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Full text of "Centennial history of Nokomis, Illinois, 1856-1956"

NOKOMIS CENTENNIAL 



1856 - 1956 




CENTENNIAL HISTORY 



OF 



NOKOMIS, ILLINOIS 



1856 - 1956 




%OKOMIS 
daughter of the Moon 



FOREWORD 



Men in America were moving with the sun. In the 
1850's, western lands could still be had for $8 to $12 an 
acre. Tillage began and the other arts followed. Nokomis 
came to be. 

This Centennial History calls up long forgotten 
scenes and the peculiar sadness of remembered sounds. 
It records those illuminated moments which stand out 
fresh and vivid after many years. 

Many a Seth Thomas clock still watches the pano- 
rama of the years, remembering a day when the sky was 
blue, Nokomis was young and people wished to be 
remembered. 

This is not a complete record, but we offer it with a 
feeling of pride and affection for all who have had a part, 
no matter how small, and those who expect to have a 
part, no matter how far in the distant future. 



917, 



OUR TOWNS CENTENNIAL 

It is a resurrection of the past - 
An open book spread out before our eyes 
With narratives that history amassed 
For decades which today we dramatize. 
The horse and buggy, oil-lamp days provide 
The setting for events, when swishing skirts 
And bearded faces ruled the day with pride - 
A simple life, our story-book asserts. 
But simple life which we naively claim 
For those days had its conflicts; as these met 
With conquest, retrospective glory came 
Which magnifies itself in our minds, yet. 
As we leaf through the pages of this book, 
We overtake ourselves, for we are there - 
A part of us - and we find, as we look, 
Contemporaries on life's thoroughfare. 
These chapters bring us up to date on friends, 
Revealing lights and shades along the way - 
Continued stories with their various ends 
That happened on the edge of yesterday. 
As nineteen-fifty-six begins the sequel 
To this centennial Nokomis story, 
Will tempos which frontiers could never 

equal 
Add smarter, new dimensions to our glory? 

Meda G. Pennepacker Casler, 

Duluth, Minn. 







Centennial Committee Chairmen 

Jack Sale, Glen Loomis, Monroe Berns, Howard Case, Mildred Barnstable, Frank 
Berns, Alana Dasovich, Wilbur Herzog, Chris Hugener, Melba Johnson. 
LaRue Hugener, Walter Fricke, Anita Stanley, Stella Yackle. 



CENTENNIAL COMMITTEES 

Frank J. Berns - President. 
Monroe Berns - Vice-president. 
Alana Dasovich - Secretary. 
Howard Case - Treasurer. 

Beard And Dress 
Jack Sale, Chairman, Lela Schwartzle, 
Alene Layel, Gladys Bottomley, Ella Sale, 
Joe Kocur, George Pehanich, George Fuller- 
ton, Alva Grauer, Steve Milavec, and Ken- 
neth Singler. 

Publicity - Local 
Walter Fricke, Edward Ovca, Co-chair- 
men. 

QUEEN - PROMOTIONAL 
Melba Johnson, Chairman, Alana Daso- 
vich, Rita Miles, Patricia Bixby, Georgette 
Benya, Rose Johnson, Lucille Viola, Marie 
Kettelkamp, Alene Layel, Nelda Bracken- 
hoff, June Obregar, and Pauline Berns. 
Parade 
Violet Moeller, Lee Dawson, Co-chair- 
men, George Priddle, Guy H. Wharton, 
Ralph Scheller, Leslie Sperry, Ed Gould, 
Mary Collebrusco, Joy Keller, Dean Gould, 
and Evelyn Johnson. 

Carnival 
Wilbur Herzog and Clarence Wright. 

Eats 
Theresa Tosetti and Erma Arkebauer. 



Previous Entertainment 

Woman's Club and Sorority. 

Pageant 
LaRue Hugener, Chairman, Esther 
Nantkes, Salena Mack, Dorcus Thornhill, 
American Legion Past Commander Club. 
Violet Zueck, Anita Vercellone, Anita Stan- 
ley, Jack Swarbrick. 

Outside Publicity 
C. F. Marley. 

Souvenirs 
Rodell Satterfield, Wayne Bagley, and 
George Sale. 

Street Decorations 
Howard Bell. 

Centennial Book 
Mildred Barnstable, Stella Yackle, Co- 
chairmen, Mary Archibald, Ed Vandever, 
LaRue Hugener, Esther Nantkes, Walter 
Fricke, Arnold Woltmann, Emory Weakley, 
Elmer Eddington, Charlotte Eekhoff, and 
Mildred Fearn. 

Parking 
Glen Loomis. 

Electric 
Chris Hugener. 

Grounds 
James Guyot. 

Tents 
Fred Kettelkamp and Howard Case. 




HISTORY OF NOKOMIS 



Where a man found himself, he farmed according to soil, 
climate and market. 

Where the sturdy pioneer family found itself, it carved a 
home. 

These good neighbors, whether farmers, merchants, 
millers, doctors, poets, photographers, ministers, peddlers, to- 
gether with their wives, daughters and sweethearts lived here 
and loved this community they worked together to build a 
town worthy to last a hundred years. 

Today we are challenged with the thought "looking back- 
ward is futile unless it illuminates the future." 



EARLY HISTORY OF NOKOMIS 

Up to the beginning of the nineteenth 
century little progress was made in extend- 
ing the frontier beyond a small strip on the 
eastern seaboard. There were a few ven- 
turesome souls who pushed west and brought 
back glowing accounts of the possibilities of 
the regions lying in the valley of the Missis- 
sippi and Missouri Rivers. In 1763 a settle- 
ment was made by the French at Cahokia 
and another at Kaskaskia; these two were the 
beginning of what was to become Illinois, 
which gots its name from the Algonquin 
Indian word Illini which means "perfect and 
accomplished man." Illinois as a common- 
wealth remained part of Virginia until 1787 
when it was conceded to the Northwest Ter- 
ritory and continued so until 1800. By this 
time there were enough settlers to make a 
separate territorial government possible, so 
Illinois was admitted to the Union in 1818. 
After the admission, a county was made 
called Bond which included what is now 
Montgomery County. Montgomery looked 
to the Legislature to afford them some relief 
from the cumbersome machinery engendered 
by the large area forming Bond County. In 
1821 the Legislature approved an act creating 
Montgomery County. 

From the first obtainable information it 
is conceded that the Kickapoos were the 
most numerous tribe in this county. The 
first white settlement was made in this 
county in 1816, the settlers coming from 
Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, the Carolinas, 
and Ohio. The soil was remarkably fertile. 

About 1834 the town of Audubon was 
laid out, lots sold, and stores opened. The 
colonists went so far as to build a court- 
house but the people refused to aid their ef- 
forts and the investors saw they were losing 
money so dissolution was inevitable. Other 
towns in more favorable surroundings suc- 
ceeded and, as the Spirit of Progress is never 
actually crushed, the spirit of these towns 
continued to live and as Hamilton and Wood- 
side became Hillsboro, so Audubon became 
Nokomis. 

There is no better township in the county 
in productivity than Nokomis. Here are the 
best stockraising and marketing in the 
county. In its natural state, Nokomis Town- 



ship was one-sixth m timber of oak, elm, and 
several varieties of maple and hickory. 

Bluford Shaw was the first settler in 
Nokomis Township, who lived here with his 
family prior to 1840. In 1843 Hugh High- 
tower settled in section 33 and built the first 
house within the boundaries of the township. 
Following Mr. Hightower were R. N. Lee, 
John Wetmore, William Bonton, Absolom 
Van Hoosier, William Lee and Andrew- 
Coiner. John Whitmore, living just north of 
the present city limits, was the first Justice 
of the Peace and the first Constable was 
J. W. Hancock. 

The first sermon was preached in No- 
komis township by Rev. J. L. Crane, a 
Methodist Episcopal minister. The Baptist 
congregation was organized in 1856, with 
Rev. Hueston as pastor. History tells that 
the Lutherans were active in this community 
as early as 1852 in Audubon Township; the 
Daniel Easterday family, from Jefferson 
County, Ohio, was the first to come, and Rev. 
D. D. Swaney was the first minister. Within 
a few years the Lutherans moved to the new 
town of Nokomis, where St. Mark's Lutheran 
Church was established. 

Other denominations established them- 
selves in Nokomis in the years to come, and 
more detailed information will be found 
elsewhere. 

The first school is said to have been 
taught by Henry Lower, at his residence in 
1848. It was a private school supported by 
subscriptions. The first school house was 
built in 1853 near the former Jacob Haller 
farm south of the city. It is said that some 
of the original lumber is at present in the 
Oak Grove school still standing near the 
farm. 

The first road through Nokomis was 
known as the Nokomis-Hillsboro road and 
was laid out in a northeasterly direction. 
Today it is our main street and an important 
State Highway which was paved in 1923. 

The first railroad was the Alton and 
Terre Haute and the first train rolled over 
its tracks in 1855. Since that time the rail- 
road property has changed hands several 
times and is now the property of the New 
York Central. The tracks of the New York 
Central are also used by the Chicago and 




Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Schaper 
First President of Board of Trustees 

Eastern Illinois railroad passing through 
Nokomis and directly into St. Louis. 

A station was established in Nokomis in 
1856, which was the beginning of Nokomis 
as a place of importance, and now one of the 
most beautiful small cities of South Central 
Illinois. It was platted and surveyed by P. C. 
Huggins of Bunker Hill, and Captain Samuel 
Ryder of Alton, in the fall of 1856. 

The first mercantile establishment was 
opened by Oliver Boutwell the year the rail- 
road was completed. In 1857 the first black- 
smith shop was put in operation by A. Swords 
of Audubon, who also operated a wayside 
inn to accomodate the traveling public. A 
Mr. Hart built the first hotel in 1859, the 
Eureka, located on Front Street. Mr. Hart 
was also a lumber merchant. 

