P77.354 ^31d FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT DELAVAN- 1837-1937 UNIVERSITY OF. ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGK 4U. HIST. SURVEY 1 i M 00^' OF THE 'VKHSITY OF lllJl' ' I ■ ;■ . it"ft^iir)ilpa '•(,|,H'.\f^?;';Tr/ f^'t I' -. •* —■»,.•-»■ w THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS < a o H H U M « H CO O o 1-1 DELAVAN 1837-1937 A Chronicle of 100 Years Prepared by Workers of THE FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT OF THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS § Cover Design by the FEDERAL ART PROJECT IN ILLINOIS This Book is Sponsored by THE CITY OF DELAVAN ILLINOIS ^ ^ ^ ^ THE LIBRARY GF FEB111938 yiytyyigl^ if ULUNOis List of Illustrations Page Locust Street Today 2 Civil War Cannon 4 Locust Street in 1888 6 Swimming Pool 12 An Old Colony Home 15 City Hall ■ 20 Straut's Store 23 Old Harness Shop 25 Delavan's First School Hone 28 Delavan Grade School 29 Ayer Public Library 30 Page Community High School 30 Armory Hall 33 Civil War Monument 36 Masonic Hall 41 Old Cheever Home 42 Baptist Church 53 Methodist Church 55 Presbyterian Church 58 St. Mary's Church 60 New Armory 79 Acknowledgement Acknowledgment is hereby given to many persons who have helped make this chronicle a reality. Among these are: Starr H. Beatty, president of the Delavan Community Club; S. H. Lawton, general chairman the Centennial Celebration Committee; Hon. W. E. Culbertson, Mayor; J. Ross Arnold, publisher, the Delavan Times; Miss Edith Pittsford, librarian; Mrs. Bess Brink; Rev. W. M. Graham; Rev. F. Roy Doland; Rev. Norton J. Hilton; Rev. Charles T. Doo- little; Mrs. Bertha Carter; Miss Sarah Burlingame; Mrs. Clarence Cruse; J. L. Regur; Miss Olive Reid; Mrs. Elmer Giles; Earl Davi- son; Eldon D. Finley; L. R. Clark; Neal D. Reardon; John Hapenny, and many others who have given encouragement and information and who have permitted research in their pri\ate files and family records. ^1 />^5- Foreword IN the publication of this brief history of first the colony, then vil- lage and now incorporated city of Delavan, Illinois, whose people- together with the residents of the countryside roundabout— compose what we coijimonly term the Community of Delavan, the subscriber hereto desires to acknowledge with appreciation and thanks the ser- vices of the representatives of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration, by whom the data for its contents were sought out, assembled, edited, and reduced to what I am sure all readers will agree to be a readable and interesting narrative. If thei.; be in the latter something to praise, let the credit be theirs. Like acknowledgements are made to the Delavan Community club, Starr H. Beatty, president; the Delavan Centennial Committee, Samuel H. Lawton, chairman, and Edith Pittsford, Chairman of iti^ Community Club's Committee on Historical Research, and their as- sociates, for their part in the enterprise. It was their initiative, in- terest and willing co-operation that encouraged the Mayor and City Council of the City of Delavan to undertake the publication hereof, consummate the same and underwrite the cost. This booklet is dedicated to the memory and honor of the men and women, past and present, resident and non-resident, who by their lives and works from 1837 up to the present happy centennial occasion 1937 have made contributions to the vital being of Delavan-giving it through many varied channels of expression and activity its character, personality, spirit, individuality, atmosphere: So that now, on the threshold of its second century, it holds the love and honor of all who have ever called Delavan "home." May Delavan's sons and daughters of the newly opening scroll of years do as well by her as have their forebears. W. E. CULBERTSON, Mayor, City of Delavan, Illinois. Centennial Year 1937. vN .>> 997097 f m yi: HITCHING POST DAYS — LOCUST STREET IN 1888 OLD CIVIL WAR CANNON Preface DELAVAN, a chronicle of 100 years, is one of the publications of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administra- tion. Designed primarily to give useful employment to needy unem- ployed writers and research workers, this project has gradually de- veloped the ambitious objective of presenting to the American people a portrait of America— its history, folklore, scenery, cultural back- grounds, social and economic trends, and racial factors. In one re- spect,, at any rate, this undertaking is unique; it represents a far-flung effort at cooperative research and writing, drawing upon all the varied abilities of its personnel. All the workers contribute according to their talents; the field worker collects data in the field, the research worker burrows in libraries, the art and literary critics cover material relevant to their own specialties, architects describe notable histori- cal buildings and monuments; and the final editing of copy as it flows in from all corners of a state is done by the more experienced writers in the central offices. The ultimate product, whatever its faults or merits, represents a blend of the work of the entire personnel, aided by consultants, members of the university faculties, officers of learned societies, and oldest residents, who have volunteered their services everywhere most generously. A great many books and brochures are being written for this series. As they appear in increasing numbers we hope the American public will come to appreciate more fully not only the unusual scope of this undertaking, but also the devotion shown by the workers, from the humblest field worker to the most accomplished editors engaged in the final rewrite. The Federal Writers' Project, directed by Henry G. Alsberg, is in the Division of Women's and Professional Projects under Ellen S. Woodward, Assistant Administrator. HARRY L. HOPKINS, Administrator. PROGRAM OF THE Centennial Celebration DELAVAN, ILLINOIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 1937 Registratioji Day Old pictures, relics and antiques on display at Centennial Head- quarters and various business houses. 4:00 p. m.— Band Concert— Grade and High School Bands. 7:00 p. m.— Band Concert — The Illinois Blue Coats. 7:30 p. m.— Moving picture, "The Blacksmith's Gift" (Courtesy of the John Deer Plow Co., Moline.) 9:00 p.m. — Historical Pageant of Delavan— Kitten Ball Park, West Fifth St. SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 1937 Home Coming Day CITY PARK 1:00 p. m.— Band Concert— Illinois Valley Blue Coats. 2:00 p. m.— Invocation— The Rev. C. T. Doolittle. 2:05 p. m.— Introduction of Mayor Culbertson and Address of Wel- come. 2:15 p. m.— Pawnee Four. 2:30 p. m.— Reading— The Rev. Wilbur Barnes. 2:40 p. m.— Centennial Chorous (Sixty voices.) (a) Anthem "List to the Lark"— Dickinson Chorus. (b) Trio— "Beautiful Dreamer"— Foster Mildred Creager Patzer— Soprano Louise Kuntz Hanger— Mezzo Geraldine Regur— Alto Clarinet Obligato — Fred Mclnnis (c) "Musical Trust"— Clokey (This number built on tunes popular be- tween 1840-1900.) Chorus (d) Cantata "I Hear America Singing"— Gaul Director— Arthur Zorn First Piano— Carrie Bailey Kemp Second Piano— Hildreth Lower Sowa Hammond Organ— Russell Fielder. 3:20 p. m.— Community Singing led by Leo [. Stumbaugh. 3:10 p. m.— Brief Talks by Former Residents. 8 4:20 p. m.— Special Music— Delavan High School and Grade School Bands. 4:50 p. m.— Concert— Illinois Valley Blue Coats. 7:00 to 800 p.m. — Concert by Illinois Valley Blue Coats with Spe- cialty numbers by Pawnee Four. 8:15 p. m.— Historical pageant of Delavan at Kitten Ball Park, West Fifth St. MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1937 Centennial Day 9:00 a. m.— Band Concert by the Illinois Valley Blue Coats of Pe- oria— Specialty numbers by the Pawnee Four. Main St. 9:30 a. m.— Pet Parade— Line of March from Grade School south on Main St. to Fifth St. north on Main St. to Fourth St., east on Fourth St. terminating at City Park. 10:00 a. m.— Judging Winners of the Pet Parade— City Park. 10:30 a. m.— Band Festival— High School Bands of Central Illinois. All day horse shoe pitching tournament under the di- rection of former State Champion, George Hilst, Green Valley. City Park. 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p. m.— Band Concert by the Illinois Valley Blue Coats. Specialty Numbers— Pawnee Four. Old Fiddlers Contest in charge of James Walker of Mason City. Address— Art Goebel, Trans-Pacific Flyer. Games and Contests. City Park. 3:00 p. m.— Historical Parade— Line of march from the Community High School on South Locust St. north to Third, west on Third to Harris, south on Harris to Fourth, east on Fourth to Oak, north on Oak to Third, west on Third to Elm, south on Elm, terminating at the City Park. 3:45 p. m.— Concert — Massed High School Bands of Central Illinois at City Park. 4:00 p. m.— Water fight on Fifth St. in front of the Armory Hall. Sky-writing— Plane flown by Art Goebel. 5:00 p. m.— Balloon Ascension and Parachute Jump. 7:00 p. m.— Band Concert— Illinois Valley Blue Coats. City Park. 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p. m.— Harlan Tarbell, American Ace Magician, Chicago. City Park. 8:15 p. m.— Historical Pageant of Delavan. Kitten Ball Park, West Fifth St. 10:00 p. m.— Pavement Dance— Royal Ace Orchestra. North Main St. Table of Contents Page Foreword .5 Preface 7 Centennial Program 8 Dcla\an of Today II Dclavan of Vesterdav 13 City Government 19 Agriculture and Industry 24 Education 27 Aver Public Library 31 National Defense 32 Civil War Monument 37 G. A. R. Memorial 37 Taze^vell Countv Fair 38 XeA\spa])ers of Delavan 39 Organizations and Poison. 40 Prairie Rest 46 From Time's Scroll 47 Churches- Baptist 51 Methodist Episcopal , 54 Churc h of God 56 Presbyterian .. 57 Christian 59 St. Mary's Roman Catholic 60 Centennial Committees 62 Chronology 64 General Information There are two railroads in Delavan. the Illinois Central and the Alton Road, both of whidi use the Union Station. Fifth and Chestnut Streets. Blatkha^vk Motor Coaches stop at the intersection of Illinois 122 ^vitli Illinois 24, 5 miles Avest of Delavan. One paved road, Illinois 122, connects with Illinois 24 west of Delavan, and Illinois 121, 5 miles east. * Accommodations include one hotel, three restaurants, and four garages. Tourist rooms may be found along Illinois 122. There are two picture shows. 10 Delavan of Today DELAVAN, (alt. 605; pop. 1,084), on a high rolling prairie between the two branches of Crane Creek, three miles north of the southern boundary of Tazewell County, Illinois, is a modern com- munity typical of the Illinois corn belt. Although progressive in thought and act, it preserves the dignity and ideals of its founders, who migrated here from Rhode Island a century ago to found a new city. When approached from any direction, Delavan comes into view as a thick wood against the horizon. Upon entering its boundar- ies, the impression is that the town must have been hewn from some primeval forest-so large are the trees which line its streets. In truth, when Delavan's site was chosen, no vegetation more formidable than tall prairie grass giew anywhere in the vicinity, with the exception of a lone cottonwood about three miles to the south. Delavan is definitely and perhaps happily not an urban commun- ity. Its homes, for the most part spacious, well painted, and in good repair, are flanked by generous lawns and great-girthed trees. Violets and dwarf blue irises awaken with the spring, to give place to the balcony blue petunias that grow in most sections of the town in studied profusion, and are the official bloom of Delavan. The wide main streets are of concrete. Side streets, equally wide, are graveled and many are oiled. Throughout the town, the buildings— many of them mellowed by time— the vine-covered churches, and the modern schools, library, and stores, present an air of contentment and pros- perity. Trade that is dying out in many small cities since the advent of the hard surfaced roads is still alive here. Well-stocked stores serve the community. Grain, which once made Delavan a flourishing center with flour shipped as far as Cuba, England, and Scotland, remains an important factor* although the mills have long been closed. Elevators handle large quantities of grain grown on the farms of the neighborhood and ship it to the markets of the world. Although retail business and grain shipping are the bulk of the commercial activity, there is trade in automobiles, farm equipment, and building supplies. The town's only manufacturing enterprise is a factory specializing in wagon and truck scales. Two railroads, the Alton and the Illinois Central, furnish freight and passenger service, and Illinois Highway 122 connects with the paved highways of the State. II The urge for speed and wasteful tiaste is foreign to the town of Delavan. Tlie door of tlie httle jail stands open. Churches, civic and social clubs, the library, and a motion picture show operating three times a week, offer inspiration, instruction, and entertainment. Religion plays an important part in the life of the city. Approx- imately 90 per cent of the citizens of Dela\an attend some church. There are five churches in the city. Dela\an's social life centers mainly about its homes, but 21 fra- ternal, cultural, and service clubs play an important part in civic activities. Dela\an today is the realization of the dreams and uni ol its founders. A MODERN SWIMMING POOL Delavan of Yesterday THE first known occupation of any part of what is now Tazewell County, Illinois, was in the middle of January, 1680, when Rob- ert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, erected and occupied Fort Creve Coeur, on the river bank near the present village of Creve Coeur. LaSalle's stay was brief, lasting only until the first of March of that same year. During the summer, Tonty, in temporary charge of the fort left on a hunting and exploring expedition and dining his absence the remainder of the garrison partially demolished the fort and deserted. The fort was restored and served as a trading post until the entire French force maintained in the western country was moved to the newly constructed Fort St. Louis, near Utica, 111. From this time until the War of 1812, only an occasional white trapper or hunter visited the vicinity. During the war with England, Gov. Ninian Edwards led a force of 400 men from the southern part of the Illinois Territory, into what is now Tazewell County. His party burned several Indian villages, engaged in a battle with Potta- watomies in Fondulac Township and captured Black Tartridge's ^il- lage on Ten Mile Creek near the upper end of Peoria lake. In the Twenties, settlements sprang up across the river from Peoria, at Mack- inaw, Dillon, Washington and at Town Site, now Pekin. These were followed in the early Thirties by Tremont, Circleville, and Groveland. Beyond these towns, and below the Mackinaw River, was a large tract of silt loam known as High Prairie, v/hicJi for a long time was generally avoided. Only a few settlers made their homes there. This prairie loam — about 18 inches deep on a subsurface of 22 inches of yellowish brown clay, resting on a bed of glacial sand and gravel— was an extremely fertile and well-drained section, yet it remained a hunting ground for the Pottawatomies while the nearby territory was being settled. But in 1836, Jonas R. Gale of Providence, R. I., visited the Illinois Country in search of land suitable for settlement. After purchasing a tract in the vicinity of Alton, on his return East he stopped at the Dillon settlement for a visit with Ebenezer Wright, a friend who had migrated there from Massachusetts. High Prairie immediately appealed to him as a town site, for the fertility of the land round about would insure the success of a new trading center. At Tremont he met Edward Cornelius Delavan of Albany, N. Y., re- tired merchant, land promoter and ardent early American temper- ance advocate. Together they