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Knox County ILGenWeb |
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Maquon Village |
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"Maquon in 1830, was an Indian Village. In 1836, it was laid out by Parnach Owen, Jno. G. Sanborn, Wm. McGowan, R. L. Hannaman, _____ Boars, _____ Richmond. The first Post Master was McGowan, in 1837, who was also the first Justice of the Peace. It is a thriving town, with a good trade." From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago. [Submitted by Fay Kummer.] It is situated in Maquon Township, in the northeast corner of section 4, and was laid out by Parnach Owen, John G. Sanburn, Wm. McGowen and Robt. L. Hannaman in 1836. The survey was completed October 24, same year. Benjamin Cox erected the first building. It was a frame one, and was used for a hotel, being opened as such by its builder. Subsequently this hotel passed into the hands of Nathan Barbero, and was kept by him some 20 years. It was called the "Barracks," and was a much better hotel than its name would signify. Matthew Maddox erected the first store-house in 1839, with the intention of putting in a stock of goods, but he gave up the project, and it remained for John Whipple to offer for sale to this pioneer settlement the first goods. About the next buildings to go up in this town were two brick stores erected by Joseph DeLay and Jacob Consor, in the autumn of 1839. In 1837, a post-office was established and placed in charge of Wm. McGowen, who also had the honor to represent the village as Justice of the Peace. Miss Harriet Hamlin took charge of the education of the youth of this town in 1839, thought it was not until 1848 that a school-house was built. The town went on adding to its numbers until it was thought it was large enough to be incorporated. Accordingly a vote was called for on the 19th of March, 1857, to decide this question. It resulted in favor of incorporation, 41 votes being cast for and 14 against the measure. In March an election was held for Village Trustees, which resulted in the choice of S. A. Huber, Horace Jones, W. J. Lane, Samuel Longwell and Dempsey Capps. At a meeting of the Trustees at the office of W. J. Lane, March 28, Dempsey Capps was chosen President of the Board; L. B. Potter, Clerk; and Anson S. Potter, Police Magistrate. It was about this time that the Peoria Branch of the C. B. & Q. R.R. was completed through the town, which gave quite an impetus, for a time to its growth. It was about the last of April or the first of May that the first railroad train went through from Galesburg to Peoria. Maquon has some good stores and is a very good trading point. A very fine school-house was erected here in 1866, at a cost of about $9,000. It is a frame building, and contains three good-sized school-rooms. A graded school has been established here, which has a good attendance and is ably conducted. Maquon, according to the census of 1880, had a population of 548, which figure will pretty fairly represent its present population. Present Board of Trustees are : Chas. Brocker, Abraham M. Warfel, G. G. Shearer, L. G. Benson, C. T. Olmstead, and Chas. Dennis. Abraham M. Warfel is President, and W.W. Penmen, Clerk. CHURCHES The Methodist Episcopal Church. After much persistent effort this society succeeded in establishing a permanent organization here, and in the fall of 1877 completed their church edifice at cost, including grounds, of between $6,000 and $7,000. It was dedicated September 11, 1877, by Bishop J. T. Peck, of Syracuse, NY. Maquon Lodge, No. 150, I.O.O.F., was instituted April 29, 1858, and received its charter October 15, 1858. First officers were: L.W. Pehniruth, N. G.; Allen Hamsick, V. G.; Wm. Davis, Warden; J. M. Burkhalter, C. In August of that year they were burned out. The present officers are: B.M. Bland, N. G.; N.B. Rumbo, V. G.; Wm. Swigart, Treasurer; Chas. A. Walker, Secretary. They have a membership at present of 48, and meet in the Masonic Hall. They are well equipped and in a prosperous condition. Maquon Lodge, No. 530, A.F.&A.M., was organized October 1, 1867. They worked under dispensation nine months before receiving their charter. The first officers of this lodge were: Robert Proseus, W. M.; Wm. Swigart, S.W.; L. J. Dawdy, J.W. The present officers are L. J. Dawdy, W. M.; T. C. Olmstead, S.W.; Henry Norris, J.W.; R. B. Seamen, Chaplain; Wm. Swigart, Treasurer; T. L. McGirr, Secretary. Present membership is 50. They have a good hall, which is well furnished and equipped. This is one of the flourishing lodges of the county; they are out of debt, have funds in the treasury, and are in fine working order. Hancock Post, No. 552, G.A.R., was organized January 29, 1886, with 23 members. The officers are L. J. Dawdy, C.; Joshua Gay, S.V.C.; H. M. Richards, J.V.C.; and Wm. Burkhalter, Q.M. This is a new Post and promises to be a flourishing one. |