Dr. Welch moved from Audubon in 1857 
to Nokomis and put out his physician's sign 
to practice medicine. 

The first marriage recorded in this town- 
ship was that of J. W. Hancock and Miss 
Margaret Meritt, in 1853; the second one was 
of Mr. Borar and Miss Margaret Hightower, 
also in 1853. 

The first undertaker was George Culp. 
* * * * 
NOKOMIS INCORPORATED 

The Village of Nokomis was incorporated 
and received her charter March 9, 1867. 

The first board of trustees were C. H. 
Schaper, president; A. H. Draper, clerk; N. M. 
Belnap, treasurer; E. K. Brighton, constable 
and street commissioner; B. W. Henderson, 
assessor. 



Presidents oi the board of trustees or 
mayors down through the years follow: 
C. 11. Schaper, G. H. Upstone.*Thomas Trif- 
fet, H. M. Randle, John Hukill, John Noli 
mann, J. H. Weinstein, Nick Singer, Dr. W. C. 
Hovey, A. O. Kettelkamp. V. C. Singler, 
F. Kroeger, A. J. Eekhoff, S. B. Brow i 
Jenkins. Frank Yackle, A. E. Vandeve 
Virgil Adams, Kenneth Kellerman, and th< 
present mayor, Homer Stanley. Currenl 
commissioners are Gerald G. Cain. Alvin 
Hagemeier, Primo Tosetti and Clarence 
Hard. 

The appointed officers include T. H. 
Harrison, city clerk; Lee Dawson, city treas- 
urer; Andrew Cibulka. supt. of water; Robert 
Bowes, chief of police and John Price, supt. 
of streets. 

March 27, 1869, the charter was amend- 
ed by a special act of the legislature. At this 
time the city had a population of 700 people, 
three churches, ten stores and such indus- 
tries usually found in places of comparable 
size. 

In 1927 Nokomis adopted a commission 
form of government which is in force today. 

* * * • 
THE NAMING OF NOKOMIS 

As to the naming of Nokomis several 
different legends are available. One is of 
Mrs. Anasa Barry of Alton, who so loved the 
poem, "Hiawatha", by Longfellow, that she 
so named the town. 

Another is the story of a certain tribe 
of Indians who came to the settlement and 
camped in what is known now as Schaefer's 
Grove. The name of the chief was Nokomis 
and so the town was named. 

Another, humorous and probably un- 
founded, is one of a traveler staying over 
night in the unnamed village; upon arriving 
he asked for a comb. When he was told 
there was no comb, he named the village 
No-kom-us. However, the first legend men- 
tioned is most generally accepted. 

* * * * 
EARLY ORDINANCES 

Whoever shall, within the limits of 
Nokomis or within one mile of the corporate 
limits, sell, barter, exchange or give away 
any cigarette or package of cigarettes, will be 
fined not less than $5.00 or more than $10.00 




Nokomis Electric Plant 

for each offense. 

No railroad company, conductor, engi- 
neer, or other employee of such company, 
managing or controlling any locomotive, car, 
or train shall run or permit to be run, within 
the limits of said city, at a greater speed of 
more than 10 miles per hour, under penalty 
of not less than $10.00 or more than $100.00 
for each offense. 

That it shall be unlawful for any person 
or persons to play at any game of baseball 
on any grounds within the corporate limits 
of the Town of Nokomis on Sunday. Any 
person violating this ordinance shall be fined 
in any sum not less than three dollars nor 
more than ten dollars and cost of suit. 

• * * * 
1870 CENSUS 

The U. S. Government census of 1870 
showed there were 223 voters in the town- 
ship, 144 dwellings, 185 farms, 534 horses, 
130 mules, 240 sheep, 239 swine, 3784 bushels 
of wheat, 3786 bushels of corn, 803 cattle. 
There were 16,667 acres of improved land in 
Nokomis township at the time of the census. 

In 1950 the census showed there were 




First Nokomis Water Tower 

2544 voters, 152 farms, 509 swine, 1504 cattle, 
21,688.91 acres of improved land. 

* * * * 

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL 

DIRECTORY 

In the June 21, 1889 issue of the Free 




Press a complete Business and Professional 
directory of Nokomis was published: 

The Free Press, Nims & Ridler, G. S. 
Upstone, J. Carstens & Son, Dr. T. J. Whit- 
ten, Hartsock & McGrew, Arthur Jordan, 
Blue & Plummer, Paddock, Greenman & Co., 
Nokomis National Bank, S. Denman & Co.. 
Dr. B. F. Green, F. C. Bender, J. F. Murray 
& Son, W. P. Blue, J. Brenner, W. F. Neislar, 
A. M. Edwards, J. Smith, Wesley Birt. W. B. 
Evans, George Sippell, John Jones, Kerr 
Brothers, G. R. Spannagel & Son, E. W. 
Tooley & Co., Nick Singer, Atty. D. H. Zepp, 
G. Fleck, A. F. Weaver, Griffin Brothers, 
George Culp, J. K. Smith & Son, Edmund 



Early Nokomis 
Telephone Exchange 



Hazel Hilt 

Josephine Schaefer 

Julia Epley 

Leona Kinney 

Marcella Buel 



Nokomis 
Railway Station 



Collier, Manning & Hillis, Sid Hilton, R. 
Robinson, F. M. Sawyer, Pufeles & Diamond, 
Mrs. H. N. Randie, H. W. Belnap, F. J. Pann- 
witt, M. E. Tuohy, H. M. Todd, Fred Law, 
J. F. Utley, J. P. Brandt, J. W. Russell, 
George DeTroy, William Sides, B. R. Steel, 
J. Woltmann Co., Atty. T. M. Jett, Farley & 
Monaghan, Dr. J. M. Sprinkle, C. H. McCau- 
ley, Dr. P. L. Freeland and J. M. Davis. 

* * * * 
ELECTRIC POWER 

On September 29. 1894, George Bliss 
and R. E. Cornelius were granted a permit 
to use the streets, alleys, and avenues of the 
City of Nokomis to construct an electric light 




plant, including poles and wires, maintaining 
and operating the same for light, power and 
water supply. 

A building was erected at the present 
site of the Green Gables Cafe on West State 
St. by a company organized and incorporated 
under the name of The Nokomis Electric 
Light and Power Co.; the officers at that 
time were George Bliss, president; A. J. 
Williford, vice-president; J. H. Paddock, 
secretary; and George Schaper, treasurer. 
Later J. H. Crickenberger became the presi- 
dent, W. H. Casselberry, vice-president and 
S. B. Brown, treasurer. 

It was in 1912 that the home-owned plant 
was sold to the present owners, the Central 
Illinois Public Service Co. 

* * * * 
WATERWORKS 

The present up-to-date water system of 
Nokomis is an outgrowth of a special ordi- 
nance passed on August 6, 1894, authorizing 
the city council to make all necessary con- 
tacts for the purpose of prospecting for water 
and ascertaining whether or not there would 
be sufficient water to warrant the city 
council to put in a system of water works. 
There was found to be an adequate supply in 
the form of a great lake under the city. Bonds 
were authorized to be issued to erect, con- 
struct, and maintain a system of water works 
to supply fire protection and for the use of 
the inhabitants. 

Since the humble beginning of the city 
water system in 1894, the city has kept 
abreast of the times by making many im- 
provements for this famous underground 
supply of water. There is now a city-owned 
water plant system with 300,000 gallons 
available in daily production; a modern 
intake and filtration plant, state inspected 
and approved; a water pressure of 60 pounds 
per square inch; a municipally owned sewer- 
age treatment and disposal plant, adequate 
to meet all requirements. 

* * * * 
RAILROADS 

The railroad at this place now known 
as the New York Central was first known as 
the Alton and Terre Haute Railroad. The 
first train to run through Nokomis from 
Alton to Terre Haute was on Januarv 8, 1855. 



A station was at once established at this 
place, which was the foundation and begin- 
ning of Nokomis as a village. 

It was in 1903 that the Big Four Rail- 
road, now the New York Central, made an 
arrangement whereby they shortened their 
line to St. Louis, diverging from the old line 
at Hillsboro taking a direct course to St. 
Louis, and leasing the use of the tracks to 
the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, from 
Pana to St. Louis. 

In a talk L o the Nokomis Merchants' 
Association during 1946, the late George 
Schaper related his coming to Nokomis on 
the train pulled by a wood burning locomo- 
tive. Nokomis at that time had no depot but 
an office was provided in the eld Nokomis 
Hotel building where tickets cculd be pur- 
chased. Long cords of wood were piled 
where the trains tock water and horse power 
was used to pump water from the well to the 
tank. Mr. Schaper came to Nokomis in 1865. 

* * * * 
THE TELEPHONE 

It was on December 10, 1895 that Will- 
iam A. Howett, Jacob J. Frey and Charles A. 
Ramsey of Hillsboro were authorized to 
erect and maintain a telephone line into and 
through the City of Nokomis. 

The Peoples Mutual Telephone Co. was 
organized in 1902 and operated until 1930 
when the two companies consolidated under 
the present name of the Illinois Consolidated 
Telephone Co. 

* * * * 
POSTMASTERS 

Nokomis was first recognized as a settle- 
ment of importance when the United States 
Government established a station here for 
the receiving, distributing, and transmitting 
mail. The man placed in charge of the sta- 
tion was called the postmaster. The first 
postmaster was Oliver Boutwell, who served 
for two years. He was superseded by H. F. 
Rood in 1858 who held the post for three 
years. In 1861 W. F. Mulkey was put in 
charge of the office for one year, when Mr. 
Rood was reappointed and served until 1864. 
Thomas Judson superseded him and served 
until 1865 when another turn in the govern- 
ment machinery put in D. P. Brophy. Mr. 
Brophy held the office until 1888 when M. E. 



