, Queen Wilhemina; Elbert Morrison, Prince 
 Henry. 
 
 The ladies are to be congratulated upon the success of the affair, both 
 socially and financially, having cleared almost fifty dollars. About two 
 hundred made the trip. 
 
 Harvest Home Supper — September 15, 1900 
 
 This harvest home supper, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. 
 Bellinger, two miles east of town, Thursday evening, was one of the most 
 novel and pleasant social events ever held in the township. Preparations 
 had been going on for some time and almost everyone knew the date and 
 place. Few, however, knew what to expect or that they would have such 
 a good time.' At an early hour people began arriving and by the time supper 
 was announced there were several hundred present from this and adjoining 
 townships. The large new barn was used, the broad driveway being con- 
 verted into a dining room. The rafters were hung with grains, vegetables 
 and fruits as decorations. Light was furnished by lamps and Japanese 
 lanterns, and all added to the unique appearance of the surroundings. 
 
 The place on which most interest was centered, however, was the 
 table. This was set in the center of the hallway and reached almost the 
 entire length of the room. It was loaded with the products of garden, 
 orchard and farm, prepared as only the women of this vicinity can, to 
 please and satisfy the appetites of those who had been made hungry by the 
 drive through the bracing air. A roast pig, grown almost past pighood, 
 contributed by Wiley Davis, Sr., was a pleasant sight to the older people 
 and brought back the memories of their younger days when the dish was a 
 common one. (Mrs. Edith Wegeng says that this particular event made 
 quite an impression on her young mind, and she can still vividly picture the 
 roast pig with the red apple in its mouth.) 
 
 The supper was given for the benefit of the M. E. Church. The 
 receipts were gratifying and speak well for Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger and their 
 able corps of assistants. 
 
 "'" In 1903-04, the Epworth League 
 
 was an active organization within the 
 church. Epworth Leaguers who led 
 the meetings according to the "topics" 
 for January-June, 1903 were: Dr. 
 A. L. Collins, Mrs. M. E. Scott, Erma 
 Metiers, William Boyer, C. A. Pricer, 
 Mrs. M. B. Caldwell, A. E. Smith, John 
 Ruhl, Liliie Hawkins, Allie Johnston, 
 F. C. Stearns, Bessie Starling, Phoebe 
 Metters, Mrs. M. Shively, Mrs. Olive 
 Wright, Mrs. Gertrude Deacon, Mrs. 
 Forrest Tanner, Edna Fisher, and 
 D. W. Shively. 
 
 An Epworth League Rally was 
 held in 1904. It "was a grand and 
 glorious success in every way. The 
 first regular service of the Rally was a 
 song and praise service under the 
 direction of the chorister, Irene Ford. 
 Talks were made by A. E. Smith, C. A. 
 Pet Miller Primmer at the Well 
 
 14
 
 4 . 
 
 
 
 
 c^^ 
 
 
 R^ 
 
 ">. 
 
 
 i^ 
 i^'^ 
 
 
 15
 
 Pricer, A. L. Collins, T. S. Mitchell, Mrs. Dan Davis, Mrs. Olive Wright, Dr. 
 Pierce Collins, Nellie Hume, Claudine Dick, Alice Johnston, Bessie Starling, 
 and Estelle Ford." 
 
 Below are listed a few of the entries taken from the Ladies Aid 
 Treasurer's Book: — December 1902, sold the old church carpet and received 
 $2.00; April 1903, paid F. K. Robeson $94.39 for carpet (and pasted into the 
 Treasurer's book was the cancelled check made out to F. K. Robeson and 
 signed by Mrs. A. V. Purnell, treasurer of the Ladies Aid); March 1908, paid 
 $99.90 for church carpet (Mrs. Frank Taylor — Louise Rayburn at that time — 
 remembers quite well helping lay the first carpet in the choir loft of the 
 new church. Lou's helper was Paul Stearns. There was much enjoyment 
 in the task so the tacks were placed almost too close together); November 
 1910, paid $185.00 for the church steps; September 1912, paid Estelle Ford 
 $50.00 for the piano; March 1914, paid $10.00 for the sidewalk; 1914, paid 
 Lewis' $145.64 for carpet; January 1915, received $23.37 from the Tom 
 Thumb Wedding (the persons in this wedding were Lois Foltz, Bride; Frank- 
 lin Daniels, Groom; Charles Pricer as Best Man). 
 
 Men's Baracca Sunday School Class 
 
 First row, left to right: Frank Rayburn, Albert Jones, Elmer Pittman, 
 
 Price Brackemyre, Frank Taylor, George Primmer, Harry Herriott 
 
 Second row from bottom, left to right: George Lewis, Matt Herriolt, 
 
 Ad Primmer, Verne Trinkle, Clarence Wright, Stanley Brown, Frank 
 
 Hood 
 
 Third row from bottom, left to right: Charles Purnell, Francis Hazen, 
 
 George Rising, Glenn Bryan 
 
 Fourth row from bottom, left to right: Earl Fisher, Ed Lewis, V. Hinton, 
 
 Chet Buckles 
 
 Fifth row from bottom, left to right: Herschel Hume, Chauncey Fisher, 
 
 Elmer Miller, Cecil Pittman 
 
 Top row, left to right: Lew Voss, Roy Primmer, Fred Voss, Calvin 
 
 Rayburn, Ernest Stout, W. B. Behrens (teacher) 
 
 16
 
 Sometime before 1914 the belfi-y of the church was struck by lightning 
 and damaged from a windstorm to such an extent that it had to be rebuilt. 
 At this time the belfry was changed in its general style from the tall pin- 
 nacle that it was to a lower structure. 
 
 Can we talk of the olden days in the church without mentioning the 
 huge Christmas tree in the choir loft loaded with gifts for everyone. Much 
 anticipation was experienced by all as they sat through the long program 
 (each child reciting his verse or singing a song) and then came Jolly Saint 
 "Nick" to distribute gifts, candy, apples, and oranges for all. This was one 
 time when the front seats as well as the back were filled to overflowing. 
 
 The Rev. and Mrs. U. G. Johnston are both deceased but their only 
 daughter, Catherine, writes from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, "We only 
 lived in one other town, Saybrook, where we knew and liked the people as 
 we did those people at Mahomet. . . .1 can remember the clean new smell of 
 the parsonage there because we were the first ones to live in it, and the day 
 some of the men brought in two small maple trees from along the river and 
 planted them in the front yard. . . .1 wonder if the apple tree between the 
 church and the parsonage is still there. Many is the time that Dad had to 
 get a ladder and rescue me from the branches because I could always climb 
 trees but could seldom climb down, besides I was too sick from eating the 
 green apples to make the effort. Then there was the Sunday school 
 Hallowe'en Party that they had at our house and I never will forget the 
 string cobweb on the stairs and your father's (the letter was written to 
 Isabelle Purnell) mask which frightened me half to death even after he 
 reassured me by taking it off. . . .Just last week I dreamed of Mahomet and 
 gathering bluebells along the Sangamon and all next day I thought of all of 
 you wonderful people. At the age of six I had a tremendous crush on 
 Clarence Rayburn and would make eyes at him over the banister whenever 
 
 Mother had the Standard Bearer's meeting at our house The First World 
 
 War was going on at that time and ended while we lived there and I well 
 remember when J. C. W. Pittman called Dad at about 4 A. M. one morning 
 and told him that the war was ended and Dad tucking his nightshirt into 
 some trousers and running next door to ring the church bell. . . .Robert 
 
 Wright (I knocked two of his front teeth out once in a fight!) Please tell 
 
 everyone hello for me." 
 
 Sunday School Picnic 
 
 In reviewing the old ledger containing the minutes of the meetings of 
 the Official Board, notes of interest were found and will be dated with the 
 notation (OB). 
 
 17
 
 Many items of news have been taken from various issues of the 
 Mahomet Sucker State. Such will be designated by date and the notation 
 (SS). 
 
 1912 (SS). Musical and literary program given by the Epworth Culture 
 
 Club at the Methodist Church: Instrumental solo, Elsie Black; 
 vocal solo, Alice Collier; reading, Mrs. Ethel Rayburn; recita- 
 tion, Ella Herriott; vocal solo, Clelia Harland; original poem, 
 Rev. C. W. Caseley; instrumental solo, Freda Pike; recitation, 
 Audie Foster; vocal trio, Behrens family; reading, Mrs. May 
 Rayburn; vocal solo. Merle Hay ward; song, Irene Ford. 
 
 1913 (SS). Elsie Black was presented $10 in recognition of services during 
 
 the recent revival. . . .The Methodist Church has purchased a 
 new cathedral window made of the best quality opalescent glass 
 of finest workmanship and design. It will be placed in the 
 west end of the audience room. 
 
 1915 (SS). A program will be rendered at the M. E. Church Sunday eve- 
 
 ning at 7:30 P. M. Those participating will be Rev. Strevey, 
 Catherine Pittman, Edith Trinkle, Robert Dale, Oscar Dale, 
 Viola Pittman, Mary Dale, Franklin Daniels, Nadine Stout, 
 Otto Honey, Rex Davis, Ralph Foster, Gertrude Smith, and 
 Louise Purnell. . . .The following Epworth Culture Club pro- 
 gram will be given Friday evening: Piano solo, Mrs. Bauman; 
 vocal solo, Alene Parker; reading, Mrs. F. E. Wright; piano solo, 
 Eleanor Herriott; reading, Miss Flagg; reading, Ruth Bishop; 
 duet, Misses Dickson; vocal solo, Charles Purnell; reading, Mrs. 
 Audie Lindsey; piano solo, Freda Pike; vocal solo, Marie 
 Trinkle; vocal solo, Oscar Dale. . . . 
 
 "Someone took my lantern from the landing at the M. E. Church 
 and left an old rusty lantern that looks as if it had never been 
 cleaned. My lantern had a red string tied to the handle for 
 a matter of identification. Whoever took it would know they 
 got the wrong and better lantern, and if they are honest 
 will return it; if they are not honest they will keep it and of 
 course remove the red string. I'd rather be the loser of a lan- 
 tern than the stealer of one." Robert Wright. 
 
 1916 (SS). Wednesday afternoon the M. E. Parsonage was discovered to be 
 
 on fire, and within a few minutes many people were on the 
 scene. The fire had such a start that almost everything up- 
 stairs burned, including Rev. Smith's library which cost $2500 
 and also all of the church records. The parsonage was insured 
 for $1400. . . .Excavation for the new Methodist parsonage has 
 been completed, and W. E. Johnston has started the carpenter 
 work. 
 
 (OB). The total cost of the Methodist parsonage was $3,050.45. There 
 was a deficit of $102 which had to be borrowed. 
 
 1917 (OB). Sale of coal house $10; sweeping chimneys $1.05; allowed pas- 
 
 tor's salary $100 for the month of December; janitor's salary 
 
 (Roscoe Smith) for December $15 Back rent $2.50 paid to 
 
 Mrs. Rebecca Herriott for Pastor Smith's rent. (He lived in 
 Mrs. Herriott's house — where Gladys Ballett now lives — while 
 the new parsonage was being built). . . .Taxes $20.00. . . .J. C. W. 
 
 18
 
 Pittman was appointed to look after the lighting plant. . . .The 
 President of the M. E. Culture Club and the President of the 
 Ladies Aid Society were appointed as a committee to arrange 
 some special musical and literary program, the proceeds of 
 same to wipe out all indebtedness against the new parsonage 
 . . . .Work of enlarging the basement was started by the Young 
 Married People's Class. . . .A letter was read, at one of the Board 
 Meetings, from Miss Adah Quayle, Secretary of the Chi Lota 
 Literary Society, thanking the church for the use of church 
 basement for a school party held there March 16. . . .At the 
 meeting of the Official Board the secretary-treasurer reported 
 $293.54 on hand, with bills amounting to $228.00, thus leaving a 
 surplus of $65.54. . . .Pastor's salary for the new year was raised 
 to $1300. . . .Ushers will be Roscoe Smith, Charles Purnell, Arch 
 Herriott, and Frank Taylor. 
 
 (SS). The Epworth League elected the following officers Sunday 
 evening: President, Roscoe Smith; vice presidents, Lena Miller, 
 Mrs. Laura Purnell, Marie Trinkle, Robert Rayburn; treasurer, 
 Fred Mohr; secretary, Gertrude Smith; organist, Zaye Mc- 
 Cracken; chorister, Oscar Dale, Jr. . . .The League has an enroll- 
 ment of forty-five members, with an average attendance of 
 thirty-two. 
 
 1918 (SS). Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Miller entertained the Young People's 
 Married Class of the Methodist Church in their home Friday 
 evening. The trip was made to their home at Rising in sleds. 
 There were 48 present. . . .The Standard Bearers met at the 
 Methodist parsonage Monday night and elected the following 
 officers: President, lone Pricer; vice president, Lena Miller; 
 corresponding secretary, Nellie Stout; recording secretary. 
 Pearl Carter; treasurer, Robert Rayburn; mite-box superin- 
 tendent, Faye Miller. 
 
 (OB). Ed Armstrong was hired as church janitor. It was moved and 
 carried that we adopt and have signed the written contract 
 "Duties of the Janitor" — one copy to be held by the Janitor and 
 one copy to be held by Robert Wright, Chairman of Trustees. 
 . . .It was also decided to have union services at Thanksgiving 
 with the Baptist Church. . . .A letter was read from F. H. Mc- 
 Mullen, Seymour, tendering the pastor $5.00 and the janitor 
 $1.00 for kindness shown and use of the church for his Mother's 
 funeral. By unanimous vote of the board the pastor and the 
 janitor accepted the gift. . . .The pastor's salary for the new 
 year is to be $1500. . . .It was voted that the best gasoline be 
 bought for the light plant. A graduation gift was given Freda 
 Pike in appreciation of her services as pianist. . . .The church 
 bought Rev. Johnston's range (when they left) for $35 with 
 understanding that it was to be left in the parsonage. 
 
 It is interesting to note that each month the Official Board met, if for 
 no other reason than to vote that the pastor and janitor be paid their salaries. 
 Sometimes there was no money in the treasury, but they voted that the 
 salaries should be paid if and when they did have the money. 
 
 1919 (OB). Adjutant Harley Smith was given $225.77 for conducting the 
 revival. Bids are being taken for the wiring of the church and 
 
 19
 
 parsonage Must hire a janitor and the Board has the right 
 
 to reject any or all bids for same. Mrs. Nancy Wilson was 
 hired as janitor for $20 Paid $3.82 for gas and mantles. 
 
 There is no record as to when the balcony was built in our church but 
 it was believed to have been around 1920. J. C. W. Pittman paid for the 
 expense of this room. The members of the Young Married People's Class— 
 "The Achievement Class" furnished this room, each member buying his own 
 chair. At this time Mrs. Olive McNeil was the teacher. 
 
 Mr. J. C. W. Pittman was Sunday school Superintendent for twenty- 
 four years. Mr. William Caldwell was Sunday school Treasurer for many 
 years— the exact number is unknown. Mrs. Len Rayburn taught the Be- 
 ginners Class for many years. Each Sunday Mrs. Rayburn told Bible stories 
 and gave the children a leaflet with a story in it and a small colored picture 
 (3x4) of some Bible character and the story on the back of it. When you 
 had attended regularly for so many Sundays you were presented a large 
 10x12 sized picture in sepia. There was only the one teacher for all 
 Beginners. Florence Wigton Weatherford remembers the many parties Mrs. 
 Rayburn held for the pupils and her always serving pink homemade ice 
 cream. 
 
 1920 (OB). The light bill of $4.90 was paid and $180 was borrowed to meet 
 current church expenses. The church was painted, and the 
 
 interior redecorated, with Fred Roberts doing the work It 
 
 was recorded that the church had an orchestra of twenty-eight 
 members under the direction of Dr. E. A. Hedges. This orches- 
 tra played for the regular services; they gave concerts at Ma- 
 con, Altlanta, Mansfield, and near-by towns. 
 
 Methodist Church Orchestra 
 
 Top row, left to right: Glenn Shell, Roy Keene, Coy Warner, Lee Brown, 
 Virgil Starkey, George Warner, S. Starkey, Fred Mohr 
 Third row, left to right: Charles Purnell, Frank Taylor, Elsie Davis, 
 Nellie Stout, E. A. Hedges, Edna Hoit, Elmer Miller, Roscoe Smith 
 Second row, left to right: Eva Smith, Dee Daniels, Emma Hedges, Sadie 
 Carter, Gertrude Smith, Freda Pike, Ruth Lindsey, Zaye McCracken 
 Front row, left to right: Verne McCracken, Louise Purnell, Faye Miller, 
 Mabel Roberts, Delia Wilson, Cleoh Dollahon, Harold Herriott 
 
 20
 
 1922 (OB). There was not sufficient money on hand to meet the current 
 bills so the matter was left in the hands of the Finance Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 The Ladies Aid Treasurer's book showed receipts of $92.04 
 from the wolf drive on February 11, 1922. 
 
 1923. Mrs. McNeill became Sunday School Superintendent. Mrs. 
 
 Estelle Pugh began teaching the Achievement class. (Al- 
 though Mrs. Pugh has not taught the same class she has been 
 teaching 32 years, missing only to serve as Lay Delegate at 
 Conference or some other worthwhile project.) 
 
 (SS). Rev. C. H. Davis, O. M. Truitt, Mary Dale, Ruth and Mary 
 McNeill, Delia Wilson, Mary Miller, Pauline Holloway, and 
 Veronica Davis attended the Epworth League Convention at 
 Atlanta on Tuesday and Wednesday. 
 
 (OB). A vote of appreciation was extended to the men who donated 
 labor on the church annex. (It is believed that the annex re- 
 ferred to is the one over the east basement steps, although it 
 does not say.) This was built by the Young Married People's 
 Class. 
 
 Some of the farm sales at which the Ladies Aid Society served 
 during the years from 1923 through 1929, and their receipts, 
 according to the Treasurer's Book, were: December 29, 1923, 
 Elmer Miller— $93.26; January 23, 1924, Mohr— $37.37; January 
 24, 1927, Roy Clapper— $43.00; January 26, 1927, Zena Keene— 
 $78.34; February 1, 1928, Mohr— $46.93; February 28, 1928, Ira 
 Dollah on— $65.50; February 15, 1929, Art McCracken— $42.60. 
 
 1924 (OB). Roscoe Smith was elected chairman of the Finance Committee 
 
 to borrow money each month to pay the bills. . . .The Official 
 Board discussed raising money for the paving fund. 
 
 1925 (OB). Many women were present at the meeting of the Board to dis- 
 
 cuss remodeling the basement. However, nothing was decided 
 except changing the partition of the coal bins. . . .Cutting down 
 the apple tree west of the church was discussed. (Isabelle 
 Purnell still has two switches from this old apple tree "a- 
 mong her souvenirs" — wonder why?). .. .Eight young people 
 attended Epworth League Institute held in Jacksonville. . . .It 
 was decided that pamphlets should be issued showing the con- 
 tributions of the members of the church. . . .It was decided that 
 the windows back of the pulpit should be removed, and that the 
 church and parsonage should be painted. The committee in 
 charge is made up of the officers of the Social Union: Presi- 
 dent, Mrs. Charles Purnell; vice president, Mrs. Ernest Stout; 
 and secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Charles Patton. (This was the 
 first year the organization was called "Social Union"; formerly, 
 it was the Ladies Aid.) 
 
 1926 (OB). M. K. Busey was elected church treasurer on the resignation 
 
 of Alice Johnston. . . .The Board voted to raise the minister's 
 salary to $1800 and to telegraph Dr. Havighurst on Monday to 
 return Mr. Petty to our charge. . . .Charles Purnell was elected 
 secretary of the Official Board. 
 
 21
 
 First Officers of the Social Union 
 
 Left to right: 
 
 Mrs. Charles Purnell, 
 President 
 
 Mrs. Ernest Stout, 
 Vice President 
 
 Mrs. Charles Patton, 
 Secretary-Treasurer 
 
 The Standard Bearers program for 1926 showed the following 
 organization: Mrs. PYank Rayburn was leader. Active members 
 included Viola Carter, Louise Purnell, Pauline Hickle, Aline 
 Dollahon, Robert Dale, Rex Davis, Frances Patton, Viola Pitt- 
 man, Isabelle Purnell, Mary Cooke, Willis Lindsey, Nadine 
 Stout, Lois Davis, Kenneth Smoot, Catherine Pittman, Musa 
 Roberts, Amy Wood, Frank Herriott, Howard Jones, Pauline 
 Herriott, Linden Hinton, Richard Foster, Lois Davis, Mary 
 Phillippe, Mary Campbell, Franklin Daniels, Hilda Campbell, 
 Paul Buckles, Elsie Smith, Elizabeth Lewis, Don Miller, and 
 Mary Jane Lindsey. 
 
 1927 (OB). The matter of conducting a Vacation Bible School as a com- 
 munity school was discussed. . . .The Board voted that a petition 
 be sent to the grade and high school boards, asking that teach- 
 ers take more interest in the churches. . . .The Board voted to 
 hold revival meetings for three weeks. 
 
 Epworth Leaguers produced plays each summer to earn money 
 for expenses of attending institutes held annually at Old Salem 
 near Petersburg. The play "Yimmie Jonson's Yob" was given 
 with the following taking parts: Willis Lindsey, Frank Her- 
 riott, Franklin Daniels, Cleoh Dollahon, Rex Davis, Aline 
 Dollahon, Nadine Stout, Isabelle Purnell, Lois Davis, and Louise 
 Purnell. . . .Twenty-five members of the Epworth League sang 
 carols Christmas Eve. . . .The Epworth League Topic Cards for 
 the months January-June showed the following as leaders: 
 Rev. B. M. Petty, Louise Purnell, Franklin Daniels, Lois Davis, 
 Elizabeth Lewis, Pauline Hickle, Aline Dollahon, Frances 
 Patton, Victor Wood, Donald Miller, Amy Wood, Mary Phil- 
 lippe, Isabelle Purnell, Irene Gates, Helen Rayburn, Glen 
 Gates, Mrs. Petty, Lois Foltz, Mary Campbell, Helen Trinkle, 
 Howard Jones, Blanche McClellan, and Pauline Herriott. 
 
 22
 
 1928 (OB). The Official Board voted to continue our own evening services 
 
 dui'ing the summer rather than have Union services. . . .Len 
 Rayburn was elected church treasurer. 
 
 1929 (OB). The Board voted to raise $800 by public offering to repair the 
 
 church, plaster, redecorate, etc. 
 
 Isabelle Purnell and Sunday School Class 
 
 Back row, left to right: Margaret Sloan, Bert Hickle, Jr., James McCall, 
 Eugene Armstrong, Daisy Campbell, Robert Lindsey, Phillip Mohr, 
 Gwendolyn Miller, Avis Yancey and ? 
 
 Front row, left to right: Jannette Cooke, Neva Lewis, Phyllis Gulick, 
 Louise Ponder, and John Ponder 
 
 1930. 
 
 (OB). 
 
 A birthday party was held, with Rev. B. D. Mallinson, pastor, in 
 charge. Fifty-two persons were listed with their respective 
 birth dates. 
 
 It was decided at the meeting of the Official Board that the 
 church doors should be repaired, and keys be bought for the 
 west doors. 
 
 1931 (SS). Mrs. Len Rayburn entertained at a "Rainbow Party" Wednes- 
 
 day. Guests were members of the W. F. M. S. 
 
 (OB). It was voted by the Official Board that $200 should be bor- 
 rowed to pay the pastor and the janitor, Roscoe Smith. . . .The 
 Board discussed placing a mortgage on the church parsonage if 
 it could not raise the monej' to pay the church debt. 
 
 1932 (OB). The Official Board reported a shortage of $843 that had been 
 
 pledged so a committee was appointed to see about joining 
 with the Bondville Church. (This unification never took 
 place.) 
 
 1933 (OB). The Board voted that all regular bills be allowed and paid, 
 
 when the money is available. 
 
 (SS). The Social Union Quilt Exhibit was held in the Methodist 
 
 23
 
 Church parlors. Miss Louise Purnell received the quilt for 
 having the largest number of pieces in a block nine inches 
 square. Her block contained 425 pieces. 
 
 Social Union Treasurer's books. Selling handivvacks and 
 magazine subscriptions. 
 