planned the promotion of a settlement on High Prairie, and at Providence, R. I., on September 19, 1836, another land company to exploit the Illinois Country was organized. Financed largely by Mr. Delavan under the name of the Delavan 13 Association, the new company had a capitahzation of $30,000. The following men had stock in the organization: John Jenckes, James Brown, Henry R. Green, David C. Green, Samuel B. Harris, Mnaso)i L. Allin, Vinal N. Edwards, Samuel B., Daniel C., George W. and Benjamin F. Gushing, William C. Cooke, Jonas R. Gale and D. C. Jenckes. Members of the executive committee, who also composed the locating committee, were: Henry R. Green, Mnason L. Allin, Samuel B. Harris and Jonathan B. Sears. It was decided to name the new city Delavan, in honor of the noted temperance advocate and iliat ihc tiiy should l)c devoid of all liquor-selling establishments. Heads of 50 families agreed to settle in the new city, or send substitutes to do so. The executive committee members, who were required to furnish bond, were directed to travel through the Stares and Territories of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, or Wisconsin, and to in- spect personally any lands under the association's consideration. They were further directed to proceed with the "purchasing out and re- moving therefrom, the settlers thereon found." No records show they made such trip. The public welfare of the proposed settlement was protected in an authorization of "not exceeding $7,000 as shall be requisite to build a suitable Temperance House and the necessary outbuildings and appendages," and "so much money as may be requisite, not ex- ceeding $1,000, for a public school house for the common benefit of the association." Provision was also made by the directors for a "public square or common for use of the inhabitants forever," with the stipulation that in case it should at any time be put to other use, the site should revert to the stockholders of the association. As a promotional feature, a plat was drawn showing 160-acrc tracts of land, with a town site in the center. These tracts were sold at auction at Washington Hall in Providence, November 24, 1836. Advertisements of the sale were placed in Providence, R. I., and Tamiton, Mass., newspapers. With each farm was given a town lot in the "City of Delavan." This was to be used by the settleis as a winter home site. Lots in the proposed city were to be 200 feet square, according to the articles of agreement, but when the plat was drawn for the auction, the lots were designated as 300 feet square. Bidding, stimulated by propaganda, was spirited, and the prices of "choice lots" ranged upward to $1,000, a sum which would have purchased 800 acres in the immediate vicinity. A feature of the land sale was the display of a map of Delavan, illustrated with the picture of a steam- boat drawn up to the wharf at the mill site (N. Locust St.), on Little Crane Creek. This creek would be difficult to negotiate in a canoe. At the sale, $10 was required as earnest money, the rest being payable on demand of the association. Deacon Henry R. Green, as financial agent, entered 22,000 acres of land in what is now Delavan Township, 14 A HOME OF THE OLD COLONY. Tradition says the lumber was cut to measure beiore shipment from Providence. Tazewell County, in February 1837, but the plat of the town, which contained 54 blocks plus the hotel block and the public square, each containing four lots, was not recorded until Febrary 1, 1841. The first activity in the settlement was in May 1837, with the arrival of an advance party of carpenters and builders, headed by W. W. Grossman. A cabin was hastily erected for temporary living quarters, and the work was started on the Colony House— a three- story frame building in which it was intended to house new settlers until their homes were erected. The site selected was the high ground at what is now the S. E. corner of Chestnut and Third Streets. Lumber for the Colony House was shipped from the East, part of it coming from Providence, down the Atlantic coast, through the Gulf of Mexico and up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Pekin. From Pekin it was hauled 18 miles in ox-carts and wagons. Other con- signments of lumber came from Pittsburgh, down the Ohio, and up the Mississippi and Illinois to Pekin. The timbers were cut along the Mackinaw River, five miles to the north, and were carted over the prairie to Delavan. When two rooms of the Colony House were completed, Mrs. Crossman-who had accompanied her husband from the East, but who had remained in Tremont during the first construction period-came to Delavan. She was the first woman in the colony. That was on October 1st. Two more rooms were completed that fall, and the re- mainder of the building in the following spring. As was to be 15 /^'CBHP^.ifVut expected in a colony based upon temperance principles, cultural facilities were not overlooked. Very soon the construction of a school house was begun. This building was used as an educational center until 1860, and also served as a general meeting place, and for chinch purposes. Few of the enrolled members of the association moved to the colony, and giowth was much slower than its organizers had antici- pated. Only five houses were built by the association. Transporta- tion facilities were limited to wagons and carts, and the markets for grain and livestock were miles away over prairie trails, rutted and dusty in dry times, and hub-deep in mud when it rained. Supplies had to be hauled over these roads. Dillon, seven miles away, was the nearest village, and Pekin the nearest outlet for produce. At the Orndorff settlement were the nearest neighbors, and there the Delavan colonists went for butter and eggs. Twenty years after the land sale at Providence, Delavan had a population of 150, and when it was incorporated as a village in 1865, it had grown to nearly 500 Until Deacon Henry R. Green established a steam saw and grist mill in 1839, the closest mill was near Dillon. In the same year, James West opened the first store, and secured an appointment as postmaster. Formerly, settlers had to travel to Tremont for mail and to do their trading. When the inhabitants of Delavan had erected their homes, the Colony House was leased to Ira B. Hall of Springfield, who opened it as a hotel in 1840. Mr. Hall was acquainted with many influential men at Springfield, a contact which proved valuable to his business. Four months after he took charge, the Chicago, Peoria and Springfield stage coach line, which had been passing a half mile west of Delavan, was induced to change its route. Thus the Delavan House (formerly the Colony House) became a scheduled station for the coach company, and a point where the four-horse teams were changed. Many noted men of Illinois stopped here, among them Abraham Lincoln, whose name appears on one of the old registers under the date of August 12, 1841, Stephen A. Douglas, Judge David Davis, Maj. Richard M. Cullom, father of Shelby M. Cullom; and Judge Stephen T. Logan. The ingenuity of the cook at the hotel is recalled in an anecdote, a portion of which can be verified. This enterprising individual, anxious to serve a piping hot meal to stage coach passengers, would watch the road from an up- stairs window of the hotel and when the coach reached the huge Cot- tonwood tree— the only tree on the prairie— would streak downstairs to the kitchen and put the potatoes on to fry. The potatoes and the passengers would reach the table at the same time. Mr. Hall sold the hotel to James Phillips in 1845, and engaged in farming. He continued acti\e in conununity enterprises, however, and was one of the promoters of the Petersburg R: Tonica Railroad 16 in 1857, and of the Tazewell County National Bank in 1887, of which he later became vice president. He served as the second township supervisor in 1856 (succeeding W. W. Grossman, who had held that office for five years), and as a member of the State legislature in 1870. After its sale, the hotel was known as the Phillips House, and was operated as a hostelry until it was destroyed by fire, August 28, 1879. In addition to his hotel interests, Mr. Phillips also owned and operated Phillips Hall, a center of cultural and recreational activity in the community, and was one of the earliest merchants of Delavan. Another pioneer merchant was George Straut, who came from St. Louis, where he had been a blacksmith and a peddler merchant. Finding a market for his wares and for his services as a smith, he traded his wagon to Phillips and started a store. A year later he erected a building at the southwest corner of Second and N. Locust Streets. This building, still standing, is the oldest in Delavan. It is a low, rambling, one and one-half story house, now occupied as a re^dence. The stone for the foundation was blasted from two large boulders on the farm owned by W. R. Baldwin, northeast of the town. While hauling the stone, a team ran away and became foun- dered in the slough, mired down, and both horses were killed. Straut's store became one of the leading stores within a radius of 20 miles. Straut also engaged in land promotion and had much to do with the founding of the towns of Minier and Mason City. He was also one of the promoters of the Petersburg k Tonica, and the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroads. He sold a farm to James Ryan, who soon became discouraged because of the low price for grain. Straut advised him to "pile up his corn and hold it," three or four years if necessary. Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, Ryan hauled his corn to market, realized more than $1 a bushel for the whole amount, and paid off his entire indebtedness. Many others dining this early period paid for their farms from the returns from one or two crops. Delavan played an important part in assisting slaves to escape from the South. The home of Daniel Gheever— built in the Fifties- was a "station" on the chain which constituted the "underground railway," by means of which slaves were smuggled to an uncertain safety. Gheever was known for his indomitable anti-slavery convic- tions. Lumber used in the construct'on of the Gheever house— all hard-wood— was cut in the East and shipped by sea, river, and by ox-cart. Communication facilities were increased in 1850 with the build- ing of a telegraph line. Delavan, with both telegraph and stagecoach lines, had prospects of growth. But the promise was short lived, for four months later the telegiaph wires were ripped out and the poles 17 removed. Next the stage line was abandoned, leaving the village again marooned on the prairie, with their nearest shipping outlet Pekin, on the Illinois River, and after 1852, Atlanta, on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. In 1855, two general stores, one operated by Ira S. Reed, the other by George F. Vincent, who was also postmaster, a tin shop operated by Perry D. Stockwell, and a hotel were the sole business enterprises of the village. The first railroad chartered to run through Delavan was the Petersburg & Tonica, on which work was started in 1857. Grading was completed that year through Delavan, and nearly to Tullamore, but rails were laid only from Petersburg to Jacksonville before work was abandoned for lack of funds. A portion of Chestnut Street was vacated for the right of way. Ten years later the line was completed across Tazewell County under an agreement with the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railway, now a portion of the Alton Road. Under this agreement, Bloomington became the terminus of the line. George Straut of Delavan was active in the promotion of the company and later became its president. Other charter members were Albert Rey- nolds, Elijah N. Farnsworth, Jesse Hammers, Josiah Sawyer, Henry R. Green, John Bennet, William Glover, and William Crow. Rich- ard Yates, later Civil War governor of Illinois, was the attorney who drew the charter. Construction was started southwest of Bloomington and north of Jacksonville, the two crews meeting in the vicinity of Brownwood Station, near the northeast corner of Delavan Township. When the last spike was driven, a delegation of citizens headed by Ira B. Hall, J. H. McKinstry, and Mr. Straut, boarded the construction train from the eastern terminal, and rode to Delavan. Here a celebration was held. Miss Mollie Pratt, a belle of the village, rode the cow-catcher. Delavan's other railroad, the Pekin, Lincoln &: Decatur, connects it with Pekin, the county seat. This road was chartered and surveyed in 1867, but construction was not started until 1869. The citizens of Tazewell County were so anxious for this line to be laid that the county voted a grant of $100,000, Pekin added $75,000, and the smaller town of Delavan gave $50,000. Delavan also vacated a por- tion of Sixth Street, and gave a deed to the land for a right of way through the village. Grading was completed in 1870, but the rails, purchased in England, were delayed in delivery, arriving in August. The last track was not laid until late fall, when freight and passenger service was opened. Two elevators were erected for the handling of grain which formerly had to be carried to Atlanta or Pekin. Soon, with the establishment of additional stores, a newspaper, a bank, and a flour mill with a capacity of 100 barrels daily, Delavan became a thriving agricultural center. 18 City Government IT was not until 20 years after Delavan's settlement that any eflEort was made to organize a local government. The growth of the village was slow, and many residents of the community were opposed to wasting money on municipal government. However, on September 10, 1857, through the efforts of W. W. Grossman, Charles Grant, and others, an election held in the old Second District School resulted in a vote of 26 to 10 in favor of incorporating the village. But the vil- lage was not incorporated at that time. Sixty-five voters crowded into the Masonic Hall January 2, 1858, where Samuel Briggs acted as president of the election to name trustees and Samuel Lawton, clerk. Those elected to organize the village government weie: John Sallard, James Phillips, John Kelley, John Ppham, and Quintus Orndorff, Among them were some of the bitterest opponents of incorporation and immediately the question was raised as to their qualifications for office. As a result all failed to qualify and the whole matter was dropped. A few years later the question of incorporation was again brought before the voters, with better results. The old animosities had died, and the opposing factions were able to agree. On October 2, 1865, the following trustees were elected: E. G. Jones, J. C. Apple- ton, William B. Orrell, P. Glark, and S. G. Hobart. At the first meet- ing of the board of trustees on October 5, Mr. Jones was selected as president, and S. P. Flint was appointed village clerk. Other ap- pointments were: J. H. Upham, marshal; William Vaughn, collector; and D. L. Whittmore, treasurer. Following the passage of a new State law, in July 1872, the vil- lage was re-incorporated. The new trustees were: Theodore Van Hague, president; William H. Phillips, clerk; P. D. Stockwell, Henry Kingman, John Garr, Arthur Stubbs and John Warne. One of the most important issues coming before the village board in this period was that of licensing the sale of liquor. Delavan, founded as a temperance town, had always voiced its strong disap- proval of intoxicants. In 1874 the board voted 4 to 2 against per- mitting the sale of alcoholic beverages within the limits of the village. When the issue was again raised in 1875 the board licensed the sale and permitted the business to operate for three years. In 1878 they again voted 4 to 2 against the sale of intoxicants and in 1879 the vote was unanimously opposed to liquor. Candidates in the elections for village office announced themselves as license or anti-license candi- dates, which was usually the