—10- 




Nokomis Post Office 

Touhy was appointed for a four-year term, 
then Robert Gelly began a four-year term. 
At its close John Monaghan got the plum, 
holding it for a four-year term, to be succeed- 
ed by Charles F. Best. Mr. Best had hanging 
on qualities and continued to grace the office 
until 1915 when he was "ousted" to make 
way for A. J. Eekhoff, who served 1913-1921. 
During Mr. Eekhoff's term of office, resi- 
dential delivery was inaugurated. In 1921, 
the political complexion of our nation was 
changed and A. O. Kettelkamp took the 
position of postmaster and served from 1921 
to 1934. During 1934 Mr. Eekhoff again be- 
came the postmaster and served until his 
death in 1940. It was during Mr. Eekhoff's 
second term that the government purchased 
property from Edwin Pannwitt and Mrs. 
Fred Layer, on Pine Street, as a site for the 
new postoffice building. Work on the new 
building was started early in 1940 and com- 
pleted in 1941, at which time the postoffice 
was moved to the present site. 

Shortly after Mr. Eekhoff's death, 
Charles Ed. Schaefer was appointed acting 
postmaster, serving in that capacity until 
August 16, 1941, when Mrs. A. J. Eekhoff 
was made postmaster and served until Sep- 
tember 30, 1949, when she resigned. 

Following Mrs. Eekhoff's resignation 
Darwin Gibson was the acting postmaster 
and served until July 13, 1951, when Guy 
Wharton, the present postmaster, was ap- 
pointed. 

* * * * 
SUPERVISORS 

The affairs of the county of Montgomery 
were in the hands of the county commission- 
ers' court until 1849, when by a legislative 



provision enacted under the authority of the 
new Constitution of 1848, and affecting all 
counties in the state, a county judge with 
two justices of the peace, sitting as a county 
court, was declared to possess all jurisdiction 
and power as conferred on the county com- 
missioners' court. Although the Constitution 
of 1848 had provided that counties might, if 
they so minded, elect to be governed under 
a township form of government, the admin- 
istration of Montgomery County remained 
in the hands of the county court until that 
body was abolished by the Constitution of 
1870. 

The Constitution of 1870 also gave the 
county electorate a choice between two forms 
of government: a board of county commis- 
sioners composed of three members elected 
at large in the county, or a board of super- 
visors elected one from each township. At 
an election held in 1872 the voters chose the 
township form of government and the county 
was divided into townships; Nokomis held its 
first election for supervisor, electing John H. 
Beattv, 1873-1876; then came James M. Kerr, 
1874, 1881, 1882; Robert R. Kerr, 1877-1878; 
L. A. Swaney 1879; E. S. Smalley 1880; John 
Carstens, 1883-1886; Henry A. Best, 1887- 
1888; F. M. Sawyer, 1889, 1907; Garrett Car- 
stens, 1890-1897; John Hukill, 1898-1899; 
George H. Webster, 1900-1901; R. T. Pad- 
dock, 1908-1909; D. H. Best, 1910-1916; A. E. 
Vandever, 1918-1928; Roy Kessinger, 1928- 
1930; William Schaefer, 1930-1937; Walter 
Fricke, 1937-1949; Adam Adams, 1949-1953; 
L. W. Woltmann, the present supervisor, was 
elected in 1953 for a four-year term. 

During the period April 1921-April 1943 
Nokomis was entitled to assistant super- 
visors; Harold A. Arnold was the first to be 
elected, followed by John Bottomley Sr., 
Merle Wright, Loren L. Lohr, Albert Miller, 
Walter C. Fricke, and Lloyd Davis. 

Present members of the township organ- 
ization include L. W. Woltmann, supervisor; 
Mrs. Genevieve S. Holmes, clerk; Jesse 
Eekhoff, highway commissioner; Homer 
Schaefer, assessor; George Fullerton, Milton 
Kettelkamp, Edward Pilgrim and Henry 
Stanley, Justices of the peace. The Con- 
stables are Nick Ruppert, Guido Kottwitz, 
John Bottomley and Frank Farrelly. 



An item of interest regarding the period 
in which the county was under the commis- 
sion form of government: The first indus- 
tries to be established in Montgomery were 
taverns and general stores. These were li- 
censed by the county board, the fees, $3 to $6 
per year for taverns, and from $10 to $12 for 
retail businesses, contributing to the county 
revenue. Ordinarily taverns were public 
service enterprises comparable to our mod- 
ern hotels. Travelers depended upon them 
for food and accommodations for themselves 
and their beasts; the rates chargeable by 
taverns were fixed by the court. An early 
day schedule permitted the tavern keeper to 
demand and receive the following amounts: 
whiskey, per half pint 18%c; breakfast, din- 
ner and supper, each 25c; horse, per night 
50c, per single feed 25c; rum, wine and 
French brandy, half pint 50c; cider, per quart 
25c and lodging for man 12 1 ->c. 

* * * * 
FARMS IN NOKOMIS COMMUNITY 

Today there are some 1,320,160 acre- 
farms in the trading area of Nokomis within 
a radius of 10% miles. The gross income of 
these farms averaged $13,200,000 per year 
for the 10-year period up to January 1, 1955. 

Compare these farms, most likely the 
same ones, with their modern equipment of 
tractors, combines, corn pickers, hay balers, 
etc., with a century ago. Then a man could 
buy 320 acres of land at Congress price of 
$1.25 per acre, a cost for the 320 acres of 
$400.00. He could break up 160 acres of the 
prairie ground for $2.00 per acre, which was 
another $320.00. Fencing four fields with 
eight rails and stakes took another $175.00. 
His cabins, corn cribs, stables, etc. would 
add up to $250.00. The entire price of the 
farm amounted to $1,145.08, the price of one 
of the least expensive pieces of equipment 
today. 

In the breaking up of these farms, the 
small growth had to be grubbed out by the 
roots with an instrument called a mattock. 
It took from 3 to 6 days to grub out one acre. 

Three or four yoke of oxen were used 
to a share plow, turning up about 18 to 24 
inches of turf at a furrow in breadth, and 
from 3 to 4 inches deep; the sod was turned 




Nokomis Pumping Station & Water Softener 

entirely over, so as to lay the sod down and 
fit furrow to furrow smoothly enough to har- 
row and sow wheat. 

It was usual to break up in May, and 
drop corn along the edge of every fourth 
row. This was called sod corn and no culti- 
vation was necessary the first year. It did 
not make more than half a crop the first year 
and was used for fodder. 

The next year the crop was more abun- 
dant averaging 50 bushels to the acre; well 
cultivated wheat 25 to 30 bu., rye 25 to 35 
bu., oats from 40 to 60 bu. to the acre. 

In many instances a single crop of 
wheat would pay for the land, for fencing, 
breaking up, cultivating, harvesting, thresh- 
ing, and taking the grain to market. 

* * * * 
STATE LEGISLATURE 

Nokomis has been honored by having 
three different citizens as members of the 
State Legislature representing the interests 
of the people of the district: John Carstens, 
his son Garrelt Carstens, and C. E. Schaefer, 
a member of the State Legislature at this 
time. 

* * * * 
COUNTY OFFICERS 

Montgomery County has turned to No- 
komis for county officials on different occa- 
sions: Sheriff-H. M. Randle, C. 2. Schaefer, 
Jack Marley; County Clerk-J. M. Shoemaker; 
States Attorney-T. M. Jett, Lester K. Van- 
dever. 

* * * * 
AUDUBON TOWNSHIP 

The history of Audubon township is so 
closely allied with that of Nokomis that a 



short history of Audubon seems to be in 
order. 

Audubon township is composed of rural- 
ities exclusively, and yet they display a 
splendid citizenship, own and enjoy, with 
their families, comfortable homes and mani- 
fest a thrift in their farming at once com- 
mendable and deserving. 

The colony of Audubon was established 
in 1834 and the town of that name was laid 
out on sections 27 and 34 in township 10, 
north, range 1, west. 

Thomas Price located on section 36. 
Other early settlers include George Cotting- 
ham, Bailey Osborn, William Craig and Will- 
iam Cottingham. A year later came William 
Orear, Shipman Estes, William T. Slater, 
Hiram Holmes and many others. 

A courthouse was built for local purposes 
and with hope that the colony could draw 
the county seat, it being the intention to 
present the courthouse to the county. The 
town of Audubon ceased to grow, and to 
complete the ruin, in 1856, the railroad was 
built, and Nokomis and Ohlman began to 
make important spots on the map. 

Ohlman is the only village in the town- 
ship of Audubon. The railroad was built 
through the township in 1856, but the town 
of Ohlman was not laid out till some 30 years 
later. Capt. Michael Ohlman, a retired 
steamboat captain and an energetic business- 
man, becoming the possessor of a large tract 
of land, planned the town for convenience 
and business. The inhabitants of the thriv- 
ing little village of Ohlman have probably 
used good judgment in deferring the matter 
of incorporating, so long as they can manage 
their interests without it. 

Ohlman has its own postoffice and many 
progressive business enterprises. 

* * * * 
WENONAH 

A mine was sunk in 1905 one mile north 
of Nokomis. A town sprang up near the 
mine and was named Wenonah in keeping 
with the Indian tradition. In literature 
Wenonah was the daughter of Nokomis and 
mother of Hiawatha. 

The mine employed over 1000 men at 
one time. 



Soon after the opening of the mine a 
school house was erected and a railroad 
switch was extended from Nokomis to the 
mine. Although the mine was closed in 
May, 1939, the Village of Wenonah is still a 
popular place to live. 

• * * • 
COALTON 

The Nason Coal Company sank a mine a 
mile west from the corporaie limits of 
Nokomis about 1913. Interested people laid 
out a town plot, sold lots, and built houses. 

