The first school house was built in Washburn in 1846 on land donated by Henry D. Palmer, William Maxwell's father-on-law and the community began. It was called Uniontown because it had sprung up on the Marshall-Woodford county line.
In 1846, there were three houses in the northwest quarter of Section One. In 1847, Peleg Sweet bought 800 acres of land along present Parkside Drive. He divided the land into 80 acre sections for each of his 10 children. The strip became known as "Stringtown".
In 1851, Hiram Echols laid out the original town of Washburn. It comprised 12 blocks, 8 in Woodford county and 4 in Marshall county. The lots were 50 x 150 feet and were all quickly sold. The highest sold for $15 and the lowest sold for $3. The first house was built by Joe Parker in the new town. It stood at 503 W. State Street. Printer Burgess Smith built the second home (a log cabin) at 411 W. Woodford Street. Dr. Thomas bought the first lot in Washburn. He later erected a Two-story building with a Masonic lodge room above and a drug store below.
Jesse Hammers built the first store for his brother, who had poor health in about 1853. It was succeded by Americus Pogue and then Cushing and Jenkins. The post office was established in 1854 in Dr. Thomas' office. The first postmaster was William Maxwell.
The town was called Uniontown and then Mantua until Alonzo Howard suggested the name of Washburn. By 1855, Washburn had one store, one church (Baptist), one minister and one doctor. In 1856, a shoe shop was opened in a house on the west end of the first store lot and Mr. Ackey built a second store on Main Street. J.C. Haines had a harness shop next to it on the north side..
In 1857, A.M. Harper opened a shop on the southeast corner of the Mashall County part of town and the German Reformed church was built at 808 N. Main. In 1858, August Iunker built a mill "under the hill" across the street from the Baptist church and John L. Black operated the Union Hotel that stood across the street from the Baptist church.
The Methodist church was built in 1863 and the Christian church was built in 1866. . In Washburn's early history, Benjamin Monroe operated a saloon at 705 N. Main Street and Clay Little had a grocery store at 605 N. Main Street. Johnathan Haines was the clerk. In a lean-to on the south side of the Little store building, George C. Butler had a tin shop. Mr. Butler's family lived in the rear of the tin shop.
Phillip Drennun and Charles McCulloch built a grocery store between 1864 and 1867 at the corner of Main and W. Magnolia. This store was later managed by A.S. Fishburn and his son, Edward. . In 1864, a millinery store was built by the Bliss Sisters In 1867, August Iunker built a steam mill to replace his original mill.
The residents of early Washburn used a foot bridge to cross the creek on Walnut Street to reach the east side. When Snag Creek flooded, a bridge on Stringtown Road (present Parkside Drive) was used. After a wooden bridge with a walkway was built across Snag Creek on Walnut Street, the Stringtown bridge was used less and the road was eventually closed.
By 1870, Washburn had a population of 272. The same year the tracks to the Chicago and Alton Railroad were laid beyond Old Snag Creek and several blocks east of the original town. By 1871 Washburn's business district moved to Jefferson Street next to the C&A Depot. One reason was that in 1871, Frank N. Ireland established the Washburn bank on Jefferson Street. After that, new buildings were erected or "old" buildings were moved from the original town to Jefferson street. Henry Sangbush moved his harness shop from the west to the east side and bult a front addition to it. Dr. Thomas moved his building and it was used as a store by M.S. Fulton. Another hotel, operated by Mr. and Mrs. John Carrithers was moved to 106 E. Chestnut Street.
In 1871, Washburn was incorporated. The first board of directors were George C. Butler, F. Bennecke, S.W. McCullough, Samuel Patrick, Henry Sangbush and J.G. Haines. W.S. McCullough was elected as president, M.S. Fulton as clerk, G.N. Ireland as treasurer, R.H. Richard as constable and William Cotton as street commissioner.
In 1873, Robert C. McCulloch laid out the McCulloch Addition. Rober McCulloch was a farmer and a tile manufacturer. His business was just outside the northeast village limits. After building the addition, he retired and built a home there (now 600 N. Jefferson Street.