sole issue of their campaign. In Febru- ary 1897 a movement was started to put the question of dramshop licensing to a vote of the people. This culminated in presenting to the city council a petition requesting a direct vote on the subject 19 ill ilie sjjiing election. Ninety-one names appeared on ihc peiiiion and names of both opponents and proponents were included. A de- fect in the call for a special meeting of the council to consider the (]ucstion of a direct vote was found after the session convened, and as there was not sufficient time to issue a call for another special meet- ing, the movement was lost. At the first meeting of the newly elected council that year, no licenses were issued, although it was voted to ])ermit the payment of dramshop licenses quarterly instead of annual- ly. Two weeks later at a special meeting of the council, three dram- shop licenses ^vere appro\ed and a dry period of two Aveeks was ended. Saloons opened next morning. The dry forces continued their cam- paign. Two years later an equal number of license and anti-license members were elected to the council, leaving the decision to the mayor, and the saloons were closed. The battle continued between the two factions luitil 1913 when the question "Shall this Township continue to be Anti-Saloon territory?" recei\ed 352 affirmative votes and but 115 negative votes. After the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, but little interest was apparent on the question and tavern licenses were issued. o n > <: > Si o H The village form of local government continued until 1888, when the voters decided upon a change in civic form and Delavan was incorpoiated as a city. The final incorporation papers were filed with the Secretary of State at Springfield on July 17, 1888. At an election to fill the newly created officers, S. M. Reinheimer was chosen as mayor; O. C. Hall, P. Clark, J. J. Frank, Fred Starz, E. S. Hobart, and J. O. Jones, as aldermen, and Frank B. Starz, as city clerk. During the period that Delavan operated under the village form of government 17 men served as village presidents: E. O. Jones 1865-67 S. M. Reinheimer 1876-78 John Kelly -1867-68 Rudolph Frey 1878-80 H. C. Bryant 1868-69 R. P. Jennings 1880-81 A. W. Ray 1869-70 T. O. Baker 1881-82 J. M. Evans 1870-71 C. C. Guild 1882-83 N. B. Horton 1871-72 G. H. Harrington 1883-84 Theodore Van Hague 1872-73 Rudolph Frey 1884-85 George Martin 1873-74 J. S. Hemstreet 1885-86 John Carr 1874-76 O. C. Hall 1886-88 Ten men held the office of vi llage clerk: S. P. Flint 1865-66 W. H. Phillips 1871-74 J. A. Mason 1866-67 J. C. Appleton 1874-79 H. P. Jones 1867-69 H. P. Jones 1879-85 Charles Parker 1869 J. T. Sanders 1885-86 M. D. Beecher 1869-71 J. C. Appleton 1886-88 Since Delavan has been incorporated as a city the following men have <;erved as mayor: S. M. Reinheimer 1888-91 J. T. Hufty 1909-10 C. M. Kingman 1891-93 J. T. Culbertson 1910-13 J. W. Crabb 1893-95 D. M. Brown 1913-19 F. B. Starz 1895 J. T. Culbertson* 1919-21 S. M. Reinheimer 1895-97 J. F. Meeker ^ 1921-25 G. G. W^altmire 1897-01 H. Paul Jones 1925-27 L. W. Lawton 1901-03 A. L. Culbertson 1927-29 Nathan Holmes 1903-05 J. E. Barnes 1929-31 E. F. Kelchner 1905-09 W. E. Culbertson 1931- Eleven men and one woman have held the office of city clerk: F. B. Starz 1888-89 S. H. Lawton 1911-13 J. B. Clark 1889-93 W. A. Stillman 1913-28 F. B. Shelton 1893-95 Trilla Stillman 1928-29 H. H. Mason 1895-97 D. M. Shivlar 1929-31 J. A. Pittsford 1897-01 }. E. Wilson 1931-32 R. G. Sunderland 1901-11 b. M. Shixlar 1932- 21 1937-1938 City of Delavan, Illinois Mayor - - - W. E. Culbertson City Clerk D. M. Shivlar City Attorney R. M. Culbertson City Treasurer John Warne Police Magistrate - - - - - - - Thos. Armstrong Health Officer Dr. E. F. Kelchner City Marshal R- T. Burbidge Merchants Police E. W. Ringo Extra Police Joseph M. Cook Supt. of Streets, Engineer of Waterworks, and Asst. Marshal Emil Peck Fire Marshal Wm. Hart City Engineer R- H. Lillibridge ALDERMEN First Ward Chas. Bright Ed Flexsenhar Second Ward J. J. Utz E. V. Creager Third Ward Max E. Neumann Laurence Alexander STANDING COMMITTEES Finance— Utz, Neumann, Flexsenhar Street and Alley— Neumann, Creager, Bright Waterworks— Alexander, Flexsenhar, Utz Fire and Light— Bright, Alexander, Creager Park— Creager, Bright, Alexander Board of Health— Dr. Kelchner, Creager, Bright Public Works— Flexsenhar, Utz, Neumann 22 Delavan Township Supervisors of Delavan Township since its organization in 1850, were: W. W. Grossman - - 1850-55 Ira B. Hall - - - 1856 Henry R. Pratt - - - 1857-62 Henry R. Green - - - 1863 James H. McKinstry - - 1864-65 H. L. Fisher - - - 1866 Ben F. Orendorff - - 1867-68 Richard Holmes - - - 1868-74 M. D. Beecher - - - 1875 Richard Holmes - - - 1876-80 W. R. Baldwin - - - 1881-88 Wm. H. Ambrose - - 1889-92 G. W. Hopkins - - - 1893-94 William Moorehead - - 1895 G. W. Hopkins - - - 1895-1900 J. O. Jones - - - 1901-15 Eugene Orndorff - - 1915-17 Homer B. Price - - - 1917-21 J. O. Jones - - - 1921-23 Homer B. Price - - - 1923-25 James N. Hall - - - 1925-35 G. G. Reardon - - - 1935- GEORGE STRAUT'S STORE — OLDEST BUILDING IN DELAVAN Agriculture and Industry AGRICULTURE, the sole pursuit of the early settlers, has con- tinued as the principal industry of the country surrounding Delavan. It has also been the basis of several manufacturing enter- prises of the city. Corn is the main crop. Wheat and oats are raised to divide the work throughout the different growing seasons, so that larger acreage may be farmed. The various clovers, alfalfa, and soy beans are grown as soil-replenishers, and also as a forage for li\estock. Since grains and hay are more valuable when fed to live- stock, many cattle and some sheep and horses are raised. Reid's Yellow Dent Corn The pioneers experienced difficulty in producing satisfactory yields of corn, largely because seed from the East was not adapted to this region. They took every opportunity to replenisli their seed stock by importing new supplies from various territories, but this was expensive, and seldom conducive to good corn raising. In 1847, Rob- ert Reid planted the Gordon Hopkins variety of corn brought from Ohio, but due to late planting, got a very poor stand. He filled in the missing hills with seed known locally as Little Yellow, and this resulted in a hybrid stock of open-pollinated corn. From this he selected his seed for the next crop. Many "sports" appeared for the next few years, but careful selection resulted in seed suited to the soil. Later, James L. Reid, son of Robert Reid, took up the work on a scientific basis and succeeded in developing a distinctive variety of yellow corn, noted for its vigor, heavy yield, uniformity of color, large ears with deep rough grains, and high value as food or feed. It had a sturdy stalk, was uniform in height of stalk and location of ear on the stalk, and matured in 120 days from planting. By select- ing seed from strong stalks of uniform height on which the ears, also at a uniform height, shot and tasselled early, filled with even-sized grains from butt to tip, and matured early, James L. Reid developed the variety which now bears his name. For three-quarters of a cen- tury, Reid's Yello^v' Dent Corn has been the leading varietv of yellow corn in the United Slates, although Mr. Reid received little return other than honors for his work. His fields always produced high yields of fine quality corn and neighbors soon began to get their seed corn from his stock. Samples were exhibited at the Tazewell County Fair at Delavan, and at the Illinois State Fair in Peoria, in 1879, win- ning blue ribbons at each showing. Highest honors were received at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, where a ten- ear sample was entered for the first time under the name, Reid's 24 Yellow Dent Corn. Its fame spread, and in a short time Mr. Reid was shipping seed from Dela\an to all parts of the country, and to foreign lands. At the State Fair in Springfield, in 1897, he exhibited 100 bushels, 60 pounds of corn, the product of one acre, on which he was awarded two first prizes and sweepstakes. The variety was recog- nized in the code of the Illinois Seed Corn Growers' Association in 1900, under the name given it by its originator. It is surpassed in yield only by occasional hybrid varieties, themselves based on this stock, but successive generations do not produce true to type, and hence are unsuitable as basic stock. Farm Equipment Cultivating corn in an early day was an arduous task. The only implements for such work were the hoe and the one-horse single plow. This problem was solved in 1879, however, when Reason Day and George Day, brothers, designed and built a riding cultivator. With William V. McKinstry, they started the manufacture of these cultivators, but after a year the enterprise was abandoned. There had been a loss of $35 on each ot the implements. Later their idea was used in the manufacture of the Stately cultivator, which was widely used throughout the corn belt. AN EARLY DAY HARNESS AND SADDLE SHOP (i^(: "i.*! ,x,- \z .■^' 4^^^ 1 .r -V ^f'"^*^ . •% "It A corn husker, with rollers identical to those in use today, was designed at Delavan in 1870, by Dr. C. B. Maclay, local physician, inventor, and minister. His ideas, however, were too far advanced for popular acceptance, and no factory was set up. Shortly after, Quintus Orndorff designed and manufactured at Delavan a magnetic device for removing binder wires from grain separators. This enter- prise was short-lived because a few years later manila fiber came into use to tie grain bundles. Flouring Mills A steam powered custom mill was started in Delavan by Deacon Henry R. Green in 1839, and another was started by John L. Orndorff in 1861 which lost $10,000 for its promoter. It was not until 29 years after Deacon Green's initial effort that the town became a flour milling center. In 1868, Frederick Starz formed a partnership with Fred Lehman and Arthur Stubbs and set up and operated the Dela- van City Mills. This mill blended locally raised wheat with western hard wheat, had a capacity of 100 barrels per day and shipped to England, Ireland, Scotland, and to Cuba. A second flouring mill, known as the Young America Mills, was started in 1870 by Mr. Stubbs and John B. Starz, a son of Frederick Starz. This mill had a capacity of 150 barrels per day. Perpetual Motion Perpetual motion, long a dream of inventors, was sought by the Delavan Orbit Engine Manufacturing Company, organized by Dexter Hardy. One engine was completed. On tests at the factory it is thought to have functioned, but when installed at the Hawley Coal Mine, south of Pekin, it failed to pull a load. Other industries which started in Delavan, flourished for a time, and then faded in the face of modern competition, were a pork pack- ing house, a butter and cheese factory, a creamery, a saddle and harness factory, and numerous tile and brick yards. One brick yard owned by Roland J. Beatty in the Seventies and Eighties oper- ated both day and night shifts. Here the bricks were molded, dried in the sun, then baked in ovens. 26 Education UNDS for providing educational facilities in the new settlement were allocated in the articles of the Delavan Association, which erected the first school building. It stood on the present site of the new armory, on Chestnut Street, across from the Colony House. The building, described at the time as "a good plastered building with four rows of seats where two scholars could sit at one desk, and bench- es for the younger ones," is still standing, although it has twice been moved, first in 1843, when the lot was sold. It now stands on Third Street, near Pine. Early teachers in Delavan included Timothy Vincent, Miss Sarah Cheever, Burt Newman and Samuel Briggs. Before the school house was completed, a school was conducted by a Mrs. Homer in her home just north of the present city. The school term was just opposite to that of the present system, open- ing with good weather in the spring and continuing until late fall. There were four pupils, Jim, Almira, and Jennie Dorsett, and Emily Crossman. The teacher did her own work while teaching school, and the deportment is said to have been what might have been expected while Mrs. Homer was cooking dinner. Tuition for this school was $1 per term. Mrs. Emily Crossman Cobean, in telling of this first school, said that the pupils used to wade in Little Crane Creek en route to school. The first school house was also used for church purposes, a fact which led to an early sermon on the wayward tendencies of the young- er generation. One of the pupils took a viol to school and the boys and girls participated in some of the popular dances of that day, such as the Virginia Reel, Money Musk, and a cotillion. The stove pipe, which was considerably longer in section than those of today, fell while the dancing was in progress. Not daring to tell what they had been doing, and unable to replace the pipe themselves, they did nothing toward restoring it. Sunday morning the congregation gathered, saw the soot-covered floor, and soon ascertained its cause. That morning the sermon was directed solely to the young people. A new building of two rooms was erected in 1860. It stood on the present site of the city hall. Agitation toward the organizing of a high school district culminated in 1863 in a public meeting to discuss the question. J. C. Duncan presided and Horace L. Fisher acted as clerk. It was the concensus of opinion that although a high school was desirable, it was too expensive unless the township could be induced to cooperate. When the proposition was turned down by the township, no further action was taken towards additional educa- tional facilities until 1871, when the present grade school building was erected. This three-story building, which was partially destroyed 27 SCHOOL HOUSE ERECTED BY THE DELAVAN ASSOCIATION by fire December 4 of that year— the coldest tlay of the winter— was rebuilt in the summer of 1872 at a cost of but $250 more than the insurance collected. It was reopened in the fall as both a grade and high school, and has been in continual use since that time. It was renovated and an addition built in 1894. The Delavan High School, the first high school in Tazewell County to teach Latin, graduated its first class (13 members) June 8, 1876. This was the second high school class to be graduated in the county, Pekin schools having graduated a class a year earlier. Members of this first class were: Emily Sherman Boyer, salutatorian, Mary F. Appleton, Allie Ray Lillibridge, Rcrse Anderson Herpich, Mary Jones Orendorff, Fred T. Lawton, Minnie Bryant McKinstry, Esten M. Vaughn, Jidia Miller Garrett, Allie Brawner Landers. Mary Vaughn Lowe, Jennie L. Young, Alice Lawton Holmes, valedit toiian. In the late Fifties, the Misses Dickey opened a private school, whifh continued until 1863. This was followed by a "select school," conducted by Miss Susan Hopkins in a room over Crawshaw's store. In this school the extra-curricular studies of Latin, music and needle- work were featured. A new high school district was organized in 1922. It included territory outside the city and was designated the Delavan Community High School District. D. M. Brown was elected president; John T. Culbertson, Jr., secretary; H. M. Wood, William Cvntis, and R. L. Steiger, directors. Under their direction the old fair grotnids on South Locust Street were acquired and a modern, two-story and base- ment building erected at a cost of $150,000. It contains 17 class rooms, a library, laboratories for physics, chemistry, and agricultiue classes. There is a study hall which also nray be used as an auditor- ium. It has a seating capacity of 350 persons. The new building was opened in Jantiary 1923. An athletic field was constructed in 1937 as a Works Progress Administration project, and provides facilities for baseball, tennis, and track and field games. The school, which