The town was christened Coalton, the 
houses were occupied and more houses were 
built. As soon as the population would jus- 
tify, Coalton was incorporated in 1916. A 
school was erected and for years it was a 
flourishing place. 

After the mine was closed in 1952 a few 
people drifted away, but the great majority 
preferred to live in Coalton and drive to 
work obtained in nearby cities. 

Coalton, a clean, attractive village?, is a 
good place to live and has given to the coun- 
try at large many worthwhile citizens who 
have made names for themselves and for our 
community in various trades, professions, 
and sports. 

* * * * 

WITT 

This book would not be complete with- 
out the mention of Nokomis' sister city, Witt. 

Witt township was founded quite a 
while ago, but made little progress till about 
the time of the sinking of a mine there by 
George W. Paisley. Later another mine was 
sunk just north of the city, but eventually 
both mines were closed down, and Witt is 
now a prosperous, agricultural community. 




Nokomis Lime Quarry 



-13— 



Prior to 1831 there appear to have been 
no permanent settlers in Witt township, al- 
though a number came and "squatted" on 
land for a period, then moved on, leaving 
nothing behind but the ruins of crude cabins 
to indicate they had passed through this 
territory. The first actual settlers here were 
members of a family by the name of Brown. 

With the building of the Indianapolis 
and St. Louis Railroad in 1869, the village of 
Witt came into existence. The first building 
was a storeroom erected by William Wood. 
The postoffice was opened for business 
shortly thereafter in the storeroom of Keys 
and Bartlett, Mr. Keys being the first post- 
master. 

While Witt existed as a trading center 
for several years, there was no effort made 
to incorporate till August 25, 1898, when 
incorporation papers were taken out as a vill- 
age. In this form the town was managed 
until May 8, 1911, when the town was organ- 
ized as a city. 

* * * * 
NOKOMIS RECORD 1856-1956 
A CENTURY OF PROGRESS 

Agricultural-Industrial Nokomis was 
founded in the finest American traditions. 
Many years before the coming of the rail- 
roads, settlers took up land in the area, secur- 
ing the necessities of life from the old stage- 
coach route a few miles to the south. 

It was the railroad that gave farmers 
their first opportunity for economical ship- 
ment of grain and livestock. Nokomis, 
founded in 1856, sprang up along the rail 
line, New York Central and Chicago and 
Eastern Illinois. 

Thus, the early settlers of Nokomis, who 
asked no more of the land than subsistence 
for their families, now found themselves in a 
commercial enterprise. It was the beginning 
of an ever rising standard of living. Yearly 
the income from their produce put millions 
of dollars into circulation. 

But it so happened that Nokomis also 
was situated over a vast supply of coal. After 
the turn of the century, mines were opened to 
supply the needs of the growing country. 
Within the past few years, however, demand 
for coal has diminished and the Nokomis 
mines have been closed. 



Today, realizing the need for substan- 
tial, expanding industry, local businessmen, 
laborers, and farmers are seeking to balance 
the income between agriculture and manu- 
facturing. 

Recently, plants have been established 
in Nokomis for the processing of milk, the 
manufacturing of snow and water skis and 
toboggans, and the manufacture of industrial 
equipment. With the pattern thus establish- 
ed, Nokomis will proceed to increase its 
manufacturing to balance its gross income 
between farm and factorv. 




Memorial Park 

For relaxation Nokomis has two beauti- 
ful parks with plenty of picnic sites, tables, 
grills, playgrounds, hard and softball dia- 
monds, and equipment of various types. The 
City Park, the older and smaller one, located 
near the business district, is a beautiful shady 
spot where children play, friends meet, and 
travelers rest. The newer and larger one is 
at the northwest edge of town and spreads 
over 44 acres. Here are ball diamonds, play- 
ground equipment for children, modern rest 
rooms, a wading pool, and the Park House 
(the former A. F. Weaver home) which has 
become the center of many civic and social 
meetings. 

In a town of less than 3000 population, a 
stranger is surprised at all the merchandise 
that is available in the local stores. Our 
city is a wealthy city, and we invite you to 
join us and share with us our wealth, climate, 
and the better things of life that make life in 
itself worthwhile. 

* * * * 

"The fact that Nokomis has been desig- 
nated as the point for holding the Republican 
congressional convention, Oct. 1, 1884, causes 
our citizens to walk about with a certain de- 
gree of pride." 



—14— 



THE EARLIER PHYSICIANS 

Out of the past the voice of Nokomis 
speaks to pay tribute to the memory of her 
old-time physicians to whom she owes so 
much: Dr. Taylor, Dr. Strain, Dr. Whitten, 
Dr. Freeland, Dr. Burwell and others. 

With supplies such as they were; will, 
quinine and fever drops; in freezing winter 
and hot dusty summer; in mud, snow, rain, 
or storms; at morning, noon, or night they 
answered the call of the suffering. 

For them there were no automobiles, no 
weather-perfect roads, but only a faithful 
horse and a saddle or buggy. 

Dr. Taylor was a soldier in Lincoln's 
time, and a member later of the Cottingham 
Post. G. A. R. He and Mrs. Taylor were 
staunch Presbyterians, also their daughters, 
May and Addie. His death was the first 
break in the Cottingham Post. 

Dr. Strain, besides being a capable and 
dearly loved doctor, was the first music 
teacher in Nokomis, holding classes in the 
one room school house. He and Mrs. Strain 
were also Presbyterians. Their family con- 
sisted of Maggie, Kate, John, Stan, and Paul. 
He. with his big roan horse and high, old- 
time buggy cheered many a worried family 
and when he drove away, many blessings 
followed him, which often was all the charge 
he made. 

Dr. Whitten is still remembered by some 
of the older folks. It is said of him, "He 
brought half of our population into the 
world." At times when travel otherwise was 
impossible, he has been known to walk out 
to the home of his patient. He and Mrs. 
Whitten were members of the St. Mark's 
Lutheran Church as was his family of four: 
George, Harry, Lester, and Lelia. 

Dr. Freeland came to Nokomis in 1888. 
He was successful in his work to which he 
was very much devoted. He and Mrs. Free- 
land built the house now occupied by the 
Irvin Singler family. They had one daugh- 
ter, Noi, and one son, Lloyd. 

Dr. Burwell also belongs in this group. 
He and Mrs. Burwell were interested in the 
Baptist Church. Their nephew made his 
home with them and attended H. S. here. 
They planned and built the Miss Esther 
Johnson home on Union St. 



More of these early Nokomis M. D.'s 
were Dr. Welch, Dr. Mayhew, Dr. J. S. Fel 
lers, Dr. Dulin, Dr. J. H. Tilden. Dr. M. Ire- 
land, and Dr. J. E. Churchill. 

Another group of doctors came later 
along with the automobile, which helped a 
lot, even though it had to be stored during 
bad wintry weather. They were Wilson, 
Dennis, Hodges, Hovey, Archibald; as time 
moved on, Bullington, Hoyt, Vaughn, Irwin, 
Lockhart, Bastion, and Johnston. 

* * * * 
EARLIER DENTISTS 

Dr. J. M. Sprinkle came to Nokomis in 
1886. He had studied at the N. Y. College of 
Dental Surgery. He was a member of the 
Dental Protective Association of the U. S., 
and was very successful in his profession. 
His death was a tragedy — he was killed by a 
train at one of the Nokomis crossings. 

Dr. B. F. Green will be remembered by 
some of the old timers as a dentist of 
marked ability. With a drill driven by his 
foot on a pedal, and with gold fillings 
pounded into place by a little mallet, he sent 
satisfied patients home. He passed away 
after leaving Nokomis. 

Drs. Opal Lowder and H. B. Singler 
came later with the newer equipments. Dr. 
Lowder later became a physician and Dr. 
Singler a specialist in one field of dentistry, 
with offices in Springfield, 111. 

* * * * 

"Dr. Whitten has put up a new telephone 
line from his office to his residence. The 
instrument is one of the latest improved 
kind." 1887. 



"Dr. J. E. Churchill, who formerly prac- 
ticed medicine here, passed away in April, 
1887." 



"Dr. Whitten attended the International 
Medical Congress in Washington, D. C, for 
three weeks. The congress was opened by 
President Cleveland." 



"Parties wanting a good set of teeth can 
get them at the dental office of B. F. Green 
for $10.00." 1880. 



15- 




NOKOMIS CITY HALL 

1908 



—16— 




ORGANIZATIONAL NOKOMIS 
CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-CLUBS 

When people gather to build a community certain spiritual, educa- 
tional and fraternal needs are immediately apparent. 

Nokomis Churches, Schools and Clubs have played important rolls 
in developing these needs. Living, working, and sharing in the re- 
sponsibility for the success of these organization have added great 
strength, and strength of character to the community. 

The most important job any person has to do is to run his own life. 

Everyone has the responsibility of developing his talents to con- 
tribute to the work of the world, the nation, the community. Much ot 
this development comes in the Church and School. But the Clubs 
and Organizations are perfect agents for the expression of local service 
and public improvement. 



NOKGMIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

The first school in Nokomis of which 
there is any record is said to have been 
taught by Henry Lower in his own private 
residence in 1848. The first school house was 
built in 1853 on Section 27 near the late Oak 
Grove School. No record is left of the teacher 
or pupils in this school. In 1863 a one-room 
frame building on the N. W. corner of S. 
Cedar and South Streets, known for many 
years as the Hulbert property, now owned 
by H. Hedlund, was the village school house. 




EnOBB! 

All classes studied and recited in this one 
room to one teacher (a man) for a time; 
later a small room was partitioned off in one 
corner and was occupied by the juniors un- 
der the instruction of a lady teacher. Perhaps 
the first teacher in this school was Vale 
Lincoln; two other early teachers were Dan 
Tooley and "Squire" Walls. The mastery of 
McGuffy's fourth reader and Ray's third 
part arithmetic then represented the height 
of local education. As the population increas- 
ed, more room was needed for the pupils, so 
the hall over what was then Mulkey's store 
(the P. N. Hirsch store today) was rented in 
1869 and used for some of the classes. 