Patrons of Washburn in 1873 Name Occupation Birth Place Year Located Here Buckingham, A.D. Stock Raiser Woodford Co. 1842 Butler, G.C. Merchant England 1858 Crawford, M. Farmer Ireland 1840 Coen, P.A. Farmer Ireland 1856 Carrithers, E.C. Hotel Keeper Marshall Co. 1871 Farnsworth, E.N. Farmer Cautauqua Co. NY 1846 Farnsworth, S.G. Farmer Windsor Co. Vt. 1846 Fisher, Sarah Farmer Virginia 1859 Freeman, J. Merchant Loraine Co., O. 1860 Ireland, F.N. Merchant & St. Joseph Co., Ind. 1858 Post Master Junker, August Miller Prussia 1855 Moschel, J. Farmer Bavaria 1860 Maloney, N.V. Physician Lancaster Co. PA 1858 McCulloch, C.F. Farmer Cumberland Co., PA 1854 Patrick, S. Merchant Windsor Co. Vt. 1867 Shugart, Oscar Farmer Marshall Co. 1869 Seifert, John Farmer Bavaria 1833 Sheifer, B. Farmer Westphal, Prussia 1846 West, J. Farmer Brown Co., Oh. 1857 Webber, Isaac Farmer Cumberland Co. PA 1865
By 1880 the population of Washburn had increased to 450 residents. The only water supply for fire fighting in the downtown area was a cistern belonging to the Christian Haase Store. B.L. Bruce, the editor of the Washburn News (a small weekly paper), tried to publicize the need for a town well. A town well was finally dug in 1887. In 1887 Washburn had its "great fire". Two south blocks of the business district burned and had to be rebuilt.
By 1890, Washburn had a population of 598 people. "The Washburn Leader" newspaper was established by Charles Rowley in 1890. In 1891 there were two hotels in Washburn: the Wilson Hotel at 214 N. Jefferson and the Woodford Hotel at 137 S. Jefferson. The Woodford Hotel was originally known at the Alexander House. It was built by Tom Alexander, who lived at 507 W. Magnolia Street. It had been managed by Alexander, A.S. Fishburn, Leslie Hayden and finally Mr. and Mrs. Squire Tribbey.
By 1890 there were four trains each day on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Some of the businesses in Washburn were as follows:
Moschel and Tweddale groceries, wall paper, jewwlry, silverware and fine shoes B.W. Taylor livestock Christian Haase groceries and drygoods P.A. Sommers contractor and builder Jonathan G. Haines staples and fancy groceries George P. Gill attorney-at-law and Notary Public M.S. Fulton drugs, medicines, paints, oils, toilet articles Jacob Fuiks dry goods, millinery, cloghing, boots, shoes, groceries Henry Sangbush manufacturer and dealer in harness, collars and saddles Sharp & Tweddale hardward M. L. Buckingham auctioneer Thos. H. Bratt jeweler Dr. James Tweddale physician and surgeon Thomas Nevins C.&A. agent August Sangbush boot and shoe manufacturer Lesch, Fitschen Co. Contractor and builder, lumber, sash, doors and blinds Misses Bliss dressmaking and millinery
Back To Woodford County Illinois and It's History and Genealogy
Courtesy Barb Darling
This cemetery is located in Section 1, Cazenovia Township, Woodford County in the town of Washburn on Main Street.
The following was taken from a book "Washburn 1851-1976": Baptist Cemetery- 'This cemetery extends south and east from the corner of Main and Church Streets, lying in Section 1 within the corporate limits of Washburn. Records are not available to determine when this cemetery was plotted, but Merriman Parker was buried here in 1815 (Note-this is incorrect, was buried here in 1846). A small burial. Grounds east of what is now 215 North Main seems to have been the nucleus around which the larger cemetery was developed. Other earlier burials 1818-1819 (should be 1848-1849). Records show that in 1893 the Baptist Church which occupied the Northeast corner was sold to the Lutherans, who razed it in 1922 and the land then became a part of this cemetery. Some of the older markers bear the names Owen, Parker, Phillips, Seifert and Sweet. Edwin Jenkins, Co. I, 11th Ill. Infantry, who enlisted Sept. 17, 1861,died at Bird's Point Missouri, on Nov. 2, 1861 and was the first soldier buried in this cemetery. Nathan Owen, a Jackson Veteran discharged after the battle of New Orleans, walked all the way home to Kentucky, and is the War of 1812 veteran buried here.'