is fully accredited by the University of Illinois (1932), and the North Central Association (1933) offers full fotn- year courses, college preparatory, commercial, agrictdture, and home economics. The present board consists of W. E. Ryan, president; R. M. Cul- bertson, secretary; H. W. Brink, W. M. Curtis and J. B. Sowa. DELAVAN GRADE SCHOOL. A MODERN SCHOOL IN A BEAUTIFUL SETTING (Above)— AVER PUBLIC LIBRARY (Below)— DELAVAN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL I Ayer Public Library IpRECEDING the establishing of the Ayer Public Library in 1907, Ji- many efforts had been made to organize a library in Delavan. In 1873 a subscription library was opened by the Delavan Library Association, largely through the efforts of James T. Sanders, its treas- urer. Each subscriber paid a quarterly fee of 50 cents for the use of books. Additional funds for maintenance were obtained from enter- tainments held in the old Phillips Hall. However, the task of raising adequate funds was tiring and after five years the library was closed. The second library was opened in 1887 by Miss Delia Culver, and later a third was started by Miss Ina Kingman. Both of these were short-hved. The Woman's Club opened the fourth library in 1905, in a room above the Tazewell County Bank, and the fifth was started by the Blue Button Army, a temperance society, in a storeroom near the Alton Railroad station. This was removed to the building now occupied by the Regent Theater. The Ayer Public Library began with the offer of Amos K. Ayer of Delavan to give |200 a year for 10 years for the purchase of books, provided the township would appropriate funds to maintain a library. In the spring election of 1907, the township, taking advantage of a re- cently enacted State law, voted a 1-1/10 mill tax to support a library, and thus Delavan secured the first tax-supported township library in Illinois. It was named in honor of Mr. Ayer, who had been ac- tive in its organization and who purchased the books and equipment of the Blue Button Army temperance society library and presented them to the township library. He also became its first president. When formally opened in September 1907, it had 2,100 books and 10 periodicals. Today it has 18,940 books and 31 periodicals. The first officers included Mr. Ayer, president; Mrs. Carrie A. Briggs, secretary; John Warne, treasurer; and Mrs. Louise Natress, Starr H. Beatty, and Frank Shelton, trustees. A grant of $10,000 from the Carnegie Foundation was received in 1914 for the erection and furnishing of a modern building, and the present library was erected on the former site of Phillips Hall, which was donated by James Warren Crabb. Trustees at its dedica- tion in 1914 were: C. G. Tomm, president; Mrs. Carrie Briggs, secretary; John Warne, treasurer; and Mrs. Louise Natress, Mrs. Lu- tetia Coyle, and Daniel Crabb. Miss Jessie M. Linbarger was librar- ian. The present board consists of Mrs. Amy Anders, president; Robert M. Culbertson, treasurer; Joe L. Regur, secretary; and Mrs. Amy Wood, Miss Jo Ryan, and D. H. Allen, trustees. 31 National Defense AT (he ()utl)ieak of the Civil War, Delavan Township with a pop- ulation of less than 300, raised the nucleus of two companies of infantry: Company H. 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and Com- pany B. 73rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry. When the troops were mus- tered and ordered to rejiort to Camp Yates, Springfield, farmers of the community provided wagons with boards laid across the side boards for seats, and the men were taken to Atlanta, 111., to entrain. Both companies served throtighout the war. Since 1878 Delavan has maintained a company in the Illinois Militia. Known locally as the "Delavan Blues", Company K, 7th Illi- nois Infantry, was organized early in 1878. On June lOth of that vcar it was mustered into service by Capt. C. C. Geiger, with 43 men. Company officers elected following the mustering ceremony were: Ca|)t. George W. Patten, First Lieut. James W. Nichols, and Second Lieut. Eugene Orndorff. The company was equipped with muzzle loading Enfield rifles, noted for their heavy recoil. One of them is al- leged to have "kicked the hammer off" during target practice. No imiforms were issued at that time by the State and the men ^vere required to provide their own. Funds for this purpose were raised by giving dances, concerts and similar entertainments. Nearly all the men prominent in Delavan life have at some time been identified with this organization. Among those now living who were early members of the company are: James N. Hall. W. T. Dickson, and \V. C. Duncan. Social activity entered the ranks on September 6, 1878. when the company gave its first concert and grand ball, and again on Jmie 19, 1879, when the Ruths, an organization of young ladies of Dela- van, presented Company K with a silk flag. Upon the resognation of Captain Patten in 1880, William Nichols was elected captain. He was succeeded by Charles C. Guild in 1881, who served as commanding officer until 1886 when he was promoted to the rank of major. In 1886 the 7th Regiment was consolidated into the 5th Regiment and Major Guild returned to the company as a captain, holding that post until 1891 when James E. Watkins was elected company commander. During the Spanish .American War. Company K was called into Federal service, but like other Illinois regiments, was never ordered into action. Under the command of Captain Watkins, assisted by First Lieut. Clarence H. Ball and Second Lieut. William T. Dickson, the company of 100 men entrained April 27, 1898, for Camp Tanner, Springfield. A farewell party, given on the eve of their departure 32 OLD ARMORY HALL from Delavan, was featured by the singing of a song, "Cuba Shall be Free," composed by Mrs. Abbie A. Newman, outstanding Delavan musician. The Delavan Times-Press said: "A thousand friends fol- lowed the Company from the armory to the depot." From Spring- field, Company K accompanied its regiment to Chickamauga Park, Tenn., and then to Newport News, Va., before returning home, Sep- tember 12, 1898. Upon the promotion of Captain Watkins to major in 1900, Lieu- tenant Dickson was elected captain. He served until the election of John H. Perry as captain in 1901. Three years later W. E. Culbertson was elected captain. He commanded the company for nine years, when he was promoted to major of the 5th Regiment, and was suc- ceeded by his brother, A. L. Culbertson. Guild, Watkins, and W. E. Culbertson, all of whom were promoted to major, each served more than nine years as captain. Major Culbertson's term being a few months the longer. After three years Capt. A. L. Culbertson removed from the city and went on the retired list. J. T. Hufty, long a member of the 33 company, was elected captain. Captain Hufty resigned early in 1917, leaving First Lieut. Chester E. Inskeep in command. Lieutenants during this period were: James Nichols, Eugene Orndorff, Lewis Brown, James N. Hall, J. T. Hufty, Clarence H. Ball, W. T. Dickson, John Warne, H. H. Mason, Ben Sanderson, A. L. Culbertson, Chester E. Inskeep, Walter Youle, Jack Ryan, and C. F. Hoover. During the World War, of the 125 Delavan men who served in the armed forces of the United States, 72 were members of Company K. It was mobilized March 26, 1917, by Lieutenant Inskeep, and, imder the command of Capt. A. L. Culbertson, who was recalled from the retired list, left on April 3 for Southern Illinois where the company did guard duty for four months. After being recruited to full war strength of 187 men and three officers, Company K was ordered to Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, arriving there September 18. In the reor- ganization of the Illinois National Guard into the 33rd Division in October 1917, Company K, 5th Regiment, passed into the annals of history. It became Company B, 122nd Machine Gun Battalion. In January 1918 Capt. A. L. Culbertson was promoted to major and Capt. Hal L. Carr of Aurora was placed in command of Company B. After two months he was succeeded by Capt. James S. Daly of Chicago, who took the company overseas in April, 1918, and continued in com- mand until the close of the war. Lieut. Charles F. Hoover, who was made a captain in France, brought the company home and was in charge until its demobilization. Lieutenant Inskeep was promoted to captain and commanded Company C, 124th Machine Gun Batal- ion, in France. Company B, 122nd M. G. Battalion, composed largely of Delavan men, saw service in France in the Amiens sector, Somme offensive, Verdun sector, Meuse-Argonne offensive and Troyon sector, some of the most fiercely fought campaigns of the World War. Ernest Meador and Harry Holland were each awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre for remarkable feats of valor. Two of the company, Emory Whistler of Mackinaw, and Wilson Cole of Nokomis, were killed in action, and Harry Riddle of Minier, who went with Company B, was killed in action while a member of the 130th Infantry. A number of the men were wounded. After the signing of the Armistice the company went with the 33rd Division on its march into Luxembourg where it stayed until the first of May, 1919. On its return to the United States the company was mustered out at Fort Sheridan, 111., in July I9I9. Recruiting for a company in the Illinois National Guard was started in December 1920, and in May 1921, Company D, 5th Infantry, I. N. G., was mustered into service under the command of Capt. C. E. Inskeep, First Lieut. J. B. Sowa, and Second Lieut. O. J. Imig. In 34 the reorganization under the National Defense Act of 1921, the com- pany became Company H, one of the three machine gun companies of the 130th Infantry, Illinois National Guard, a federalized unit which was given the name of a 33rd Division unit of the World War. Albert L. Culbertson, now a colonel, is in command of the regiment. In 1930 Colonel Culbertson was appointed Assistant Chief of the Mili- tia Bureau, United States Army, a post he held for four years. On its first trip to camp in August 1921, Company H went to Springfield with 75 men and three officers, the largest company in the regiment. J. J. Million was commissioned a second lieutenant in January 1922 on the resignation of Lieutenant Imig. He was promoted to first lieutenant and Earl M. Parlier was appointed second lieutenant in 1923 when Lieutenant Sowa resigned. Lieutenant Parlier resigned in May 1924, his vacancy being filled by the promotion of Hilmar A. Loehr. Captain Inskeep was promoted to major and assigned as machine gun officer of the 130th Infantry in September 1925. At this time Lieutenant Million was promoted to captain, Second Lieutenant Loehr to first lieutenant, and Sergeant Dean Patzer was appointed second lieutenant. Lieutenant Patzer resigned March 1927 and was succeeded by Charles O. HufTman of Manito. Captain Million re- signed in January 1929, and a month later Lieutenant Loehr was made captain. Lieutenant Huff^man was promoted to first lieutenant, and Howard S. Alexander was appointed second lieutenant. Lieu- tenant Alexander resigned May 1933 and the vacancy was filled by the promotion of Sergeant Howard F. Selk on July 22. Captain Loehr resigned January 11, 1935. Lieutenant Huffman was pro- moted to captain, Lieutenant Selk was promoted to first lieutenant, and Sergeant Julius E. Barnes was appointed second lieutenant, March 17, 1935. These officers are now (1937) in command of Company H. The company has full equipment, including four machine guns, transport trucks, and everything necessary for a modern machine gun company, including a machine gun range north of the city on the Mackinaw river. Work is now in progress on a new State armory which is being erected on Fourth Street between Pine and Chestnut, site of the first school house. The old Armory, now owned by Delavan Post No. 382, The American Legion, which has served almost continually for military activities, was erected 1883-1884 and leased by the State. Prior to that time the company was quartered in the old Webb hotel building. The armory was struck by a tornado in 1898 and set askew on its foundations while the company was at drill, but no one was injured. During the period since May 1921, Company H has been called 35 --.^^^^p!i^^ "V^^-- ,. .'lis-J-^H, S*«S >i2 •^>*«.»,v. •■*^\--'^ *•; F^^ ^*\ y^***- ^*^ ■-jainmi i ill l ¥ ill til III iMiii DELAVAN'S MEMORIAL TO THE VETERANS OF 1861-65 for active duty in the State of Illinois seven times: Bloomington (railroad strike) in 1922 Herrin (mining strike) in 1923 Taylorville (mining strike) in 1932 Taylorville (mining strike) in 1933 Harrisburg (mining strike) in 1933 Pekin (distillery strike) in 1936 Harrisburg and Shawneetown (duty in flood areas of both cities) in 1937. Civil War Monument THE Civil War Monument in Public Square Park was first erected on West Third Street at the corner of Dickey Street. The location was for many years known as Indiana Hill, then a slight eminence now scarcely noticeable. In 1871, the Delavan Monument Association was instrumental in moving it to the park. Receipts and other records of the association kept by L. D. Lawton, treasurer, show that A. J. Nichols was paid $160 for hauling sand to the new location. On the limestone base are engraved tablets inscribed with the names of Delavan men who served their country in war. Above aie listed the battles in which they took part. A hexagonal shaft of stone, the pinnacle of which is covered by a shroud, is surmounted by an eagle with outspread wings. The name of the sculptor is un- known. G. A. R. Memorial IN a triangle at the extension of Locust at Eighth Street, is a small gray granite slab. On it is the inscription "G. A. R. Triangle. A memorial to the Members of Delavan Post, No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic. Dedicated by The Last Surviving Member, William F. Hodson, November 11, A. D. 1935." Adjacent to the marker is a flagpole. Tragedy is expressed in this marker, for Hodson passed away on Oct. 29, two weeks before he was to dedicate the marker. Members of the American Legion and the Community Club joined to hold dedication and memorial services at the triangle on the date of the inscription. 37 Tazewell County Fair Ajiioneer among county fairs in Illinois, the Tazewell County Fair, held annually since 1879, was for years one of the outstanding agricultural expositions of the Middle West. The Prairie Farmer in describing the first fair stated that it was "the model fair of the whole West." Its first officers were Ira B. Hall, president; William Knott, vice president; George H. Patten, secretary; and Rudolph Frey, treasurer. Members of the first board of directors were: Jacob Brennerman, B. T. Railsback, E. D. Fuller, J. H. Burt, J. D. Mourey, A. J. Paul, J. Warren Crabb, H. C. Sutton, and A. W. Ball. It was unique among fairs of that day, in that no gambling was permitted and no alcoholic beverages were sold on the grounds. On the entertainment program of the fair of 1879 was Buckskin Joe, renowned Indian scout, and a troupe of 40 Indians who presented Indian games and dances and took part in a sham battle with the Delavan Blues. Another interesting event at that time was a "re- union" of the "Snowbirds," old settlers of the county who resided here during the winter of 1830-1831, when 8 days of snowfall deepened to 6 feet on the prairie, and covered tree tops in the drifts. In 1880 the race track was improved, an amphitheater con- structed, and harness races became a feature of the fair. A tornado which struck the northwest portion of the city in 1902 destroyed the amphitheater, the agricultural hall, and many of the stables, but these were replaced by more substantial buildings. The Tazewell County Fair continued until the period imme- diately following the World War, when good roads and automobiles changed the social life of rural communities and decreased interest in this type of entertainment. The fortieth and last annual fair was held in August 1919. Officers of the board were: J. D. Phillips, presi- dent; John Betzelberger, vice president; V. A. Vetsch, treasurer; and John T. Culbertson Jr., secretary. It was the last to chsband of a half-dozen fairs which once flourished in Tazewell County. 