 1934 (SS). One hundred forty mothers and daughters attended the Mother- 
 Daughter Banquet held Thursday in the basement of the 
 church. A program, was given with Mrs. Charles Pugh as 
 toastmistress. Invocation by Louise Purnell; welcome, Mrs. 
 Minerva Shively; toast to Mother, Mrs. Philip Wegeng; solos by 
 Mrs. Roy Clapper; address, Mrs. Grover Reeser of Farmer City 
 . . . .The Epworth League installed the following cabinet: 
 President, Lucille Moore; first vice president, Edith Clapper; 
 second vice president, Alma Primmer; third vice president, 
 Mary Purnell; fourth vice presidents, Doris Moore and Gerald 
 Miller; secretary-treasurer, Margaret Wood; pianist, Mary 
 Phillippe; chorister, Frankin Tickner. 
 
 1935. These minutes of the W. F. M. S. were taken from the Secre- 
 
 tary's book: 
 
 The W. F. M. S. met at the home of Mrs. Kate Herriott and 
 Eleanor McCall. Mrs. Shively gave the devotions. Irene Ford 
 reported that $100.04 had been paid out during the year. All 
 present officers were re-elected for another year: President, 
 Laura Purnell; vice president, Fannie Rayburn; secretary, 
 Lizzie Truitt; financial secretary, Irene Ford; corresponding 
 secretary, Estelle Ford; special work superintendents. Hazel 
 Stout, Sadie Carter, and Gladys Ballett. There were nine 
 present; the collection was seventy cents. 
 
 (SS). Following are the officers of the Methodist Church for the year 
 1935-36: Trustees: Arch Herriott, Charles Purnell, J. R. Davis, 
 Len Rayburn, George Miller, Ernest Stout, W. O. Dale, LeRoy 
 Primmer, and Wilson Miller; Stewards: LeRoy Primmer, Wilson 
 Miller, Roscoe Smith, Elmer Miller, Charles Patton, T. C. 
 Herriott, Clarence Rayburn, Frank Taylor, Fred Rayburn, John 
 Ruhl, M. A. Phillippe, Ad Primmer, Mrs. Agnes Blue, Mrs. 
 Bernice Wright, Mrs. Sadie Carter, Mrs. Myrtle Campbell, J. M. 
 Dowell; disbursing steward, Mrs. Fannie Rayburn; communion 
 steward, Mrs. Minerva Shively; Sunday school superintendent, 
 Mrs. Olive McNeill; president of Epworth League, Joe Pugh; 
 president of W. F. M. S., Mrs. Laura Purnell; president of 
 Social Union, Mrs. Adah Sloan. 
 
 The celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the building of 
 the present Methodist Church was observed in conjunction with 
 Rally Day and Homecoming. Sunday school attendance was 
 one hundred fifty. Special numbers included a talk by J. M. 
 Dowell, reading by Geraldine Herriott, solo by Charles Purnell, 
 special music by Mrs. H. A. Ballett and Mrs. Wilson Miller. 
 At noon a chicken dinner was served to about two hundred 
 people. The afternoon program consisted of readings by Doris 
 Moore and Virginia Smoot; solo, Clair Kokensparger; duet by 
 Mrs. Charles Dale and Calvin Rayburn; trio by Ernest Smith 
 
 24
 
 Clair Kokensparger, and Charles Purnell. Speakers were Rev 
 William Hampton of Shiloh who was sent from this church 
 six years ago as a local preacher; Rev. B. D. Mallinson, Rev. 
 B. M. Petty, Charles Dale, and Mrs. Robert Truitt. 
 
 Jitney Supper at the church with all items on the menu 5c 
 per serving. . . .Sunday school officers for the new year are: 
 Superintendent, Mrs. Olive McNeill; assistant superintendent, 
 John Ruhl; secretary, Lucille Moore; assistant secretary, Thel- 
 ma Bryant; treasurer, Mrs. Z. C. Keene; pianist, Elizabeth 
 Davis; assistant pianist, Helen Lindsey; librarian, Mary Pur- 
 nell; primary superintendent, Mrs. M. A. Phillippe; home 
 department, Mrs. Len Wigton and Mrs. W. O. Dale; chorister, 
 Mrs. Sadie Carter; temperance, A. E. Smith; missionary super- 
 intendent, Mrs. Charles Purnell. 
 
 1936 (SS). The Methodist Sunday school will conduct a two weeks' vaca- 
 tion Bible school at the church, beginning Monday, June 1st 
 . . . .The Third Annual Mother-Daughter Banquet sponsored by 
 the Social Union was held last week with more than two hun- 
 dred persons attending. Mrs. Ruth Carson had charge of the 
 program, "The Garden of Motherhood." Mother's toast to the 
 daughters was given by Mrs. Len Rayburn and the daughter's 
 toast by Mrs. Clarence Rayburn. Group singing was led by 
 Isabelle Purnell with Louise Purnell at the piano. Mrs. Len 
 Wigton, Mrs. Fred Moore, Mrs. George McCall, and Mrs. Alva 
 Martin were in charge of the kitchen; Mrs. Edith Wegeng was 
 chairman of decorations, and Roy Johnson and nine boys 
 served. 
 
 1936 (OB). Voted to put in a gravel street west of the parsonage to the 
 
 garage so the Reverend could get out under all conditions. 
 
 1937 (OB). The issue, '"Shall the village authorize the sale of liquor?" was 
 
 to be voted on at the election so the matter was discussed in 
 the Meeting of the Official Board on ways the Church could 
 work towards its defeat. (The issue was voted down.) 
 
 (SS). At the morning worship service thirty-two were baptized. 
 Thirty-six were accepted into full membership. The first 
 service of the day was the Third Annual Sunrise Breakfast and 
 Service of the Baptist and Methodist young people at which 
 time there were about sixty present. There were 195 in the 
 Sunday school and more than 200 in the morning worship 
 service. At the Sunday school hour, Louise Purnell presented 
 New Testaments to nine girls of the Kola Class in recognition 
 of their attendance the past four months. Those receiving 
 Testaments were Daisy Campbell, Aline Herriott, Alma Wil- 
 liamson, Louise Ponder, Lois Pointer, Evelyn Pointer, Mary 
 Jones, Irene LeFever, and Hetta Webb. 
 
 The Annual June Convention of the Champaign District Ep- 
 worth League was held in Mansfield Tuesday afternoon and 
 evening. Mahomet was one of the three Honor Chapters. Those 
 attending from Mahomet were Misses Lois Williamson, Frances 
 Dees, Virginia Smoot, Louise Purnell, Doris Moore, Frances 
 Lindsey, Hetta Webb, Mrs. Ruth Carson, Ralph Webb and Rev. 
 
 25
 
 J. W. Dees. Louise Purnell was installed as a member of the 
 Champaign District Cabinet. 
 
 Kings Heralds met at the church on Saturday and reorganized 
 their society, a branch of the Woman's Missionary Society. 
 The following girls were members: Irene LeFever, Mary 
 Jones, Gwendolyn Miller, Daisy Campbell, Louise Ponder, 
 Betty Lou Carson, Lois Pointer, Margaret Smith, Phyllis Jean 
 Carson, Jeanette Cooke, Joyce Cooke. 
 
 The Methodist Cook Book, sponsored by the Social Union, was 
 published in 1936-37. The committee in charge was Mrs. 
 Charles Purnell, Mrs. Guy Webb, and Mrs. Ernest Stout. Five 
 hundred copies were printed and sold at 50c each. 
 
 The Epworth League Mid-winter Institute closed with a ban- 
 quet at Mansfield Tuesday evening, served to one hundred 
 twenty-five persons. Certificates were awarded by the regis- 
 trar, Louise Purnell, to one hundred Leaguers. Twenty-three 
 local people received certificates: Alice Loy, Ruth Truitt, 
 Ruby Lindsey, Harold Wyatt, Aletha Hale, Marie Gulick, Hetta 
 Webb, Dannie Scales, Ralph Webb, John Jones, Irene LeFever, 
 Nile Ray, Lois Williamson, Frances Dees, Merle Wyatt, Philip 
 Buker, Daisy Campbell, Frances Lindsey, Virginia Smoot, 
 Lenora Jones, Bobbie Roberts, James Kroner, and Mrs. Ruth 
 Carson. 
 
 Fathers and sons to the number of 112 attended the banquet 
 sponsored by the Social Union Saturday evening. J. M. Dowell 
 served as toastmaster. Roscoe Smith spoke, representing the 
 fathers, and Lloyd Dees represented the sons. A quartet com- 
 posed of E. H. Smith, V. C. Kokensparger, Charles Purnell, and 
 Gerald Miller sang, with Louise Purnell at the piano. 
 
 1938 (SS). Tlie Social Union Committee who served the Mother-Daughter 
 Banquet report a net profit of $56.56. . . .Seventy-five attended 
 the Social Union Fair and Quilt Exhibit held Thursday after- 
 noon at the home of Mrs. Charles Purnell. In the various 
 booths were Mexican hairless pig, bats in captivity, world's 
 fastest runner, fortune telling, etc. Mrs. Dan Smoot was dressed 
 to represent the costume of "Fair Day" in the past, and Mrs. 
 Elmer Miller, posing as a blind lady, collected fifteen cents. 
 James Kroner and Richard Shively, dressed as clowns, fur- 
 nished much amusement. Refreshments of pink lemonade and 
 wafers were served. Assistant hostesses were Mesdames Fred 
 Moore, Len Wigton, Harold Howe, V. C. Kokensparger, Ed 
 Campbell, Alva Martin, George Dunlap, Raymond Primmer, 
 Elmer Miller, Harry Herriott, and Dan Smoot. 
 
 Taken from W. F. M. S. Minutes: The W. F. M. S. met in the 
 home of Mrs. Shively for the annual missionary banquet. There 
 were twenty in attendance. Echoes from the group meeting 
 held in Danville were given by Mrs. Dees, Mrs. Stout, Mrs. 
 Purnell, Mrs. Holloway, and Mrs. Wegeng. The Mystery Box 
 questions were conducted by Irene Ford. 
 
 (SS). The M. E. Church of Mahomet broadcasted Morning Devotions 
 on Radio Station WDWS, Champaign, from 8:45 to 9:00. Local 
 
 26
 
 1939 (OB). 
 
 1940 (OB). 
 
 1941 
 
 musical talent was presented prior to the message given by 
 Rev. J. W. Dees. 
 
 Because of the unification of the three branches of Methodism, 
 the church voted to change the name from Mahomet Methodist 
 Episcopal to Mahomet Methodist Church. It was moved by 
 Estelle Ford, the oldest member present, and seconded by 
 Robert Holt, the youngest member present. The motion was 
 carried. . . .At a called meeting of the Board of Trustees it was 
 voted to install city water in the parsonage and the church. . . . 
 It was reported that $15 is needed to balance the budget, but it 
 is believed that the money will be raised in time for the church 
 to be on the District Honor Roll. 
 
 Louise Purnell is to be the church pianist. Plans are being 
 made to have a breakfast at the church on August 25, preceding 
 the Every Member Canvass. The pastor's salary was raised 
 from $1200 to $1400. 
 
 The Epworth League name was changed to Methodist Youth 
 Fellowship. 
 
 Mrs. Olive McNeill, Sunday school superintendent, reported 
 200 on the Sunday school roll, with an average attendance of 
 140. A new Young People's Class has been organized with 
 James Parker as teacher. J. M. Dowell is teacher of the 
 Achievement Class. . . .It was voted to have union meetings 
 with the Baptists on alternate Sunday evenings until June. . . . 
 The Board voted to paint the church and parsonage. . . .This 
 year the conference year will be only nine months long because 
 in the future the conference year will end in June rather than 
 in September. . . .$10 was subscribed for the church bulletins. 
 (This is the beginning of regular printed bulletins.) 
 
 A farewell pai'ty was held at the church Saturday evening in 
 the form of a pot luck supper honoring Louise Purnell, who is 
 leaving our community to accept a position as church secre- 
 tary of the Chicago Temple. Miss Purnell has taught in Ma- 
 homet for the past eight years, and during this time she has 
 been a most valuable worker in the church as pianist, counselor 
 of the Epworth League, Sunday school teacher, lay delegate to 
 the Annual Conference, etc. Miss Purnell was presented with 
 a gift in recognition of her services. 
 
 j^.-f^' 
 
 Louise Purnell Jones and Husband 
 
 27
 
 The pot luck supper and Official Board meeting was held at 
 the parsonage. (This represents the beginning of the Board's 
 monthly pot luck suppers.) 
 
 1942 (OB). Harold Hickle was confirmed as Sunday school superintend- 
 
 ent. . . .The Board voted to have the coal bin filled because of 
 fear of coal shortage. . . .The Board discussed renting the church 
 basement to the township to hold elections when the new 
 precinct is established, but this was not approved. 
 
 1943 (SS). Union Good Friday Services will be held at the Baptist 
 
 Church. . . .With much work yet to be done, the Methodist 
 Church will present a much improved appearance for Easter 
 Sunday. It was decided that the seats should be varnished, 
 and twenty-six volunteered their services. The new carpet 
 arrived Tuesdaj', and is being laid this week. . . .The Methodist 
 Church reached its goal of 500 members Easter Sunday when 
 seventeen were taken in at the morning worship service. . . . 
 Isabell Pasley was honored at the recent district meeting of the 
 Methodist Youth Fellowship held at Mansfield when she was 
 elected as its president. Mahomet was also honored when 
 Darlene Lindsey won the speech contest. 
 
 (OB). The Board voted to have a pot luck dinner to celebrate the 
 purchasing of the new church carpet, repairing of the floors, 
 and refinishing the floors and pews. Folders are to be pxnnted, 
 listing the 500 members of the church. . . .The matter of re- 
 pairing or razing the barn at the parsonage was discussed, but 
 it was decided not to rebuild until later. . . .Charles Purnell is 
 Sunday School Superintendent. 
 
 1944 (OB). All members of the church who have not attended services 
 
 during the past year are to be called upon. . . .The minister's 
 salary was increased to $3,000. . . .Dr. Northcott of Champaign 
 outlined to the Official Board the "Crusade for Christ" move- 
 ment which is being carried out in all Methodist churches of 
 the United States. Mahomet's share in the $25,000,000 fund is 
 $1500. 
 
 (SS). The M. Y. F. received a pennant for winning first place in the 
 artistic class at the Annual Booth Festival at Cunningham 
 Children's Home. Those who set up the display were Gwen- 
 dolyn Miller, James Pasley, Bobbie Roberts, and Peggy Smoot. 
 . . .The Good Cheer Sunday School Class held its Annual 
 Christmas Party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Mitchell. 
 Officers for the new year were elected: Teacher emeritus, 
 Mrs. Minerva Shively; teachers, Mrs. Edd Lett; assistant teach- 
 er, Mettie Downs; president, Mrs. Len Rayburn; vice president, 
 Mrs. Bert Warner; secretary, Mrs. Sadie Carter; treasurer, Mrs. 
 Emma Carter; mystery pal secretary, Mrs. Ethel Jones; visiting 
 committee, Irene Ford, Mrs. Jess Mitchell, Mrs. Ed Campbell, 
 Mrs. Anna Wood, and Mrs. Ethel Jones. 
 
 1945 (OB). The Official Board voted to meet with some from other 
 churches to organize for the Wet-Dry Issue which will come 
 up at the spring election. . . .Hazel Stout, Cora Patton, and 
 Gladys Ballett were appointed as a general committee for the 
 
 28
 
 fifty-year celebration of our church. . . .City water was installed 
 in the parsonage. 
 
 (SS). The fiftieth 3'ear for the present Methodist Church building 
 and the nintieth year for Methodism in Mahomet, was cele- 
 brated with Rev. H. K. Gaither. pastor in charge. A basket 
 dinner was served at noon. The afternoon's program was: 
 Quartet, C. A. Morehouse, Calvin Rayburn, Charles Purnell, 
 and Frank Rayburn; greetings from former ministers. Rev. 
 B. M. Petty, Rev. J. W. Dees, and Rev. H. Ray Funk; solo. 
 Robert J. Jones, Chicago; history of the Mahomet Church, Mrs. 
 Philip Wegeng; duet, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Morehouse; message. 
 Dr. C. C. Nordling, District Superintendent. 
 
 Tw0 Pictures Taken at a 
 Methodist Men Meeting 
 
 29
 
 1946 (OB) A committee was appointed to investigate plans, with costs for 
 an inside stairway to the basement. . . .A goal of $1000 was set 
 for the repairing of the church. Rev. Gaither was asked to 
 get an architect's plans and estimate on the remodeling of the 
 church. . . .Methodist Men was organized. . . .Rev. and Mrs. H. K. 
 Gaither wer-e given a new Chevrolet for Christmas. 
 
 1947 (OB). 
 
 1948 (OB). 
 
 1949 
 
 Gladys Ballett was elected secretary of the Official Board on 
 the death of Charles Purnell, who had served in that capacity 
 since 1926. . . .Two offering plates and candelabra were dedi- 
 cated in memory of Charles S. Purnell. 
 
 The new doors for the east entrance were made memorials for 
 Estelle and Irene Ford. A brass plate is to be installed bearing 
 their names. 
 
 The first year for the Easter Sunrise Services at the Lake of 
 the Woods. 
 
 Easter Sunrise Services at the Lake of the Woods 
 
 1950 (SS). Men's Fish Fry at the Lake of the Woods. 
 
 1951 (OB). There is now $250 in the organ fund. Birdie Bridges presented 
 
 to the church money for an organ fund as a memorial to her 
 mother, Mrs. Sadie Carter. 
 
 1953 
 
 1954 
 
 Further discussion of remodeling and rebuilding resulted in 
 the following reports: Heating proposal, $4200; revamping 
 basement ceiling and floors, kitchen and lighting, $2500; in- 
 stalling rest rooms $1500; basement stairs and outside steps, 
 $1000; or a total of $9200. The goal for improvements was set 
 at $10,000. (Original proposal for improvements was $1,000.) 
 . . . .Early Sunday morning services will be continued through 
 July. Some of the Sunday school classes are meeting in the 
 grade school while the basement is being repaired. 
 
 Nine gospel teams have made forty visitations. A large crowd 
 attended the Easter Sunrise at the Lake of the Woods. . . .The 
 average attendance at the Vacation Bible School was 82; 48 
 were enrolled in the kindergarten. . . .Family Night Services 
 started and will continue monthly through May. A motion was 
 made in 1951 for the purchase of a new communion tablecloth, 
 but this was never secured so Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Taylor 
 bought one and presented it to the church. . . .Annual bazaar, 
 country store, and chicken supper. . . .Our Church is to pay a 
 four cents per capita to the Methodist Television Ministry. 
 
 30
 
 DECEASED 
 OFFICIAL 
 
 BOARD 
 MEMBERS 
 
 1916-1950 
 
 J. A. and Ellen Bellinger 
 
 Mary Scott 
 
 Robert Wright J. C. W. Pittman D. W. Shively Minerva Shively 
 
 Alice Johnston Anna Herriott Mary B. Caldwell William Caldwell 
 
 Arch Herriott Charles Purnell Elmer Miller 
 
 31 
 
 Frank Jahr
 
 1955 (OB). Young People's Conference and the Christian Witness Mission. 
 . . .Two activities have engaged the interest of the members of 
 the church during this past year: Remodeling the church and 
 working on the centennial, the theme of which is "Life is good 
 in Mahomet. U. S. A." The remodeling has included new oil 
 burner furnaces, covering the old registers in the sanctuary, 
 refinishing the entire basement in knotty pine with the 
 platinum finish, the installation of new kitchen equipment, 
 rearranging the lighting system, rest rooms in the basement, a 
 new inside stairway, rebuilding the outside steps, new tables 
 for the dining room, installing new folding curtains in the 
 basement, a public address system, and other items of modern- 
 ization making the basement more usable for religious educa- 
 tion and fellowship. 
 
 The Amici Class (young married people) is one of our most 
 active ones. Just recently they did a fine job in landscaping 
 of the church premises. They have also placed church signs 
 on the four roads leading into the town. 
 
 The Centennial was held Friday, April 29, through Sunday, 
 May 1. 
 
 The program Friday evening included a pageant in four acts 
 written by Gladys Clapper and Lulu Buker. 
 
 Centennial Reception Committee 
 
 Left to right: Millie Young, Gertrude Herriott, Lloyde Primmer, Estelle 
 Pugh, and Laura Purnell. Frank W. Taylor, another member of the 
 committee, was not present when the photo was made. 
 
 32
 
 As the book goes to press we learn from Mrs. Bess Warnfer that Mrs. 
 Diana Newell, grandmother of Mrs. Warner, taught the primary Sunday 
 school class until 1895. When they moved to the new church Mrs. Newell 
 (a crippled lady) quit teaching only because the distance was too great to 
 walk. Mrs. Minnie Clapper tells, "My first date with Frank Clapper was in 
 the old church when I was sixteen years of age. Mr. Clapper asked 'Aunt 
 Ag' Blue to ask me if I would go with him to the lecture at the church. 
 There was a chinaman talking that night. There were only two things to go 
 to in those days — church or literaries. Frank let me out at the front stile. 
 The chinaman talked so long and it was such a long drive home with the 
 horse and buggJ^" Charles Gifford has in his possession two books — the 
 old Methodist Hymnal Book (words without music) which had belonged to 
 Mrs. Mary E. Scott (this book was originally presented to Mrs. E. J. Davidson 
 on October 11, 1879 by Mrs. J. W. Sinnock) and "Memoir of Carvosso" from 
 the old Methodist Episcopal Sunday school library (number 193). Mr. Fred 
 Stearns sent to us some framed cards showing how the Methodist members 
 paid their dues. These cards were issued quarterly by the Minister. One 
 was the card of George Pittman (grandfather of Fred) dated May 20, 1855 
 signed by the Pastor, J. J. Hill. (Our records show that the first minister 
 was Rev. Garner so we believe this card was given when the Methodist 
 Church at Mahomet was on the Monticello Circuit. The Middletown Circuit 
 was established this same year.) Also received were "Rewards of Merit" 
 given to Jacob Pittman by Mrs. E. Savage, Inst, and to E. Pitman by A. L. 
 Flower, Ins. (Perhaps the Inst, or Ins. stands for Instructor.) These cer- 
 tificates of good behavior were given in evidence of the standards the church 
 had then. In those days it meant something to be a part of the church — 
 then one's Christian character had to match his confession of faith, his 
 honor, and membership in the church. To be all this, character had to be 
 beyond reproach and the church in recognizing this, issued the certificates. 
 
 34
 
 EARLY HISTORY OF MAHOMET 
 
 iM 
 
 AHOMET today is a scenic little town of some 1000 inhabitants 
 on the west bank of the Sangamon River at the intersection of two paved 
 highways, Routes 47 and 150. This location was chosen 123 years ago as a 
 settlement of a dozen families on an Indian trail. Champaign, the home of 
 the University of Illinois, is just ten miles from Mahomet. Many of the 
 residents of Mahomet are employed in Champaign. 
 
 It is an old saying that if anyone has ever drunk from the old 
 Sangamon River, or got his feet in the Sangamon, or smelled of the 
 Sangamon, he will always be back — or will never leave. 
 
 Mahomet was first settled in 1830. The original plat of Middletown 
 was surveyed and drawn up in 1832 by Daniel Porter, but could not be 
 recorded until there was a county organization. This organization, the 
 government land office, was for this section of the country, located at 
 Danville. 
 
 This location was chosen because of two important means of liveli- 
 hood: water (Sangamon River) and fuel (timber). Too, it was halfway 
 between Danville and Bloomington. 
 
 This area was early occupied by Indians. The original tribe of 
 Indians living in Champaign County were called Kickapoos and were one 
 of the tribes composing the Illinois Nation, called Illini. Near the gravel 
 pit of what was the Clark Pfiester farm was the place called "Bloody Bend." 
 The exact reason for this name is unknown; however, we do know that Mr. 
 Pfiester had a fine collection of Indian arrowheads which he had picked up 
 on his land which leads us to think that possibly an Indian battle had been 
 fought there. 
 
 The citizens of Mahomet area, fearing a raid during the period of the 
 Black Hawk War, met in the Jonathan Maxwell home which was located at 
 that time about 200 feet south of the bridge on the road going by the old 
 Ernest Stout residence to make war plans; however, the raid^ never 
 materialized. 
 
 On March 15, 1836, Mr. Porter entered the southeast quarter of the 
 northwest quarter of section 15, and placed on record a town plat covering 
 thirty-eight lots of that entry which he named Middletown. The area 
 extended from the Sangamon River west to the present site of the Masonic 
 Building. The plat conformed to the present Bloomington Road and was 
 the original of the village of Mahomet. 
 
 We cannot find a record as to just when the post office was changed 
 from Middletown to that of Mahomet, but some are of the opinion that the 
 change must have been made about 1840 because the maps of Illinois under 
 date of 1845 called this place Mahomet. For many years mail was forwarded 
 here, addressed to Middletown, Mahomet P. O. 
 