This first school house was used not 
only for school but also for church and a 
place of public gathering. Campbellites, 
Presbyterians and Methodists held services 
here on their respective Sundays, and Dr. H. 
S. Strain instructed what was probably the 
first class in music organized in Nokomis 
This building was later moved to a place 
near Witt and became a stable on a farm 
owned by Mr. D. H. Zepp, who was the first 
principal who taught in the next school 
building erected in the summer of 1871. To 
this first superintendent went the work of 
examining and classifying the pupils and 




Second School Burned 1899 

placing the school on an organized basis; be- 
fore 1871 the school had not been graded. 

The new school was a four-room red 
brick structure on the site of the present 
South School. In 1878 two more rooms were 
added on the east which proved ample for all 
school demands for nine years, when again 
it became necessary to add two more rooms - 
this time on the west. This up-to-date school 
was the pride of the community and served 
its purpose. From it 89 young people were 
graduated, many of whom furthered their 
education and became doctors, dentists, sur- 
veyors, teachers, ministers, and business 
men; 43 are still living and proud to be alum- 
ni of the Nokomis High School. The oldest 
known living alumnus is Millie Haller Mc- 
Intyre of the 1887 class. The first class to be 
graduated was in 1882 and the last from this 
building in 1889; there were no graduates in 
1883-'84-'85-'86-1890 and 1892. At midnight 
on April 19, 1899 this red brick building and 
all its contents burned to the ground. 

Immediately plans were started for a 
new building. In May of the same year an 
election for a bond issue to replace the build- 
ing carried. The members of the board of 
education who shouldered this responsibility 
were A. J. Williford, president; A. F. Weaver, 
secretary; J. L. Manning, John Woltmann, 
G. H. Webster, J. H. Crickenburger, and 
Thomas Ridler. The new building, built of 
Bedford stone and buff colored press brick 
with a slate roof, covered a ground space of 
2,000 square feet, was two stories high, had 
ten large class rooms which accommodated 
the grades and high school, a library, an of- 
fice, and five rooms in the basement. School 
started late in the fall of 1899 which caused 



■18 




many pupils to lose one semester's work; oth- 
ers took special work and made up the time. 
At that time each room had two sections - 
A and B - and midyear promotions were 
made. The corps of teachers beginning in 
this new building were R. H. Perrott, super- 
intendent; G. O. Webster, high school; No. 8 - 
Minnie Puteney; No. 7 - Myrtle Safford; No. 
6 - Mercy Ridler; No. 5 - Maggie Manning; 
No. 4 - Emma Scales; No. 3 - Ida Strider; No. 
2 - Ida McKown; No. 1 - Mary Beck. 

The new school was large enough to ac- 
comodate the educational needs of Noko- 
mis for many years, but growth of industry 
in the city and an increase of population soon 
cried for more class room space. In 1913-'14 
some classes were held in upstair rooms in 
the Charlie Kerr building on S. Spruce St.; 
the playground was in the city park. In 1914 



North School 
1914 



Third School 
Completed In 1899 



a new school was built on Hamilton Street 
to be known as the North School. This is a 
modern building of red brick with eight class 
rooms, an office, two large halls, a heating 
unit adjacent to the building, and a base- 
ment at first used for play rooms but now 
used for class rooms and a cafeteria. The 
board of education at the time the North 
School was built were H. C. Miller. Geo. 
Schaper, S. B. Brown, John Todd. A. F. 
Weaver, E. F. Pannwitt, Wm. Brockman. 
The first faculty members in this building 
were Clara Burton - 1, Hazel Pennepacker - 
2, Huldah Kettelkamp - 3, Ida Peck - 4, Mary 
Archibald - 5, Edith McClain - 6, Ruth Nies- 
lar - 7, Stella Yackle - 8. 

The two buildings were quite satisfactory 
as now the grade pupils did not need to cross 
the railroad as there were eight grades on 




-19— 




each side; the high school remained in the 
South School. 

In 1918 all the school rooms were over- 
crowded so it was again necessary to make 
more room. This time a Township High 
School was considered to take care of all high 
school pupils in the Nokomis Township thus 
giving more room for the grade pupils in the 
old school district. A bond issue and site were 
voted upon and carried. Work began at once 
on the present high school but materials and 
laborers were scarce, due to World War I 
which was then in progress; hence the new 
building was not ready for occupancy in 
September, 1918, so high school work was 
continued in the South School building. Un- 
til this time the course offered in high school 
was limited to four required subjects each 
year with no choice by the pupils. After the 
township unit was organized, additional 
subjects were added which called for more 
than three teachers (the number so far em- 
ployed in high school) and more equipment 
but there was no room. A teacher was hired 
to teach sewing but there were no machines, 
and no place to put machines if they had 
them. With an auditorium full of pupils a 
teacher would attempt to teach a class in the 
front of the room. All these inconveniences 
and crowded conditions were endured dur- 
ing 1918-19. In September of 1919 the grades 
took over the entire South School and the 
new high school building was not completed, 



so high school classes were held in the base- 
ment of the Presbyterian and Methodist 
Churches, K. P. Hall ( now American Legion 
Hall), Holmes Opera House, and the Weaver 
Hall (corner S. Cedar St. and W. Main St.). 
No doubt many can recall the fun running 
between classes, the excuses for being tardy, 
no desks - college students had nothing on 
N. T. H. S. pupils from September until Jan- 
uary. In January the new High School build- 
ing was completed and classes convened out 
there after the Christmas vacation. Just 
the building was completed but no, or very 
few, furnishings were in. The pupils sat on 
the floor in the class rooms the first day; 
the second day chairs were brought out from 
the Weaver Hall. Slowly but surely things 
straightened out, new furniture came and all 
went well. In fact the pupils felt they needed 
a guide to get through such a huge building 
with a large auditorium, business depart- 
ment with bank fixtures in place, a science 
department with elevated seats in the lecture 
room, a home economics department, an 




South School— 1942 



-20 



agriculture department, and a real gymnas- 
ium. This building was the pride not only oi 
the local community but of the entire county 
Nokomis was the first town in the county to 
have a high school for a larger area than 
just a school district. Because of our facilities 
the meeting of the Montgomery County 
Teachers' Association and the County Bas- 
ketball Tournament were held in the Noko- 
mis Township High School. 

The members of the board of education 
who were responsible for this new venture 
in education in Nokomis were A. J. Jayne - 
president, W. P. Thacker - secretary, Harvey 
Case, H. E. Weaver, E. L. Davis and James 
Herron. The first N. T. H. S. faculty mem- 
bers were W. P. Thacker - principal, Char- 
lotte Holmes Eekhoff, Irma Ellington, Helen 
Ream, Elizabeth Schenker and Stella Yackle. 

About noon on Sunday, Dec. 18, 1938, 
the fire alarm called many from their homes 
to the South School only to see it completely 
destroyed by flames in little more than an 
hour. So great were the heat and swiftness 
with which the flames spread, that nothing 
was salvaged from the building - no records, 
no school data, a great loss to the school 
officials. The classes were soon resumed in 
the Presbyterian Church basement and a 
vacant house on S. Cedar St.; the St. Louis 
Parochial School gave one grade a room and 
the North School absorbed the other grades. 
Thus classes continued until the fall of 1942 
when the present modern South School was 
ready for occupancy. On November 19, 1942, 
open house was held for all to see and in- 
spect the beautiful two-story building of 
concrete with brick facing containing eight 
class rooms furnished in birch with match- 
ing furniture, an office, a lounge, a library, 
a gymnasium and auditorium combined with 
a balcony and a large stage, and a modern 
kitchen. H. C. Kettelkamp, a Nokomis H. S. 
alumnus, was the contractor for this build- 
ing; much of the work was done by W. P. ^ . 
laborers. The members rf the board of edu- 
cation who weathered the storm of building 
during another war ( World War II ) were 
Fred Layer - president, Fred Michelman - 
secretarv, Joe Viola, Roy Keele. Louis Wolt- 
mann, Emil Abrolat, Roy Pocock. The fac- 
ulty who began work in this new building 



were Janet McGhec - 1, Velma Hardy - 2, 
Vivian Gipson - 3, Florence Bosonetto - 4, 
Mercy Willis - 5, and Frances Baird. May 
Roberts and Geraldine Hovey in depart- 
mental work in grades 6, 7, and 8. 

The high school gradually set up higher 
standards until it was privileged to become 
a member of the North Central Association 
of High Schools and Colleges, which permits 
its graduates to enter colleges and univei 
sities throughout the U. S. without taking 
entrance examinations. 