38 Newspapers of Delavan THE initial newspaper to be published in Delavan was the Delavan Advertiser, which appeared November 30, 1867, as an inde- pendent newspaper under the management of C. R. Fiske. It was printed in a building on the present site of the Christian church on the west side of Locust Street. After two years Mr. Fiske sold the paper to John Culbertson, whose strong democratic ideas changed the policy of the independent paper to that of his own convictions. Dur- ing the campaign of 1872, the Advertiser supported Charles O'Connor for president, probably the only newspaper in the State for that candidate. Mr. Culbertson, who published the paper for nearly 40 years, sold out to T. H. Smedley, who later disposed of it to Keefer & Keefer. Seven years after the founding of the Advertiser, Joseph F. Reed founded the Delavan Times. It was a four-page, eight-column paper, a large portion of which was set in six-point type. No local news was carried on the front page, which was devoted exclusively to State, national, and foreign news. The Times, because of competition, car- ried more than a little spice in its editorials, and soon commanded a great deal of favorable comment, developing a large circulation for a country weekly. During the operation of the first Tazewell County Fair, the Times was published daily. The paper was acquired by the firm of Boyd & Quigley in 1880 and sold a short time later to Newman & Beatty. Mr. Newman left the firm and Guy Beatty operated it alone until 1889. Then he and his brother, Starr Beatty, purchased the Tazeivell County Press, a third newspaper, which had recently been started by Mr. Reed. The Times and the Press were then com- bined as the Delavan Times-Press. In 1893 Starr Beatty became sole owner, changing its name to the Tri-Comily Times. Under his management it became the outstanding Republican organ of the county. A consolidation with the Advertiser was effected by Mr. Beatty in 1918. When J. Ross Arnold bought the paper in September 1928, the name was changed to the Delavaji Ti?nes, and the policy announced as independent. A complete file of the Times from 1874 to date is on file in the present Times office. .S9 Organizations and Persons MASONIC Delavan Lodge, No. 156 Oldest of the fraternal societies of Delavan is Delavan Lodge No. 156, A. F. 8c A. M., which was organized in 1854. W. W. Grossman, fust resident of the Delavan colony, who became the first master of the lodge, was largely responsible for its being organized. Other officers were H. S. Latham, senior warden, and A. P. Littlefield, junior warden. In 1878 Mr. Grossman was credited by the grand lodge with being the oldest Mason in Illinois, having then been a member for 62 years. Emblems honoring their 50 years of membership were presented three members of the lodge in 1936. Grossman Chapter, No. 155, R. A. M. Grossman Ghapter No. 155, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered October 31, 1873, with 21 members. It was named in honor of W. W. Grossman. Tazewell Lodge, No. 586. Tazewell Lodge, No. 586, A. F. 8c A. M., was organized in 1867, with James A. Mason, W. M.; Henry Gook, S. W.; Daniel B. Still, J. W.; George W. Patten, S. D.; WiUiam H. Philhps, J. D.; Robert Grothers, treasurer; Richard Holmes, secretary; Levi F. Garrett, tyler. In 1875, Tazewell Lodge was consohdated with Delavan Lodge, No. 156. Eastern Star Delavan Ghapter, No. 58, order of Eastern Star, was chartered Oct. 4, 1882, with a membership of 27. It is the successor of H. G. Reynolds Ghapter, No. 34, which was chartered in 1870. First elec- tive officers of the Delavan chapter were: Mrs. Sue A. Sanders, who served in that capacity for five years, worthy matron; George G. Whitt- more, worthy patron; Mrs. Sarah A. Few, associate matron; Gharles G. Guild, secretary; Mrs. Alice Patten, treasurer; Lovenio F. Mason, conductor; Mrs. Theresa Reinheimer, associate conductor. Appoin- tive officers were: Maria Baker, Olive Patten, Delan Guild, Mary Varney, Virginia Watkins, J. A. Mason, and James Hemstreet. 40 MASONIC HALL I. O. O. F. Siloam Lodge, No. 207, I. O. O. F., was organized in Delavan in 1856, with the following officers: A. D. Patten, N. G.; L. D. Thomp- son, V. G.; J. W. Ailes, corresponding secretary. Charter members included: S. W. Hall, L. D. Smith, E. G. Jones, and E. J. Davis. It has since been merged with the lodge at Green Valley. Modern Woodmen of America Tazewell Camp, No. 198, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized May 21, 1886, with a roster of 41 charter members. Royal Neighbors Dell Newton Camp, No. 4749, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized April 23, 1907, with Isa Ireland as oracle, and Mrs. Bertha Carter, recorder. Except for a period of two years, Mrs. Carter has continued in this office. 41 Knights of Pythias Delavan Lodge, No. 319, Knights of Pythias, had its inception Nov. 20, 1891. At its charter meeting, it had 31 members. Pythian Sisters Delavan Temple No. 283, Pythian Sisters, had its inception in May 1921, with 33 sisters and 19 knights. The officers elected at that time were: Mrs. Georgia Stewart, P. C; Mrs. Isadore Ireland, M. E. C; Mrs. Lillie Whitesell, S. E. C; Mrs. Mae Ireland, J. E. C; Mrs. Fannie Laing, Mgr.; Miss Helen Tomlin, M. of R. & C; Mrs. Jessie Gwinnup, M. of F.; Mrs. Rosa Mitchell, Pr.; Mrs. Katherine Meins, G. Delavan Sewing Circle The Delavan Sewing Circle, first social organization of the village, was organized in 1850, and for many years was an active organization. At first purely a social group, it became interested in community problems and aided in many activities. First officers of the circle were: Mrs. Jonas R. Gale, president; Mrs. Dan Cheever, secretary; Mrs. George Straut, treasurer; Mrs. Phillip Fisk, Mrs. James Phillips, and Mrs. Burnham Vincent, directors. DANIEL CHEEVER HOUSE. Alleged to have been an underground railway station |5:*j Old Settlers Association Old settlers' reunions, featured by Maj. George W. Patten, sec- retary of the Tazewell County Fair, as a portion of the fair program, resulted in the organization at Delavan in 1884 of the Tazewell County Old Settlers' Association. The membership grew from 12 to 586 in 20 years. Many of the annual meetings of the association were held in Delavan during fair week. First members of the association were: Ira B. Hall, president; C. L. Kingman, secretary; Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Kingman, Mrs. Ira Judy, Mrs. Daniel Cheever, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Merriam, Mrs. Sarah Sturdyvin, John Disbrow, and W. F. Copes. Rotary Club Delavan Rotary Club was organized April 13, 1925, under the sponsorship of the Pekin Rotary Club. First officers of the club were: Harry M. Wood, president; John T. Culbertson Jr., vice president; J. Logan Unland, secretary-treasurer; Sol Strouse and W. N. Elmore, directors. Other charter members were: E. F. Kelchner, W. E. Whitson, Bert German, W. M. Clarke, John Roemer, F. B. Shelton, J. W. Crabb, J. E. Reinheimer, A. L. Culbertson, Howard S. Watt, W. H. Baldwin, W. H. Few, and George G. Brants. Delavan Woman's Club Outgrowth of the Beta Circle, a study club organized in 1885 through the efforts of Mrs. Abbie A. Newman, local leader in literary and musical circles, the Delavan Woman's club was chartered January 1897. It has continued the educational pursuits of its predecessor, and has expanded its activities to include all phases of community betterment. Mrs. Newman was the first president of the club which now has 79 members. Other officers in 1897 were: Mrs. Gertie Hall, first vice president; Mary O. Reid, second vice president; and Mrs. Carrie Briggs, secretary and treasurer. The club is affiliated with the Tazewell County Federation of Woman's Clubs, and with the State Federation. 43 PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS Grand Army of the Republic Delavan Post No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic, was mus- tered in as a unit of the Department of Illinois September 4, 1882, when 38 Civil War veterans signed the muster roll and became charter members of the post. For the first year meetings were held in a small hall over A. H. Montgomery's bakery. Later, club rooms were over the Tazewell County National Bank. Until it gave up its charter in 1919, 104 names appear on its membership roll. First officers were: John Reardon, commander; David F. Lawler, junior vice commander; R. P. Jennings, surgeon; DeWitt R. Gooch, officer of the day; L. H. Regur, quartermaster; William Moorhead, chap- lain; Captain Roland J. Beatty, officer of the guard; James N. Garrett, adjutant. Mr. Garrett continued as adjutant until 1887, when he was elected commander. William F. Hodson, last member of the post, died October 29, 1935. Women's Relief Corps The Delavan Women's Relief Corps No. 35 was organized Decem- ber 20, 1885, with the following officers: Mrs. Sue A. Sanders, president; Mrs. Carrie A. Briggs, senior vice president; Mrs. Ella Co- bean, junior vice president; Mrs. Emily Cobean, chaplain; Miss Kate Beatty, conductor; Miss Jennie Van Hague, secretary; Mrs. Gertie Wildon, treasurer; and Mrs. S. K. Hatfield, guard. The American Legion Delavan Post, No. 382, the American Legion, was organized No- vember 1919. There were 27 charter members, with Howard A. Alexander first commander and Spencer P. Hutchinson, adjutant. The post received wide publicity in 1932 when it elected Mrs. Bess Brink as its commander. Mrs. Brink, who served as a World War nurse, was reelected in 1933, and was the first woman in Illinois to command an American Legion post, other than a Chicago unit, com- posed exclusively of former nurses. The Legion has been a leader in many community enterprises and has a permanent program of child welfare work. It owns Armory Hall, which is used as a club house and community center. Past officers of the post are: 1919 Howard A. Alexander, Commander Spencer P. Hutchinson, Adjutant 44 1920 Albert L. Culbertson, Commander Spencer P. Hutchinson, Adjutant 1921 John T. Hapenny, Jr., Commander Frank W. Jenkins, Adjutant 1922 Joseph B. Sowa, Commander Frank W. Jenkins, Adjutant 1923 William Meers, Commander Frank W. Jenkins, Adjutant 1924 Russell Campbell, Commander Frank W. Jenkins, Adjutant 1925 David J. Pomerenke, Commander John T. Hapenny, Jr., Adjutant 1926 Lyman H. Regur, Commander John T. Hapenny, Jr., Adjutant 1927 Hilmar A. Loehr, Commander John T. Hapenny, Jr., Adjutant 1928 Frank W. Jenkins, Commander John T. Hapenny, Jr., Adjutant 1929 Wilbur Cruse, Commander David J. Pomerenke, Adjutant 1930 Harry A. Walker, Commander William Cutler, Adjutant 1931 Newton Beal, Commander 1932 Bess Brink, Commander David J. Pomerenke, Adjutant 1933 Bess Brink, Commander David J. Pomerenke, Adjutant 1934 Forrest Altyne, Commander David J. Pomerenke, Adjutant 1935 Forrest Altyne, Commander David J. Pomerenke, Adjutant 1936 C. E. Inskeep, Commander Art Morse, Adjutant 1937 Wm. Goeken, Commander A. T. Martin, Adjutant American Legion Auxiliary The Ladies Auxiliary to The American Legion was organized in Delavan, Sept. 21, 1921, largely through the efforts of Mrs. Chester Inskeep, and Mrs. Bess Brink, who acted as secretary and chairman of the organization meeting of the 24 charter members. First elected officers were: Mrs. Brink, president; Mrs. Marie Hapenny Regur, vice president; Mrs. Inskeep, secretary, and Mrs. Alice Jenkins, treasurer, 45 Prairie Rest PRAIRIE Rest, a tree-covered plot on a knoll one-half mile ea?t ol Dclavan, was established as a burial ground soon after the founding of the colony when thiee acres were set aside for that j)ur- pose by Deacon Henry R. Green, financial agent for the Delavan Association. No j)lat was made and no permanent records were kept uniil 1(S()2, when it was platted by a township committee. Two early lieadstones are of interest. One dated 1842, is for George Green, a child, and one for John Brawner is dated 1843. In early days no charge was made for the lots, and no tax was levied for cemetery upkeep. This lack of care lent impetus to the founding, March 10, 1875, of the Ladies' Cemetery Association, which was organized to provide care for the cemetery. Mrs. N. B. Horton and Mrs. E. M. Strait called the first meeting, at which Mrs. M. F. Slocum was elected president, and Mrs. M. M. Upham secretary. Mrs. Slocum was succeeded two years later by Mrs. Amy Angell, who held the office for many years. Their first activity was a "tea in cen- tennial fashion" which was held in Phillips Hall, March 19, and which netted .'5170. Additional land, known as the Green Addition, adjoining the old cemetery, was purchased by the association in 1877, when the site was given its name of Prairie Rest. Although the old section was township property, no care was given from public funds imtil 1884, when annual appropriations for cemetery upkeep were begun. Unsuccessful attempts were made to transfer the township grounds to the association in 1886, and again in 1904, but so closely had the articles of incorporation been drawn in 1877 that the transfer could not be accomplished. A second addition of 10 acres, known as the Crawford Addition, was purchased by the association in 1892. It was landscaped and jilatted, but was not officially opened until 1919. A mausoleum was erected in this addition in 1925. Prairie Rest is maintained by donations from owners of lots in the Township section, taxes of $1 on lots in the newer sections, in- terest from a perpetual-care-fund, and rental from farm land not platted. Management of Prairie Rest is vested in the officers of the association, who (1937) are: Mrs. Eliza Alexander, president; Mrs. Helen M. Donley, vice president; Miss Olive G. Reid, secretary; Mrs. Agnes Rowe, treasurer, and a board of seven trustees, plus a committee of three elected annually at the town meeting. 46 From Time's Scroll Henry R. Green Henry R. Green, financial agent of the Delavan Association and one of the first settlers in the colony, was born in Greenwich, Kent Co., R. I., on Februaiv 28, 1788. As a stockholder and financial agent of the Delavan Association he came here in June 1837. Described as six feet in height and weighing more than 300 pounds, he was a forceful speaker with a powerful voice. Long a Baptist, he not only was a leader in founding the Delavan Baptist church, but often conducted the services. In 1847 he was elected as delegate from Tazewell County to the Constitutional Convention which drew up the Illinois Constitution of 1847. At his home at the east edge of the city he entertained many of the great political leaders of his day, including Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, John J. Har- din, Judge David Davis, Judge Stephen T. Logan, and Major Richard N. Cullom, father of Senator Shelby M. Cullom. Green and Douglas were warm friends, having many interests in common. Through the efforts of Green, Douglas was induced to contribute to the building fund of the local Baptist church. In 1839 Mr. Green opened a steam grist and saw mill, which he operated for several years. In 1850 he returned to Rhode Island, where he died on March 25, 1853. Ira B. Hall Ira B. Hall, first hotel proprietor of Delavan, came to Delavan in 1840 from Springfield. He soon persuaded the Peoria-Springfield stage coach line to change its route to include Delavan and his hotel became a scheduled stop and horse relay station. After four years he disposed of his hotel lease to James Phillips and turned to farming. Always active in community affairs, he was elected supervisor in 1856 and represented the district in the State Legislature in 1870. He was one of the early promoters of the Petersburg Sc Tonica Railroad and also of the Tazewell County National Bank. Mr. Hall was born in Exter, R. I., November 12, 1812. After completing the common schools he worked for a time in a publishing house in New York City. He taught school in New York and also in Kentucky where he spent several years before moving to Spring- field in 1839. At the State capital he became acquainted with many of the prominent men of that day, an acquaintance which helped him greatly when he opened the tavern in the old Colony House. He was twice married: first to Miss Mary Elizabeth Thurston, who died September 16, 1844, and then on February 11, 1846, to Miss Sarah H. Briggs. He died October 8, 1909. 