 Legend says it had originally been named Middletown because it was 
 halfway between Danville and Bloomington. The name was changed from 
 Middletown to Mahomet because there was a town named Middletown in 
 Logan County. 
 
 There are several different stories, some of which are contradictory, 
 regarding the name Mahomet. Authorities do not agree upon the dates of the 
 change from Middletown to Mahomet. 
 
 "It is named after an Indian Chief," says Mrs. Mae Rayburn. 
 
 An article which was originally printed in the Daily Pantagraph in 
 1888 and later reprinted in the Sucker State says: "Capt. Brown, founder 
 
 35
 
 of the Sucker State, proposed the name of Mahomet, and said it was as 
 heathenish a country as he knew of and ought to have a heathen name." 
 This is a mistake. 
 
 The post office was named by someone in the Post Office Department 
 at Washington, D. C, without so far as we have ever been able to learn, 
 consulting anyone here. 
 
 The old Masonic Lodge records say: "The name Mahomet was 
 selected because the Masonic lodge in Middletown was known as "Mahomet 
 Lodge, U. D." Records show that the dispensation was granted January 23, 
 1856, by W. B. Herrick, then Grand Master of Illinois, to open a lodge of 
 Masons at Middletown, Champaign County, Illinois, to be known as 
 "Mahomet Lodge, U. D." 
 
 When the Indiana, Bloomington, and Western Railway (later called 
 in jest the "I Better Walk Railroad") was built, T. M. Brown who was a 
 member of the first Board of Directors, used his influence to have the station 
 named Mahomet after the post office instead of Middletown. He afterwards 
 laid out the "Town of Mahomet" between the old depot and the old town, 
 and later the name of the township was changed to that of Mahomet. His 
 reasons for desiring the change were that it was a short name, easily spelled 
 and written and not common (there is no other river, mountain, lake or town 
 in the world by the name of Mahomet), and it was a nuisance to have two 
 different names for the town and post office. 
 
 The old Champaign County History states "The name was changed 
 from Middletown to Mahomet in 1871. Then next year, 1872, Mahomet 
 became an incorporated village. 
 
 Geologists tell us we are located in what is known as "Mahomet 
 Valley," so called because down 1600-1800 feet no strata of underlying rock 
 has been found. When some drilling for oil was done they found quick 
 sand over one hundred feet in depth, and several hundred feet below a lake 
 of fresh water, seventy-five feet deep. 
 
 The following information was taken from an old atlas dated 1878: 
 "In 1878, Mahomet was reported as having two flour mills, one grain station, 
 eight stores, one graded school and three churches (Presbyterian, Baptist, 
 and Methodist). Charles Parker was the first Methodist preacher; George 
 Cooper taught the first school; H. N. Adams was the first practitioner of 
 medicine. Mr. Porter operated the first store and was the first official 
 postmaster. 
 
 Some of the early citizens of Mahomet were John Egbert, John Parks 
 (originally a Whig but since the organization of the Republican Party he 
 became a Republican), Thomas A. Davidson (father of Mary E. Scott), 
 Stephen Abbott (postmaster and father of Laura, Byron and Abijah C. 
 Abbott), John and Joseph Maxwell, Fielding Scott and William W. Brown 
 (constable of Mahomet in 1856). 
 
 The first settler in Mahomet township was Jess Thompson, a squatter 
 on government land. Isaac Busey was the first man to enter land in 
 Mahomet township which was done at the Vandalia land office October 22, 
 1832. John Meade (grandfather of W. O. Dale) filed a homestead claim in 
 1833. 
 
 A list of some of the early settlers, the date when they came to Ma- 
 homet as well as their occupation was taken from the Atlas of 1878 and is 
 given on the next page. 
 
 36
 
 
 I i 
 
 i A btwt t , S. C 
 
 \ Abimt, MivMsry E. 
 
 f BolttNit lUu^ 
 
 \ B^<m« Mr*. Mcrjr 
 
 { Browa, laliwi D. 
 
 ^ Brows. Mn. Id« L. 
 
 I Bdli^jer, f . A. 
 
 \ B«Utii««r, Mn. lQ««»wr 
 
 ; Brown, W. W. 
 
 \ Brown, Mrs. McrtlM 
 
 f Canoa, Robert P, 
 
 \ Cmnon, Marf £. 
 
 ra««,0. M. ^*, 
 
 \ Rhteaboate, J. S. gST 
 
 fCartis,CC Lamed & 
 
 \ Larsed, C G. Cwrti*. 
 
 i Oappe^l. S> M. 
 
 \ C3i^pe|iwMrs. f^rasoes 
 
 f Davis, jii^<», 
 
 \ Duvit, Mrs. MaiT 
 
 \ DawdKm, F, T. S*^* 
 
 f Dedmas, E. C. 
 
 \ Dcdoao, Mrs. Aiiot £. 
 
 /|}«!e, Hmmiis 
 
 t Dale, Mis. MaiT E. 
 
 \ l^beit, Mrs. £. A. 
 Gatt**, A, J, 
 fMmam^ Rar. S. F. 
 GkmMtm, Mn.S.M. 
 €Me«r, G. F. 
 Gdfer* Mrs. Mtty E. 
 HmB^m^ Janes w. 
 
 iWtestj Mrs. S^ary 
 Mss. Mi^ida 
 , Jjtmss H. 
 ^ irikf, M. D. 
 t Kinky. T. |. 
 f Maxw^i, fo&q>h 
 \ Maxwdi, M?s. Reeaai^ 
 f Maxrwt^l, j^.^st 
 \ MaxvtiV l4nk Mary T. 
 ( Park, l<^a W. 
 \ Fade, Mm. OuoftBe 
 
 « R%yl2»n^ it Q^ 
 
 f Scott, r . li., 
 
 \Sc90tt.Mi«.|aikA. 
 f W«i«,!.C 
 
 % vTan^ MU Ar. 
 
 MabooMt 
 
 €l 
 
 u 
 
 Oxampaiga 
 
 u 
 
 Makomet 
 
 OOaUfATKNf. 
 
 HATtvnr, 'TOC' 
 
 Mnm't fattmam, & Kotaiy Pi^ Moma Co, N |. i8sa 
 Wtfe of S. C Abbott Lewia C^ Ky. 1% 
 CmpiMet DtfkeCo^O. tSs* 
 
 Wi^ of R. B. 'Mootg. Co., O. 11847, 
 
 Ak. LB. & W. R R Co. T^witt <k», IH, 185* 
 
 Wife of 
 Sec f^Ftemer 
 
 M*h«*t 
 
 gt 
 
 D. B. ;C^ffipo Co. DL'iS^, 
 
 Bcfar Pore ij^ondi^uunpn C& N Y 185$] 
 
 Cbampti Cg fU. |t84t 
 VrmiltonCoIttdiSsi 
 lOWo 
 !%tla., !^ 
 N.|. 
 
 14 Wife of J. A. B. 
 
 -** J. P. & GeiJ. Gd. Aksb* 
 
 Wife of W. W. R 
 
 Deakr in Coei. 
 
 Wife of R. P. a 
 
 f JDry Goodly 
 
 Notkm, \ jMe^ea 0>^ O. 
 \ Boete Shwk HmSsc / jRoas Co, O. 
 f Hsn^wm:. ^ovea, & > Colsa Co, Hi, 
 \ Tisware, fnnm. lap. / j VwokmU 
 
 Sec. 36 Fanoer a»^ Ssach Rj^i&lalr Ca, Pa. 
 
 4t 
 
 S«c H 
 «4 
 ai 
 
 St 
 
 M^IBt't 
 <l 
 w 
 •< 
 
 jeiWife of S. M. C. 
 'bah Gfoceiy and RetUoma 
 « Wife of J. D. 
 
 rDtrsin GfalB&^lt\ 
 t?K»Mabora,St»MUI/ 
 Fanaer ajvd Stock Ridbcr 
 WifeofE.C. B. 
 Famor lartd ^gck Raisef 
 Wife of T. D. 
 Dlr ijaxR., Brick, Hwre 
 WifeofJ, W. E. 
 Drugs and Grocsriea 
 Mtctster of Bap, Cbotcb 
 Wjfe of S. F. G. 
 Sec 35 Fanaw and Stock Raiser 
 
 asJWifeofG. F. G. 
 
 22 Farmer 
 
 20 Farmer and Stock Raiser 
 
 20 Wife of R. J. 
 
 14 Farming. 
 IHed F«*^ l8:ro. Lste Hcsb. of M.JohBscm 
 
 Ohio 
 
 Lickis 
 
 F^i«< 
 
 gC&jO. 
 Id Co., O, 
 
 s8<»5 
 
 gSsi 
 
 «87o; 
 
 I1856' 
 1856 
 
 i$S6 
 
 Ms4t«m Co., 0, 1853 
 
 Sbeiby Co., Ky. 1877 1 
 Cbaiapi} Co. I!i. 118531 
 Crawford C«.0, (1848: 
 Vermiikm co 11! 1835 | 
 Brown Co., O. 11856 
 aen»«it Co. 0.1856 
 Wvandottc co O 1867 
 Varmont jlSs* 
 
 Champn Co III. j j 
 Wurteab'if G«r. 1870^ 
 Wayne Co., Mo.'i870|- 
 KattCo.,IlL 11859 
 Irelaod ^, |i85$i 
 
 *• il8$6 
 
 FayeasCo.,ia.*j856 
 
 «♦ *• « 1856 
 
 Maho<!iet Sec 36 Farmo- ap4 ^ock F-aker |Tpecnoe co Isd i362| 
 
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 9FaitB^ acd Mmise^r 
 9iWife<^J<ito XI«&'T«!U 
 
 32Wi&c^J. W. P. 
 'MHai'tiHaicI K. Side Maie St. 
 
 JftmmmmmSSSS: 
 
 Putnam <^ W Va g86»| 
 j Monroe C^ lod. tS^j 
 jVijgo Co., iad. 18491 
 iGrecn Co., Tcaa i8jo I 
 FrKierick c© Va 1836I 
 J^^arsoo Co., O. ?86j!j 
 GeseseecoNV.tS6}'] 
 li(*:iaf Co.,0. 1876] 
 
 Sec sj.Fanner audi Sloeic Hidmr Ma«S»^ €«> , 0. 2853 
 
 HaofiaRe CO Va 1851 
 KocxCo., O. igy. 
 
 Fnak&s Co., O. 
 
 12 « MM 
 
 • W!<fcofW.R.& . , ^^ 
 
 Sac M4,rutmeg ami Suttk Primer iBowboB Co. % eSj»j 
 I^W»g«fF.L,S. fl iU M natoa oVaiSjoit 
 
 dFknsKs- ^4 JkwSu IChMMi Ce^ O. ftK^ 
 ^W^«f|.CW. |Cli3i^^Ca.ia. iiM| 
 
 R. A. Gulick wrote, "I remember the day Jim Cissne got the first 
 seltbinder in that locality. It first operated on what is now known as the 
 "Bob" Davis farm, was pulled by six horses and tied the grain with wire 
 bands. In 1888, Georgs Rising who lived one mile north of Rising Station 
 got the first steam thresher. The engine only turned the thresher and had 
 to be pulled by four horses from one job to another. About two yeais later 
 Mr. Rising got a traction engine for the thresher." 
 
 37
 
 Fred Stearns says that he remembers in the 1880's when living in 
 Mahomet, "Livestock ran at large all over town. Cows were common on 
 Main Street. Some farmeis who lived close to town drove their cattle to 
 town and on down to the river for water; the cattle were usually driven 
 down what everyone called "the back street," a block north and parallel 
 with Main Street. Mr. Adam's cow was a holstein with long horns and had 
 a bell which was different and there were brass knobs on the end of the 
 cow's horns. My father, John Stearns, had seventy head of hogs running 
 everywhere in town. They always came home to eat and sleep, but many 
 times there were fifty extra hogs to eat with Dad's." 
 
 Many early citizens of the town fought in the wars of this nation. In 
 Riverside Cemetery there is buried a general from the War of 1812. James 
 Q. Thomas was a veteran of the Mexican War. S. J. Purnell was a veteran 
 of the Spanish-American War. 
 
 June 1, 1861, in the old Baptist Church building, answer was made to 
 Abraham Lincoln's first call for 75,000 volunteers for service in the Civil 
 War. It has been said that Mahomet, according to its population, furnished 
 more volunteers than any other community in the state of Illinois. Sgt. 
 T. J. Scott was wounded 13 times at the Battle of Chicamauga, 3 bullets 
 passing through his legs and one bullet taking part of his heal away. Mr. 
 Scott was left on the battlefield for dead. Jim Ware crawled out on the 
 battlefield at night and found Mr. Scott sitting beside a brook bathing his 
 wounds. 
 
 Fred Stearns sent to us a letter addressed to his father in 1866 here 
 at Mahomet during the Civil War from a Mr. Acree which told of some of 
 the marches they were making. 
 
 During the Civil War the stage brought the mail from Champaign, 
 arriving about 6:00 P. M. A crowd gathered in front of the post office 
 (located then in the brick mill) and someone read the Chicago paper aloud, 
 giving the progress of the war. 
 
 In the Lathrop Champaign County Directory, published by Rand 
 McNally & Company for the year of 1870, it states there were 143 dwellings 
 in Mahomet township. In the village of Mahomet there were 148 dwellings 
 with a pouulation of 670. The highest wages paid to male teachers in 1870 
 was $120 and female teachers $55. The lowest pay was $20. Corn raised: 
 163,260 bushels; Irish potatoes raised: 6,498 bushels; butter: 23,579 pounds. 
 
 The last of the original timber to be cut down in Mahomet was that 
 of a thirty-acre tract joining the corporate limits of the village on the norih 
 and later known as the Dowell or Grand View Farm. In the spring of 1879 
 this ground was plowed and sown to wheat. Men were employed to harvest 
 the wheat with a hand sickle and not with a scythe and cradle, and the 
 bundles were made and tied by hand. Harvesting by hand was necessary 
 because of the stumps. 
 
 "The business section of Mahomet was badly scorched this morning 
 [June 6, 1902], the post office. Ford's general store, Donham's restaurant and 
 drug store and two blacksmith shops, being destroyed." The fire was 
 caused by the explosion of a gasoline stove. By hard work of volunteer 
 fire fighters comprising a bucket brigade, the grocery store of B. D. Abbott, 
 H. J. Morehouse's undertaking establishment, and the blacksmith shop were 
 saved. Some who suffered losses were Capt. D. J. Ford ($5000), B. F. 
 Donham Drug Store and Restaurant ($1500), A. E. Smith buildings occu- 
 pied by drug store, restaurant, ice house, and barn ($1100), W. H. Holzer 
 blacksmith shop ($700), and Charles Stidham blacksmith shop ($800). 
 
 38
 
 Main Street in Mahomet 1910 
 
 Weather conditions are decidedly different today from those of a 
 century ago, as shown by reports from various sources. In February, 1830, 
 the biggest snowfall fell in Central Illinois. It snowed constantly for four 
 days and nights until the snow was four feet on a level while drifts were 
 twenty to twenty-five feet high. On March 28, 1876, a big snow fell and 
 drifted. Farmers drove to town through the fields, going over fences. This 
 same thing was true again in March, 1914. 
 
 The coldest day of which there is any record here was on New Year's 
 Day, 1864, reported to be forty degrees below zero. (Records of big sleets 
 are remembered in February, 1883, and again in 1893. On May 24, 1925, 
 a cold wave with one-eighth of an inch of ice killed all gardens and corn. 
 
 In May, 1914, after a heavy I'ain, the Sangamon River rose eight feet 
 in nine hours. The heaviest rainfall at any one time, on record, happened 
 on March 18, 1933; 5.09 inches of water fell. 
 
 Perhaps the warmest winter day of which there is any record was on 
 November 23, 1931, when the thermometer read 72 degrees. 
 
 One of the worst wind storms or tornadoes happened in June, 1902. 
 Originally, the farm home of Mrs. Charles S. Purnell was a full two-story 
 dwelling but after this tornado, which took away the upper story, the house 
 was rebuilt to a story and a half. 
 
 Roadways, Bridges, Etc. 
 
 The building of the concrete sidewalk, north of the Manuel Service 
 Station on Route 47 to the Riverside Cemetery was financed by proceeds 
 raised from home talent shows given in Abbott's Hall in 1913-14. Citizens 
 donated some of the labor. The steel supports upon which Ihe concrete 
 sidewalk is built over the creek south of the cemetery came from the second 
 wagon bridge over the river east of Mahomet. 
 
 For many years a sidewalk commencing east of the Masonic building 
 and ending at the brick mill was elevated above the ground. Originally, all 
 the sidewalks in town were made of boards. Later, many of the sidewalks 
 were made with bricks from the "Julie" D. Brown brickyard. 
 
 The old Bloomington or State Road was first an Indian trail that 
 branched off in a northwest direction just west of the present Masonic 
 building. 
 
 Mrs. Mae Rayburn reports that F. L. Scott in 1835 took a plow and 
 team and ran a straight furrow to Uibana because the trail between the 
 settlement and Urbana was so roundabout. Along the line of Scott's furrow 
 
 39
 
 was formed the Bloomington road at a later date. In 1836, Isaac Busey and 
 Jonathan Osborn were authorized to locate a state road from Urbana to 
 Bloomington. 
 
 At the meeting of the County Commissioners in 1836 a license was 
 granted William Osborne to keep a ferry on the Sangamon River, Osborne 
 to pay a $2.00 license fee. The following ferry rates were established'. 
 Ferrying one man 6y4c; one horse 6y4c; one horse wagon 25c, etc. 
 
 South of the Big Four Railroad tracks, below the Ernest Stout place, 
 was another road which led off in a southwest direction and was known as 
 "Lover's Lane." Wiley Davis who homesteaded and owned five hundred 
 acres of land where W. H. Wyatt now lives, to drain the water from the road, 
 plowed a furrow through the woods. Today, after one hundred years, this 
 furrow is a deep ravine. 
 
 Dr. Hartrick, a practicing physician in Seymour for many years, told 
 of a man in 1850, living near Seymour, making the trip to Champaign via 
 Mahomet to secure a doctor. This was necessary because there were many 
 sloughs and no bridges via the Springfield Road, and east of Bondville a 
 man on horseback could not get through. 
 
 In 1888, Jonas Lester got a contract from the city to gravel Main 
 Street from Ford's Corner to Geiger's Corner. Mr. Lester hauled eight 
 loads in ten hours and received $2.40 for man and team for ten hours of 
 work. 
 
 In 1917, the diagonal trail was marked through Mahomet, known as 
 the Egyptian Trail. This was the longest trail in the world, extending from 
 Washington to Florida. 
 
 In October, 1925, Route 39 (now 150) was opened between Mahomet 
 and Champaign. 
 
 The ford across the Sangamon River started down just about at the 
 cross roads east of the bridge on Route 150. During high water a regular 
 licensed ferry operated for a number of years. 
 
 The first county bridge over the Sangamon River, built with tree 
 pilings for a foundation, was built some time during the 1850's. For many 
 years after the bridge was built people continued to cross at the ford to 
 soak up their wagon or buggy wheels. 
 
 f VJif^if 
 
 1 
 
 Bridge Over Sangamon River East of Mahomet 
 
 At top, Sam Stout, below, Roscoe Lindsey 
 
 40
 
 The present wagon bridge across the Sangamon, east of town, is the 
 third upon this site. An item taken from the Sucker State of 1916 says: 
 "The proposition for the township to borrow $2,813 to pay for the east bridge 
 carried at Tuesday's election. The vote was: 113 men and 47 women voted 
 for and 25 men and 2 women voted against." (Notice the separation of 
 men's and women's votes.) 
 
 "Bill" Johnston told of the building of the south bridge. "Richard 
 Johnston and R. G. Rayburn were commissioners," he says, "when they 
 built the bridge on Route 47, south of town. This was the first bridge across 
 the Sangamon, and people strongly opposed it because they thought it 
 would break up the township. Wilson Miller fought it bitterly. R. G. 
 Rayburn said 'why it won't cost you the price of a pair of pants.' Wilson 
 Miller thought it would. 'Well, have you noticed it yet in your taxes?' asked 
 R. G. 'No,' replied Wilson. 'Well, the money has all been collected,' 
 said R. G." 
 
 The railroad bridge over the Sangamon was first built upon pilings. 
 Later, steel tressels were built. 
 
 Elbert Morrison states there is no positive information, but evidently 
 at a township election held in 1871 Middletown Township bonded itself for 
 the sum of $50,000 for the purpose of inducing the Indiana, Bloomington, and 
 Western Railroad Company to build its right of way, erect and maintain a 
 depot in Mahomet. Perhaps "Billy" Holzer was the first ticket agent. The 
 present depot was completed in 1872. This depot was originally south of 
 the R. G. Rayburn farm and moved from that location to Mahomet. 
 
 Early Depot at Mahomet 
 
 Patronage of the railroad was heavy. It was reported that in one 
 day over three hundred round-trip tickets were sold for the morning east- 
 bound train to Champaign. 
 
 Quoting from the Sucker State in December, 1915: "There were 459 
 tickets sold to Champaign last Saturday for train No. 16. When the 
 passenger coaches were filled, men and women were forced to stand in the 
 baggage car." 
 
 Some of the agents for the "Big Four" have been Henry Shively, 
 Tom Deacon, Russell Buckles, N. E. Reece, W. E. Spearman, Leonard 
 Hendrickson, and the present one is a lady, M. C. Smith. 
 
 41
 
 INSTITUTIONS 
 
 For many years Sunday afternoon preaching services were held at 
 the Pioneer School on U. S. Route 150. H. J. Morehouse was the first person 
 to address the people there. The meetings were undenominational. 
 
 S. C. Abbott records in his autobiography (1853) the story of 
 preaching services held in a log schoolhouse on the Bloomington road, now 
 identified as the Brick or Salem School. . . .The circuit rider came around 
 once a month. 
 
 It is recorded that Mr. Harris built at his own expense a log school- 
 house which was later used as a church. 
 
 Bethel M. E. Church was built at the northwest corner of the Harris 
 Cemetery. Mrs. Mae Rayburn writes, "Many funerals were held in the 
 Bethel Church, and my father helped dig many graves. The local Presby- 
 terian minister held services at the Methodist Church at Seymour and also 
 in our North School. I was a member of the church and paid $3.00 a year 
 besides what I gave to the Sunday school." 
 
 The Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 1839-1867 
 The Mahomet Baptist Church 1867-1954 
 
 Sunday, June 23, 1839 — A group of Baptists from Middletown, now 
 Mahomet, drove over to Mt. Pleasant, now Farmer City, and organized the 
 Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, the territory reaching from 6 miles west 
 of Mt. Pleasant to Urbana, a distance of over 30 miles. 
 
 September 1839 — The Church Organization was moved to Middletown 
 and Rev. I. D. Newell of Waynesville, Illinois was hired to preach once a 
 month at a salary of $40 per year. 
 
 November 1839 — First authentic record of a business meeting held in 
 the storeroom of Daniel Porter on the second Saturday of the month. 
 
 1840- — The first church was constructed, a frame structure about 
 20'x30' in the northeast corner of the present grade school grounds. 
 
 42
 
 February 1850 — On the second Lord's Day, quoting from the church 
 records, "A motion was made by John C. Robertson and seconded by F. L. 
 Scott that there be three trustees appointed to select a piece of ground to 
 build a Missionary Baptist Meeting House in Middletown, Illinois, Cham- 
 paign County." 
 
 July 1852 — It was voted at a business meeting to assess a $2.00 poll 
 tax against each male member and to appoint a committee to borrow the 
 money necessary for the completion of the building. 
 
 August 1854 — The church agreed to buy the property of William 
 Pickerel for a parsonage at a cost of $475. A regular full-time pastor was 
 secured. 
 
 July 1855 — The church adopted the following resolution at a business 
 meeting, "Resolved that the trustees of the church be directed to have no 
 shows or theatrical performances in the church house." 
 
 1858 — The Rev. J. R. Combs was called as pastor at a salary of $700 
 per annum. In October 1858, the following resolution was passed at a 
 business meeting: "That the trustees of this church not let the church house 
 be used for political purposes or speeches." 
 
 June 1, 1861 — The church doors were thrown open for the first time 
 except for a religious meeting. Sixty-nine men enlisted in Company I of 
 the 125th Illinois Voluntary Infantry Regiment. 
 
 Sunday, June 11, 1865 — Ordination of Rev. S. F. Gleason, who served 
 the church as pastor for twenty years. 
 