From time to time more subjects were added 
to the high school curriculum, more teachers 
were listed on the faculty, and more room 
space was provided until once again, "the 
old order changeth for the new," and the 
Nokomis community felt it should move 
along with the changing times. The State 
Department of Education urged a new unit 
system to take in more territory, to consol- 
idate into larger centers of instruction, and 
to provide a more diversified curriculum for 
the pupils. This meant the closing of many 
country schools and the transportation of 
pupils to central schools. Naturally, this was 
a difficult decision for the citizens to make 
as the country school was the center for all 
the important gatherings - social, business, 
and educational - in each district. Gradually 
the new system spread over the state, and on 
the third trial, on May 9, 1953, the voters of 
the Nokomis and surrounding communities 
decided to consolidate in the Nokomis Com- 
munity Unit District No. 22 which includes 
parts or all of the following townships: No- 
komis, Fillmore, Witt, Audubon, Rountree, 
Ricks, and Greenwood. The one high school 
in this unit is the Nokomis H. S., and the 
grade schools are Audubon, Ohlman, Fill- 
more, Coalton, Prairie College, Fair Prairie, 
and the North and South Schools in Noko- 
mis. The new unit has an assessed valuation 
of $19,125,855. an area of 162 square miles, 
a total enrollment of 915, and a faculty of 52 
with 2 full time and 1 part time secretaries. 
The board members who ushered in this new- 
unit were Louis Bertolino - president, Fred 
Fesser - secretary, Carl Heldebrandt. Harold 
C. Herzog, George Priddle, Earl Bauman, 
and Charles Cachera. With this new unit 
came many innovations: the hot lunch pro- 



—21— 



gram, the transportation of pupils, a kinder- 
garten, more courses, more teachers, more 
pupils. Today 13 buses carry the pupils to 
and from their schools; the three Nokomis 
schools and the Fillmore school have ten 
ladies who prepare well balanced, hot lunch- 
es in four modern kitchens for all pupils and 
teachers in the unit; a speech correctionist 
helps the pupils who have speech difficulties: 
there is a modern work shop for industrial 
arts, a kindergarten, all of which have come 
in with the unit. However, the kindergarten, 
industrial arts shop, agriculture shop, and 
the unit office are all housed in other places 
than in the schools, which is not the best ar- 
rangement and which means more room is 
needed, hence the present rumor of a new 
building. 

Nokomis can be justly proud of her pres- 
ent school system, the many boards of educa- 
tion, faculty members, and other school 
personnel who have piloted it from a humble 
beginning to a widely recognized educational 
institution of today. Her 2177 graduates have 
gone to all parts of the world and into many, 
many fields of service. The members of the 
present board of education, 1955-56, are John 
A. Williams - president, Merle Wright - sec- 
retary, August Kottwitz, Merril Mansfield, 
Victor Micklautz, John White, John Tester 
and Max Moody, treasurer. 

The present Unit faculty members are 
Robert Ullom - superintendent, Sarah Rhine 
- kindergarten, James Frazier - physical edu- 
cation, Verna Croghan and Gwendolyn 
Hieronymus - voice, Edwin Gould - band, 
John Deagan - speech correctionist; high 
school - Edward Bertolino - principal, Flor- 
ence Boone, Mary Ann Brady, James 
Brandon, Robert Calvin, Raymond Carrell, 
Patricia Deagan, Ruth Greenlee, Lady Mar- 
tin Hicks, Louise Hogue, Bobbie Lee Marrs, 
Nancy June May, Esther Nantkes, Frances 
Pircher, Raymond Robbins, Darline Tosetti, 
Russell Weger; North School - Echard Cress, 
Mae Gray, Cecil Archibald, Maxine Kessing- 
er, Edith Bosonetto, May Holloway, Daphne 
M. Leigh, Audrey H. Probst; South School - 
Edris Mabie, Janet E. Sale, Velma Hardy, 
May Roberts, Florence Bosonetto, Selena 
Mack, Gladys Bottomley, Geraldine Hovey; 
Fillmore - E. H. Baumgartner, Genevieve 



Flowers, Mary B. Young, Carrie Hoffman, 
Donald Morris; Audubon - Mary F. Meier, 
Mary C. Cockelreas; Coalton - Gertrude 
Hinkle, Virginia Strain; Ohlman - Orie Her- 
zog, Teresa Pieper; Prairie College - Imogene 
Heck; Fair Prairie - Marie Tester. 

Those who have been superintendents 
of the Nokomis schools are as follows: D. H. 
Zepp, 1871 - 1872; Dr. E. F. Newberry, 1872 

- 1874; D. H. Zepp, 1874 - 1875; S. W. Culp, 
1875 - 1876; L. B. Whitham, 1876 - 1877; W. 
M. Chrichton, 1877 - 1878; J. M. Dixon, 1878 

- 1879; A. C. Hancock, 1879 - 1881; J. M. Dix- 
on, 1881 -1882; C. P. Schwer, 1882 - 1883; G. 
F. Miner, 1883 - 1885; J. R. Edmunds, 1885 - 
1888; W. B. Davis. 1888 - 1891; M. L. Mclnty- 
re, 1891 - 1898; R. H. Perrott, 1898 - 1900; 
Harry C. Miller, 1900 - 1905; W. P. Thacker, 
1905- 1907; Henry Buellesfield, 1907 - 1914; 
W. P. Thacker, 1914 - 1920; Chas. Conrad, 19- 
20 - 1922; Calvin Rice, 1922 - 1924; John F. 
Grisamore, 1924 - 1929; E. A. Lewey, 1929 - 
1943; Edw. Bertolino, 1943 - 1944; Mildred 
Barnstable, 1944 - 1948; E. A. Yund, 1948 - 
1952; Albert Manwaring, 1952 - 1953; Robert 
Ullom, 1953 - 

Nokomis also has two parochial schools 
each of which has eight grades: St. Louis 
Catholic School and St. Paul's Lutheran 
School west of town. 



Charlie Kerr, May Osborn, Robert Gelly, 
Clyde Tooley, Roy Webster, Hettie Weaver, 
Omar Webster, Mable Easterday, Dunn 
Weaver, Edith Gelly, Dora Law, Martha 
Handschy, Edith Littlefield, Jessie Pufeles, 
Eugene Osborn, John Hill, Lulu Farner, 
Nellie Hiett, Delia Lant, Willie Bentz, Alvah 
Randies, Ida Rosche, John Snell, Norman 
Robinson, Sadie Gelly, Mertie Ridler, Rossie 
Latimer, Charlie Singer, Lucy Kerr, Meda 
Best, Hettie Anderson, Harry Hancock, Addie 
Garrisine, John Shoemaker, Minnie Bess, 
John Strain, Mark VanHorn, Annie Carstens, 
Effie Latimer, Alice Robertson, Walter 
Hovey, Kate Belnap, Maud Manning, Lelia 
Whitten, Laura Anderson — names on school 
Honor Roll Dec, 1887 - neither absent nor 
tardy for 1 month. 



THE SONG OF NOKOMIS SCHOOLS 

Should you ask me whence this story, 

With its legends and traditions, 

With its frequent repetitions, 

I should answer. I would tell you. 

"From the lips of many people. 

From the lips of older people, 

From the ones who long have lived here 

In this town upon the prairie 

In the village of Nokomis." 

Long ago the early settlers 
Built their homes upon the prairie, 
Close beside the railway built them, 
That the black and puffing monster, 
Might provide a way for shipping, 
Might provide a way for travel, 
Might provide a way to carry 
Messages to friends and loved ones 
They had left far to the eastward. 

To the homes beside the railwav 
In this village on the prairie 
Children came; bright, happy children, 
Making life the more worth living, 
Gathered flowers upon the prairie, 
Played upon the streets at sundown. 

Then the fathers in the village 
Straightway-spake one to the other, 
"We must build somewhere a schoolhouse, 
We must find somewhere a teacher. 
Find a teacher, man or woman, 
Who will teach these little children; 
They must have an education." 

So a building was provided 

Just a tiny one-room schoolhouse 
For the children of Nokomis. 
Now this village by the railway 
With the Indian name Nokomis, 
With the years grew longer, wider, 
Grew until the little schoolhouse 
Would no longer hold the children, 
Who came daily to the building, 
Daily hearkened to their teachers. 

Then the patriarchs of the village 
Planned a larger, better building; 
Chose a site upon the high ground, 
Sloping gently to the westward. 
Here the building was erected. 



Out of dark red bricks 'twas builded. 

Long and narrow were the hallways; 

Steep and narrow were the stairways, 

Leading to the upper story. 

In the center of the roof-top 

Hung a bell within a tower. 

And this bell called to the children, 

"Little children of Nokomis, 

Come and get an education." 

Now this building proved a blessing 

Through the many years that followed. 

But. alas! There came an evening, 

When the school was left unguarded, 

When in some mysterious manner, 

In some strange, mysterious manner, 

A great conflagration started 

And the ringing of the fire bell 

Waked the people from their slumbers. 

Ran they quickly to the schoolhouse. 

Hurried they their aid to offer, 

But, alas! Too late to save it. 

Stood in groups around the building. 

Watched the flashing flames spread highf 

Watched until the walls had crumbled. 

Then they turned their faces homeward 

And the building lay in ruins. 

Then the people of Nokomis, 

Then the Board of Education, 

Straightway put their heads together, 

Saying, "We must build another, 

Build another, better schoolhouse 

For the children of Nokomis." 

So the plans were found and chosen. 

So the builders labored daily 

Till a new school was completed. 

Out of yellow bricks 'twas builded; 

Wide and airy were the hallways, 

Broad and sloping were the stairways 

Leading to the second story. 

And the builders, ere 'twas finished 

Placed a tower above the entrance, 

Hung the bell up in the belfry, 

And its mellow tones, like music, 

Called unto the many children 

In the village of Nokomis, 

"Come and get what is your birthright 

Come and get an education." 

Far beneath the Indian village, 
Lying dark throughout the ages, 
Many feet beneath the surface, 



•21] 



Countless tons of coal were hidden, 
But at last it was discovered. 
Mines were sunk down to this treasure 
That it might be mined and hoisted, 
That it might give heat and comfort 
To the people of Nokomis. 
To this village on the prairie 
Strangers came; so many strangers 
Hoping to obtain employment 
In the coal mines near the village. 
And the bell up in the tower 
Called unto these strange men's children, 
"Come and harken to the teachers, 
Come and get an education." 
And they came until the building 
Was quite filled to overflowing. 

Then the Board of Education 
Talked this serious matter over 
Saying, "We must build another, 
Build somewhere another schoolhouse 
For the children of Nokomis." 

So at last it was decided, 

So the site was bought and paid for. 

And a building was erected. 

Far across the tracks 'twas builded 

And the children of the North Side 

Find their way up to this building. 

There to get what is their birthright, 

There to harken to their teachers 

There to get an education, 

There learn lessons full of wisdom 

That they may be better able 

To meet life and all its worries. 