Back To Woodford County Illinois and It's History and Genealogy
|
|
Back To Woodford County Illinois and It's History and Genealogy
MARCH 1922 TRADES, BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN OF WASHBURN
(Name, Business, and Date Started Business)
1. Henry Sangbush, Harness Oct. 1863 2. Chas. H. Ireland, Pres., Washburn Bank Jan. 1870 3. A. Sangbush, Boots and Shoes Aug. 1871 4. Col. W. T. Wallace, Auctioneer Aug. 1886 5. Thompson, C. W. Paint and Paper Sept. 1888 6. Fitschen, Angelus F. Bros. Hardware Jan. 1889 7. Fitschen, John A. F. Bros. Hardware Jan. 1889 8. Butler, George M. Garage Mar. 1891 9. Sherman, W. A. Mason Apr. 1891 10. Moschel, George Grain dealer Jan. 1894 11. Heighway, B.F. Painter & decorator Mar. 1898 12. Ehringer, H. Frank Mgr. Ehringer Furniture Jan. 1899 13. Martini, A. C. General Merchant Feb. 1900 14. C. L. Stewart, Undertaker June 1901 15. Dr. F. M. Garrett, Dentist Aug. 1901 16. Oscar E. Shepard Mgr. Washburn Telephone Co., Oct. 1901 17. Brint Robbins Grain dealer Feb. 1902 18. J. A. Isch, Jeweler, Oct. 1902 19. W. E. Taylor, Butcher, Nov. 1902 20. George Isch, News Stand & Cream Dec. 1902 21. G. W. Furrow, Rural Carrier Route 1 May 1903 22. B. L. Owen Real estate & Livestock Feb. 1904 23. Charles Hinck Hinck Bros. bakery April 1904 24. Theordore Hinck Hinck Bros. bakery April 1904 25. R. E. Patterson Ed. Washburn Leader Oct. 1905 26. Allen Neff Brick Mason March 1906 27. F. G. Gill Rural carrier route 3 May 1906 28. Albert Loscher Thresherman Dec. 1906 29. W. G. Lesch H. Lesch & Co. March 1907 30. C. E. Spangler Real estate & Insurance April 1908 31. W. G. West Pres. Peoples Bank June 1908 32. Dr. F. B. Ireland Physician July 1908 33. G. H. Harms The Fitschen Co. March 1910 34. Guy C. Little, Rural carrier route 2 July 1910 35. James Colborn Motion picture operator Feb. 1912 36. R. E. Blackmon Lunch & Ice cream Aug. 1912 37. G. W. Reynolds Clothing Sept. 1912 38. H. D. Safford livestock March 1913 39. F. A. Ehringer postmaster June 1913 40. N. H. Owen Owen Construction Co. Nov. 1913 41. H. W. Packard plumbing and heating March 1914 42. N. L. Peabody insurance Sept. 1914 43. H. M. Strauch dry goods & groceries Sept. 1914 44. Dr. C. L. Boon physician May 1915 45. A. Wendland janitor grade school Aug. 1915 46. William M. Knapp druggist Feb. 1916 47. H. F. Eikelbarner blacksmith May 1916 48. Ed Jacobs barber Oct. 1916 49. George H. Wineteer village clerk Oct. 1916 50. L. E. Alton electrician Dec. 1916 51. F. C. Owen Owen Construction Co. Jan. 1917 52. John Zettlemier section foreman, C.&A. R.R. Feb. 1917 53. I. C. Hewitt soft drinks and lunch March 1917 54. George R. Fulton groceries May 1917 55. O. F. Dyar Ford sales & service Nov. 1917 56. J. E. Strauch Washburn Garage Jan. 1918 57. C. A. Fitschen The Fitschen Co. Feb. 1918 58. George A. Fitschen Fitschen Bros. Hardware Aug. 1918 59. John H. Fitschen Fitschen Bros. Hardware Aug. 1918 60. Thos. Nevin Agent C.& A. R. R. Aug. 1918 61. J. H. Uebler agent Standard Oil Co. Dec. 1918 62. William F. Fitschen insurance Jan. 1919 63. E. C. Potzler The Fitschen Co. March 1919 64. F. C. Quiram groceries and meats Oct. 1919 65. A. Woltzen cashier Washburn bank Jan. 1920 66. Guy Ingold hardware Feb. 1920 67. C. E. Harper electrician Feb. 1920 68. J. V. Hollar mgr. Public Service Co. Aug. 1920 69. H. A. Snyder general trucking Dec. 1920 70. C. E. Bensema principle, grade school Dec. 1920 71. R. Tweddale mayor May 1921 72. J. E. Walker drayman July 1921 73. H. L. Dyar principal, high school Sept. 1921 74. Rev. G. A. Winker pastor, M. E. church Oct. 1921 75. Ed Wasson barber Nov. 1921 76. G. A. Anderson Washburn Baking Co. Nov. 1921 77. D. W. McQuiston pastor, U.P. church Dec. 1921 78. H. M. Sherman Commander American legion Jan. 1922 79. Edward Sommer, pastor, Lutheran Church Feb. 1922
Back To Woodford County Illinois and It's History and Genealogy
(Business, Name and Date Started Business)