 March 1867 — The old meeting house needing repairs, a committee was 
 appointed to ascertain the cost of a new church. Members of the committee 
 were F. L. Scott, I. C. Abbott, and James Robertson. 
 
 April 1867 — The committee reported that a church 36x52 feet built of 
 brick would cost $5000 and of frame $4,000. The church voted that a 
 building committee composed of F. L. Scott, Joseph Maxwell, and T. M. 
 Brown be authorized to contract for a church building, 36x52 feet to be 
 built of brick. 
 
 May, 1867 — $3130 had been subscribed. T. M. Brown donated three- 
 fourths of an acre of ground for a church building purposes south of the 
 graveyard. The three highest subscribers were F. L. Scott $500, Joseph 
 Maxwell $400, and Thomas J. Scott $300. The contract was let to Pittman, 
 Stein, and Cox at $4,300 who returned $100 as a donation. 
 
 Summer 1867 — Dedication of the present church, which at that time 
 faced east and had a wooden steeple. 
 
 1895 — The present parsonage was acquired. 
 
 1901 — Contract awarded to Frank Wright to remodel the church and 
 build a bell tower and entrance at the northwest corner of the building. 
 
 1914 — The basement v/as dug. 
 
 1918 — The original bell cracked on Armistice Day. The present bell 
 was secured from Mahomet Presbyterian Church. 
 
 1925 — The Sunday school room on the north side was added and the 
 basement completed at a cost of $4500. 
 
 1952 — A formal incorporation of the church under the name of 
 "Mahomet First Baptist Church." 
 
 The Bethel Missionary Church was known early in its history as a 
 "Close Communion Church." The old records contain many instances of 
 members being called before the Church for "Acts inconsistent with 
 Christian Character" and in the majority of cases the members confessed 
 and asked forgiveness which was granted. Dancing and drunkeness were 
 the subjects of much discipline. 
 
 Pastors in recent years have included: W. L. Patton (1929-1939), 
 
 43
 
 H. Q. Morton (1939-1945), C. B. Hilton (1945-1949), Peter Siemens (1949- 
 1951), Maurice B. Denham (1951-1954), F. V. Wright (interim Pastor 1954), 
 and the present pastor, D. J. Unruh. 
 
 Shiloh Methodist Church 
 
 The Mciii^uisls ill i'aiicake Point vicinity organized about 1854 with 
 ten members. The first year, church services were held in the home of J. S. 
 Hannah. For a time church services were held in the Lester schoolhouse 
 which then stood one-half mile east of Pancake Point. (This schoolhouse 
 was a log structure with home made seats and rude walls.) Later a 
 frame school building was erected and served as a place of worship. 
 
 This Methodist organization grew and the membership felt the need 
 of a church building. At first a site was decided upon near the present 
 Shiloh Cemetery, but failing here, they secured the present spot which was 
 deeded to the Church by Gabriel Bryan so long it was used as a church 
 site. John Hubbard Funston, who came to Illinois from Ohio in 1851, did 
 much of the carpenter work and managed and planned the entire work. 
 The first Church was completed and dedicated July 16, 1866, by Col. Gran- 
 ville Moody of Ohio, brother-in-law of B. F. Harris 1. This church was a 
 single one-room building with an aisle on each side. The men and boys 
 sat on the south side and the women and girls on the north side, while some 
 of the Church Fathers occupied the Amen corner. 
 
 The first pastor of the first Church at Shiloh was Rev. C. Y. Hecox. 
 This was then on the Middletown (Mahomet) Circuit. In 1870 Shiloh 
 became a part of Newcomb Circuit, then later in 1877 changed and became 
 a part of Fisher Circuit. Later it was known as Shiloh Charge. Again in 
 1925 under Rev. J. H. Singleton it was a part of the Shiloh Circuit but 
 shortly thereafter it became and remains a separate charge. 
 
 In 1902 the second Shiloh Church was completed and dedicated on 
 .May 4. The old church had been moved east and was used as a Township 
 Hall. The dedication sermon was preached by W. H. Wilder, who for a 
 number of years was President of Illinois Wesleyan at Bloomington. On 
 July 19, 1916, this church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. 
 The present Shiloh Church, a beautiful brick building, erected at a 
 cost of $10,000, was dedicated May 13, 1917, free of debt. Bishop Anderson 
 preached the dedicatory sermon. The brick parsonage which stands just 
 east of the church was built in 1920. 
 
 When Rev. J. H. Singleton disposed of his tract of land to the east 
 
 44
 
 and north, a small adjoining acreage, Shiloh purchased it as an addition to 
 the church property. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church 
 
 The Presbyterian Church was completed in Mahomet in 1858. On 
 September 22, 1859, T. M. Brown with his wife donated Lots No. one and 
 two by deed, "To the Trustees of the Old School Presbyterian Church and 
 their successors in Office." Sometime after 1859, the name was changed as 
 indicated by a mortgage executed April 26, 1882, by "The Salem Presby- 
 terian Church of Mahomet," in the amount of $200. 
 
 Two families influential in the building of the church were Mr. and 
 Mrs. William Herriott who came from Kentucky in 1840, and Mr. and Mrs. 
 John Rayburn who came from Ohio in 1853. Also prior to 1858 came the 
 James Graham family of Hensley Township. These families affiliated at 
 first with the church at Urbana, but in 1858 they proceeded to organize a 
 church and erect their house of worship here in Middletown. 
 
 Services were conducted weekly fi'om the beginning until the church 
 was disbanded, except for a few years when the Christian denomination used 
 their meeting house under the leadership of the Rev. Mr. McMillen. The 
 Presbyterians ordained Rev. C. P. Graham to the ministry. We might also 
 note that the Rev. Henry Wallace served here for awhile, he being "Uncle 
 Henry Wallace" of "Wallace's Farmer" whose son was Secretary of Agri- 
 culture. 
 
 A difference of opinion arose in the Mahomet Presbyterian Church 
 during the political campaign between Tilden and Hayes in 1880, and as a 
 result of this dispute, no preaching services were held for five years. At the 
 end of that time an evangelist revived the church, and it was active until 
 1912 when the congregation became too sniall to support a church, and 
 members transferred to other churches in the village. J. G. Venable, pastor 
 of the church for seven years, preached his farewell sermon on May 19, 1912. 
 
 The last public church service of the Presbyterian Church in Mahomet 
 was held in September, 1914. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church bought the old Methodist parsonage which 
 was later known as the Sarah Young residence. H. E. Bridges bought the 
 Presbyterian Church building, partitioned it off, and for a number of years 
 he and his wife lived in a portion of it. 
 
 The church bell now in the Mahomet Baptist Church tower was 
 
 45
 
 A Group of Presbyterian Ladies 
 
 Top row, left to right: Mollie Herriott Bessie Phillippe 
 Third row, left to right: Hattie Black, Nelle Veneable, Lilah Clapper, 
 Fannie Rayburn, Lloyde Phillippe 
 
 Second row, left to right: Lulu DeHart, Hannah Buckles, Rebecca Her- 
 riott, Addie Herriott, Ella Phillippe 
 First row, left to right: May Rayburn, Nelle Watson Buckles, Belle Snell 
 
 originally in the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 The "Little Rebel" Presbyterian Church which stood two miles east 
 of the Oak Grove United Brethren Church for many years was very strong 
 in its early ministry. The church was called "Little Rebel" because of so 
 many southern sympathizers composing its membership during the Civil 
 War. Even after the war a great furor was created when one of its members 
 in a prayer (during Grant's administration) referred to "this rotten Repub- 
 lican cursed nation." This Presbyterian Church was also called "Jersey." 
 Rev. Mr. Venable was its last pastor. 
 
 The United Brethren Cturch 
 
 The United Brethren Church at Oak Grove was organized under the 
 direction of Mr. Naylor and Mr. Foulk. The church building was built 
 during the summer of 1880. Services prior to the opening of the church 
 were held for several years in the Oak Grove schoolhouse. 
 
 Church of the Nazarene 
 
 In the early part of 1927 the first revival meeting was held in one of 
 the uptown buildings by Rev. Noah Garvin and Rev. Mamie Burton. 
 
 The church w,as organized August 27, 1927, with the Rev. Mamie 
 Burton as pastor. 
 
 The first building was a small tabernacle which was moved here 
 from Tolono and erected just north of Jahr's store. 
 
 The ground upon which tl^e church now stands was donated to the 
 trustees of said church by Asberry Adams, so long as used for church 
 purposes. The present church building was completed in 1950, and dedicated 
 September 24, 1950. 
 
 46
 
 In 1952 the church purchased for a parsonage the property known as 
 the Ford place, next to the old Ford brick home in the west part of town. 
 
 On February 1, 1951, Rev. H. K. Burton became the minister of the 
 church. 
 
 Cemeteries 
 
 Jesse Tompkins was the first person who died in the township and 
 was buried on what was known as the farm of Thomas A. Davidson. (This 
 is the Edna Herriott farm.) 
 
 Middletown Cemetery, known as the Village Cemetery, was laid off 
 as a public burial ground in 1850. One marker in this cemetery shows that 
 a lady was buried here when this was English territoi'y. In this cemetery 
 was buried the first doctor of Mahomet, Dr. Adams. 
 
 Bryant Cemetery, southeast of town, is a free public burial ground. 
 One grave is believed to be that of an old Indian chief. 
 
 Riverside Cemetery was laid off as a public burial ground in 1854, the 
 original owner being J. W. Pancake. On July 16, 1870, the cemetery was 
 sold to James Davis for $100. In 1869 a surveyor made a plat for the 
 cemetery which was not recorded until 1883. This cemetery was sold on 
 August 2, 1921 to Arch and Nancy Thompson and remained in their names 
 until 1927 when Ray Bailey fell heir to it. On February 10, 1931, Ray Bailey 
 sold the cemetery to J. L. Thompson. On September 24, 1937, the cemetery 
 was incorporated for endowment with seven members of the Board, which 
 board is approved by the County Judge. The cemetery has a State Charter. 
 Ernest Moon is now President of this Corporation and they have $12,000 
 loaned out to Mahomet people. The interest from this money is used to 
 take care of this cemetery. James Smith has worked at the Riverside 
 Cemetery off and on since he was about 12 years old but worked continu- 
 ously from 1927 to 1947 at which time he was forced to give up his work 
 because of ill health. 
 
 Schools 
 
 The first school on the Sangamon was taught by Charles Cooper in 
 1835. It was a log cabin 16x18, with windows of greased paper. It was 
 located one-half mile south of Mahomet, then Middletown. Pupils were 
 J. R. Robertson, the Maxwells, the Scotts, the Osborns, and the Lindseys. 
 
 Bert Bailey's residence was first used as a schoolhouse and was 
 possibly the first schoolhouse in the town of Middletown. 
 
 47
 
 According to one story told, the first log schoolhouse east of Mahomet 
 stood at or near the present east line fence of the Timber Edge farm and 
 back from the road about two hundred feet. 
 
 The front part of the house of Mrs. Rose Adams' mother, Mrs. William 
 Lindsey, was once used as a schoolhouse. 
 
 Several living persons recall a log school at the southeast corner of 
 what has been called "Rayburn Corner," north of the Frank Taylor farm. 
 Later this was torn down and a frame school built upon its site which was 
 later moved to the site of the Union School. Later Harmony School, district 
 28, was built one-half mile north of U. S. Route 150. Cherry Grove School 
 was built in 1870. 
 
 In Stewart's history of Champaign County, page 491, S. C. Abbott 
 says: "In 1847 a frame house was built near where William Lindsey now 
 lives, and in 1851 a two-story frame schoolhouse near where the present 
 brick schoolhouse now stands. This schoolhouse stood near the site of the 
 old well house on the present grade school grounds. It was later a part of 
 the 'Vet' Lewis property, south of the grade school grounds and known as 
 the 'Flats.' " 
 
 "When I came to Mahomet about 1895," says Mrs. Ethel Jones, "the 
 schoolhouse used to be in the Old Flat building which has now been lorn 
 down. Then they built a four-room brick, two rooms down and two up. 
 This was later moved and is now a part of the house where 'Nash' Smith 
 formerly lived." 
 
 Later, the four-room brick was torn down and a new building built 
 like the present one. They went into the building in January, 1910, and in 
 May, the day after school closed, the building burned. The present building 
 was built in the same place and exactly like the one that burned. Records 
 show Myrta Morehouse employed as the teacher at $35 a month. 
 
 Grade School Fire 1910 
 
 In 1914, according to the Sucker State, "Two gasoline lamps have 
 been purchased for the high school." In 1916, "State Superintendent of 
 Public Instruction has notified Principal C. P. Bauman that the Mahomet 
 High School has now been given probationary recognition as a four-year 
 
 48
 
 high school. The tuition rate has been raised to $600, a sum sufficient to 
 pay one of the teachers." 
 
 "Dad" Heavins was janitor at the grade school building from 1910 to 
 1936, taking out one year in 1922 to serve as janitor at the high school. The 
 present high school building was completed in 1921. Ora Crowley was 
 janitor at the high school building from June 19, 1923 to August 15, 1945. 
 "Orie" was more than a janitor. He knew all of the students, and to this 
 day knows the year of their graduation, and the members of the various 
 graduating classes. In February, 1937, the north end of the high school was 
 completed. 
 
 A Grade School Room 
 
 Front row, left to right: Marion Babb, Paul Buckles, Raye Maxwell, 
 Sidney Smith, Virgil Hyatt, Kenneth Smoot 
 
 Second row, left to right: Myrna Daniels, June Foster, Nettie Sherman, 
 Helen Kimble, Frances Patton, Viola Carter, Esther Beals, Rosa Siburt 
 Third row, left to right: C. E. Coffin, Verna Daniels, Zelda Smith, Faye 
 Maxwell, Iva Babb, Mary Campbell, Musa Roberts, Elsie Smith, Dalene 
 Roberts, Hazel Beals, Gertrude Todd, E. E. Garver 
 
 Fourth row, left to right: Milo Lefever, Dick Foster, Cecil Pike, ? , 
 Ed Record, Philip McLaughlin 
 
 Fifth row, left to right: Dale Warren, Amos Beals, George Irle, Elmer 
 Welch, ? , Howard "Casey" Jones, Willis Lindsey 
 
 Superintendent O. W. Osborne writes on the progress of Mahomet 
 schools: "One of the biggest changes in the schools of Mahomet and 
 Seymour communities came with reorganization to form a unit district in 
 1948. Many rural school districts were incorporated into a unit which 
 comprised ninety square miles. Only Mahomet High School remained open 
 to accomodate the graduates of the elementary schools of the unit; the three- 
 year high school at Seymour became a grade school only. The Mahomet and 
 Seymour Grade schools each enroll children in grades one through eight. 
 
 "With the reorganization came additional stress on vocal and instru- 
 mental music, and boys' and girls' physical education. A hot lunch program 
 was begun in all three centers, having been started earlier at the Mahomet 
 Grade School under the sponsorship of the P-T.A. Additional equipment 
 and improvements have been added yearly until the kitchens are now well 
 
 49
 
 equipped to serve the boys and girls. Transportation by bus of all rural 
 children in the unit has been a natural outgrowth of unit organization. 
 
 "Within a couple of years it was realized that the Mahomet Grade 
 School could no longer provide proper facilities nor sufficient space for the 
 pupils in that center. Plans were formulated and a bond issue passed to 
 build an addition to house the first five or six grades and to provide a 
 cafeteria and community room. This building costing $225,000 was first 
 used in the Fall of 1952. 
 
 "Over the last six years considerable improvement in educational 
 offerings for boys and girls have been developed which were made possible 
 only by the co-operation of the school patrons throughout the unit. Pros- 
 pects for enrollments for the Fall of 1955 are estimated to be: Mahomet 
 High School 150-155 students; Mahomet Grade School approximately 350 
 pupils; Seymour Grade School about 115." 
 
 ORGANIZATIONS 
 
 Senior Woman's Club 
 
 The Senior Woman's Club was organized in the home of Mrs. J. O. 
 Pearman on January 5, 1911. Mrs. J. N. Black was the first president. 
 There were forty-two charter members and two honorary members. The 
 membership for 1954-55 is sixty-seven, with Mrs. William Habberton as 
 president. Mrs. William Johnson, a charter member, is Club Mother. 
 
 Mahomet Town and Country Club 
 
 This group of ladies was organized under "Mahomet Junior Woman's 
 Club" November, 1937. There were twelve charter members with Mary 
 Dale Patton as President. In 1954-1955 the club changed its name to 
 "Mahomet Town and Country Club." The present officers are: president, 
 Wanda Shoemaker; first vice president, Phyllis Rayburn; second vice presi- 
 dent, Georgia Hickle; secretary, Verna Armstrong; treasurer, Rosemary 
 Buker; assistant secretary-treasurer, Isabelle Parnell. There are forty-eight 
 members. 
 
 Mahomet Farm Bureau Unit 
 
 The Mahomet Unit of the Farm Bureau was organized in 1914 under 
 Farm Advisor, Charles Oathout, with M. O. Stover as Unit Director. We 
 have no record of the number of farmers who were charter members; Frank 
 W. Taylor and "Colonel" Phillippe are the only living ones. 
 
 In this year, 1955, there are 150 members in this Unit with Keith 
 Clapper as Unit Director. This is one of the strongest units in the County. 
 Meetings are held on the first Wednesday night of each month at the high 
 school. The members and the wives are loyal to their organization both in 
 attendance and in food preparation. 
 
 The Four-H, an organization of youth, is sponsored by the Farm and 
 Home Bureau. 
 
 Mahomet Home Bureau 
 
 The Mahomet Home Bureau Unit was organized in 1921 at a meeting 
 held in the country home of Mrs. B. F. Rayburn, with seventeen members. 
 Mrs. Rayburn was elected president. 
 
 The officers for 1955 are: Mrs. Fred Mohr, president; Mrs. Elmer 
 Woodard, vice president; and Mrs. Wm. Barnes, secretary-treasurer. The 
 present membership is thirty-six. 
 
 50
 
 Grand Army of the Republic 
 
 Post members of G. A. R. of 1884 were William P. Dick, Reuben M. 
 Bell, B. F. Thomas, W. M. Horney, W. H. McCracken, James G. Watson, John 
 P. Stucky, Thomas J. Scott, David J. Ford, S. C. Abbott, Peter Kieffer, John 
 Lott, Samuel Hyde, M. Pugh, Richard Johnston, David Fisher, T. M. Brown, 
 William Hubbard, Benjamin McGath, J. P. Starling, H. W. Ellis, George 
 Warner, Joshua Smith, I. C. Abbott, Joseph Ware, George L. Beaver, W. T. 
 Holt, G. W. Jackson, J. Culver, and E. C. Bartholow. 
 
 Daughters of the American Revolution 
 
 Mrs. Elbert W. Morrison and Mrs. William Habberton have been 
 members of the Alliance Chapter of the "Daughters of the American Revo- 
 lution" for several years. Mrs. Robert Clapper, Sr. and Mrs. Charles Patton 
 became members in 1954-1955. 
 
 In September 1952 a ceremony was conducted in the village cemetery 
 when a "Real Daughter" marker was placed at the grave of Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Conger Abbott, daughter of Capt. David Conger and the granddaughter of 
 Gen. Joseph Jackson, both of whom served in the Revolutionary Army. 
 Mrs. Elbert W. Morrison of Mahomet, a great-granddaughter of Mrs. Abbott, 
 accepted the marker which was the first of its kind to be placed in this 
 vicinity since few of the "real" daughters of the Revolution had ventured so 
 far West. 
 
 The American Legion Post 1015 
 
 The American Legion Post 1015, Mahomet, Illinois, was chartered in 
 1946 with W. Paul Jones as its first Commander. 
 
 During the first four years Post meetings were held in the City 
 building and in Don Robert's Building. In 1950 ground was purchased and 
 the Post Home was built on the north side of Main street adjacent to the 
 Masonic building. 
 
 Past Commanders of the Post, up to the time of this publication, are 
 W. Paul Jones, Victor Wood, Fred Grindley, Wendell Phillippe, and Everett 
 Wood. Harold Hickle is the present Commander, and the membership totals 
 109, an all-time high in the history of the Post. 
 
 Since being chartered, the membership has been active in civic affairs 
 and in promoting the basic programs of the National Organization, namely, 
 Americanism, Child Welfare, Rehabilitation, and Civil Defense. 
 
 The American Legion Auxiliary of Post 1015 
 
 The Auxiliary of Post 1015 was chartered in May, 1947 with 14 
 charter members and Opal Wood as its president. 
 
 The Unit has actively supported the Legion Post in all of its pi-ograms. 
 
 Past Presidents of the Unit are Opal Wood, Mary Patton, Hilda 
 Kimble, Geraldine Hickle, Sylvia Swartz, and Dorothea Scott. Thelma 
 Parrett is the president at the time of this publication, and the membership 
 of the Unit is 56, which is an all-time high. 
 
 Masonic Lodge 
 
 Mahomet Lodge A. F. & A. M. No. 220 was granted a charter from the 
 Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois on October 7, 1856. 
 The first officers were: Worshipful Master, P. M. Parks; Senior Warden, 
 William Stewart; Junior Warden, William Walters. 
 
 The dispensation for this lodge was granted January 23, 1856 by W. B. 
 
 51
 
 Herrick, then Grand Master of Illinois, to open a lodge of Masons at 
 Middletown, Champaign County, Illinois, to be known as "Mahomet Lodge, 
 U. D." 
 
 The Masonic Lodge first met in the old Union Hall, located on what 
 is now the grade school yard. The old Masonic building situated on Lot. 
 No. 38 was dedicated January 1, 1876 and cost $1400. The new building, a 
 two-story one, located on the same site was dedicated in 1949. 
 
 The present officers are: Worshipful Master, Raymond Primmer; 
 Senior Warden, Virgil Watts; Junior Warden, Dean Holderfield. 
 
 Eastern Star 
 
 Mecca Chapter, No. 901, Order of the Eastern Star was instituted at 
 Mahomet on October 2, 1923. There were thirty-three charter members. 
 The membership on April 1, 1955 was one hundred and thirty. Mrs. Myrta 
 Dale was the first Worthy Matron, and Charles Patton the first Worthy 
 Patron. The 1955 Worthy Matron is Mrs. Betty Moon and Worthy Patron is 
 Harold Moon. Mrs. Nelle Morrison was the only Grand Lecturer from 
 Mecca Chapter, and served this Chapter for fifteen years. She now holds 
 the title of Grand Lecturer Emeritus. 
 
 I. O. O. F. 
 
 The Pacific encampment No. 126, I. O. O. F. dates its existence back 
 to 1871. The charter members were James R. Robertson, H. S. Ore, Wash- 
 ington Nebeker, Samuel Steed, Lafayette Savage, E. B. Smith and John 
 Beers. 
 
 The meetings were originally held in the Union Hall which was 
 located at that time on what is now the grade school grounds. This building 
 burned down in May, 1876 and the encampment suffered greatly, losing all 
 of their vestments, etc. 
 
 In 1892 the Pacific encampment No. 529, I. O. O. F. was formed. The 
 present officers are: Noble Grand, George Brown; Vice Grand, Jim Hicks; 
 Secretary, George Lewis; and Treasurer, George Wills. 
 
 Rebekah Lodge 
 
 The Rebekah Lodge No. 417 was formed November 8, 1895. The first 
 Noble Grand was Mrs. Jim Lott and Florence Pinkston was Vice Grand. 
 
 Charter members still living are Jerry Johnston, Will and Fanny 
 Johnston, Lola Wiles, and Anna Purnell. 
 
 The present officers are: Noble Grand, Mrs. Rosa Hise; Vice Grand, 
 Mrs. Bessie Keller; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Faye Carl; Financial Secre- 
 tary, Mrs. Effie Gossard, and Treasurer, Mrs. Maude Keene. 
 
 Mahamet Community Boosters Club 
 
 A group of thirty-three men were invited as the guests of Clyde 
 Taylor, at that time distributor of Dairy Products in Mahomet, to a dinner 
 held in the M'ahomet Cafe, October 11, 1951. This was the organizational 
 meeting of the Boosters Club. J. E. Campbell was elected the first president, 
 succeeded by J. M. Dowell, J. F. Parker, and now the president is Robert D. 
 Graham, Jr. 
 
 Some activities sponsored by the Club have been Spring Cleanup, the 
 Summer Recreation Program, the Corn Belt Fire Protection District and 
 their latest project involves an attempt to organize a bank in Mahomet. 
 There have been over ninety men as members. The meetings are held on 
 the second Thursday of the month. 
 