Now the patriarchs of the village 
Felt their work indeed was ended, 
Schools enough had been provided 
For the children of Nokomis. 
But anon were heard suggestions, 
Rumors of another building, 
One to be entirely High School, 
Built and kept up by the township. 
In good time the steps were taken, 
Ways and means were found to build it. 
Such a pleasant site selected 
At the outskirts of the village 
By the highway leading outward 
To the Land of Mudjekeewis, 
To the region of the West Wind. 

There it stands "A thing of beauty," 

And as such "a joy forever." 



Now this happy situation 
Through the months and years continued 
In the village of Nokomis 
Until one December morning. 
Til one peaceful Sabbath morning, 
When the call of "Fire" was sounded. 
When the screaming of the siren 
Called the people from the churches, 
From their homes throughout the village. 
Swiftly sped they to the South Side, 
Saw the flames spread outward, upward 
Through the school that had been builded 
For the children of Nokomis. 
Watched the flames spread upward, upward 
To the tower above the entrance 
Where the bell up in the belfry 
With its mellow tones like music 
Had for years called to the children, 
"Come and get an education." 
Stood and watched until in embers, 
'Til in piles of ash and rubble, 
'Til in ruin lay the South School 
Where the children had so lately 
Come to harken to their teachers 
When the bell called from the tower. 

Again the Board of Education 
Faced a trying situation, 
Saying, "We must build another, 
Build another, better building 
For the children of Nokomis." 
Plans were made and blueprints drafted, 
Workmen came who were efficient. 
Long and well these workmen labored 
Until at last upon the high ground 
Sloping gently to the westward 
The new building stood completed. 
There it stands, "A thing of beauty," 
Very modern in its structure. 
Walls of yellow brick are builded, 
But no tower above the entrance 
Holds the bell whose mellow music 
Used to ring out to the children 
"Come and harken to your teachers, 
Come and get an education." 

Since the Little Hiawatha 

At his door on summer evenings 

Learned the things Nokomis taught him 

From the wondrous book of Nature 

Written in the earth and heavens 

Many plans have been adopted 

In the field of education. 



—24— 



So a change came to Nokomis 

Gone the boundary of its district 
Gone the lonely white school houses 
That sat sunning by the roadside; 
And instead, big yellow busses, 
Carefully guided by their drivers, 
Cany from their homes the children 
To the village of Nokomis, 
There to listen to their teachers 
There to get what is their birthright 
There to get an education. 



Very grateful are the children 
That so much has been done for 



them. 



All of this points backward, backward 

To a time in earlier history, 

To the making of the famous 

"Ordinance of 'eighty-seven," 

Which made plain, that in the "Northwest," 

"Schools should ever be encouraged." 

Happy the Nokomis children 

That so much has been done for them, 

Much to make life more worth living, 

Much to bring success and pleasure 

Through the years, until a time when 

Gitchie Manito, the mighty, 

Calls, May each one be rewarded 

With, "Well done! Come thou and enter 

To the region of the Home wind, 

To the islands of the Blessed, 

To the land of the Hereafter," 

Marv K. Archibald 



"Compulsory school law should be en- 
forced in this place. Too many boys are 
daily found on the streets who should attend 
school." 1887. 



"Parents are warned to take care that 
the ornamental branches do not overshadow 
the fundamental subjects in schools. Pupils 
are not as good readers and spellers as those 
35 and 50 years ago." 1887. 



"Every desk is occupied in the 
Oct., 1878. Need room." 






FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
HISTORY 

While our country was disturbed by the 
terrible calamities of internal strife, a little 
band of Christians met for the purpose of 
organizing a church. Under the leadership 
of Rev. Joseph Gordon, who had been preach- 
ing to them for sometime, they met on June 
21, 1862. Though organized in the days 
of battle, it has struggled along, earnestly 
seeking to make of its members, each, a good 
soldier of the cross. At its first meeting, a 
series of resolutions were prepared and 
accepted, to be presented at the next meeting 
of the Alton Presbytery. They said, "We 
deem it a duty we owe to God and for our 
best interest as individuals, for time and 
eternity, to form ourselves in a church of 
Christ for the purpose of better sustaining 
the interests of religion in our midst and se- 
curing the means of grace for ourselves and 
the community in which we live." This 
church was known as the First Presbyterian 
Church of Nokomis. The building, the one 
now occupied, was erected in 1866. 

Many pastors have since served the 
church faithfully. Rev. Robert Carson bap- 
tised 74 into the church at one time. A Sab- 
bath school was organized soon after the 
church. Never was school work more en- 
couraging than under the leadership of Mrs. 
Christina Collier, Supt. It had a member- 
ship of 160, and 22 were members of the 
church. The young people were later orga- 
nized into a Christian Endeavor Society with 
Mrs. Dora Crumbaugh - pres., Miss Kate 
Strain - sec, Walter Collier - treas., and Miss 
Emma Best - organist. 500 members were 
received into the church, 3 becoming pastors. 

However, many young people left town 
to accept positions in the city, and the church 
has suffered other reverses. Sunday school 
and church are still being held every Sun- 
day, although the attendance is small. Rev. 
S. A. Lay is pastor, who is shared with the 
Witt Church. He is also Director of 9 rural 
churches, known as "The Parish of the Open 
Door". Thus the rural church is not neglec- 
ted. 

Mrs. Dora Crumbaugh 



25 




First Baptist Church 

and 

Educational Unit 



FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 

Baptists living in Nokomis and vicinity 
formed the first Baptist church on May 24, 
1856, when a group of three men and five 
women organized themselves into a "Mis- 
sionary Baptist church", later to be known 
as the "First Baptist Church of Nokomis". 
As more families moved into the community, 
those of like faith allied themselves to the 
group, either by baptism or transfer from 
other churches. 

The First Baptist church is affiliated 
with the American Baptist Convention. 

For fourteen years the members held 
worship services in a schoolhouse or in sister 
churches. Their first house of worship was 
dedicated in 1870. It was erected on a lot at 
the corner of S. Spruce and E. Union Streets, 
opposite the city park. In 1907 the building 
was moved to its present location on South 
Maple Street. Extensive remodeling and en- 
larging have been made since then to accom- 
modate the growing need for Sunday School 
class rooms. Recent improvements consist of 
interior decoration, new lights in the audi- 
torium and new choir and dossal curtains. 

In 1910 a parsonage was built adjoining 
the church, which served as the pastor's 
residence until 1954, when the church ac- 
quired the property at 101 West South 
Street, the home of the present pastor. At 
that time the former parsonage was com- 
pletely remodeled as an educational unit, 
making accommodations for 13 class rooms, 



with some cf these convertible as assembly 
areas. 

Active organizations of the church in- 
clude its Sunday School of 20 classes; the 
Women's Mission Society; Baptist Youth 
Fellowship; Pioneer Girls; Christian Service 
Brigade, and several organized Sunday 
School classes which meet socially once a 
month. An adult choir and a youth choir 
give their services in providing special music 
regularly in the worship services. 

The church has been served by 38 min- 
isters, with varying length of terms as pas- 
tor. A number of these served as supply 
while continuing their preparation for the 
ministry. Six pastors have been ordained 
during their pastorate of the First Baptist 
church of Nokomis. The first ordination was 
that of Rev. James M. Stifler, May 22, 1869. 

The Rev. B. Lawrence Sweeney, present 
pastor, began his ministry in this church in 
1952 when he was graduated and ordained at 
Northern Baptist Seminary. Each year of 
his pastorate has seen the addition of new 
members, the roll at present being nearly 
300 members. 

The church observed its Centennial in 
May of this year by holding special services 
with outstanding leaders of the denomina- 
tion from the State Convention and others 
participating in the program, making the 
occasion an outstanding milestone in the 
history of the church. 

— Mrs. John F. Johnson, Historian 



-26— 




THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH 



The First Methodist Church was orga- 
nized in the year 1850 when James L. Crane 
organized a class of nineteen members at the 
home of Hugh Hightower, two miles south- 
west of Nokomis. Samuel Smith was 
appointed Class Leader, and, for a term, 
meetings were held at his residence. Later 
on they were held at the Oak Grove School 
house, and then at the school house in Noko- 
mis. The Revs. J. C. Pallatte, A. J. Cushman, 
Preston Wood and Robert Honnold of the 
Hillsboro Circuit were among the first to 
hold services here, and the Rev. Honnold 
became the first pastor of the Nokomis Cir- 
cuit. The first church building was erected 
during the pastorate of the Rev. George 
Miller in 1868, and it was dedicated the fol- 
lowing year. During the time the Rev. 
Driver served as pastor in 1888, the Nokomis 
Church became a station. 

The present church building at the 
corner of Cedar and West Union Streets was 
erected in 1903, when the Rev. J. A. Stout 
was pastor, at a cost of something more than 
S7,000, and was dedicated on November 22nd 
of that year by the Presiding Elder, Dr. 
Horace Reed. The contract for construction 
was let to Maxeiner Brothers and Vedder, 
and the cornerstone was laid by Dr. Reed on 
July 7th. The three large art windows were 
donated by the Sunday School, the Epworth 
League, and the Ladies' Aid Society. 



Several improvements and rem« 
programs have followed since the structure 
was built. On October 12, 1947, a Hammond 
electric organ was dedicated, and in the year 
1950 the interior of the church was redeco- 
rated. The walls were covered with sheets 
of plywood, and a new lighting system was 
installed with modern fixtures, the main 
Lights being recessed into the ceiling. New 
railings wore installed around the chancel 
and choir sections; they are light in color to 
blend with the wall finish, and contrast with 
the darker trim around the doors and win- 
dows. In the summer of 1954 an addition of 
Sunday School rooms was built on the base- 
ment level, and the entire basement was 
then refinished, and some remodeling was 
done. A new heating system using gas and 
having thermostatic controls for both the 
sanctuary and basement, was installed. The 
furnace unit occupies the former coal com- 
partment, which releases the remaining 
space in the old furnace room for use in the 
basement Sunday School rooms. The 
kitchen also was modernized by the con- 
struction of new cabinets and the rearrange- 
ment of other furnishings. A new modern 
lighting system was installed throughout 
the basement consisting mainly of flour- 
escent type fixtures. Mr. Fred Bauman was 
the foreman of this project, and the cost of 
the entire program was over $6,300, besides 
much donated labor. 