47 Mrs. Emily Cobean Mrs. Emily Grossman Cobean, only daughter of William W. and Mrs. Sarah Barton Grossman, was born at Taunton, Mass., No- ember 11, 1834. Goming to Illinois with her parents in 1837, she remained in Tremont with her mother until October 1, when a por- tion of the Delavan House was finished. She married Eben Sanford on Thanksgiving day 1852. To them were born two children who died in infancy. After the death of her husband in 1857, she re- mained single until Ghristmas day 1869, when she married William Gobean. There were two children of this marriage. Mrs. Gobean died September 18, 1924, at the Eastern Star Home at Rockford. William Cobean William Gobean, for 40 years a constable of Delavan Township, was born at Gettysburg, Pa., December 3, 1832, and died at Delavan July 1, 1910. Goming to Illinois he first settled at Glinton before moving to Delavan in 1861. For eight years he drove the stage coach and carried the mail between Delavan and Atlanta where connections were made with the newly built Ghicago, Alton Sc St. Louis Railroad before the Tonica Sc Petersburg line was completed. Later he drove a coach between Delavan and Peoria. Mr. Gobean and his brothers for many years operated a livery stable in Delavan having a barn on Third Street, just west of the Tazewell Gounty National Bank. On December 25, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Emily Grossman Sanford. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, the Masonic fraternity, and Order of Eastern Star. S. M. Reinheimer Solomon M. Reinheimer, first mayor of Delavan, was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 6, 1844. Upon reaching manhood he decided to make his home in America. Goming to Louisiana, Mo., he remained there but a short time working in a store. In 1868 he came to Delavan and opened a clothing store. Mr. Reinheimer served as village president from 1876 to 1878. In 1888, when Delavan was incorporated as a city, Mr. Reinheimer was elected mayor and held that office until 1891. He was a member of the A. F. Sc A. M., the Royal Arch Masons and a charter member of the Delavan Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Reinheimer died March 8, 1919. 48 James L. Reid James L. Reid, outstanding farmer and developer of Reid's Yellow Dent Corn, was born in Bro^vn County, Ohio, December 26, 1844, the son of Robert and Anne Moore Reid, and came with his parents to Delavan Township in a covered wagon in 1846. With the exception of eight years in Kansas, his life was spent on the Illinois prairies helping develop its products. Following up the work of his father, who through force of circumstance had crossed the red- dish colored Gordon Hopkins corn with the small, light yellow, flinty variety known as Little Yellow, Mr. Reid was largely responsible for the scientific development of the corn which now bears his name. In 1902, he disposed of his Delavan Township farm and pur- chased another in Vermilion County where he continued his produc- tion of seed corn. For that farm he paid $100 per acre, the highest price on record up to that time for Vermilion County farm land. He shipped seed corn all over the United States and frequently to foreign countries, taking an active part in all phases of the work, seldom delegating it to others. Aged far beyond his years, he died June 1, 1910. He was an active member of the Delavan Baptist church, the Illinois Corn Growers' Association, the Illinois Seed Corn Breeders' Association, and the Top Notch Farmers' Club. Mrs. Abbie A. Newmam Mrs. Abbie A. Newman, best remembered as a teacher and a leader in music, cultural and social movements, was born in West- boro, Mass., November 28, 1830, and died at her home in Delavan, February 18, 1908. Following her marriage in April 1855, to Burt Newman, she first lived in Minnesota and then in Lower Alton, Illinois, coming to Delavan in 1862. For a period of more than two score years Mrs. Newman was an important figure in the life of Delavan. She taught the primary grade of the public schools for a third of a century, conducted singing schools, and also gave private lessons in music. She was for many years choirster of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Newman were the parents of five children of whom but one survives, Mrs. Emma Giles. At the time of her death, Mrs. Newman's biographer wrote: "The full and true story of her life was written by herself in the life of the com- munity, in the activities of the church she so faithfully served and in the hearts and characters of unnumbered children, now men and women grown and scattered to all parts of the United States, who learned fine things at her knee— to remember her ever after for the kind, gracious, sympathetic and lovable woman and teacher that she truly was." 49 James Huston McKinstry James Huston McKinstry, farmer, grain dealer and churchman, was one of the most active in the building of the country surround- ing the City of Delavan. Coming from Pennsylvania in 1852, in the next two decades he was instrumental in inducing 40 families from the same state to migrate to Delavan. He early engaged in the buying and shi])ping of grain and for a lime was associated in that business with his cousin, John Nelson Huston, later United States Treasurer. Always active in community affairs, Mr. McKinstry was elected to several local offices, served two terms as township supervisor, and was active in the promotion of the Petersburg and Tonica Railroad. He was one of the charter members of the Del- avan Presbyterian Church and served for ten years as one of its elders. He was born in P'lanklin County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1827. J. C. Duncan Joseph Culbertson Duncan was born July 29, 1822, at Big Spring, Cumberland Co., Pa. With his parents, he moved to Mercersburg, Pa., in 1826. In 1843 he united with the Presbyterian church. He married Miss Margaret McKinstry on February 4, 1845. Leaving Pennsylvania in 1850, he moved to Connersville. Ind. After reaching Delavan in 1856 he took an active interest in church work, becoming one of the charter members and the first ruling elder of the Presby- terian Church. After his wife's death in 1896, Mr. Duncan lived but a short while, dying in the spring of 1897. J. Warren Crabb James Warren Crabb, son of Daniel and Margaret Bailey Crabb, was born December 28, 1854, in Dillon Township. Following his father, he entered the banking business in Delavan and soon became active in the community. He was active in the promotion of the Tazewell County Fair Association and served for a time as presidenJ of its board of directors. Always taking a close interest in civic af- fairs, he served as an alderman and in 1893 was elected mayor of the (itv. He donated the site of Ayer Public Library to the township He was a member of the Presbyterian Chinch, the Masonic fraternity, Mystic Shrine and Knights Tcnijilar. In 1875 he was married to Elizabeth Schureman, and to them were born three children. In a collision of his automobile with an Illinois Central train at the Locust Street crossing, he was killed March 30, 1926. As a mark of respect to one who had long served the people of his city, all business houses of the city were closed during his funeral. 50 Churches Delavan Baptist Church THE Delavan Baptist Church is the oldest congregation in the city. It traces its history back to the earliest clays of the settle- ment, when several of the colonists met in the dining room of the Delavan House to hear the sermons of Rev. Isaac Merrian of Tremont, or the exhortations of Deacon Henry R. Green. The first Sunday School was organized prior to the church itself, when Mrs. Cynthia M. Gale took the five children of the congregation vmder her care and conducted classes in the kitchen of the hotel. Efforts to perfect an organization met with success when seven members of the Baptist faith met in the old school house on October 26, 1846, and drew up their Articles of Faith. On December 17, an- other meeting in the school resulted in the formal organization of the church. The Rev. Merrian acted as moderator, and Rev. G. S. Bailey of Pekin as clerk. Nine persons were present. Henry R. Green, who had been ordained a deacon in Providence, R. I., Jonas R. Gale and Joseph Grant were the deacons of the new congregation, which consisted of the following members: John Daniel, Mrs. Annes Green, Mrs. Cynthia M. Gale, Mrs. Sarah Grant, Eunice Hall and Mary Ann Phillips. A year and a half later, June 8, 1848, the church was admitted to membership in the Illinois River Association at its meeting in La Salle, 111. As the State became more thickly popu- lated and more associations were formed, the local church entered the Bloomington Baptist Association, in which it now has mem- bership. The first step toward a permanent place of worship came during the pastorate of Rev. John Scrogin when, on September 18, 1851, the church purchased the entire block where the church now stands. The former owner was William Gammell of Providence, who had bought it in 1845 from the Del'avan Association. On April 16, 1853, at which time the church was without a pastor, work was begun. Raising of funds in those early days was an extremely difficult task, and to add to the difficulties. Deacon Green, who had steered the church from its very beginning, died shortly after the building was started. How- ever, work was pushed forward and on April 2, 1854, the building was completed. Rev. S. S. Martin, the newly called pastor, preached the dedicatory sermon. Among the notables who contributed to the building fund were Deacon Colgate of New York and Senator Stephen A. Douglas. The timber, which had to be hauled from the Mackinaw River 5 miles away, was donated and hewn by the members, who also gave freely of their time. 51 During these early years John Kelly led the choir, giving the tune with his bass viol. Later George Tefft led, giving the pitch with his tuning fork. After the purchase of an organ— the first church organ in the village— Charles Grant was appointed organist. Some of the members were opjjosed to "mechanical music," but the opposi- tion soon died out. In the spring of 1856 a bell was purchased, and ever since has called the Delavan Baptists to worship. The old ])e\\ hangs in the belfry of the present building. On the outbreak of the Civil War the church suffered set-backs when many of the leading young men of the congregation answered the president's call for volunteers. In April of 1861, a group of 23 members withdrew to form a congregation at Green Valley, and in 1868 a group of nine members formed a church at San Jose. A parsonage adjacent to the church, costing $2,500 was erected in 1868. Part of the necessary money was procured by the sale of the north 100 feet of the church block. Hardly was the parsonage problem out of the way before members began discussing the desir- ability of a new house of worship. A subscription paper was drawn up in April 1876, for the present building. Nineteen months later the committee reported 1 1,1 38.85 had been pledged. Recovery from the financial panic of 1873 was slow in Illinois, and money was scarce. After five years, the committee, reporting that more than $2,000 had been secured, was directed to start a new building. Even then there were financial obstacles, but on January 21, 1883, the church, which had cost .$6,106.34, was dedicated. The day was ex- tremely unpleasant and the thermometer stood at 20 degrees below zero. Rev. Thomas P. Campbell, the pastor, conducted the dedica- tion services, assisted by Rev. J. O. Hough of the Presbyterian Church and Rev. J. G. Little of the Methodist Church. The building committee consisted of J. S. Hemstreet, G. D. Randolph, and A. B. Cheever, clerk. Mr. Cheever succeeded Daniel Cheever, who resigned in 1877 after serving as clerk for 23 years. Another outstanding day in church history is Febiuary 1, 1905, when 20 members were received by baptism. The church had gone a long way since February 9, 1852, when Caroline Rinman received the first baptism. The day was marred, however, by a fire which caused great damage to the parsonage. The building was soon re- stored by the concerted efforts of the members. The seventy-fifth anniversary was celebrated in 1921 with a four- day program lasting through Sunday. At that time the pastor re- ported 1 69 members. Today there are 286 members. The young people of the church have been organized for many years, the local B. Y. P. U. being older than the national society. The 52 present pastor, Dr. Norton J. Hilton, is a brother of a former pastor, C. B. Hilton. Their father. Rev. A. W. Hilton, was a pioneer Bap- tist minister in Iowa and South Dakota. Twenty ordained ministers have served the church: Nelson Alvard 1848-50 L. H. Coffman - - 1900-07 John Scrogin 1851-52 F. St. J. Fitch - - 1908-09 S. S. Martin 1853-57 S. P. Mahoney - 1910-12 W. C. Pratt 1857-62 yohn Heritage - 1912-15 Ruben Morey 1865-68 C. A. Morehouse 1915-16 L. L. Lansing 1868-71 C. B. Hilton 1917-20 Thomas P. Campbell - 1872-85 Louis P. Jenseii 1920-25 L. C. Morehouse 1885-87 H. V. Wedel - ■ 1925-27 T. S. Forward 1887-93 Urven V. White 1929-34 Robert Wallace - - 1893-00 Norton J. Hilton - 1935- DELAVAN BAPTIST CHURCH I »• 4t^ Methodist Episcopal Church IN 1850 the Methodists, 20 in number, met and organized in the Delavan House. Later, meetings were held in the old school house. Among the early mcmbeis were Samuel Hall, who often led the services, Samuel Briggs, Jesse Trowbridge, Levi Cheever and John Frazee. For a while the church was scarcely more than a circuit station without a regular pastor. Rev. J. H. Dimmitt was probably the first ordained minister to preach in the Delavan church, although as early as 1839 W. Brown was laying the foundation of Methodism. Since those early days there has been a long list of pastors, many of whom ha\e become prominent in the Methodist ministry. On Octo- ber 1, 1851, during the pastorate of the Reverend Miller, who some- times conducted services here, the trustees purchased from Solomon Townsend of Providence the entire block No. 25. The trustees at that time were Samuel Hall, Jesse Trowbridge, Samuel Briggs, Abner H. Underbill and Jonathan Frazer. A small frame church was built in 1852. The difficulties and the sacrifices of that effort are quite forgotten today. Many of the members had little to offer except their time and brawn, but all gave freeh'. The men of the congregation made the brick and hewed the timbers for this church. The old first church, now incorporated into a portion of an implement shop, may still be seen on the lot north of the present church building. In 1857 the parsonage was built with the proceeds from the sale of the north part of the block. The old parsonage was used initil near the close of the century, when the ne^\' one ^vas erected. Outgrowing the little frame church, the congregation decided upon a new building which was to cost S12,000. In 1867, a building committee was appointed, and A\as composed of William Youle, Har- vey Pratt, Benjamin ^Vilson, John Holmes, Samuel Lawton and Charles Gale, secretary. The first floor of the structure was finished and dedicated on December 5, 1869. A second floor auditorium was added and was dedicated on January 16, 1876, a day long remembered as being