 52
 
 Boy Scouts 
 
 We have no records of the first Boy Scouts organization in Mahomet 
 but we do know there was a Lone Troop in 1912, the members being Harold 
 Sloan, George Miller, Jr., Joe Miller, Vivian Lindsey, Nathan Black, Bi'yan 
 Stevens, and Ray Bailey with Chet Morehouse acting as leader. 
 
 Records kept show the first Scout Troop, organized May, 1931, was 
 sponsored by the Mothers' Club of the Grade School. Leaders of the Scouts 
 •were: H. R. Sparks, Scoutmaster; Rex Davis, Assistant Scoutmaster; Troop 
 Committee, Charles Patton, C. W. Pugh, Ernest Stout, F. L. Kroner, and 
 A. L. Blair. Twenty-two boys were registered. Troop 25 is now sponsored 
 by the Methodist Mens Organization with seven adults and twenty boys. 
 
 The Cub Pack was first organized November 30, 1947, sponsored by 
 the Mahomet Parent-Teachers Association. The Institutional Representative 
 was R. Raymond Primmer; Chairman, Herbert Q. Cade; Pack Committee, 
 Paul E. Miller and Harvey K. Gaither; Cubmaster, Ray Budde; Den Mothers, 
 Hazel Gaither, June Cade, Evelyn N. Miller, Fay R. Fisher, and lona Ruth 
 Miller. There were nine boys registered. Pack 25, now sponsored by the 
 P-T. A., have twelve adults and twenty-four boys. 
 
 A Boy Scout cabin was erected on the banks of the Sangamon in 1932. 
 The spot chosen for this cabin was that one which had been the original 
 site of Mahomet in 1832 — near the water mill, across the road from the 
 original post office, not too far from the "Seven Gal" Tavern and at almost 
 the same place where the old settlers left the timber road to ford the river — 
 some one hundred yards north of Route 150. 
 
 The inside measurements of the Boy Scout cabin were 20x24; the 
 logs were all white oak which were cut from the Asa S. Chapman timber. 
 Charles Patton, Boy Scout Commissioner at that time, donated all of 
 the sawed lumber, windows and doors. The cabin was the handiwork of 
 Mr. Patton and fifty community-spirited Mahomet men who volunteered 
 their services. At the Mahomet Fall Festival in 1932 (when Mahomet was 
 celebrating its Centennial) an antique and Indian relic exhibition was held 
 in this cabin. The cabin was later moved to the Lake of the Woods and is 
 still being used by the Boy Scouts. 
 
 Mahomet Girl Scouts 
 
 Comparable to, but a different organization from the Girl Scouts was 
 the Camp Fire Girls. We have no record on this organization but we do 
 know that it was an active one about 1915. A picture was seen of these 
 Camp Fire Girls when Martha Pike was their leader — all seated on their 
 horses in front of the Baptist Church. 
 
 (SS) — Camp Fire Girls had a farewell for Mildred and Elmer Strevey 
 who will leave for Chelan, Washington. 
 
 A lone troop of the Girl Scouts was organized in 1944 — Mahomet 
 Intermediate Girl Scout Troop 1. This Troop was sponsored by the Junior 
 Woman's Club with Lois Foltz as the leader and eight registered members. 
 In 1951 Mahomet's Troop became a part of the Champaign Area Girl Scout 
 Council. 
 
 In 1951 a Fourth Grade Brownie Troop was organized under the 
 leadership of Shirley Briere but disbanded at the end of the year. In 1954 
 and 1955 a Second Grade Brownie Scout Troop has been active under the 
 leadership of Laverne Cooke and Vera Oliger. 
 
 A Senior Scout Patrol including Frances Busch, Charlotte Honn, 
 Dianne Pasley, and Janet Roberts, all girls with five years scouting experi- 
 ence, was formed in 1954 with Frances Busch as the leader. 
 
 53
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 "I well remember when Blaine ran for President of the United 
 States," wrote Fred Stearns. "Mahomet had a parade. Everyone carried 
 a torch. The parade started at Ford's store which was headquarters for the 
 Republicans. Byron Abbott usually got excited on such occasions, and his 
 demonstrations were at times very funny and to the point. He was showing 
 the boys how to fire cannon firecrackers when one touched off and blew 
 off his thumb." 
 
 Fourth of July celebrations were often held in Carson's Woods, west 
 of Guy Warner's present place of business. July 4, 1895, was such an out- 
 standing celebration that Mrs. Charles Purnell says her father, R. G. Ray- 
 burn, did not even go home in the evening to do his chores. 
 
 The account of this celebration which was given under date of July 5, 
 in the home town paper reads— "Big Celebration— one of the best crowds 
 ever assembled. Four thousand people took part in the great event. July 
 4th is past but Mahomet's big celebration will be remembered for years as 
 
 the best in the history of the township The grove where the celebration 
 
 was held is one of the prettiest in Champaign or any other County and was 
 
 right on the banks of the river [This grove south of town, owned by 
 
 J. W. Parks was located on the south side of the Sangamon— the Harry 
 Boyer land today.] Miss Bessie Herriott was the goddess of liberty and 
 attracted considerable attention." 
 
 Cam Carnival 1910 
 
 Persons foremost in the picture, and to the right are Mrs. Philip Mohr 
 and son, Carl, William Rayburn, Wiley Davis, and Francis Caldwell 
 
 For many years Mahomet held a carnival and street fair in September, 
 lasting from one to three days. Prize winners at one of these included: 
 Boy's riding contest. Rex Davis; kiddie car, Harold Truitt; coaster wagon, 
 Franklin Daniels; boy's foot race, Ralph Castor; girl's foot race, Myrna 
 Daniels; women's ball throwing contest, Mrs. Wyatt; men's ball throwing 
 contest, C. C. Thurston; oldest person present, J. Q. Thomas; cookie eating 
 contest, Keith Bryan; bicycle race, James Campbell; nail driving contest, 
 Mrs. Fred Taylor; sugar cookies, Audie Lindsey; white bread, Mrs. Len 
 
 54
 
 Rayburn; mixed pickle, Mrs. Cecil Pittman; peaches, Elmer Hawkins; apples, 
 C. A. Fogel; white potatoes, Robert Truitt; peanuts, Douglas Parnell. 
 
 ■;-.>.\-:,---'^:-s^':": 
 
 
 Men at Carnival in 1910 
 
 Front row, left to right: T. C. Wilson, R. F. Daniels, Bill Hayward, John 
 Hayward, John Dickson, H. J. Morehouse, Robert Truitt, J. C. W. Pitt- 
 man, Charles Dickson, Douglas Parnell, W. Q. Hood, Fred Barber, W. H. 
 Holzer, James Young 
 
 Back row, left to right: Frank Bryan, George Sackriter, John Ruhl, 
 C. B. Hoit, Ed Sloan, M. O. Stover, Ed Lucas, Dudley Herriott, Will 
 Yancey, William Wykle, I. T. Bridges, ? 
 
 Popular Mahomet Band 
 
 Front row, left to right: Ernest Quayle, Jerry Johnston, Ernest Stout, 
 
 William "Fid" Connor, Fred Quayle, Harry Quayle 
 
 Middle row, left to right: Tom Barker, Charles "Coxey" Carson, Nash 
 
 "Brigady" Smith, Ed Lewis, "Stub" Carr 
 
 Top row, left to right: William Adams, Harry "Hap" Metters, Arthur 
 
 Armstrong, Elmer Miller, Frank Barber, Henry "Hiney" Voss 
 
 An article in a newspaper in 1900 states: "Saturday an all-day and 
 evening picnic will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. W. Pittman, 
 west of town, and an eflort is being made to make it a complete success in 
 every way. Mr. and Mrs. Pittman have a reputation as royal entertainers 
 and will leave nothing undone to take care of all who come." 
 
 55
 
 This probably marked the beginning of what was later referred to as 
 the "Farmers' Picnic," held each year in the Pittman Grove one and a half 
 miles west of town. The picnic was always held in September, and people 
 for miles around attended with their baskets of food. (These were still 
 being held as late as 1921.) A good program was planned for the afternoon 
 when everyone assembled in the shade to sit on the "comfortable" plank 
 seats. One attraction was the baseball game. How well we remember the 
 big tank of water and the tin cup hanging by its side! 
 
 Hood Dinner Table 
 
 Another summer attraction in Mahomet was the Chautauqua which 
 was held in a big tent on the south lawn of the grade school. Afternoon and 
 evening programs were held for about a week, with much outstanding 
 musical and literary talent coming from all over the country. The "water 
 fountain" for the Chautauqua was the same as at the Farmers' Picnic, a big 
 open tank of water and a tin cup. , 
 
 In 1932. Mahomet celebrated its centennial. There was a parade with 
 oxen. Robert Truitt and Lon Jones, Sr. rode horses, decorated for the 
 occasion. Albert "Slim" Jones took the part of "Abe" Lincoln. It is to be 
 noted that Mahomet was established years before many other towns in 
 central Illinois who are currently holding their centennial celebrations. 
 
 EARLY RESIDENCES 
 
 Between 1836-54, the nearest thing to a settlement was Benjamin F. 
 Harris' Home Place. Mr. Harris bought and homesteaded all of that south- 
 west part of Mahomet township, consisting of more than 2000 acres of land. 
 County histories record that Peter Cartwright and Abraham Lincoln were 
 often visitors in the Harris home. 
 
 On Lots 25-27 there was built in 1876 by James Davidson a two- 
 story frame residence, later known as the Silas Purnell home. (This is west 
 of the grade school yard.) At one time it was known as the finest residence 
 in Mahomet; in it was the only bathroom in the town. The inside of the 
 tub was all copper, and the cabinet which enclosed it was solid walnut. The 
 house was purchased by B. F. Rayburn and moved to his property where he 
 lives today. (This copper tub is still in Mr. Rayburn's possession.) 
 
 Mrs. Eleanor Scott Bellinger was born in the house on her father's 
 farm (where James Kroner now lives). Fielding L. Scott, father of Mrs. 
 Bellinger, homesteaded this land in 1836. 
 
 Byron Abbott came back from the Civil War wounded. Fearing his 
 inability to care for and support his family he bought land extending from 
 
 56
 
 
 
 ^^^^KuJ^^^H 
 
 w '"■ ' w^^- ^^ H ^ ' '^' 
 
 *• 
 
 * 
 
 Octcgtnaiians Photographed in 1939 
 
 Front row, left to right: Frank Stout, John Abbott, Albert Wright, David 
 Caldwell, Sylvester F. Lewis, Jacob Pittman 
 
 Back row, left to right: Allen G. Foster, Doctor J. O. Pearman, Thomas 
 Quayle, James W. Herriott, Henry F. Dickerson 
 
 the Lillie Thomas home on through to what is known as "Abbott Row." In 
 this addition, Mr. Abbott planted a large orchard believing he would bs 
 able to make a living from the sale of his fruit. Originally, these seven 
 houses were all built alike and were painted red. These four-room dwell- 
 ings were first rented at five dollars a month. 
 
 One of the oldest houses in this community is the one now located 
 on the farm of Mrs. Charles Purnell, built in 1861. It was at this farm that 
 John Rayburn settled when he came in a covered wagon from Ohio in 1853. 
 Originally there was built a log house and soon after the lumber was cut 
 from the nearby timbers and the present house was built, a two-story 
 structure (and as previously told the top story was blown off in the tornado 
 of 1902). 
 
 When Mrs. Purnell was a child she would go with her brothers and 
 sisters (from Iheir homeplace across the field) to this old house which was 
 at that time being used for the storage of grain and in play the children 
 would tell each other, "Old Caleb" (a familiar tramp in the area) "will 
 get you." Several years later "Old Caleb" told Mr. Rayburn that once when 
 tlie children had been playing at the house he had actually been in the 
 upstairs at the time. How frightened these children would have been had 
 he appeared on the scene! 
 
 Mr. Purnell said that as a child he would close his eyes when driving 
 by this place for fear the house (so tall and situated on a hill) would fall over 
 on him. Little did Mr. and Mrs. Purnell realize that later the same frame 
 house with its oak beams and sills would be remodeled and serve as their 
 home for thirty years. 
 
 Mrs. Ida Grindley said this Rayburn house was always referred to as 
 the "Weaning House" for as each child got married he would first settle 
 here with his new wife and would live here until he could more or less get 
 on his feet and move to a better location. Mrs. Grindley said her mother 
 
 57
 
 would visit here and they could go out from the door upstairs, on to the 
 portico, and pick cherries from the large tree which grew nearby. 
 
 Supervisors 
 
 The following men were supervisors of Middletown Township: 1861, 
 H. L. Wilson; 1862-63, B. F. Harris; 1864-65, Washington Nebeker. Super- 
 visors in more recent years have been John Hayward, M. A. "Colonel" 
 Phillippe, and Frank W. Taylor. 
 
 Mahomet Fire Department 
 
 Mahomet's first fire wagon was a two-wheel chemical cart purchased 
 in 1917. The cart had two 50-gallon chemical tanks which used soda and 
 acid. Later, the chemical cart was mounted on an old Model T Ford truck. 
 In 1938-39 the village water system was built and in February 1940 the 
 village purchased 800 feet of 21/2 -inch and 200 feet of lV2-inch fire hose. 
 Funds for the purchase of the hose were, on the whole, raised by dances in 
 Don Robert's Building on Main Street. James Campbell and Guy Warner 
 devoted much time and work to the project. Don Roberts gave the village 
 a very low rate for the use of his building. 
 
 In 1946 a used fire truck was purchased from the City of Clinton, 
 Illinois, with a pumper and booster tank. Later this pumper was discarded 
 and a new one was purchased from the U. S. Government army surplus. 
 
 A volunteer fire department was organized in August 1944. Vic Wood 
 was the first fire chief until he was called into service; then Harold Moon 
 took his place. A. O. Jahr has always been the Assistant Chief. At this 
 time 21 volunteer firemen were appointed by the Village Board. 
 
 Donald Dawkins was appointed Fire Chief in 1952 and in July 1953 
 was appointed Chief of the new Corn Belt Fire Protection District with 
 A. O. Jahr as Assistant Chief. One new fire truck was purchased in 
 December 1953 which consisted of one 500-gallon pumper per 100 feet of 
 2 1/2 -inch hose and 400 feet of 11/2 -inch hose and carries 500 gallons of water. 
 Also one 1000-gallon tank wagon with auxiliary pump mounted on the rear. 
 The Mahomet Fire Department now has two pumper trucks and one 1000- 
 gallon tank wagon. Since the new department was organized, the law 
 requires the department to carry 28 firemen. 
 
 The money for the siren installed on the water tower was obtained 
 through donations from citizens of the town. 
 
 Some residents recall the time Amos Beals took the old fire truck 
 around the Post Office corner too fast (on the way to John Hayward's 
 house fire). The truck upset. The house burned down. 
 
 Humorous or Unusual Incidents 
 
 A log cabin stood on what is today the "Andy" Mitchell farm. J. H. 
 Hayward lived there, and James H. Johnson, grandfather of Mrs. Merle 
 Hayward Clapper, died February 8, 1870. This was during the time of a 
 very deep snow, and the roads were impassable. The body was carried 
 down across the fields south to the railroad tracks, a train was flagged, and 
 the body taken into Champaign for burial. 
 
 The calaboose (jail) stood north of the City Building. Some can 
 remember on Hallowe'en when a wagon was set astride its roof. Others 
 recall when a certain young man was locked in the calaboose, and B. F. 
 Rayburn was the guard. Mr. Rayburn, deciding that all was under control, 
 left about 4:00 A. M. to go home and to bed. Next morning it was discovered 
 that the young man had escaped but had tied Mayor "Jim" Herriott's calf 
 
 58
 
 in the calaboose to take his place. 
 
 One Hallowe'en night the boys were taking old Man Geiger's little 
 house (Mr. Geiger was the Town Mayor) down to the Sangamon, not 
 realizing that Mr. Geiger was sitting inside and had been awaiting their 
 arrival. Mr. Geiger let them huff and puff and carry the building clear 
 down to the Sangamon River and then he opened the door, stepped out with 
 his gun and says — "Goosh, by Golley, you take this right back and put it 
 where you got it." And they did! (This was one of Charley Williamson's 
 stories.) 
 
 Elbert Morrison found in Major Welcheimer's docket, when Mr. 
 Welcheimer was Justice of the Peace that a suit for a debt of $1.60 was 
 brought against Wiley Davis. Mr. Davis lost the suit. The costs amounted 
 to more than the amount of the debt. 
 
 59
 
 BUSINESS HOUSES OF MAHOMET 
 
 A 
 
 BBOTT'S HALL. This recreation hall stood on Lot No. 29. 
 Originally, it was to be paid for by public subscription. The amount of 
 money raised being insufficient, the building was completed by S. C. Abbott 
 in 1882, at a cost of $800. For over forty years Abbott's Hall was the center 
 of the social life for Mahomet village and township. Elections, church 
 dinners, medicine and home talent shows, the literary society meetings, 
 roller skating and dances, were held in Abbott's Hall. Later, a motion 
 picture machine was installed and operated by Elmer Hawkins. High 
 School Commencement Exercises were held there 1887-1900 and again from 
 1909-1914. For the last few years of Abbott Hall's existence, it was used as 
 J. C. McNeill's Garage and Repair ShOp. Finally, it was condemned by the 
 State Fire Marshall. 
 
 Basketball Team 
 
 ?:.eft to right: Frank Barber, Calvin Rayburn, Frank Rayburn, Robert 
 Clapper, Sr., Fred Lindsey 
 
 Mrs. Charles Purnell has a copy of the play book, "The Deacon's 
 Second Wife." The characters were: Audio Lindsey, Roscoe Smith, Stanley 
 Smith, Gladys Bramhall, Hazel Stout, Estelle Pugh, M. E. Smith, Elsie 
 Black, Zuma Gilbert, M. O. Stover, Charles Purnell, and Roy Primmer. 
 
 Fred Stearns writes "when roller skating was very popular, 'Waxy' 
 Pike and 'Tot' Carson were the best skaters; we ordinary skaters tried to 
 jump over barrels and play whip cracker with the beginners." 
 
 Abbott's Wagon Shop. This shop, belonging to Ira Abbott, was 
 located just east of the blacksmith shop where Abbott's Hall stood. 
 
 60
 
 in the calaboose to take his place. 
 
 One Hallowe'en night the boys were taking old Man Geiger's little 
 house (Mr. Geiger was the Town Mayor) down to the Sangamon, not 
 realizing that Mr. Geiger was sitting inside and had been awaiting their 
 arrival. Mr. Geiger let them huff and puff and carry the building clear 
 down to the Sangamon River and then he opened the door, stepped out with 
 his gun and says— "Goosh, by Golley, you take this right back and put it 
 where you got it." And they did! (This was one of Charley Williamson's 
 stories.) 
 
 Elbert Morrison found in Major Welcheimer's docket, when Mr. 
 Welcheimer was Justice of the Peace that a suit for a debt of $1.60 was 
 brought against Wiley Davis. Mr. Davis lost the suit. The costs amounted 
 to more than the amount of the debt. 
 
 59
 
 BUSINESS HOUSES OF MAHOMET 
 
 BBOTT'S KALL. This recreation hall stood on Lot No. 29. 
 Originally, it was to be paid for by public subscription. The amount of 
 money raised being insufficient, the building was completed by S. C. Abbott 
 in 1882, at a cost of $800. For over forty years Abbott's Hall was the center 
 of the social life for Mahomet village and township. Elections, church 
 dinners, medicine and home talent shows, the literary society meetings, 
 roller skating and dances, were held in Abbott's Hall. Later, a motion 
 picture machine was installed and operated by Elmer Hawkins. High 
 School Commencement Exercises were held there 1887-1900 and again from 
 1909-1914. For the last few years of Abbott Hall's existence, it was used as 
 J. C. McNeill's Garage and Repair Shop. Finally, it was condemned by the 
 State Fire Marshall. 
 
 Basketball Team 
 
 {Left to right: Frank Barber, Calvin Rayburn, Frank Rayburn, Robert 
 Clapper, Sr., Fred Lindsey 
 
 Mrs. Charles Purnell has a copy of the play book, "The Deacon's 
 Second Wife." The characters were: Audie Lindsey, Roscoe Smith, Stanley 
 Smith, Gladys Bramhall, Hazel Stout, Estelle Pugh, M. E. Smith, Elsie 
 Black, Zuma Gilbert, M. O. Stover, Charles Purnell, and Roy Primmer. 
 
 Fred Stearns writes "when roller skating was very popular, 'Waxy' 
 Pike and 'Tot' Carson were the best skaters; we ordinary skaters tried to 
 jump over barrels and play whip cracker with the beginners." 
 
 Abbott's Wagon Shop. This shop, belonging to Ira Abbott, was 
 located just east of the blacksmith shop where Abbott's Hall stood. 
 
 60
 
 The picture shown here was taken of the play cast when the proceeds 
 were used for building the sidewalk from the business district to Riverside 
 Cemetery. The characters from left to right are: H. B. Hazen, Ruby 
 Lindsey, Fred Kroner, Esta Rayburn. Belle Snell, Fred Snell, Zuma Gilbert, 
 Elsie Black, Fred Voss. Seated is Katie Wiggins. 
 
 BAKERIES 
 
 The bakeries of Mahomet were located where Mrs. Florence Gilbert 
 now lives. 1914 (SS) "Six loaves of bread for 25c at Caldwell's Home 
 Bakery." 1916 (SS) "D. O. Caldwell, the local baker, has used fifty sacks 
 of flour per month this summer." Lindsey's also operated a bakery for 
 several years on this same corner. The Ladies Aid treasurer's book shows 
 purchase of bread from Lindsey's Bakery in the years 1924, 1925, and 1926. 
 
 BANKS 
 
 The Mahomet Bank. November 3, 1892, George McClure opened a 
 bank at Mahomet just north of the B. D. Abbott store building. McClure 
 had built and moved to what was later referred to as the Mahomet State 
 Bank building in 1897. This was a private bank but his father had land 
 worth more than the Capital Stock. In 1902, Jim Busey came to Mahomet 
 to learn about the banking business under C. A. Pricer who was at that 
 time Superintendent of Schools. On July 1, 1904, McClure sold to James 
 Busey who commuted from Champaign on what was known as "The Plug." 
 On February 17, 1929, the bank was closed and the assets and liabilities were 
 taken over by the First National Bank of Champaign. E. W. Morrison, 
 as School Treasurer, drew a check for $17,875 which closed the bank. 
 
 Mahomet Farmer's Bank, also known as the Home Bank, In 1903, the 
 mome Bank was incorporated and opened just north of the B. D. Abbott 
 store, but in a few months it was moved to the building just south of the Post 
 Office. This bank was often referred to as the Vennum Bank. The officers 
 were: R. G. Rayburn, President; J. N. Black, Cashier; later George Marsh 
 became Cashier and W. O. Dale became Vice President. When J. N. Black 
 
 61
 
 left the bank, his stock was sold to I. T. Bridges. 
 
 The Home Bank was later known as the Farmer's State Bank. On 
 February 26, 1922, at the death of R. G. Rayburn, Mart Busey was appointed 
 as administrator of the Rayburn Estate, at which time he withdrew $17,000 
 and deposited in his own bank — the Mahomet State. Almost immediately 
 the bank, although not forced to close, did close because they felt they 
 could not make money on $65,000. The safe from this bank is now in the 
 Patton Lumber Company. 
 
 1912 (SS). "B. F. Rayburn is acting as cashier at the Home Bank." 
 1916 (SS). "Irene Ford is now employed as bookkeeper at the Home Bank." 
 
 BARBER AND BEAUTY SHOPS 
 
 The following article was taken from the Sucker State July 5, 1895, a 
 reprint from the Daily Pantagraph: "A man of Mahomet writes the 
 Attorney General of Springfield stating that he has a wheel of fortune which 
 he calls 'The Fairest Wheel' but having no blanks states that every time a 
 person drops a nickel in the wheel he receives a cigar and sometimes two. 
 He asked if his wheel comes under the anti-slot machine law. Assistant 
 Attorney General Newell rendered an opinion that the wheel comes under 
 the law and would be liable as a gambling device. The 'Fairest Wheel' 
 referred to is the property of J. W. Heniott, Jr. who has been running the 
 wheel for several weeks. 
 
 "He also rendered an opinion that barber shops conducted in country 
 stores with other merchandise must remain closed Sunday; that is, the 
 barber shop portion of the store. Mr. Herriott has always kept his barber 
 shop closed on Sunday so the above decision does not refer to him." 
 
 1927 (SS). "The Herriott and Pike Barber Shop which has been 
 located in the Belle Bryan building for many years will move the first of 
 the month to the building formerly occupied by the Farmer's State Bank." 
 