1. Washburn Bank, Ireland Family ............ ...... 1870 2. Dr. B. N. Watt, Physician ................ August 1866 3. Butler's Garage, Geo. M. Butler .......... August 1891 4. Fitschen Hardware Co., George & John H. .. ...... 1899 5. Frank Heighway, Furniture Restorer ....... April 1898 6. Dr. F. M. Garrett, Dentist ............... August 1901 7. John R. Tweddale, Attorney ............... October 1901 8. Hinck's Restaurant, Chas. S. Hinck ....... April 1904 9. Washburn Leader, Mrs. R. E. Patterson .... October 1905 10. West. (Wm. G.) & Spangler (C. E. ) Real Estate & Ins. ........................ January 1908 11. G. W. Reynolds, Clothing ................. Sept. 1911 12. Packard Plumbing Co., H. W. Packard ...... March 1914 13. H. M. Strauch, Grocery ................... Sept. 1914 14. Dr. C. L. Boon, Physicain & Surgeon ...... May 1915 15. Hughes Pritchard, Painter ................ January 1916 16. Jacobs Barber Shop, Ed Jacobs ............ October 1916 17. Owen Construction Co. (F.C. & N.H. Owen).. January 1917 18. Knapp's Drug Store, Wm. M. Knapp ......... Feb... 1917 19. Fulton's Grocery (Geo. R. & Russell) ..... May 1917 20. Ora F. Dyar - Dodge & Plymouth Salesman .. Sept.. 1917 21. Fitschen Lumber Co. (Carl & others) ...... ...... .... 22. Ed Potzle, Contracting & Building ........ March 1919 23. Ingold Hardware, Mrs. Guy Ingold, Sr. & Guy Jr. .............................. Feb... 1920 24. Hary A. Snyder, Trucking ................. Dec... 1920 25. Harper's Variety Store, Roy Harper ....... May 1921 26. Parkside Hatchery, Livestock Products Co,, Heike Tjaden ......................... April 1924 27. C. B.'s Beauty Shop ...................... May 1924 28. Beschorner Electric Co., Ray H. Beschorner May 1925 29. Holt's Attrition Mill, Herbert L. Holt ... Sept.. 1925 30. Richett Memorial Home, Earl & Olive Rickett Dec... 1926 31. Fred Zook, Real Estate ................... ...... 1926 32. Standard Service Station, Parkin & Cordes ...... .... 33. Pacey Memorial Home, Roger L. Pacey ...... April 1927 34. Wm. Ingold, Painter & Paper Hanger ....... ...... 1927 35. Ray Flick, Phillips 66 products .......... ...... 1930 36. Wm. B. Ramsey, Cabinet Maker ............. ...... 1931 37. E. S. McCully, Trucking .................. ...... 1932 38. Texaco Service Station, George & John H. Fitschen ............................. ...... 1932 39. Eddie's Tavern, Eddie Fitschen ........... ...... 1933 40. Georg's Beauty Shop, Georgia Kenyon ...... ...... 1933 41. Janssen Grocery, Lawrence Janssen ........ ...... 1934 42. Washburn Dairy, Earl Unzicker ............ ...... 1934 43. Barnes Bros. Construction Co., John & Jerry ...... 1934 44. Nelson Iunker, Trucking .................. ...... 1934 45. Robert Braun, Painter & Paperhanger ...... ...... 1935 46. Charles Danhof, Trucking ................. Feb... 1935 47. George Sperry, Photo Service ............. ...... .... 48. Wm. T. White & Frank Peabody, Coal, Ice, Farm Implements ...................... ...... 1936 49. Wm. Barth, Hudson Agent .................. ...... 1936 50. Ora Jenkins, Trucking .................... ...... 1937 51. Ray Zeiger, Garage ....................... Nov... 1937 52. Jesse Buckingham, Real Estate & Insurance ...... 1937 53. Washburn Postmaster, W. W. Lesch ......... ...... 1937 54. Ehringer's Bowling Alleys, John Ehringer . October 1937 55. Ed. Imhoff, Trucking ..................... ...... 1937 56. G. & S. Pastry Shop, Madeline, Martha Garber, Ruth Schrock ................. ...... 1940 57. Dr. L. A. Wilcox, Veterinarian ........... ...... 1939 58. Washburn Oil Co., Clifford W. Cordes ..... Feb... 1941 59. Kalb's Drive-In, Rachel and Charles Kalb . ...... 1940 60. Standard Oil Agent, Roger P. Kelly ....... Feb... 1940 61. Woodford Co. Service Station, Chas. Tweddale........................ ...... 1941 62. Woodford Co. Service, distributor, Jay Laible............................ April 1941 63. Supreme Dairy Co. ....................... ...... 1941 64. Ford Motor Sales, Chris Frahenbuhl ...... ...... 1941 65. Crabtree Service Station, Bill Crabtree . January 1941 66. Wolford Cream Station, Ray Wolford 67. Kroger Grocery 68. Super Service Station. 69. Beshorner Garage 70. Dr. A. Y. Yazarian, Physician 71. Ford's Barber Shop, Wm. Ford 72. Stephen's Barber Shop, Howard Stephens, Roy Stephens 73. Dr. S. M. Shannon, Veterinarian 74. Alton's Woodcraft, Frank Alton 75. Renken Blacksmith Shop, Bill Renkin 76. Vi's Beauty Shop, Mrs. Russell Fulton 77. Woltzen and Ireland, Insurance 78. Anderson Saw Mill, James Anderson