severely cold. In spite of the imfavorable weather, a large number of members and friends came to attend the dedicatory ser- vices. Rev. Henry Fowler, who later became a bishop, delivered the dedication sermon. Rev. W. S. Hooper was pastor. The two towers added in 1889-90 completed the building as it stood for nearly 40 years. In 1929 the annex was added to the north side of the church, and many improvements ^\'cre made in the original structure, which was re-dedicated on January 26, 1930. Rev. Otto E. Martin, the pastor, was assisted bv Bishop Edwin Holt Hughes of the Chicago area. A number of visiting clergymen, including the pastors of the 54 Delavan liaptist and Presbyterian Churches, also took part in the services, which lasted 6 days. The auditorium occupies the main floor while Sunday School rooms are on the first or ground floor. The pulpit and pews installed at the time of the re-dedication were gifts of children of former members in honor of their grandparents, John and Isabel Holmes. The annex, built to make the church an attractive center for the acti\ities of the younger members, has a large gymnasium with shower baths and the latest type of gymnasium equipment. The main room of the annex has a seating capacity of 250, and is used by the adult Bible classes. To the side is a kitchen with accommodations DELAVAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 'tmmmmmi ^ f-mif for more than 300. Large doors open from the annex to the church auditorium. Under the pastorate of Rev. F. Roy Doland, the church now has a membership of 427. The Sunday School has an enrollment of 187 in addition to 22 children on the cradle roll. The work of the Sunday School is conducted by a staff of 16 teachers, aided by the 14 stewards and nine trustees. The Epworth League of the Delavan church helps to maintain a missionary in Chile. The church has been served by the following pastors: T. A. Parker - - 1895-7 W. D. Best - - 1898-9 Preston Wood, Jr. - 1900-3 T. Clark - -" - 1904-5 Frank Lucas - - 1906-7 A. C. Byerly (died) - 1908 E. S. Wamsiey - - 1908 A. M. Wells - - 1909 E. L. Pletcher - - 1910 R.Y.Williams - - 1911-12 W. W. Henry - - 1913-14 J. T. Stretton - - 1915-17 'j. F. McAnally - - 1918 k. G. Jackson - - 1919-20 D. F. Nelson - - 1921-3 Joyce P. Cummins - 1924-7 Otto E.Martin - - 1928-30 Joseph E. Connor - 1931-34 F. Rov Doland - - 1935- W. Brown 1839 J. H. Dimmitt 1856 W. B. M. Colt - - 1857-8 J. C. Wells 1859 A. C. Armentrout 1860-1 ^V. C. Lacy 1862 J. G. Little - - - 1863-4 J. B. Colwell - - 1865 D. Gay - - - - 1866-7 W. H. Webster 1868-9 W. McEl fresh - - 1870-1 M. A. Hewes 1872-5 \V. S. Hooper 1875-8 A. Semple 1878 A. T. Orr - - - 1879-81 y. G. Little - - - 1882 J. T. Orr - - - 1883-5 R. N. Davies 1886-9 M. Auer 1889-90 A. P. Stover 1891-4 Church of God THE C:hui(h of God of the Reformation Movement held its first meeting in the City Hall on July 19, 1931, with Rev. D. N. Slagell, formerly of Fairbury, 111., as the first pastor. The charter members, numbering 17, consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kauuman, Mr. and Mrs. Velde Myers, Mr. and Mrs. George Leipold, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ciscoe, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hoar, Claude Hoar. Betty Nafziger, Mrs. Elizabeth Schantz, Barbara Schantz and Christian Schantz. The congregation meets in the James Hall building on the cast side of Locust between Fourth and Fifth Streets. 56 Presbyterian Church THE Presbyterian Church was organized in Delavan on June 19, 1855, by Rev. \V. T. Adams of Washington, 111. Many of the original members had recently come from the vicinity of Mercers- burg, Pa., and were of the branch of the church then known as the Old School Presbyterians which later united with the Presbyterian Church in America. At the first meeting, J. C. Duncan and Ralph Martin were elected ruling elders, and John H. McKinstry and Wil- liam E. McDowell, deacons. The Sunday School was started at the same time. The charter members of the church, 22 in number, were: Mrs. Martha Crawford, Mrs. Jane Davidson, Miss Nancy R. David- son, Miss Sarah Bell Davidson, William and Mrs. Mary C. Dorrence, J. C. and Mrs. Margaret M. Duncan, John Harbison, Ralph and Mrs. Ehza Martin, J. H. and Mrs. Saiah J. McKinstry, John and Mrs. Anna M. McKinstry, Thomas and Mrs. Mary A. McKinstry, Jacob and Mrs. Catherine McCollister, William E. and Mrs. Ehzabeth McDowell and Mrs. Susan Work. The congregation met at first in the home of the members or in the old school house, but as the membership grew, services were held in the Baptist and Methodist Chinches. The present site, at the northwest corner of Fourth and Spruce Streets, was purchased January 23, 1856, from Lucius Fisher, and a building was begun in July 1857. It was completed 2 years later at a cost of |4,400 and when dedicated was free of debt. Brick used in the church was made near the creek, north of the present grade school. It was at this time that the Rev. S. M. Templeton, the first resident pastor, took up his duties. The building was enlarged in 1872 at a cost of $4,600, and further remodeling was done in 1886. At that time a | pipe organ— the first to be seen in the city — was installed, largely through the effort of Jacob McCollister. The corner stone of the present brick structure was laid October 4, 1903. Dedication ser- vices were held May 15, 1904, with Dr. George L. Robinson of the j McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, delivering the sermon, and Dr. F. C. Everitt, pastor, in charge of the services. The cost ] of the new building was $16,000. A new pipe organ was also in- stalled. During the pastorate of Rev. Roger Sillars, excavations were made for a basement room. The Men's Class, of which the Rev. Sillars was the leader, was assisted in doing the work by other men of the city, and Mrs. W. H. Baldwin's class of young women provided dinners for the men while they were engaged in this work. | One of the outstanding beauties of the church is the atmosphere created in the auditorium by the stained glass windows. Unusually large, the windows are reproductions of two paintings by Bernhard 57 PlockhoiM (1825-1907), a noted German artist. The west window shows the (rood Shepherd, while the east window portrays the Women 17 r. T^ 1 J u • ^^^ Diekhoff Rev. F. Roy Doland, chairman john Nannen Leonard Clark Julius Shoultz Carr Day Marion Minton R. L Lundberg Clarence Cruse Ed Flexsenhar Historical Arthur Patzer ^'^'^ ^""^ Taylor TT ,.T-, Mrs. Elmer Giles Harry Wilson j^^^^ N. Hall Lee Dixon Starr H. Beatty 63 Chronology 1836— Jonas R. Gale and Cornelius Delavan visit Illinois and choose a settlement site on High Prairie. September— The Delavan Association, in Pro\idence, R. 1., lormed to pro- mote the sale of land. November- Land sale, November 24. 1 837— February- Deacon Henry R. Green enters 22,000 acres of land for the association. May— W'illiani W. Grossman brings a crew of carpenters to High Prairie and starts building the Colony House. June — Deacon Green arrives at the new colony. 1838— Jonas R. Gale moves to Delavan. 1839— First saw and grist mill started by Deacon Green. First store opened and post office established. 1840— Ira B. Hall leases the Colony House and opens it as a hotel. Stage coach line from Peoria to Springfield routed through Delavan. 1841— February- Plat of Delavan recorded at the county seat. August- Abraham Lincoln visits Delavan, August 12. 1845-July- James Pliillips buys the Colony House and changes its name to the Phillips House. 1 8 16— December- Baptist chinch organized. 1847— Robert Reid fills in missing hills of poor stand corn with a different variety of seed. Deacon Henry R. Green elected to represent Tazewell County in the Constitutional Convention. July- First wedding ceremony performed in Delavan; Miss Almira Kidder becomes the bride of Henry Lawrence. July 4. 1850— Delavan Township organized. A telegraph line is built through Delavan. Methodist church organized with 20 members. 1852— Methodists erect their first house of worship in Delavan. 64 1853-March— Deacon Green dies, March 25. Delavan Branch of the American Bible Society organized. 1854— Delavan Lodge No. 155, A. F. & A. M. organized. Hall and Lefever's addition to Delavan platted. 1855-June- Presbyterian church organized with 22 members, June 19. 1856-Siloam Lodge, No. 207, L O. O. F., organized. Reed & Perrins store burns with a loss of |4,000. 1857— Petersburg & Tonica Railroad completes grading through Dela- van. July- Presbyterians start work on their first church building. September- Village votes to incorporate. 1858— January- Trustees elected for the village fail to qualify and incorpora- tion is abandoned. A private school started by the Misses Dickey. Hall & Grant's addition to Delavan platted. 1859— The parish of St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception organized. 1860 — A two-room school house is erected. 1861— Delavan steam flouring mill, owned by John L. Orndorff, burns, loss $10,000. 1862— Branch of Union League Club organized. August- Company B, 73rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and Company H, 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, are mustered into service. Mrs. Abbie A, Newman, musician and teacher, arrives in the city and starts a singing school. First plat made of Prairie Rest Cemetery. 1863— Agitation for a high school in Delavan fails because of the contemplated expense. The retail price of hoop skirts is $2.25 at W. W. Grant's store. 1864— James H. McKinstry designated to secure recruits to fill Dela- van's quota for the Union Army and was entrusted with $4,106 raised for that purpose. He entrusted the money to Stephen C. Hobart of Tremont who was on an errand to Alton for the same purpose. Hobart lost the money. After much local ex- citement and litigation, Mr. McKinstry was compelled to carry the loss. 1865-October- Delavan incorporated as a village. 65 1867— First railroad completed through Dclavan, the Jacksonville branch of the Chicago, Alton R: St. Louis. Survey made for the Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur Railroad. A. W. Ray erects a grain elevator. Nathaniel B. Horton and Stephen P. Flint start a lumber yard. December— Delavan Advertiser founded by C. R. Fiske, December 1. 1868— City Roller Mills started by Frederick Starz, A. Stubbs and Fred Lehman. St. Mary's Catholic Church erects its first building. 1869— August— A branch of Smith Brothers Bank of Pekin is opened. It oc- cupies a one-story brick building on the site of the present bank building. Stephen P. Flint is the first depositor. December- First section of present Methodist church dedicated, December 3. 1870— The Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur Railroad completed and serv- ice is established. A mechanical corn husker is built by Dr. C. B. Maclay. Young America Roller Mill started by A. Stubbs and John B. Starz. 1871— Phillips Hall opera house erected. September- First high school organized. December— The newly constructed school house destroyed by fire, Decem- ber 4. Nathan B. Horton, school director, contracts a cold at the fire which resulted in his death. 1872— Present grade school building erected. Delavan reincorporated as a village. Delavan baseball team and the Pekin Stars play a game of ball on the lot back of the livery stable. The score was 59 to 59. Brower Ketcham was pitcher, James Clauser, catcher and Arch L Maclay, shortstop. Walter S. Horton kept score. September- J. M. McKinstry elevator burns. W. Stewart's dry goods store and John Petri's jewelry store destroyed by fire, September 6. 1873— Delavan Library Association opens a subscription library. Pegram & Son elevator, operated by Kingman & Tomm, destroy- ed by fire, June 16. Delavan Hook and Ladder Company organized. October— Crossman Chapter, No. 156, R. A. M., chartered, October 31. 66 1873-M. M. Club organized. October— R. W. Moore's steam elevator destroyed by fire, October 11. 1874— The Delavnn Times started by Joseph F. Reed. Daniel Crabb purchases the Smith Brothers bank. Free reading room opened by the Delavan Library Association. October— A. W. Ray's elevator burns, October 13. Loss $5,000. November- Baldwin, Booth & Hatten open a pork packing plant, No- vember 1. 1875— March— Ladies' Cemetery Association organized, March 10. Delavan Cornet Band reorganized; M. E. Montgomery is leader. Trains blocked 18 hours by snow. Morris Mill Bridge across the Mackinaw River swept away by the spring flood. April— Tazewell County National Bank organized April 15, by Don Frey, Rudolph Frey and H. A. Bailey, co-partners. May— Richard Hoghton, W. R. Baldwin, and Samuel Wadington open the banking firm of Hoghton, Baldwin & Co. L. D. Lawton is bookkeeper. July- The town board orders all cows running at large after 9 p. m. impounded, and decrees that all hedges in the corporate limits be cut to a minimum height of 4i^ feet. September- Foundry started in the old Orbit Engine Works building. October— Delavan Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co. founded. Offi- cers: Robert Reid, president; A. W. Ball, secretary; James L. Reid, treasurer; George W. Patten, Frank Powell, P. T. John- son, H. A. Freitag, and James Brennyman, directors. Q. A. M. Club organized. 1 878— February- Josh Billings, humorist, appears at Phillips Hall, February 5. W. T. C. U. chapter organized, February 22. Telehones are installed in the business district. They are tightly stretched strings with a tin can at each end which make a useable imitation of Alexander Graham Bell's new invention. June — "Delavan Blues," Company K, 7th Illinois Infantry, organized, June 10. 67 July- A cyclone strikes north of Delavan, destroying numerous build- ings, July 31. October— A temperance mass meeting in Public Square Park attended by 1,500 persons, including bands and drill teams from five central Illinois cities, October 12. Adlai E. Stevenson and John Cohr speak at Phillips Hall. December— Dr. George F. Root, Chicago musician, opened a singing school at Phillips Hall. 1879— Day Brothers and W. V. McKinstry manufacture a riding cul- tivator. July- District W. C. T. U. convention held here. August- Phillips House destroyed by fire, August 28. September— Tazewell County Agricultural Board holds its first fair and ex- position at Delavan. Delavan Times issues daily editions dur- ing the fair. James L. Reid wins first on seed corn at Tazewell County Fair and at the Illinois State Fair, Peoria. November- Trotting races held at fair grounds. 1880— Delavan Joint Stock Company No. 1 closed. Baldwin Bank building erected. June- Local barbers close their shops on Sundays. July- Mile. Maria Litta, operatic soprano, appears at Phillips Hall., July 10. 1 88 1 —February- Nichols Band organized. Mav— Erection of Delavan House started. 1882-January— A smallpox epidemic appeared. May— Delavan Post No. 155, G. A. R., founded. Delavan Chapter, No. 58, O. E. S., chartered. W. W. Grossman dies. 68 September— Peoria, Pekin and Delavan are connected by telephone. 1883-January- Schools close because of severe cold weather, January 22. 1884-April- All anti-license candidates elected to the village board. Tazewell County Old Settlers Association organized in a meet- ing held at Delavan. September— A grand ball opens Armory Hall. September 4. 1885— Beta Circle organized. Nathaniel W. Green elected judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit. Delavan Home & Loan Association founded. December- Women's Relief Corps organized. 1 886— February- Mrs. Sue A. Sanders elected state treasurer W. R. C. March— D. B. Pisstford defeats John H. Tear, both of Delavan, for county superintendent of schools. May— Tazewell Camp No. 198, M. W. A., organized, May 21. 1887— February- Mrs. Sue A. Sanders elected president State Encampment, W. R. C, and Mrs. Ella Cobean elected secretary. March- John P. St. John, Prohibition candidate for president in 1884, lectures at Armory Hall, March 4. Contract awarded by City Council for city water system, March 18. Wooden mains specified. A subscription library opened by Miss Delia Culver. Tazewell County National Bank organized. 