 July, 1936 (SS). "J. W. Herriott who has worked at the barber trade 
 here in Mahomet more than 48 years expects to retire next month." During 
 this time he did barber work for six generations of the James Davis family. 
 
 It is believed that Martha Pike opened up the first Beauty Shop in 
 Mahomet; this shop was in her home. 
 
 Charmaine's Beauty Salon has been operated by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert 
 Bennett since 1951 in the building opposite the Legion Hall. 
 
 The Dawkins Beauty Shop is owned and operated by Gladys Manuel 
 Dawkins and has been in operation since March 17, 1942. Gladys has the 
 shop in her home. 
 
 BLACKSMITH SHOPS 
 
 Less than fifty years ago Mahomet had three blacksmith shops, all 
 doing a good business. The blacksmith shop (a two-story building) which 
 stood on Main Street where the fire equipment is kept, was originally owned 
 by Hubbard and Stearns. Later, John Stearns bought out Hubbard. At the 
 same time, H. E. Cowan owned a blacksmith shop across the street. 
 
 In 1909 Connor and Harrah had the blacksmith shop. Later this same 
 shop was run by Lawrence and Kelley. William Myers owned a black- 
 smith shop where the Sucker State office now stands. 
 
 In recent years, James W. Hicks operated a blacksmith shop where 
 the fire equipment is now kept. 
 
 62
 
 This picture shows the Blacksmith Shop. In the background can be 
 seen Abbott's Hall. 
 
 :<--:-.:.*-rr;.r^;t,*/N>;;* 
 
 >-^-y«;:- — r^r* -'t-^v-^ 
 
 BRICK YARDS, CONCRETE PRODUCTS, GRAVEL PITS 
 
 Possibly the first brick yard was opened in 1863 by Alanson Tucker 
 and stood east of the village limits and very near the present barn on the 
 old Frank Knox or Benjamin McGath place, now owned by Verne Ray. 
 
 Prior to 1870, there was a brick yard on the Calvin Rayburn place. 
 Brick made at this yard were used by John Dale in building the residence 
 known as the Shively farm, and Thomas Dale in 1871 obtained brick 
 from this same yard to build his farm house, now the residence of Estal 
 Hillman. 
 
 Tliere is knowledge of a brick yard having been operated upon the 
 site of the Trie residence, just south of the Methodist Church. The clay 
 used at this kiln was obtained where the Methodist parsonage and garden 
 are now located. Over sixty years ago, it is remembered that a pond existed 
 at this place, which the boys and girls used for ice skating. 
 
 The John Egbert Brick Yard was located just west of Mahomet, near 
 the railroad. The clay was obtained on the premises now owned and occu- 
 pied by Mrs. Albert Anderson. The George Sackriter Brick Yard was 
 situated south of the railroad tracks. Washington Nebeker had a tile yard 
 on his home place which is known to many as the old Dick place. 
 
 Julius D. Brown had a brick yard located near the Bert Warner home, 
 one-fourth mile west of Mahomet on U. S. Highway 150. The Warner and 
 Morehouse Tile Yard in 1886 was in Abbott's Addition. As late as 1875, a 
 brick yard was owned and operated by Rezin Boltin west of the Jonas Lester 
 gravel pit on the banks of the Sangamon River. M. J. Dunning owned and 
 operated a tile yard for several years near the Jonas Lester gravel pit. 
 
 Mitchell Concrete Products 
 
 Mitchell Concrete Products, Incorporated, was organized July 1, 1947, 
 for the manufacture and sale, at wholesale and retail, of concrete block, 
 brick, chimney block, and allied lines. The incorporators were Robert D. 
 
 63
 
 Mitchell, Roy Mitchell, and Louise M. Mitchell. Land was cleared and 
 modern manufacturing facilities were erected on a site immediately south- 
 east of the bridge, one-half mile south of Mahomet on Route 47, taking 
 advantage of a natural two-level location which facilitated materials 
 handling. The company manufactures a full line of masonry units in both 
 natural and light-weight aggregates. 
 
 Below is pictured Mitchell Concrete Products. 
 
 There have been and are now several gravel pits around Mahomet. 
 Someone remarked that the old Sangamon River seems to have been good 
 for something. 
 
 Southwest of Mahomet is the Mahomet Sand and Gravel, Inc. 
 
 W. H. Troike Co. 
 
 Another gravel pit southwest of Mahomet is the W. H. Troike Com- 
 pany. The gravel pit on the C. L Pfiester farm was originally opened up in 
 1940 by I. A. Sanders and his brothers who shoveled the gravel into their 
 trucks by hand. In May 1941, W. H. Troike put a dragline crane in the pit 
 to strip the dirt off and to load trucks. The gravel pit filled a growing 
 demand in and around Mahomet for gravel for surfacing roads, for building 
 homes, etc. 
 
 In 1946, C. R. Plankenhorn joined the business. In 1947 a washing 
 plant was installed to wash and classify the sand and gravel. This new 
 equipment gave the customers a better product, and a complete line of sand 
 and gravel for their building requirements. 
 
 In 1949 a second and larger plant was installed and in 1950 the 
 original plant was rebuilt and improved, as the two plants were necessary 
 to keep up with the demand for materials. 
 
 Not only has the W. H. Troike Company furnished Mahomet and 
 surrounding territory with convenient, quality building materials, but many 
 
 64
 
 local people make their living by trucking sand and gravel from this local 
 industry. 
 
 Gibson Bros. Construction Company 
 
 Ernest H. and Marvin Gibson, partners, fii'st opened up the gravel pit 
 on the Mabel McDaniels property about eighteen years ago. After process- 
 ing gravel here for several years they moved from this location to the Frank 
 Stout land and later to the Lisle Lester property where they are now. 
 
 The Gibson Brothers not only process the gravel, making what we 
 know as crushed rock which is used for roads and drives, but they also do 
 excavating and drainage work. This company has provided gravel for many 
 of the township roads. 
 
 BUGGY AND HARNESS SHOPS 
 
 At the time that the Mahomet Bank was built the building which 
 adjoins it on the west was built by Frank Bryan for his buggy and harness 
 trade. 1912 (SB). F. E. Bryan sold three sets of double-driving harness last 
 week. 1913 (SS). F. E. Bryan received his second car of buggies Monday. 
 The buggy business seems almost as strong as last year. 1916 (SS). F. E. 
 Bryan has installed a new harness machine. With it he is able to sew 
 automobile tires whereby he can make one tire out of two old ones. 1917 
 (SS). F. E. Bryan's harness and buggy business is being sold out by Glenn 
 Bryan who has managed the business since the death of his father, 
 
 CONTRACTORS AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS 
 
 "Colonel" Phillippe and Sons, Contractors. When Mr. and Mrs. 
 Phillippe started housekeeping, in the house where John Cooke now lives 
 by the bridge on Route 150, in 1900, there was just one house on the west 
 side of what we know as "Silk Stocking Row" and that was Byron Abbott's 
 house where Mrs. Gertrude Herriott lives today. "Colonel" and his helpers 
 have completely built five of the houses on this street and "Colonel" has 
 helped in either the building or remodeling of all the other houses except 
 that of Guy Warner's. Around 1911 Mr. Phillippe was the contractor for 
 the Bryan house where Len Rayburn now lives, the cost of this house at 
 that time being $4200; the Ray McClughen house (formerly the Pearman 
 home) which cost $3800; the Ousley Keene house at a cost of $3500; the 
 house of Mrs. Mary Herriott; and the one of Walter Breternitz. Other 
 houses built between 1900 and 1918 by "Colonel" were those of Sarah Jahr, 
 Maude Herriott, Mrs. Sam Cooke, F. L. Kroner, Elbert Morrison (then the 
 Morehouse property), Besse Miller (then the John Ruhl property), and 
 many others. 
 
 In 1918 Mr. Phillippe moved back to the farm where he lived until 
 1940 when they retired — back to the "Metropolis" of Mahomet — and back to 
 housebuilding. Some of the recent houses built have been those of Wilbur 
 Patton, Mrs. Charles Purnell (on "Nylon Avenue," parallel to "Silk Stocking 
 Row"), Homer Deaton, Paul Scott, Ernest Stout, Harold Roberts, Dr. Smith's 
 office (formerly the home of Mrs. Betty Miller) and on and on the list might 
 go. "Colonel" and his helpers have also built Jahr's Store and its new 
 addition, the Williamson Shop, the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion 
 Hall. 
 
 Mr. Phillippe is leaving many "Tombstones" or "Markers," in the form 
 of houses, over the town. 
 
 Lon Jones, another older settler of Mahomet, says he came to 
 Mahomet when he was 19 years of age, in the 1880's, and at that time there 
 were just two houses on Route 47 — one on the north side of the street by 
 
 65
 
 the house where John Holloway now lives, and the other one was on the 
 opposite side of the street. 
 
 Building of Bryan House 
 
 Robert Davis and R. G. Rayburn 
 
 Dwiffht Shoemaker came to Mahomet in 1935 and has been in the 
 Concrete Construction work for twenty years. He has been in private 
 business for the past three years. 
 
 DOCTORS AND DENTISTS 
 
 The dwelling now on Lot. No. 27, and for years known as the Buckles 
 property, where Ashers now live, was first built as a doctor's office. The 
 building where Bert Williams has his watch repair shop was formerly a 
 doctor's office. Dr. John D. Gardner, Dr. John H. Gardner, and Dr. J. O. 
 Pearman all had their offices here. 
 
 The following was taken from the "History of Champaign County": 
 "The first physician to locate in Mahomet was Dr. N. H. Adams who opened 
 an office there in 1843. He remained there ten or fifteen years. About 
 1846, Dr. C. C. Hawes came to Mahomet and continued practice there until 
 his death in 1872. Early in the 1850's, Dr. C. L. Crane located in Mahomet 
 where he remained until his death in 1856. Dr. J. D. Culver came about 
 1857 and remained in practice there until his death in 1890. Dr. John D. 
 Gardner located and practiced medicine there during the latter part of the 
 1850's and in the early 1860's. His son. Dr. John H. Gardner, came to 
 Mahomet in the early 1870's and practiced until his death in 1903." 
 
 Dr. S. W. Shurtz practiced here in the early 1900's. They lived in 
 the brick house where Mrs. Bessie Keller now lives, and his office was 
 located in a house which stood where the Maliskas house is now, just north 
 of the Methodist Church. Dr. A. L. Collins was the doctor here in 1903, and 
 his wife also practiced medicine. They too lived in the house where Mrs. 
 Keller now lives. 
 
 Dr. C. C. Aubuchon was the town's doctor for several years, selling 
 
 66
 
 his practice to Dr. C. M. Coen in 1919. Other doctors have been Dr. H. 
 Swiser in 1860, Dr. Tom C. Wilson, and Dr. J. O. Pearman. 
 
 Dr. R. H. Smith began practicing in Mahomet in 1932, living at that 
 time in the Keller house and having his office in his home. They later 
 moved to their present home and since 1950 Dr. Smith has maintained his 
 office across the street in what was formerly the Betty Miller house. 
 
 Dentists in Mahomet have been R. F. Daniels and Fred L. Kroner. 
 
 Dr. Kroner, a graduate in Dentistry from Northwestern in 1919, purchased 
 the practice in Mahomet from R. F. Daniels, at the present location, and 
 began his practice in September of that same year. Dr. Kroner, our dentist 
 for 31 years, had an office in Mansfield and Mahomet from 1920 to 1924 
 when he opened his Champaign office with Thursday afternoons in 
 Mahomet. 
 
 DRESSMAKERS 
 
 How many can remember the long hours spent having a dress fitted 
 at one of these dressmakers: Mrs. James Ware, Miss Laura Stonebraker, 
 Mrs. Arch Thompson, Mrs. Hattie Bramhall, Mrs. Josie Trinkle, Mrs. Martha 
 Pike, Mrs. Ombra Foster, Miss Mollie Herriott, Mrs. Lou Meyers, Miss Mattie 
 Keene, and Miss Irene Ford. 
 
 DRUG STORES 
 
 The old Carson Store stood about due east and across the road from 
 where the Boy Scout cabin formerly stood (northeast of the Ernest Stout 
 place). George Lynch stated that at first his house was a store (maybe 
 Carson's), and it also for a time housed the post office; the east room was 
 for a time used as a saloon. This house which is now being torn down was 
 built in the 1840's. 
 
 Carson's Drug Store 
 
 After the Civil War, Joseph Carson was for some time in Swannell's 
 
 Later, he opened his own store near 
 Ira A. Abbott's Wagon Shop here in 
 Mahomet. In the early 1890's Joseph 
 Carson expanded his business in this 
 present location, handling drugs, 
 paints, wallpaper, groceries, boots and 
 shoes. For years the east brick build- 
 ing was called the Rea Building, and 
 the west one then and now the Carson 
 Store. Carson's Drug Store is the 
 oldest business place in Mahomet, 
 started in 1869. John Carson became 
 a registered pharmacist in 1921 and 
 since that time has operated the drug 
 store. 
 
 DRY GOODS 
 
 On East Main Street a brick 
 building stood on the northwest corner 
 across from the gi-ade school yard. 
 Washington Nebeker owned a clothing 
 store there. This building was later 
 
 Drug Store, Champaign, as a clerk. 
 
 John Carson as a lad 
 
 67
 
 turned into a mill. As late as the 1930's, there was still legible the sign on 
 the front of the building which read "Deliver grain in the rear." 
 
 After the great Mahomet fire of 1872, the business houses moved 
 west on Main Street. At this time Mr. Egbert built for Mrs. C. C. Hawes 
 the brick buildings we see today. The picture here was taken from an old 
 atlas, dated 1878. Gloss and Rittenhouse had one of the first dry goods 
 businesses. 
 
 ZH 
 
 iiilii j nmuy iii i i l iiii 
 
 mUNCU * CURTIS 
 
 " HAROWAFrr 
 
 0.J 0AM iL 
 OPtUGOIST 
 
 
 IHTTESMQilfC 
 
 — -^irr^'iE-^gjgf ^c: .M4- -j-^ 
 
 I Bmim Bloch im Mahouct Iti. 
 
 I" » ^, «AJf t A , M^im m mam mmmmm, 0Amrs,ati.s.A^o sm&SMmm 
 
 Mahomet in 1878 
 
 On the site of the Mahomet Bank building, after 1872, there was 
 constructed by "Cap" D. J. Ford a large store building which burned in 
 less than ten years. He then bought the ground and built a large building 
 on the site of the brick post office building. This Ford store carried dry 
 goods and groceries, with the post office in the far west end. 1895 (SS). 
 "Fans for lean people, fans for fat people. Get fanned while you buy at 
 Ford's." The building burned to the ground along with two frame buildings 
 which adjoined on the south in 1902. 
 
 What is now Burk's house formerly stood where the post office is. 
 Then it was moved to the site of the I. O. O. F. Building and later to its 
 present location. The second floor was occupied by H. E. Burness, Justice 
 of the Peace. In the rear was the paint shop of Peter Williamson. 
 
 1912 (SS). Sadie Phillippe is assisting in the Chicago Cash Store 
 during the absence of J. N. Black who is taking his vacation. 
 
 In one of the brick buildings (east side of the present Carson Drug 
 Store) T. H. Rea, nicknamed "Cap," sold dry goods, notions, and clothing. 
 Mr. Rea, about 1923, sold out to Roy L. Lindsey, a competitor whose dry 
 
 68
 
 goods and shoe store occupied the building where the Sucker State is now 
 located. 
 
 Men in Front of D. J. Ford Store 
 
 Front row, left to right: Ed Sloan, M. O. Stover, Roy Lindsay, ? , 
 Robert Truitt, Clarence Herriott, W. E. Vance, John Hayward, James 
 Young, "Dad" Heavins, J. C. W. Pittman, J. D. Pittman 
 
 Back row, left to right: Jerry Johnston, I. T. Bridges, G. B. Todd 
 
 1915 (SS). "Fred Carson's exclusive shoe store is doing a good 
 business." At this same time Sam Jones owned a dry goods, shoe, and 
 clothing store in the I. O. O. F. building. Later, James Hicks operated a dry 
 goods store where White's Restaurant is today. 
 
 FEED STORES 
 
 The old flour mill, located on the corner northwest from the grade 
 school, was used at one time as a produce house by Oliver Smith and Sam 
 Beals. 
 
 On the corner where Mrs. Hazel Brackemyre now lives was a brick 
 building where J. Buchanan operated a work shop; later Fred Snell owned 
 a feed store there. 
 
 Victor Wood had a Feed Store on Main Street, just east of the old 
 bank building, from 1936 to 1954, at which time he sold to Robert Alvis. 
 Mr. Alvis also has a trucking service. 
 
 GARAGES 
 
 About 1909 or 1910 Dan Smoot started to work for the J. B. Busey 
 Sales Company. At this time "Capie" Pricer was bookkeeper for the same 
 company. Putting gasoline in the cars then was a different procedure from 
 now for there were no gas pumps; instead you poured it in. Later Mr. 
 Smoot went into business for himself in this same building (which is now 
 occupied by Warner Products). Mr. Smoot at the present time has his shop 
 in the garage on his home property. 
 
 1919 (SS). "The Ruckman Garage is advertising free air for your 
 automobile tires." 
 
 69
 
 George Carter and J. A. Bellinger owned the 
 first International automobile in Mahomet 
 
 Dean Lowman owned the garage, Mahomet Motor Company. 1930 
 (SS). "The new Ford Roadster $435. A stylish, sporty car as speedy as it 
 looks. Beautiful colors and gleaming metal parts of rustless steel emphasize 
 its graceful beauty. Its alert performance puts a new joy in motoring." 
 
 Others who have operated garages have been J. N. Black, Fred 
 Stearns, J. C. "Jaydee" McNeill, Fred Daniels, John Holloway (from 1925- 
 1936), Royal "Hap" Asher, and Russel Duke. 
 
 Henry Kelley established his own garage back of the Asher home 
 on April 20, 1953. In 1954 he built a new garage back of his residence and 
 has a fine garage service. 
 
 GASOLINE SERVICE STATIONS AND TRUCKS 
 
 Fred Stearns sold Standard gasoline in the building formerly occupied 
 by Dan Smoot's garage, now occupied by Guy Warner's place of business. 
 Henry Wilson brought gasoline from Champaign in a tank wagon and drove 
 a "foxy" team of horses. Pictured in front of his old garage is F. C. Stearns, 
 owner, in the seven passenger Big Thomas Flyer (105 h. p., 6 cylinders — 
 cost $6,000). The car is decorated and the rear seat filled with children for 
 one of Mahomet's carnivals. 
 
 Fred Stearns in his Thomas Flyer 
 
 70
 
 Hiram Pasley sold Standard gas from a pump in front of the building 
 where the potato chip business is now located. Later, there was a Standard 
 oil pump and station at the old Abbott Hall, and a year or so later it was 
 moved across the street where Charles Jackson and Jess Warner operated 
 the business for some years. William Golden has run the Standard Truck 
 since March 1, 1955. 
 
 Herriott's Sinclair Service 
 
 The Sinclair Service Station was built on Route 39 (now 150 and 47) 
 at the same time the hard road was being constructed. In October 1926 the 
 Station was opened for business by Matt D. Herriott who managed it for 
 twenty-five years. In November 1951 illness forced him to quit working. 
 Matt was buried November 10, 1952 — exactly one year from the date he quit 
 work. Roger who had worked with his father on a part-time basis since 
 1933 and full time since 1940 is now the manager. 
 
 The first Sinclair Station consisted of one room and rest rooms and 
 three pumps, with an outside pit and no lift. Because of the growth of 
 business a new two-room Station was built in 1939 with the grease pit and 
 a lift inside. Because of the school busses and larger trucks to be serviced, 
 another room was added in 1949, making the Station a Modern Super 
 Service. 
 
 Myron "Gus" Hoit has been driving the Sinclair Truck since March 
 1928. 
 
 Paul Grigsby has operated the Phillips Sei'vice Station "Paul's 66 
 Service" with the "Drive In" since May 1952. 
 
 Elmer Woo'dard has operated the Champaign County Sei-vice Company 
 Truck since March 1953. 
 
 C. F. "Dick" Rex has driven a gasoline truck since October 20, 1923. 
 Now who can beat that record? "Dick" had Myron drive his truck for him 
 some and thus taught him the trade. "Dick" drives the Marathon Truck. 
 
 The Berbaum Brothers (Henry and George) have driven the Mobilgas 
 Trucks since March 1942. 
 
 GRAIN ELEVATORS 
 
 One of the first scales for the weighing of grain was located where 
 the W. O. Dale residence is now. 
 
 In 1879 (according to the Abstract) Thomas Davidson was owner of 
 the elevator. Later owners of this elevator (at different times) were J. N. 
 Black, William Wykle, and Harley Woolsey and Company. In 1923 this 
 elevator, The Mahomet Grain Company, became known as the Inland Grain 
 Company with Frank Rayburn as Manager. The elevator did not change 
 hands but the name was again changed to that of Valley Grain Company in 
 1928 and was sold to the Tjardes in 1936. 
 
 The Farmers Grain Company (a corporation) had as its President, 
 Ransom Hurley with John Hayward as bookkeeper and F. E. Davis as 
 Manager. This Company was later absorbed by the Mahomet Grain 
 Company and the old building torn down. 
 
 Parker's Grain Elevator 
 
 Historically, the local Country Grain Elevator is one of the oldest, if 
 not the oldest of the commercial enterprises in Mahomet. It has always 
 been in approximately its present location. Although it is now owned and 
 
 71
 
 operated by one firm, it has in the past been owned by more than one and 
 the buil'dings situated in more widely scattered positions. 
 
 G. C. and Harry Tjardes purchased the elevator in September 1936, 
 during bankruptcy proceedings; they in turn sold on January 3, 1939 to the 
 present owners, at which time the elevator had a capacity of 35,000 bushels. 
 In 1939 an annex with capacity of 20,000 bushels was constructed. In 1949 
 another annex with capacity of 33,000 bushels was constructed. The need 
 for this additional space has been brought about through the change in the 
 marketing practices of the producers. 
 
 The present operators are happy to have been a part in the growth 
 and service to the community entailed by their business expansion, and 
 above all proud to have been a part of our Mahomet Methodist Church 
 since locating in the community on June 5, 1938. 
 The present owners: James F. and Leona Parker 
 Our Slogan: "At Your Service" 
 Our Staff: Robert G. "Tuzz" Clapper, Jr., Manager 
 Ivan R. Bryan, Grain elevator houseman 
 Jackie Bryan, Coal man and elevator helper 
 
 GROCERY STORES AND MEAT MARKETS 
 
 A. E. Smith owned a meat market where the telephone office now 
 stands. Other owners in the early days were B. D. Abbott and Irvin Rising. 
 On the lot where the Barracks family now lives was formerly a large 
 building where Dan Rowe lived and operated a meat market. 
 
 W. H. Holzer operated a grocery-hardware store in the old Masonic 
 building. Later, he built a brick building west of this. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Holzer were in business in Mahomet for twenty-five years. 1915 (SS). "To 
 end the greatest money-saving sale ever held in Mahomet, Illinois. F. L. 
 Tanner is to use the building as Motion Picture Theatre. All stock, hard- 
 ware and groceries, fixtures and all to be closed out not later than Saturday, 
 December 4. Big bargains on stoves, churns, milk cans, lamps, gate hinges, 
 and a large assortment of mortise locks at your own price. W. H. Holzer." 
 
 "Irv" Rising's store was sold to Fred Scott who in turn sold it to 
 James Young. In 1915, Mr. Young moved from the Phillippe farm where 
 he had lived for twenty-eight years and started his hardware, grocery, and 
 furniture store. 1924 (SS). "James Young needs more room and has decided 
 to build an addition to the south end of his store which will make the 
 building 162x26 feet. All partitions will be removed, making it all into one 
 room. The brick work and carpenter work will be done by G. B. Todd, 
 Lawrence "Governor" Williams, and William Johnston." 
 
 Originally there stood a story and a half frame house where the Carter 
 Building now stands and this house was used for a restaurant. A windmill, 
 in front of the house, was used to pump from a large cistern which thfe 
 people used for drinking water. In the picture shown elsewhere in this book 
 of a street scene in Mahomet one can see the legs of the windmill. 
 
 Carter and Pasley operated a grocery store and meat market in the 
 old Carter building from 1912 to 1929. Hiram remained out of the grocery 
 business for about one year but again started in the meat market of Jim 
 Carson's grocery store around 1930 and then later took over the store and 
 remained in the business until his death in 1947. James Pasley continued 
 with the grocery store for the next four years. 
 
