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Knox County ILGenWeb |
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"Until 1887, Truro was without a railway. During that year the main line of the Santa Fe was laid across the township, and on April 24, 1888, Williamsfield was laid out by E. B. Purcell, on Section 23. Later, Galesburg capitalists interested themselves in the project, and promoted it with so much vigor that within twelve years the new town has become one of the most prosperous in the county, and now boasts about five hundred inhabitants. There is a graded school, employing from three to four teachers since the completion of the school building, in 1890. A Methodist church was erected early in 1890, and dedicated on the first day of June of that year. It is a substantial structure, and the denomination has a fair membership. Two years later, the Catholics erected an attractive house of worship. Since 1890 Williamsfield has had a bank and a printing office, both of which started in business on January 22 of the year. The Bank of Williamsfield (a private institution) was opened by L. J. Baird and Company. David Cation is its Cashier. The Williamsfield Times, an independent weekly, was established, as has been said, in 1890. Its founder was C. D. Benfield. In October, 1890, the building in which the Times was located was burned, and Mr. Benfield lost his entire outfit. The subscription list of the paper was purchased by Momeny and Benson, and in a few months they were enabled to continue the publication. Later, they dissolved partnership, and J. M. Momemy assumed control of the paper. In the Fall of 1892, S. E. Boggess leased the plant from Mr. Momeny, and in April, 1893, it passed into the hands of its present owner, M. Hugh Irish. Various lines of mercantile business are well represented, there being four general stores, two hardware stores, two meat markets, two lumber yards, one furniture and undertaking establishment, two restaurants, a livery and feed barn, two barber shops, a blacksmith shop, and dry goods and millinery stores. It has also two grain elevators, and has always been a great center for the shipment of grain and live stock. In fact, in these respects, Williamsfield is surpassed by few points in the State. The societies of the village are named below: Grand Army of the Republic; instituted July 22, 1890, by Dr. Lambert, of Galesburg, assisted by comrades from Elmwood and Yates City, with a membership of thirteen. Named the George W. Parker Post, in memory of a deceased soldier from this township. John Cole, M. D., was the first Commander. For three years the Post met in Tucker's Hall, when the Odd Fellows tendered them their lodge room, free of rent, as their future home. Present membership, twenty-three. Comrades who have died since the institution are Samuel Tucker and Frank Reinboldt. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 779. Organized April 15, 1890. Meet in a commodious hall, over the bank. Membership, sixty. All the organizations named below also hold their meetings at the same place. Degree of Rebekah. Organized September 12, 1895. Membership, thirty-eight. Knights of Pythias. Organized May 15, 1895. Membership, fifty-five. Order of Eastern Star. Organized July, 1895. Membership, twenty-five. Modern Woodmen of America. Organized June, 1894, with seventeen members. Present membership, thirty-two." |