1888-January-Fire sweeps the west side of Locust Street destroying five buildings, January 23. February— Fire seriously damages three buildings on the east side of Locust Street. April— Dr. J. N. Hall, pioneer physician, dies, April 14. City organization approved by vote of 137 to 113. All anti-saloon candidates but one elected to the village board by a margin of seven votes. 09 May— Delavan incorporated as a city. 1889-The Tazewell County Press started by Joseph F. Reed. 189I_November-Delavan Lodge No. 319, K. of P., installed, Novem- ber 20. 1892— Christian Church organized. Mrs. Sue A. Sanders, Delavan, elected national president. Wom- en's Relief Corps. 1893— Starr H. Beatty becomes owner of the Times-Press. Reid's Yellow Dent Corn, entered in competition for the first time under that name, wins sweepstakes at World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago. 1894— Joseph V. Graff, Delavan, elected to Congress: William R. Curran elected County Judge. 1895— October— Light Guard Band reorganized. I. M. Marsh, lead- er; Charles O. Baughn, president; W. H. Bois, vice president; T. R. Heaton, secretary; W. A. Stillman, treasurer. 1896— Archibald Sunderland, Delavan, now Chief of Coast Artillery, U. S. Army, appointed to West Point by Congressman J. V. Graff. December— Phillips Hall destroyed by fire, December 5. 1897— January— Delavan Woman's Club chartered, January 9. Lieut. Thomas B. Briggs receives an official document showing his service in the Mexican War and discharge at New Orleans, La., on May 29, 1847. February— Delavan Wire Fence Co. started. Presbyterian Manse completed, February 23. Movement for a direct vote on licensing of dramshops started. As a result a petition with 91 names from both factions is presented the city council. March- Joseph Culbertson Duncan died, March 18. "Fats" defeats the "Leans" 19 to 18, in a baseball game played at Armory Hall, March 19. Seven candidates announced as candidates for the Republican nomination for collector of taxes of Delavan Township. Movement to submit the question of licensed saloons to a direct vote fails when a defect is found in the call for a special meeting of the city council. 70 April- Taxes in the amount of $500 are authorized for the ensuing year at the annual town meeting, April 6. Saloons close on expiration of license period, April 30. May— An amendment to the saloon ordinance permitting payment of license fees quarterly instead of annually, adopted May 4. Pay of firemen increased to $6 per year. Special meeting of the City Council licenses three saloons, ending a dry period of two weeks, May 16. June- Delavan Gravity Gate Sc Mfg. Co., Inc., organized by C. W. Few, F. B. Shelton, W. H. Baldwin, J. M. Hanna and E. B. Bierce. August— A tornado passed north of the city, killing six persons and injuring six others. October- James L. Reid wins first and second in the county exhibits and third in the general exhibit of butter at the Illinois State Fair, Springfield. Sol Smith Russell Dramatic Club organized. Daniel Crabb is president; W. A. Parker, business manager; Walter Cod- dington, stage manager. December- Pigeon shooting match with live pigeons as targets held at the fair grounds, December 30. 1898-January- Grain prices: Wheat .75; corn .211/^; oats .20. March- Company K receives 60 new rifles; is notified to be in readi- ness for possible war with Spain. April- Company K, 5th Illinois National Guard, called into service for the Spanish-American War; mustered into Federal service at Camp Tanner, Springfield, 111., May 4. May- Major George W. Patten of Chattanooga, Tenn., former captain of Company K, gives a dinner for the boys of his old command at Chickamauga Park. Following the Memorial Day services, 500 pounds of delicacies collected for shipment to members of Company K at Chicka- mauga Park. 71 June- S. H. Beatty succeeds John Culbertson as postmaster. September- Company K returns home, September 12. 1899— January— W. V. McKinstry receives certificate number one, issued em- balmers by the newly organized State Board of Health. February- Central Union Telephone Co. starts work on a telephone sys- tem here. There are 30 subscribers. Few's harness shop moved. April- Three license and three anti-license candidates elected mem- bers the city council, leaving the final decision to the mayor, April 18. May— Three applications for dramshop licenses refused by city coun- cil. May 4. 1900-February- Snow, the worst since 1863, covers the city. It is waist deep and trains are halted. April- Two rural mail routes announced to operate from Delavan. George W. Dunseth and Warren Sunderland appointed car- riers and Alpheus Hiner substitute. October- Theodore Roosevelt, candidate for vice president, speaks in Delavan. Reid's Yellow Dent corn recognized in code of Illinois Corn Growers' Association. 1901— August— For the first time Delavan has all day electric service, due to the demand for electric fans. Royal Light R: Power Co., boasts there are 23 users of fans. November- Butter and cheese factory opened. Fifty-five Delavan men hold stock in the company. T. N. Green elected judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit. 1902-June— Severe electrical and wind storm, believed to be the worst in the history of the city, strikes the west portion of the city, damaging several houses and the amphitheater, agricultural hall and many of the stables at the fair grounds, June 10. 72 November- Library of the Blue Button Army, a temperance society, opened in the Few Building on Fifth Street. 1903-June- City Council orders that "all police officers should refrain from the use of intoxicating drinks while on duty", June 2. August- Contract let for new Presbyterian Church, August 5. November- First Chautauqua sessions held. 1905— Woman's Club opens a circulating library. City Dads find great opposition to their order for the installa- tion of water meters. 1 906— January— T. T. Heaton, former county treasurer, died, January 8. Bookkeeping taught in the high school after a lapse of 10 years. February- Webb's Hotel, erected 1869, and used as a town hall, the first armory for Company K, and the site of many political meet- ings, burns, February 11. April- Salary of the night watchman is increased from $45 to $50 per month. Woman's club library is donated to the Blue Button Army library. June- Bond issue of $5,000 for permanent improvements defeated 121 to 62 in a special election, June 12. August- Fair note from the Times-Press: Several automobiles are visit- ing the fair. September- Mrs. Ehza H. James, aged 87 years, dies September 16. December— J. E. Ayer dies, December 12. 1907— January— The street and alley committee report the laying of 12,621 square feet of sidewalk duiing the past year. Delavan, Kans., named after Delavan, 111., celebrates its 25th anniversary. Henry Kingman, who migrated there from Del- avan, 111., and was its first settler, is a guest of honor at a ban- quet which features the celebration. April- Tax voted for maintaining a township public library. 73 September— Ayer Public Library, first tax supported township library in the State, opened. 1908-Fcbruary- Mrs. Abbie A. Newman, prominent civic leader and former resident of Delavan, dies, February 20. 1 909— January- Sunday afternoon fire caused by over-heated smoke pipe results in $150 damage at the Methodist Church, January 10. February- Royal Light & Power Company will blow whistle every even- ing beginning today to announce 6 p. m., February 3. The citizens formerly depended on the flour mill whistle. October- Ira B. Hall dies, October 8. Daniel Crabb, Delavan banker, without opposition, elected treasurer of the Illinois State Bankers' Association at its an- nual meeting in Decatur. November— The 250 patrons of the water department will now have meas- ured service with the installation of water meters. 1910-May- Joseph Henry Burlingame, active member of the Presbyterian church, dies. May 29. He was born in Ohio, July 13, 1824. Major James E. Watkins, commander of Company K during the Spanish-American War, dies. May 29. He was born in Terre Haute, Ind., June 30, 1857. June- James L. Reid dies, Jvme 1. July- William Cobean, former stage coach driver, dies, July 8. August- John Ryan buys the old Catholic Church on Second Street and puts a crew to work wrecking it. September- Company K at Fort Benjamin Harrison, near Indianapolis for maneuvers with other guard units, is given applause by the Regular Army. November — Delavan's three meat markets decide on Sunday closing. 1911— Choral Club organized. December- New contract between city and Royal Light & Power Co., pro- vides for all night street lighting and all night service to con- sumers. 74 1913-April- Delavan Township elects officers and votes on question, "Shall This Town Continue to be Anti-Saloon Territory?" Yes, 352; no, 115. July- First motor truck comes to Delavan. It is to be used by a local fuel and ice company. September— E. W. Chafin, prohibition candidate for president, speaks in Delavan, September 26. Oliver W. Stewart, former Delavan pastor, addresses a mass meeting at the Methodist Church on temperance. October- Work of dragging the old stage coach road to Pekin started. The cost is met by public subscription. 1914— February — Library board accepts donation by J. W. Crabb of a site for the library. A building fund of $10,000 is received from the Carnegie Foun- dation. October- Work completed on 22 blocks of concrete pavement. November— Ayers Public Library building dedicated and opened to the public. 1916-January-Capt. A. L. Culbertson, commanding officer Com- pany K, retires from active service and Second Lieut. Walter Youle assumes command, January 6. March- Local nest of Order of Owls instituted, March 21. Lieut. Youle, commanding officer Company K, receives orders to recruit the company to full strength and be in readiness for active duty. The disturbance in Mexico is the cause. School dismissed three days as the result of an epidemic of sore arms following vaccinations. April- John Warne defeats E. R. Rhoades for township clerk. Mr. Rhoades has held office for 16 years. Burt Newman, Civil War veteran and resident of Delavan 54 years, dies, April 7. May— C. C. Reardon elected chairman of the county board of su- pervisors. Council votes to extend paving on Fifth Street to the railroad station. Eighteen are graduated from Delavan High School. 75 August- Mrs. Mary Pratt Sunderland dies, August 8. Grain prices: Wheat $1.34; corn .80; oats .39. 1917-February- R. D. Sunderland elected director Kickapoo Trail division and John T. Culbertson, Jr., director Bloomington Way division of Heart of Illinois Trails association. Delavan Good Roads Club organized to promote oiling of highways. J. W. Crabb, president; J. F. Meeker, treasurer; Daniel Reardon, secretary. March— Capt. John T. Hufty commanding officer of Company K re- tires Alarch 1, after 39 years service from private to captain. Corn sells for $1 per bushel. Bonds issued for digging a new city well. Company K authorized to accept enlistments of 40 recruits. Mobilization orders received by Company K, March 26. Banquet and farewell party given Company K, March 27. April- Company K departs for southern Illinois, April 2, under com- mand of Capt. A. L. Culbertson. Company K ordered to Shelbyville, 111., to guard bridges. Mrs. Sarah Culbertson died, April 7. June- Red Cross campaign for funds starts. Jerome B. Bailey dies, June 24. August— ' Central Illinois League of Trapshooters holds a two day match, August 14 and 15. September- Company K arrives at Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, Septem- ber 18. In the reorganization of the Illinois National Guard into the 33rd Division, Company K is assigned to the 122nd Machine Gun Battalion. November- Postal rates increased to two cents for post cards and local let- ters and three cents for letters out of city, November 2. Ladies of the Methodist Church ship their third car load of waste paper. 1918— January- Fuel Administrator Culbertson calls a meeting at which it is proposed to unite city and country people into a unit for conmiunity activities and enterprises, January 21. Connnunity Club organized, January 28, with H. P. Jones, president; J. W. Crabb, vice president; John T. Culbertson, Jr., secretary; and John Warne, treasurer. 76 April- Company B, 122nd Machine Gun Batalion, leaves Camp Logan, Tex., for France. 191 9— February- Frank Craft McKee, publisher of the Delavayi Advertiser-Times, dies, February 4. March- Solomon M. Reinheimer, for 51 years a merchant in Delavan, dies, March 8. August — Last Exposition of Tazewell County Agriculture Board held. September— Delavan Post No. 382, American Legion, organized. 1920-December- Recruiting starts for Company D, 5th Illinois National Guard. 1921 -May- Company D mustered in with three officers and 50 men. December Contract awarded for a hard road to connect Delavan with 111. 24. 1922— Community high school district organized. December- First hard road to Delavan completed, December 11. 1923-January- Classes opened in the new community high school. 1 924— September- Mrs. Emily Grossman Cobean dies, September 18. 1925-October- Delmar Cobean, 54, son of Mrs. Emily Grossman Cobean, dies, October 17. Moissaye Boguslawski, Russian pianist, appears in concert at the Baptist Church, October 19. 1 926 — January— Delavan first town in Tazewell county to reach its quota in Boy Scout fund campaign. January 10. February- Rev. W. J. Burke, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church dies, February 25. March- James Warren Crabb, banker, dies, March 30. Delavan Business Men's Association formed, March 30. May— Charles Stumbaugh, alderman, fire chief and business man, collapses from a heart attack while attending a fire and dies while being taken to a doctor, May 14. William W. Jackson, 84, colored barber and probably the oldest 77 active barber in the state, dies, May 16. He had worked at his trade 61 years. He was born in Camden, S. C, May 15, 1842, and served in the Civil ^Var, marching with Gen. Sher- man to the sea. November- James O. Jones, attorney and former supervisor, dies Novem- ber 16. 1927-April- Delavan Swimming Pool Co., chartered, with H. P. Jones, pres- ident, E. R. Rhoades, treasurer, Richard Sunderland, secre- tary, April 11. Albert L. Culbertson defeats J. F. Meeker for mayor, 338 to 140, April 20. 1930-February- Theodore N. Green dies, February 9. May— W. J. Culbertson dies. May 19. November- John T. Culbertson, Jr., elected County Judge. 1931-June- Tazewell County bank robbed by four bandits who held Willis W. Crabb a prisoner in his home the night before and com- pelled him to open the safe in the morning. Mrs. Crabb, taken as a hostage, was released near Peoria. 1932— The Baldwin Bank closes. 1934— John T. Culbertson, Jr., elected judge of the 10th Judicial Cir- cuit. W. J. Reardon elected County Judge. 1935-October- William F. Hodson, last Civil \\'^ar veteran in Delavan, dies, October 29. November — G. A. R. Triangle dedicated November 11. 1936— Athletic field constructed at the high school with aid of Works Progress Administration funds. Construction starts on new State Armory. 1937-March- Delavan Community Club reorganized. July- Mrs. Elizabeth Shurts Culbertson fatally burned, July 31. August- Severe windstorm destroys trees all over the city and halts electric service for several hours, August 11. Delavan celebrates its 100th anniversary, August 28, 29 and 30. Corner stone laid for new State Armory. 78 2 w o S w O O o > 2 H 2 LANG-FULLER PRTQ. CC. BLOOMINGTON, ILL. THE LIBRARY OF THE FEB 11 1938 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Ill ■ {■■ UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.354F31D C001 DELAVAN 1837-1937 BLOOMINGTON 3 0112 025392892