 Owen Truitt operated "The Red Front," around 1923 but the exact 
 length of time is unknown. Charles Thurston operated a grocery store for 
 many years near the depot. 
 
 72
 
 More recent and present grocery store owners include: 
 
 Miller's Groceries and T-V Sales which was started in 1951, the 
 F. E. Millei^s came here from Springfield, Illinois. 
 
 Armstrong's Grocery which was started June 1951, the Roy Arm- 
 strongs came from Champaign. 
 
 Charlie's Market opened by Charles H. Sansom February 1, 1955, is 
 located on Route 150, across from the Sinclair Station. 
 
 Brumfield's Fruit Stand. 
 
 HARDWARE STORES 
 
 The Tanner Company of Indianapolis, dealers in hardware and steel 
 products, observed their anniversary in 1954, and showed how invoices 
 were formerly handwritten. A photograph of one shown was dated 
 June 15, 1883, and was for goods shipped to J. W. Egbert, Mahomet, 
 Illinois, for such items as tin cups, pail covers, and sheet metal. 
 
 Jahr's True Value Hardware 
 
 F. O. Jahr received his first experience in the grocery and hard- 
 ware business by working for W. H. Holzer in his general store. At the 
 time of B. D. Abbott's death, Mr. Jahr was given first option on the purchase 
 of his grocery store which stood on the corner across the street west from 
 the present store. In 1903 Mr. Jahr purchased the grocery and hardware 
 business from Conn Abbott and he remained in that location until 1910 when 
 he erected his building at its present location. 1913 (SS). "F. O. Jahr began 
 selling bananas by the pound on Tuesday, in place of by the dozen which 
 has always been the custom." 
 
 In 1937 F. O. Jahr sold his business to his two sons, Frank and Albert. 
 At this time they added meats, bottled gas and appliances to the stock. In 
 1943 at Frank's death, A. O. Jahr purchased the entire business which he 
 continued to operate as a general store until 1946 when he discontinued the 
 groceries. F. O. Jahr passed away December 24, 1949. 
 
 During the summer of 1950 a new room was added to the old building 
 and is continuing under the name of Jahr's True Value Hardware, a straight 
 hardware operation. 
 
 LIVERY STABLES 
 
 Some fifty years ago there were two livery stables, and the drivers 
 met the trains with hacks, competition running high. Jack Stucky had 
 
 m liuggy in Fiont of Stucky .stable 
 
 Left to right: Pet Ruhl, Allie Johnston, Ethel Jones 
 
 73
 
 one of the stables and Elmer Hawkins the other one. The Hawkins Stable 
 was built in 1903. Elmer Hawkins ran it for nine years. 
 
 LUMBER MILLS AND YARDS 
 
 In S. C. Abbott's autobiography, under date of 1853, mention is made 
 that he hauled the pine lumber for his house on the Champaign-Piatt 
 County Line from Covington, Indiana. At this same date he stated that 
 the hardwood lumber was procured by him at the Cherry Mill north of 
 Mahomet and also some from a mill being operated at Centerville. Soft 
 lumber was brought up the Wabash River from the southland. There 
 were portable saw mills which were set up and moved from time to time. 
 
 In 1869, the first lumber yard was established in Mahomet by John 
 Egbert, very soon after the railroad came through the town. It was 
 located where John Burk's house now is. 
 
 In 1880, William Tanner's Lumber Yard Was located where Mrs. 
 Walter Ponder lives today. Lon Spurgeon operated the lumber yard in the 
 same place until 1910. 
 
 William Wykle owned the lumber yard for several years, and then 
 sold it in 1920 to Charles Patton. 
 
 Patton Lumber Company 
 
 The Patton Lumber Company at first consisted of two sheds. The 
 main building, occupying the same location as the present business, was a 
 large low building with a U-shaped driveway around which horses could 
 pull wagons for loading. The other shed, on the south side of the tracks 
 across from the depot, was used to house cement and steel products such 
 as fence. Also located in this auxiliary shed was a plant for hand-making 
 cement blocks. 
 
 The yard provided a great deal of excitement by burning down during 
 the three-day carnival of 1926. Heavy dark smoke and debris were 
 carried by the heat and a south breeze over the town for miles north. 
 The present shed, which has had later additions, was built that same Fall. 
 Nearly everyone in town who has ever wielded a hammer has told that he 
 helped construct the new shed. 
 
 Although Mr. Patton is no longer active in the operation of the 
 business, he is still the owner. At this time it is believed to be the oldest 
 business operating under a continuous ownership in town. W. C. Patton is 
 the present Manager. 
 
 NEWSPAPER 
 
 The Sucker State 
 
 Quoting from History of Champaign County, Vol. I, p. 493: "The 
 Mahomet Sucker State, as the local newspaper is called, issued its first 
 number on October 13, 1879, a few issues having been put out as "The 
 Magnet." As "The Magnet" did not seem to draw. The Sucker State was 
 substituted. For the past fifteen or sixteen years the paper has been 
 owned and edited by Charles D. Warner, C. W. Murphy, C. M. Pearson, 
 O. D. Stiles, and C. W. Pugh. During the bulk of that period it has been 
 in charge of Messrs. Pearson and Pugh." 
 
 According to an item which appeared in the Sucker State a few 
 years back, "The first issue of the Mahomet Sucker State appeared in 
 January, 1878. St. Clair Brown was the editor. For the first few years of 
 its existence, the Sucker State was printed in LeRoy, Illinois. The office 
 was in a frame building on the site of what used to be the Mahomet State 
 Bank building (now Armstrong Grocery). The first issues consisted of a 
 
 74
 
 small 5x9 inch sheet." 
 
 A story and a half building used to stand across the alley from Mrs. 
 Sam Beal's house. Here it was that Ed Lucas managed the paper. Where 
 the old Jahr store was located, William Murphy was editor, in 1895. Sub- 
 scription rate was $1.00, and the paper consisted of eight pages and was 
 issued every Saturday. Other editors have been Charles Dale and Lee 
 Maxey. Later, the Sucker State was operated by Charles Pearson. 
 
 Charles Pugh became editor in 1913 opening his shop where Otto 
 Furnish now lives. His wife, Estelle, became editor at the time of Mr. 
 Pugh's death in 1950. She is assisted by her son, Joe. The present circu- 
 lation is 690, and the subscription rate is $1.50. 
 
 MILLINERY SHOPS 
 
 Many people remember Mrs. "Hen" Camel's Millinery Shop, located 
 just east of Jahr's store, and many remember Mr. Camel's frequent usage 
 of "It's bean." 
 
 Sometime after 1874 Mrs. Joseph Ware managed a millinery shop. 
 Laura Stonbraker had a millinery shop where Fred Kroner's office now is. 
 At that time it was a story and a half frame building. 
 
 In more recent years Mrs. Zuma Gilbert had a millinery store in her 
 home which was where Harold Moon now lives. 
 
 Besse Primmer Miller and Madge Primmer Webb are pictured below 
 in some millinery purchased from Miss Stonebraker. 
 
 MILLS 
 
 Many years ago a flour mill was built upon the present site of the 
 James F. Parker Elevator, and was managed for many years by Major 
 Welsheimer. 
 
 On the east half of Lot. No. 26 and on the corner, there was built 
 about 1867-68 a one-story brick building which was occupied as a steam 
 flour mill. 
 
 North and west about one hundred feet from the old Boy Scout 
 cabin, and along the banks of the Sangamon stood many years ago the 
 old grist mill. This mill stood about due north of the George Lynch place. 
 
 75
 
 About sixty years ago a dam was built across the river, and the mill was 
 operated by a waterwheel. We understand that this mill was also equipped 
 with a steam boiler and engine, in the event the river in the summer 
 months became too low to furnish power. 
 
 The first evidence we can find as to authentic records of this mill 
 is taken from the county records in Deed Book C, page 161, dated April 25, 
 1848: "Charles Haptonstoll to David Canter, describing undivided one- 
 half interest in the following real estate 'commencing S. E. comer of land 
 deed to Amas Crosier on which the mill stands.' " 
 
 We find in Book 9, page 639 a deed recorded from Abraham Cappis 
 and Lydia Cappis to John Hume. The description of the property con- 
 veyed makes reference to "on which the Mill stands." This deed was 
 recorded January 27, 1868. The old mill was razed and lumber used in 
 building the barn which until a few years ago stood on the W. O. Dale 
 premises on Division Street. 
 
 One of the stone burrs, used for grinding grain in this mill, can be 
 seen today in front of the Lee Carpenter (formerly R. J. Rayburn) home. 
 
 The maintenance of the dam at the Old Mill was one of hardship. 
 It is reported that four or five dams were washed away. When John Hume 
 was the proprietor, he built a dam using an estimated five hundred cords 
 of wood of four-foot lengths. High waters oame again. Mr. Hume called 
 for men to help save the dam, but to no avail. The entire five hundred 
 cords of wood were washed down the river. 
 
 PLUMBING AND HEATING 
 
 Mr. Geiger owned the first hardware business. The doors of his 
 store were never locked. "Boys" around town played poker in among the 
 binders, and often left in a hurry, scared by Fred Rising when he came 
 to do some work, and so on Monday morning Guy Williamson, on Rising's 
 invitation, picked up the stray coins, a quarter or fifty cents now and then — 
 
 big money to a school boy. 
 
 "Irv" Rising, Mr. Geiger's son- 
 in-law, took over the business and it 
 was then that Charles H. Williamson 
 learned about plumbing and heating. 
 Wood stoves sold for a dollar an inch. 
 
 Williamson Plumbing and Heating 
 
 C. H. Williamson and son, Guy, 
 started their business in the old 
 Tanner building about a block and 
 a half south of the Sinclair Filling 
 Station in 1914. They were located 
 here for about one year and then 
 moved their place of business to the 
 building now occupied by Guy War- 
 ner's Concrete Products and stayed 
 here for a year. 
 
 1914 (SS). "Your attention is 
 called to C. H. Williamson and Son 
 who have opened tin work and general 
 repair shop over Black's Garage. 
 Heating outfits, steam, hot water, hot 
 air, and plumbing of all kinds." At 
 this time they moved to the building 
 just north of the old B. D. Abbott 
 76 
 
 Guy Williamson
 
 store (north of the post office) where they remained until July 1929 when 
 they moved to their present location on Main Street. C. H. Williamson 
 remained active until approximately one year before his death in 1948. 
 
 In 1939 Wilfred entered into business with his father so we still have 
 Williamson and Son (Guy and "Ferdie"). Wilfred has worked with his 
 father except for the thirty-nine months when he was in the service. 
 
 In 1949 the Williamsons built the present concrete block building. 
 
 POST OFFICE AND POSTAL EMPLOYEES 
 
 It has been noted' that mail was received by early pioneers in a make- 
 shift manner. When a permanent settlement had existed for some eight 
 years, a post office was located here, designated as Mahomet. This aroused 
 the ire of residents of the Middletown Plat, and for many years mail was 
 continually forwarded here, addressed to Middletown, Mahomet P. O. 
 
 The Post Office was first located in the old store in what was later 
 known as the George Lynch house. 
 
 In the early 1870's the village post office was located in the old brick 
 mill. At one time there was a building aci'oss the street west from where 
 Mrs. Florence Gilbert now lives, and here J. W. Pinkston served as post- 
 master. "Steve" Abbott was postmaster for many years. 
 
 Fred Stearns says, "Mr. Abbott would come down town and usually 
 stop where Paul and I were near the front gate at home, and tell me my 
 name should be Silas and then tell us a Bible story about Paul and Silas. 
 Then later would come August Jahr. He stopped and talked a little, too." 
 
 For nearly sixty years, except for a short time when the frame 
 building burned in 1902, then later in the 1920's for a short time, Mahomet's 
 post office has been on the same corner where it now stands. 
 
 In 1897, Irene L. Ford was appointed postmistress, a position she held 
 until 1914. Her sister, Estelle G. Ford, was her assistant. Later, Miss Ford 
 was appointed postmistress in 1924, which office she held until 1934. Others 
 serving in this capacity were Eva Carson, Madge Lindsey, Audie Lindsey, 
 James Carson, George Brown, and Daisy Miller. Mrs. Miller has been post- 
 mistress from 1938 to 1945 and from April 1, 1948 to the present time. 
 
 Rural mail carriers have been Ed Lucas, Frank Davis, Ernest Foster, 
 Asher Herriott, Roscoe Smith (31 years), and Ernest Stout (46 years). 
 
 Roscoe Smith who carried the mail from 1903-1934 has been in the 
 insurance business for many years, even before he retired as rural mail 
 carrier. 
 
 Ernest Stout, the only rural carrier from the Mahomet office today, 
 started carrying in 1905 but was away from his job and on a farm for three 
 years. 
 
 REPAIR SHOPS 
 
 August Jahr owned a shoe repair shop in a small wooden building 
 where Brown's Barber Shop now stands. 
 
 W. C. "Cad" Maxwell, who always whistled while he worked, owned 
 the Shoe Repair and Harness Shop. 1918 (SS). "I now have enough oil on 
 hand to oil fifty sets of harness at the old price of $1.00 per set. If you 
 want it at the old price, bring your harness in at once. I will have a man 
 here the first of the week to assist me in getting it out quick." 
 
 RESTAURANTS 
 
 A. E. Smith owned a lunch room in a frame building located where 
 Lake's Barber Shop is today. 1895 (SS). "Fifteen different drinks at A. E. 
 
 77
 
 Smith's. Have you tried those fine drinks that A. E. Smith makes with 
 cream? They are out of sight." 
 
 Various restaurant owners in Mahomet across the years include Justin 
 Rayburn, Ernest Foster, C. B. Hoit, Frank Lindsey, Sam Cooke, Crowleys, 
 Iva Lindsey, Blanche Pittman, Maude Lindsey, Mrs. Dan Smoot, Joe Cooke, 
 Tom Maloney, and Barney White. 
 
 In connection with Phillips Service Station, at the junction of Routes 
 47 and 150, is Paul's Drive In, opened in May 1952. 
 
 ROOMING HOUSES 
 
 In 1833, the County Commissioner fixed the following rates of prices 
 to be charged: Keeping a man and horse for one night, including supper, 
 bed and horse feed, 75c; single meal 18 %c; horse feed 12 1/2 c. 
 
 Fred Stearns says, "Cowans sold their property which was west of 
 Holzer's store to Mr. and Mrs. John Waugh. Mr. Waugh died soon after, and 
 Mrs. Waugh kept roomers and boarders for a long time. D. H. Hartley 
 rented upstairs and went to school, graduated at Mahomet, then on to 
 Bloomington Illinois to college and later became a Methodist minister. Dr. 
 Wall and Dr. Tom Wilson were both boarders for a long time." 
 
 The Pointer house that was torn down (east of Jahr's store) used to 
 be a hotel, operated by Mrs. Elihu Hayward. On the corner where Mrs. 
 Florence Gilbert lives was a hotel operated by Mrs. Rebecca Herriott. The 
 old hotel was operated by Mrs. Clara Chapman for many years. 
 
 Mrs. Agnes (Aunt "Ag") Herriott kept "runners" (traveling sales- 
 men) for many years where George Campbell now lives. Mrs. Rose Wright 
 for many years "boarded" the school teachers. 
 
 SHELLING 
 
 Edd Campbell started in the shelling business about 1911. James 
 Campbell took over the "Campbell Shelling" in 1921. 
 
 MAHOMET SHIPPING ASSOCIATION 
 
 Mahomet Shipping Association was organized about 1918 with B. F. 
 Rayburn as president, Frank W. Taylor as secretary-treasurer, and Gilbert 
 Trinkle, as manager. Other members of the Board were John Rittenhouse 
 and Frank Thomas. 
 
 TAVERNS 
 
 Dr. Adams' Tavern stood on the north end of Lot No. One and was 
 a two-story log building, built flush with the sidewalk. This building was 
 later used as an ice house, more than 85 years ago. 
 
 Joseph Lindsey in 1826 entered the land under a government 
 certificate where Mahomet now stands. It is thought that Lindsey's home- 
 stead was on the east side of the Sangamon River and probably on the Old 
 Bloomington Road, now U. S. 150. There is evidence of a dwelling having 
 stood about 800 feet east of the Ernest Stout corner and on the south side of 
 the road. It is believed this Lindsey homestead wias transferred to Mathew 
 Johnson. 
 
 Quoting from S. C. Abbott autobiography, July, 1847: "At LeRoy 
 took stage for Urbana, two-horse spring wagon, carrying the mail, stopped 
 at Middletown at Mathew Johnson's Tavern, east of town, laid over for next 
 trip two days, got acquainted with the Taylor Bros, and their widowed 
 mother." Probably this Johnson Tavern was built originally by Lindsey. It 
 
 78
 
 was later used for the barn on the Fred Mohr place; it originally stood 
 where the residence is now. 
 
 This tavern became a point of relay for the stage line. "Uncle Job" 
 Miller drove the stage between Middletown and Urbana. The resident of the 
 "Half-Way-House" had two yoke of oxen which he used to pull the stage 
 out of mudholes along the line. 
 
 About one-half mile east of the Old Middletown Ford and upon the 
 site of the present house on "Timber Edge" farm now occupied by J. C. 
 Moore, stood the "Ohio" or "Nine Gal Tavern." According to Robert Wright, 
 many years ago throughout western Champaign County there were many 
 settlers from the State of Ohio. As to the "Nine Gal" title, it is said that 
 at one time one of the proprietors had nine red-headed daughters. In the 
 1850's this tavern was owned and operated by Thomas Davidson, and the 
 story was told by Mrs. Davidson that Abraham Lincoln stayed here many 
 times. 
 
 NINE 6AlTAraN•0lD^1AH0f1E^ 
 
 (From a sketch by Fred Hazen) 
 
 About three-fourths of a mile east of the "Brick School" and on the 
 old Bloomington Road, there was laid out in lots, a site for the Town of 
 Bloomfield. It is said that the first survey for the Wabash Railroad was 
 made along the road north and south from the Stover farm. The railroad, 
 however, was built three and one-half miles west of this point, going through 
 Mansfield. This was then known as the Robert Rea farm (now the Parrett 
 farm). This farm was homesteaded by the Rea family who came from 
 Kentucky in 1848. The Rea home, also called the Rea Tavern, stood upon 
 the site of the present house, but many years ago this tavern was moved 
 across the road to the south. Abraham Lincoln stayed here many times 
 while riding the-Severrth Judicial Circuit. 
 
 ^ 
 
 TELEPHONE SERVICE 
 
 Dr. J. D. Culver had a telephone line as early as 1887 between 
 his residence and office. The second private telephone line to be installed 
 here was built by Forrest L. Tanner and connected the William Tanner 
 residence with that of his lumber yard office, some 500 feet away. Then 
 later Tanner built the Joseph A. Carson line which was a single wire be- 
 tween the Carson store and the home. 
 
 "Bill" Johnson tells that "Old Man" Geiger was mayor of Mahomet, 
 perhaps in the 1880's, and refused to let the Bell Telephone Company go 
 through the town; it had to go north and around the town. With the first 
 
 79
 
 telephone lines, each person was sold a book of coupons when the telephone 
 was installed and each coupon entitled the holder to make a telephone call. 
 
 Elbert Morrison was informed by I. T. Bridges that just prior to 1901 
 and in a two-story frame building (site of old Carter building) two 
 toll lines were located there, one from the west, and the Home Company 
 from Champaign. We believe in 1900 the Bell Telephone Company (long 
 distance) had their toll line in the A. E. Smith Meat Market and Cafe which 
 stood about on the present site of the General Telephone Building. 
 
 Mr. Morrison was informed by I. T. Bridges that the first telephone 
 was installed in H. J. Morehouse's office by Mr. Bridges. In 1915, the 
 "central" office was moved to the present location, and Mr. Bridges sold the 
 old building which had housed the telephone exchange for fourteen years. 
 The first telephone operator was Zaye Williamson. Maude Herriott served 
 as night operator for twenty-two years out of the twenty-seven and a half 
 years that Mr. Bridges operated this Mahomet system. 
 
 1915 (SS). "The Bell Telephone Company now has its toll line cut in 
 the Mahomet Telephone Company switchboard. This will make it quite 
 convenient for the local people." 
 
 I. T. Bridges sold out to Illinois Commercial Telephone in 1927. 
 
 Pictured below is Mrs. Ombra Foster by the first telephone office 
 (the building that did stand just east of the old Hotel). Also pictured below 
 is Mrs. Foster (Ombra Lindsey at that time) at the switchboard in the first 
 telephone exchange in Mahomet. 
 
 General Telephone Company of Illinois is a part of the General 
 Telephone System which has sixteen operating companies, furnishing service 
 in twenty-one states, to approximately two million stations. This Company 
 was incorporated in 1928 and was then known as the Illinois Commercial 
 Telephone Company. 
 
 This is the largest of the more than 350 independent telephone com- 
 panies in Illinois and is the largest independent telephone company serving 
 the United States. Operating in 66 of the 102 counties in Illinois, it is 
 serving over 187,000 telephones in 651 communities through 235 exchanges. 
 
 80
 
 It is anticipated that all telephones will be dial by 1960. 
 
 The present chief operator is Millie DeGroft who has been here since 
 September 1953. Mrs. DeGroft has been a great help in getting out this book 
 of history with her fine service in the many calls made to get the needed 
 data. Another operator is Mrs. Harold Jones. 
 
 THEATRES 
 
 The Pastime Theatre was located where the American Legion 
 Building is today. Elmer Hawkins operated the Pastime Theatre around 
 1905. Elmer sold the Pastime to Forrest Tanner in 1912 and continued with 
 the Hall. Forrest Tanner purchased the Holzer Building. 1912 (SS). "Ernie 
 Adams who is traveling with the Elmer Hawkins Movie Picture Show is 
 spending Sunday with his parents." 1916. "The New Pastime Theatre will 
 open here Tuesday evening. F. L. Tanner is the proprietor." 
 
 May 1918 (SS). "Carpenters are working this week, building a stage 
 in the Pastime Theatre. They will have the work completed in time for the 
 high school play Friday evening, May 10. New curtains are being made 
 and will be hung Friday morning." 
 
 Elmer Hawkins operated the theatre again around 1923-1924. Such 
 pictures as Harold Lloyd in "The Freshman" and other silent movies equally 
 as entertaining were shovm, with piano accompaniments by Zuma Gilbert. 
 
 For many years the high school plays, class night programs, etc. were 
 held here. 
 
 UNDERTAKERS 
 
 The Undertaking, or now modernly known as Funeral Directing, in 
 Mahomet has followed a secession for over 125 years. The first undertaker, 
 "Father" John Robertson came with his family from Kentucky in 1830, and 
 settled about one mile east of the Champaign County Courthouse, before 
 Urbana was even thought of. The said John Robertson is credited with 
 conducting the first religious service in Champaign County, which at that 
 time was in Vermilion County, Illinois. (Vermilion County became Cham- 
 paign County in the Fall of 1833.) 
 
 "Father" John came to Middletown in 1832, settling on his homestead 
 about one mile west of Mahomet on the old state road — but not called a state 
 road until four years later. Today this farm is owned by Mr. and Mrs. 
 Claude Thorpe. John "Squire" Robertson (grandfather of Cleon Gilbert) 
 was the undertaker prior to Joe Pittman. He gave up the undertaking 
 business to be Justice of the Peace, a rather lucrative position at one time. 
 
 Where "Rondy" Sanders now lives, was the site of "Furniture" Joe 
 Pittman's undertaking establishment. 1881 (SS). J. C. Pittman advertises 
 "Will attend funerals at all times with a first-class hearse." "Furniture" 
 Joseph Pittman took over the undertaking work and for fifty years con- 
 ducted a furniture store, making many burial boxes as he was an excellent 
 cabinet maker. Mr. Pittman died in 1897; then for about one year James W.. 
 Herriott (Barber Jim) took over for the Pittman Estate. Mr. Herriott's wife 
 was a daughter of William Robertson. 
 
 In 1898, Mr. H. J. Morehouse bought the Undertaking business and 
 building from the Pittman estate. Later Chester A. Morehouse became his 
 father's assistant and remained in the business until he left in October 1917 
 for duty in the army. 1917 (SS). "C. A. Morehouse went to Mattoon where 
 he assisted in the Schilling Ward, taking care of the dead caused by the 
 tornado." 
 
 September 15. 1920, E. W. Morrison purchased the business and 
 
 81
 
 building from his father-in-law and it became known as the Morrison Fun- 
 eral Service. 
 
 Blair Funeral Home 
 
 The Blair Funeral Home, under Eli W. and James W. Blair, opened 
 for business January 1, 1940. On August 15, 1946, the Morrison Funeral 
 Service was sold to the Blair brothers with Mr. Morrison as Assistant 
 Director. In August 1952, E. W. Blair moved to Newton, Illinois to take up 
 farming and his brother continued with the business. 
 
 A branch office of the Blair Funeral Home was opened on Main 
 Street in Fisher in 1947, and later moved to the Neal home on Highway 136. 
 
 Blair Funeral Home in Mahomet 
 
 VETERINARIANS 
 
 "Across the street from the John Dickson home are Lots Nos. 2, 3, and 
 4, Block 2 (where Dr. Smith's office is now located). Dr. D. E. Sisk bought 
 these lots with the purpose of erecting a veterinary hospital, but Mr. Dick- 
 son was so opposed to the idea that he bought the lots from Dr. Sisk for the 
 sum of $3500. Many years later these same lots were sold for $400. 
 
 May 1923 (SS). "Dr. A. L. Blair, veterinary of Newton, Illinois, has 
 leased the Wright property in the north part of town, and will move here the 
 first of May." 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 Campbell Industries, established November 1947. 
 
 Bert Williams Watch Repair. 
 
 Guy Warner's Concrete Products established in January 1946. 
 
 Richard Watts Limestone and Fertilizer. "Dick" has been in this 
 business since 1933. 
 
 82
 
 other places of business in Mahomet today are — Brown's Barber 
 Shop, Lake's Barber Shop, Wells Brikcrete, Marathon Filling Station, Mobil- 
 gas Filling Station, Standard Filling Station, Shell Filling Station, Don's 
 Potato Chip Factory, Wayne Armstrong's Insurance Office, Dawkins Elec- 
 trical Shop, Ola Poison's Variety Store, Benton Mahin Contractor, and Don 
 Sanders Landscaping. 
 
 Woodshop, belonging to Dave Pittman, was located across the street 
 from Abbott's Hall, but we do not know the extent of his business. 
 
 RECREATIONAL ENTERPRISES 
 
 Lake of the Woods 
 
 One of the most scenic spots in Champaign County, lying near the 
 course of the historic Sangamon River, was selected in 1948 for the establish- 
 ment of the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. The first purchase of land 
 (260 acres) was made in 1948, and there have since been several additions, 
 through purchases or gifts, making a total of 331 acres. 
 
 The Lake of the Woods is one and a half miles northeast of Mahomet, 
 a part of the old Gulick Homestead. 
 
 From 100 to 200 trees have been planted each year— white pines, 
 maples, willows, ash, oak, and sycamore. The new plantings have enhanced 
 the beauty of the old. The trees in the Howard Woods area are some of the 
 finest specimens in Illinois. Thousands visit the preserve every season. 
 Fishing, boating, golf (18-hole course), swimming, picnicking, hiking, and 
 other forms of outdoor recreation are available. There is no entrance fee 
 for use of the Lake of the Woods grounds and some of its facilities, but 
 concessions from rental of boats, from the use of the bathhouse and swim- 
 ming area, from golf fees and from donations has approximated $65,000 a 
 year. Cost of all the improvements in the Lake of the Woods area, including 
 the land and the macadamized, widened county road leading to the property, 
 from 1948 through 1954, inclusive, has been about $650,000. The Commission 
 President is H. I. Gelvin. 
 
 Champaign Sportsmen's Club 
 
 Located across from the Lake of the Woods, but a private enterprise, 
 is the Champaign Sportsmen's Club. 
 
 Urbana Sportsmen's Club 
 
 A man-made lake is being built just about a half mile southwest of 
 Mahomet which will be the Urbana Sportmen's Club. 
 
 Another private lake is being built two miles west of Mahomet on the 
 Abbott land. 
 
 83
 
 General News Items 
 Taken From Old Issues of Mahomet Sucker State 
 
 1907. It is interesting to note that "in 1907 the average automobile cost 
 $2,121 with top, windshield, and horn extra." 
 
 1911. Fred Barber reports that he has driven his Rambler car 13,221 miles, 
 with the same tires on it and never a blowout. Then all at once he 
 had the misfortune of having seven blowouts in one week. . . .The 
 Juniors entertained the Sophomores at the home of W. O. Dale. A 
 three-course lunch was served. One of the main features of the 
 evening's entertainment was a butterfly hunt, the butterflies being 
 hidden in obscure places. A flashlight picture was taken of the two 
 classes. Those present were Claude Purnell, Esta Rayburn, Gladys 
 McNeill, Beatrice Foster, Mary Godwin, Bernice Downs, Lulu Dale, 
 Laura Rowe, Bernice Jones, Lester Warner, Guy Williamson, Fred 
 Kroner, Vern Rittenhouse, Roscoe Miller, John Downs, John Carson, 
 
 Orval Black, and Ray Irle While C. A. Morehouse and wife were 
 
 in Peoria, Chester took a picture of Walter Brookins while making a 
 flight. This is the first time that anyone from Mahomet has taken 
 
 a picture of a flying machine Charles Purnell is one of the many 
 
 persons who has recently purchased land in Michigan. 
 
 1912. J. B. Busey of Urbana was in town Tuesday with two of the 1913 
 model Warren Detroit cars. They are completely equipped with all 
 the latest conveniences. F. O. Jahr purchased one of them, and now 
 is spending his extra time learning to drive it. . . .Robert Davis has 
 stone vaults which range in price from $10 to $25, according to size 
 
 Ernest Stout has purchased a new Indian motorcycle which he 
 
 expects to use to deliver the mail Feme Hoit, Vira Bryan, Julia 
 
 Carson, Stanley Spencer, Sam Stout, and Vance Hood will take the 
 
 teachers' exam Saturday in Urbana At the [April] election several 
 
 of the oldest men in the country attended. Among them were J. Q. 
 "Pappy" Thomas who was 83 years old. He has never worn glasses, 
 and has never voted any other place; Jonas Lester has cast 57 votes; 
 Thomas Dale has voted in this township 56 times and has missed but 
 one vote. . . .Baptized in river: Etta Barber, Carrie Stevens, and 
 Merle Guinn were baptized in the Sangamon River at the Sand Bank 
 near the Jonas Lester residence on Sunday, immediately following 
 the morning service. 
 
 1913. Township Spelling Contest was held at the gi-ade school last Satur- 
 day. The following made the highest grades: Lisle Lester, 99; Zaye 
 Gulick, 92; and Lenora Bensley, 91. . . .Otis Pfiester drove his 
 National Roadster to F. O. Wright's Sunday, and while there the car 
 stalled in the mud. In trying to get out a little damage was done to 
 the car. On Monday William Murphy pulled it to the J. N. Black 
 Garage, and an expert came from Champaign Tuesday who did the 
 repairs. 
 
 1914. The filling of the ice house of A. H. Sperling was completed Thurs- 
 day. The ice was of fine quality, and was about eight inches thick 
 
 Ernest Stout, Willis Black, Ray Irle, and Roscoe Smith made a 
 
 200-mile trip Sunday on their motorcycles. They visited Devil's 
 Kitchen, Homer Park, Danville, and Covington, Indiana. They had 
 but one blowout and two punctures on the entire trip Wednesday 
 
 84
 
 the deal was closed between Zaye Williamson and the village council 
 whereby the village becomes the owner of the four lots formerly 
 belonging to Miss Williamson. The village expects to build hitch 
 racks around the entire purchase, and the inside will be used for a 
 village park, which Miss Williamson reserved the right to name. . . . 
 J. J. Hayward, being the Chairman of the County Road and Bridge 
 Committee, has been called to Springfield to attend the letting of the 
 contract for the first "hard road" in this county. 
 
 1915. After April 1, I will be in a position to furnish a limited number of 
 white orphington settings at $5.00 per setting. J. W. Herriott. . . . 
 Up-to-date Poultry House out on Sunny Slope Poultry Farm — Ches- 
 ter Morehouse. . . .W. B. Behrens and family left Tuesday for Char- 
 leston where they will make their home. . . .On the Harris farm one 
 engine is pulling two binders cutting oats while another engine is 
 pulling three binders. This is being done because the extreme heat 
 is too much for the horses. This method requires fourteen men to 
 shock the oats. They have 700 acres of oats which it is believed will 
 make over fifty bushels to the acre. . . .George Carter has completed 
 the filling of his ice house. Part of the ice was fourteen inches thick 
 . . . .We will have a car of Gold Medal Flour and feed on track here 
 Friday and Saturday. The flour will be $5.90 per barrel, at the car. 
 Fred Snell. 
 
 1917. During the past few days Mahomet has been solicited as to the num- 
 ber that would use electricity if brought here from Bondville or 
 Champaign. . . .Ice taken from the river was eighteen inches thick 
 . . . .M. E. Smith secured permission to set trees in the village park. . . . 
 A car load of Fords arrived Tuesday, and were immediately taken by 
 the following: Joe Sylvester, John Phillippe, W. W. Vance, Lonnie 
 Jones, and Matt Busey. . . .Charles Purnell is driving a new Maxwell 
 car. . . .On account of the increased price of feed we are forced to 
 raise the price of milk to 10c per quart and 5c per pint — Sloan's 
 Dairy. . . .Mahomet must raise $550 for the Red Cross War Fund. . . . 
 W. O. Dale purchased a new Reo automobile. . . .Red Cross War Notes: 
 Orval Black, Battleship, Texas, wishes to express his gratitude to 
 the Red Cross. Mrs. Pearman, Mrs. Black, Mrs. Wilkins, Mrs. Clar- 
 ence Herriott, and Miss Warbritton have all heard from sweaters 
 sent. Irene Ford has heard from three soldiers. 
 
 1918. The electric light petitions bore about 200 signatures of residents who 
 
 favor lighting the village The sorghum mill located near the river 
 
 bridge on the Fred Barber land in charge of Mr. Barber and Mr. 
 Douglas Purnell is attracting a great deal of attention. 
 
 1919. Coffee one pound 25c. 
 
 1920. On Saturday night, eighty-nine automobiles were counted, parked 
 on Main Street. . . .The first American radio broadcasting was trans- 
 mitted from Station KDKA at Pittsburgh; it consisted of election 
 returns. 
 
 1922. Ralph Foster is installing a wireless receiving station. 
 
 1924. Charles Purnell is making rather extensive repairs on his farm resi- 
 dence east of town which he recently purchased and where he will 
 move as soon as the work is completed. 
 
 85
 
 1928. Frank Phillippe made a trip to town Monday evening in his Ford 
 motor car. It was the first car seen here on the streets for some time, 
 owing to the muddy roads. 
 
 1929. At the village board meeting Monday night the calaboose was sold 
 to Walter Wright for $10. 
 
 1932. At the village board meeting a representative of the I. P. L. was 
 expected to be present to talk over the street lighting proposition. 
 At present the rate is $94 a month for the fifty-four street lights, and 
 the Board feels they need a lower rate. 
 
 1933. The Merry Mer-Maid Club enjoyed a very successful camping trip at 
 the Purnell cabin north of Mahomet on the Sangamon River. Those 
 present were Inez Bagley of Champaign, Pauline Herriott, Florence 
 Wigton, Marie Hickle, Alpha Hicks, Mary Phillippe, Louise and 
 Isabelle Purnell, and Lucille Moore. 
 
 1935. Extra good storm buggy to trade for work horse. — John Anderson. 
 
 1937. Charles Purnell, while milking on Tuesday morning, thought of the 
 idea of Mahomet's giving an entertainment and turning the entire 
 proceeds over to the Red Cross for flood sufferers. He came to town 
 and met with such fine cooperation that a program was immediately 
 worked up. This program will be given at the high school Wednes- 
 day at 7:30. Admission of 15c and 25c will be charged. The program 
 will be as follows: music. High School Band; male quartet, Gerald 
 Miller, Ernest Smith, Charles Purnell, and Clair Kokensparger; 
 reading, Margaret Wicoff ; cornet solo, Paul Stout; vocal duet, Shively 
 sisters; play, public speaking class of the high school; vocal duet, 
 Frances Dees and Gerald Miller: music. Grade School Chorus; instru- 
 mental duet, Doris Moore and Alma Primmer; cello solo, Lorene 
 Jeffers; skit, Virginia Smoot and Philip Buker; mixed quartet, Lorene 
 Jeffers, Grace Vandervoort. W. C. Coe, Norman McClure; music, 
 High School Band Frank W. Taylor was elected supervisor. 
 
 1938. C. W. Pugh has received a letter from George P. "Chicken" Miller, 
 92 years old February 13, about the wolf drive forty years ago. "I 
 hope you will have better success with your fox chase than we did 
 with our wolf drive back in 1897 or 1898. I dislike to place the blame 
 on the Newcomb Township boys for our failure to capture the five 
 wolves that were seen by Andy Phillippe that morning, but instead 
 of their going south to meet the Mahomet boys, they went east from 
 the bridge, allowing the wolves to escape. Among those present were 
 Oscar Dale, Frank Thomas, Jerry and Will Johnston, Joe Rittenhouse, 
 Oscar and Gene Smith, Andy Phillippe, and perchance some I do not 
 recall." . . .Mahomet residents were pleased and surprised that the 
 street lights were turned on. The first system was installed twenty 
 years ago. . . .Lake Mahomet was asked for by the Planning Com- 
 mission. 
 
 1939. The number of local residents desiring to use city water now appears 
 to be one hundred. . . .Three pounds of coffee for 39c; ten pounds of 
 sugar 45c. . . .Mahomet Waterworks was installed. . . .All motorists 
 applying for license will be obliged to take driving tests. 
 
 1946. Morrison Hobby and Antique Show, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. 
 E. W. Morrison was held Friday evening in the high school. (Mr. and 
 Mrs. Morrison held these hobby shows in January from 1943 to 1949.) 
 
 86
 
 The following items are taken from a copy of the Champaign County- 
 News Gazette, March 10, 1886, the original copy of which is in the possession 
 of Mrs. Mae Rayburn of Ithaca, Michigan. The subscriber was M. B. 
 Gleason, and the subscription rate was $1.50 a year, paid in advance. The 
 paper was one sheet, folded in four parts. 
 
 A large party of relatives and friends gathered at the home of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Robert Rayburn at Mahomet, Thursday evening, to witness 
 the marriage of their daughter, Eda Belle Rayburn to Louis Clapper 
 of Mahomet. . . .Charles Lindsey is prospecting in Kansas. . . .J. W. 
 Egbert and family shipped for Fort Scott, Kansas, on Friday. . . .J. W. 
 Tanner is building a dwelling house for Miss Scott of Champaign. . . . 
 Mrs. Stout, aged 87 years, died at the home of her son-in-law, Jerry 
 Warner. . . .Mrs. H. Smith has purchased of James Rowe the dwelling 
 house just north of the Presbyterian Church; consideration $550 cash 
 . . . .Supervisor G. F. Geiger went to Champaign Monday and paid 
 $4,000 on the $5,000 township bond due July 1, 1886, thus saving to 
 the township $75 interest. . . .J. W. Parks, Samuel Ramey, Phillip 
 Cherry, Mrs. James Watson and Mrs. Wiley Davis are seriously sick 
 . . . .Married, on Thursday evening, by Rev. Wm. Murphy, at the 
 M. E. Parsonage, Mr. Stephen Raines and Miss Lizzie Morse. 
 
 Times Have Changed 
 
 Among the old receipts of Mrs. Mary B. Caldwell was found one from 
 the Burnham Hospital dated 1910 which read: room and board March 15-23, 
 $11.50; medicine, 25c; operating room $3.00; surgical dressings, 25c. Total 
 $15. 
 
 Mrs. Robert Clapper, Sr., has in her possession a receipt, given to her 
 great-grandmother Banes by Dr. J. D. Gai'dner, for 66 V2 bushels of oats at 
 20c a bushel ($13.30), October 24, 1872. 
 
 Newcomb Township 
 
 Newcomb Township was surveyed in 1823 and the township was 
 named after Ethan Newcom who settled near Newcomb Ford in 1837. The 
 "b" was later added to his name. The first settler in Newcomb township 
 was James S. Mitchell who settled on Sec. 22, known later as Pancake 
 Point. The second settler, Arnspiker, only stayed a short time and moved 
 on in 1837. The third settler was William Pancake who came from Ohio 
 in 1837 and lived first in a log cabin across the road west from Shiloh 
 Church on the farm now known as the Downs farm. It is from this man 
 that we get the name Pancake Point for the beautiful knoll where the Shiloh 
 church and parsonage now stand. The first school in Newcomb Township 
 was in Jesse Pancake's old log cabin. The first schoolhouse was built in 
 1852 on the same section as the one where the Hannah school later stood. 
 In 1875 a Post Office was established in the home of E. Compton on the hill 
 just south of the Shiloh Church. Mail was brought out from Mahomet twice 
 a week, on Tuesday and Saturday. Within Newcomb Township we find it 
 had several well-defined lords across the Sangamon River — The Newcomb 
 (at or near the bridge, State Highway No. 119), the Thrasher (on township 
 line south of Fisher), the Shaffer (about one mile below the Thrasher Ford), 
 The Blacker (about half a mile above the Hazen Bridge). 
 
 87
 
 MEMORIAL ORGAN 
 
 The goal was reached and the new Baldwin Electronic Organ was installed 
 for the centennial. Most of the money was given as gifts in memory of 
 the following: 
 
 SADIE CARTER 
 
 DORA MILLER 
 
 EVA ARMSTRONG 
 
 LEN RAYBURN FAMILY 
 
 MATT HERRIOTT 
 
 MR. AND MRS. JOHN JACOBS 
 
 RICHARD PARKER 
 
 KEITH CLAPPER FAMILY 
 
 DR. R. H. SMITH FAMILY 
 
 J. M. DOWELL FAMILY 
 
 PATRICIA LEACH'S FATHER 
 
 LYLE GARST 
 
 FRANK LINDSEY 
 
 THE PUGH FAMILY 
 
 FRED PRIMMER FAMILY 
 
 FRANK DAVIS FAMILY 
 
 ERNEST MOON FAMILY 
 
 MERLE CLAPPER 
 
 CHARLES PURNELL FAMILY 
 
 REV. H. RAY FUNK 
 
 SHERRY HAMMETT'S FATHER 
 
 MRS. K. S. MANUEL 
 
 JAMES WILSON FAMILY 
 
 MR. AND MRS. J. M. DICKSON 
 
 FRANK H. JAHR 
 
 A number of organ contributions were made with no memorial designation: 
 Mr. and Mrs. Roy Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clapper, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Ernest Moon Jr., Mrs. Ruth S. Carson, Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Phillippe, Jr., 
 Rev. and Mrs. Selden Myers, Mr. and Mrs. Wm Humphrey, Mrs. Florence 
 Weatherford, Mr. and Mrs. Len Wigton, Mrs. Audie Ring, Mrs. Adda Martin, 
 Mrs. Rosa Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. O. R. Dollahon, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin 
 Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herriott, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Roberts, Don 
 Wyatt, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wyatt, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Rayburn, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Ernest Stout, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Shinker, Mrs. Mabel Hinton, 
 Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Keene, Miss Feme Dale, Mrs. Lulu Buker, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Ola Knight, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hildebrand, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Scheets, 
 Mr. and Mrs. George Lewis, and The Church Choir 
 
 (Names listed as of April 25, 1955) 
 
 88
 
 (^Itampaian- Ulrbana (contributors 
 
 Following are the names of business houses in Champaign-Urbana who 
 have contributed to the publication of this book. We do appreciate their 
 co-operation. 
 
 WORDEN-MARTIN, INC. 
 Packard - Hudson 6 East Springfield, Champaign 
 
 PARIS DYEING AND CLEANING CO. 
 112-114 West Clark Street - Channpaign 
 
 Compliments of 
 WALLER BUICK CO. - CHAMPAIGN 
 
 JACK BELL GAS CO. 
 2201 E. University — Urbana 
 
 Compliments of 
 Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Pinny, 912 W. Hill 
 
 MODEL-SOUDERS LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING 
 518 N. Neil Champaign, III. 
 
 SACKETT'S - Quality Furniture - Floor Coverings 
 1 19-123 E. University Ave. Champaign, III. 
 
 SPRITZ JEWELERS CHAMPAIGN, ILL. 
 
 Watches Diamonds Silverware 
 
 VERN F. WARNER AND SONS 
 Phone 2479 Local and Out of State Hauling 
 
 V. B. LINDSEY 
 Painting and Decorating, Phone 6-4436 
 
 LENDALE'S DRIVE-IN 
 Corner Prospect and Springfield 
 
 Best Wishes, 
 EISNER FOODS 
 
 PARKHILL MOTOR SALES 
 Oldsmobile and Cadillac 702 S. Neil St. 
 
 89
 
 S. C. ABBOTT AND SON, FLORISTS 
 1501 N. Prospect, Champaign 
 
 MEADOW GOLD PRODUCTS 
 Champaign 
 
 MENDEL RILEY MUSIC STORE 
 Everything Musical 103 N. Neil 
 
 Anonymous 
 
 Compliments of 
 CHAMPAIGN COUNTY SERVICE CO. 
 
 Best Wishes 
 WING AND WHEEL - RESTAURANT 
 
 STANNER SEED HOUSE 
 Seeds 
 
 Best Wishes 
 SHOLEM'S IN CHAMPAIGN 
 
 Anonymous 
 
 Compliments of 
 TREVETT-MATTIS BANKING CO. 
 
 DO-WELL AGRICULTURAL SERVICE 
 J. M. Dowell 
 
 Compliments of 
 JOS. KUHN & CO. 
 
 Compliments of 
 INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER CO. 
 
 Compliments of 
 PAUL LAUTERBORN APPLIANCE SHOP 
 
 Compliments of CHAMPAIGN NATIONAL BANK 
 Member Federal Reserve System 
 
 90
 
 CHAMPAIGN CO. TELEPHONE SECRETARY 
 24 Hour Answering Service 207 W. Clark (Rear) 
 
 CLIFFORD V. LLOYDE PIANO CO. 
 Corner Neil and Hill St., Champaign 
 
 FIELDS, 7 & 9 Main St., Champaign 
 Apparel for the whole family 
 
 STEVEN'S RUG & LINOLEUM 
 If it covers the floor, we have it 
 
 BROWNIE'S SHOE REPAIR 
 309 N. Neil St. 
 
 ROBESON'S 
 Champaign's Largest Department Store 
 
 Compliments of 
 CHAMPAIGN CLEANERS, 38 MAIN 
 
 Compliments of 
 JORDAN PAINT STORE 
 
 SPALDING BOOTERY 
 19 Main St. Champaign 
 
 W. LEWIS & CO. 
 Champaign's Leading Dept. Store 
 
 Congratulations on your Centennial Year 
 JOHNSTON'S SPORT SHOP 
 
 KEMPER FABERT MOTOR CO., CHAMPAIGN 
 Lincoln-Mercury Dealer for Champaign, Ford, and Piatt Counties 
 
 JONES OPTICAL CO. 
 Champaign 
 
 REEDER AUTO SALES 
 Sales — NASH — Service 
 
 TWIN CITY PONTIAC COMPANY 
 Champaign, Illinois 
 
 91
 
 ART FLORAL COMPANY 
 1 15 W. Church, Champaign 
 
 CHAMPAIGN CENTRAL LOAN, INC 
 120 S.Neil Money When You Need It 
 
 DILLAVOU'S SERVICE STATION 
 Corner Washington and Walnut 
 
 BUILDERS SUPPLY CO. 
 30 E. John, Champaign 
 
 C. N. CLARK & CO. MONUMENTS 
 G. E. Phillips, President 
 
 CHAMPAIGN COUNTY ABSTRACT CO. 
 Agency for Chicago Title & Trust Co., Chicago 
 
 HARSHBARGER IMPLEMENT CO. 
 219 N. Broadway, Urbana 
 
 Congratulations from the 
 SULLIVAN CHEVROLET COMPANY, CHAMPAIGN 
 
 DANA HUDELSON, INC., CHAMPAIGN 
 Ford Dealer 
 
 Compliments of the 
 ILLINOIS COMMERCIAL COLLEGE 
 
 COMPLIMENTS OF LLOYDE EICHORST, INC. 
 DeSoto - Plymouth Sales and Service 
 
 BACON & VAN BUSKIRK GLASS CO., INC. 
 719 S. Neil, Champaign 
 
 Compliments of 
 ILLINI PEST CONTROL 
 
 Compliments of 
 RELIABLE FURNITURE COMPANY 
 
 COMPLIMENTS OF P. H. HUGHES FURNITURE CO. 
 110-112 N. Walnut 
 
 92 
 
 W.S.S. PRINT, MANOMET