The membership of the church in 1956 
is nearly 450 in number, and the Sunday 
School enrollment is more than 260. The 
Church and Sunday School not only serve 
the town and village of Nokomis and Coalton 
but a large rural population as well, mainly 
in Audubon, Witt and Nokomis townships. 

Those holding some of the principal 
offices in the church are John Swarbrick, 
Lay Leader; Russell Weger, Church School 
Superintendent; Fred Bauman, Chairman of 
Trustees; S. B. Brown, Treasurer; Mrs. Rose 
Warnsing, President of the W. S. C. S.; 
Emil Schneider, President of the Methodist 
Men's organization; and Rev. LeRoy E. Bula, 
Pastor. 



-27- 




GRACE METHODIST CHURCH 

In 1890 a group of German Methodists 
banded together and held services on Sun- 
day afternoons in the Presbyterian Church, 
conducted by the Rev. C. J. Stueckeman, 
who was at that time pastor of the South 
Fork Methodist Church. 

He was followed by the Rev. W. C. 
Schultze and services were then conducted 
in the First Methodist Church. In 1897 he 
organized a Sunday School. The same year a 
small abandoned church building was pur- 
chased and the church was organized with 
40 active members by the Rev. Theo. Kies. 
who served for one year. 

In 1898 it was combined with the Hur- 
ricane Church and the Rev. Guido Boellner 
was appointed pastor of the Circuit. The Of- 
ficial Board at this time consisted of the fol- 
lowing officers: Fred Pannwitt, Fred Hoepp- 
ner, Garrelt Brakenhoff, William Stolte, 
Ernest Kettelkamp, Wm. Kettelkamp and 
Wm. Herzog. Fred Kettelkamp and Henry 
Dude were local preachers. 

In 1899 the Rev. A. F. Ludwig assumed 
the pastorate and remained for 5 years. Also 
in 1899 the women of the church organized 
the "sewing society" which met one after- 
noon each week in the homes of the mem- 
bers to sew or quilt. It is now known as the 
Woman's Society of Christian Service. 

In 1900 a group of 25 young people or- 
ganized the Epworth League with Julius 
Kettelkamp as president. 

In 1903 improvements and additions 
were made to the church building and a new 



parsonage was erected. In 1920 the church 
again underwent extensive improvements; a 
basement, memorial windows, new pews and 
a furnace were installed. 

In 1920, since services were no longer 
conducted in the German language, the 
name of the church was changed from Ger- 
man Methodist to Grace Methodist Church. 

Since 1931 one pastor has served at both 
Grace and first Methodist Churches. The 
Methodist Men and the Methodist Youth 
Fellowship have a combined membership 
from the two churches. 

In 1952 the following gifts were pre- 
sented, most of them as memorials to former 
members: a Hammond electric organ, music 
cabinet, pulpit and communion table, pulpit 
Bible, cross and candlesticks, 2 memorial 
windows, a large electric clock. A new altar 
was built, new carpet and kneeling pads were 
added, and the entire interior was redeco- 
rated. 

Hours of services: Church School, 9:00 
a.m. and Preaching Service, 9:45 a.m. The 
present membership of the church is 110. 

Besides the pastors already mentioned 
the following ministers have served this 
church: the Reverends Fred Koenig, Otto 
Niederhuth, H. A. Temple, Max Opp, F. D. 
Rademacher, Louis Duevel, C. R. Under- 
wood, W. G. Lloyd, J. D. Muir, C. F. Juvinall, 
George Billings, B. H. Pinkston, E. D. Pal- 
mer, and the present pastor, Rev. LeRoy 
Bula. 

The present officers of the church: 
Trustees - Fred Layer, Albert Hoffman, 
Louis Priess, Theo. H. Johnson, Guido Kott- 
witz, Herbert Scheller, E. E. Rademacher. 
Church Treasurer - Elsa Brockman. Bene- 
volence Treasurer - Esther Kleinik, Church 
School Supt. - Velma Hardy, Pres. Woman's 
Society of Christian Service - Florence Lay- 
er. Communion Steward - Ora Reincke. 
Chairman of Commission on Membership 
and Evangelism - Ben Reincke. Chairman of 
Commission on Education - Imogene Heck. 
Chairman of Commissions on Finance - Fred 
B. Johnson. Chairman of Commission on 
Missions - Esther Kleinik. Choir Director - 
E. E. Rademacher. Organists - Edwin Kettel- 
kamp and Tillie Koctwitz. Church Lay 
Leader - Fred Laver. 



-28- 




ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH 

The history of St. Louis church, Noko- 
mis, dates back to the year 1859 when Father 
Colton of Litchfield began coming to Noko- 
mis occasionally to take care of the few 
Catholics then living here. This was three 
years after the Postoffice had been es- 
tablished here upon completion of the 
railroad. Until 1867 irregular religious ser- 
vices were held in private houses, most fre- 
quently at the home of Thomas Tuohy who 
was foreman of the section and who kept a 
boarding house for the section men which 
stood just north of the railroad and just east 
of Spruce St. 

Beginning with 1867 Fr. Thomas Cusack 
attended Nokomis regularly once a month 
and Mass was celebrated in what was known 
as Blue's Hall at the corner of State and 
Spruce Streets. Fr. Cusack was succeeded 
by Fr. Edward Welch and he by Fr. Julian 
Turmell under whom, on July 4, 1870, the 
congregation was organized with the incor- 
porated title of "St. Louis" Roman Catholic 
Church of Nokomis, Montgomery County, 
Illinois. 

In 1871 a frame church was built for 
$2,300.00. The size was 34 x 54 feet and 20 
feet to the ceiling. There were only 25 
Catholic families here at the time but they 
got generous help from Nokomis merchants 
in their project. Fr. Frederic Lohman of 
Hillsboro was the attending priest from 1873 
to 1876 when he was succeeded by Fr. Peter 
J. Virnich. During his time here a necessary 



addition was made to the church and 3 acres 
of land were bought for use as a cemeterj 

In 1881 Fr. John Storp became pastor 
here and a small frame house was purchased 
and enlarged; in 1884 Fr. Storp took up resi- 
dence, thus becoming the first resident pas- 
tor. Fr. Patrick A. Lyons succeeded Fr. Storp 
in 1893 and was succeeded by Fr. Clement 
Johannes in 1897. During his time here — 
1897 to his death on January 10, 1940— St. 
Louis parish had its greatest growth and 
progress. A new church was a necessity. The 
cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1899, and it 
was ready for use in the spring of 1900. It 
covers a ground space of 55x120 feet. The 
auditorium is 84 feet deep and 40 feet from 
floor to ceiling. The original steeple — 130 
feet high — was torn away by a tornado on 
Aug. 6, 1907, and was replaced by a more 
substantial one. At the same time the pres- 
ent Rectory was built and completed towards 
the end of 1908. 

In 1917 St. Louis Parochial School was 
ready for classes, the School Sisters of Notre 
Dame being the teachers selected. In recog- 
nition of his great work Fr. Johannes was 
honored by Pope Pius XI, with the title of 
Monsignor in 1930. Incidentally, the day on 
which this honor was publicly conferred on 
him — March 25, 1930 — saw one of the worst 
snowstorms in the history of Nokomis. Mon- 
signor Johannes died on Jan. 10, 1940. Had 
he lived a few more months he would have 
reached the age of 80. Fr. Paul Heinen, who 
had been with Monsignor Johannes for about 
a year, was temporary administrator of the 
parish until Fr. John J. Hogan became pastor 
on March 14, 1940. He is still pastor in this 
Centennial year of Nokomis. St. Louis Par- 
ish numbers about 1000 souls. There are 179 
children in St. Louis Parochial School who 
are still taught by the School Sisters of 
Notre Dame from St. Louis, Mo., together 
with a lay teacher, Miss Rosemary Keller of 
Farmersville. Such is a brief history of this 
parish. If it be true that "the way of judging 
the Future is by the Past" then, surely, St. 
Louis Parish, Nokomis, 111., has great things 
ahead of it. 



John J. Hogan, Pastoi 



-29— 




ST. MARKS LUTHERAN CHURCH 

St. Mark's Lutheran church in Nokomis 
is the outgrowth of Lutheran work in Aud- 
ubon Township. This began in 1852 when a 
group of Lutherans came to that community 
from Ohio. A temporary organization was 
effected in 1853 and worship services were 
conducted by the Rev. Amos Bartholomew, 
who divided his time between Audubon and 
Bost Hill. Soon more Lutherans came from 
Ohio and settled near Audubon. In June, 
1855 the Rev. D. D. Swaney was called to 
this field. A congregation was formally or- 
ganized, known as Zion's Evangelical Luth- 
eran Church. A church building was erected 
in 1856. 

Of the thirteen who signed the consti- 
tution, nine bore the name of Easterday and 
two had the name, Culp. In the present mem- 
bership of St. Mark's there are descendants 
of the Easterdays and of the Culps, also of 
the Rev. Swaney. 

After the completion of the railroad 
through this part of the country a number 
of the members at Audubon moved to Noko- 
mis, where other Lutherans had settled. The 
congregation was reorganized and a house 
of worship was erected in 1866, at the corner 
of Oak and Union. This building is still in 
use, facing now on Union instead of Oak as 
it did originally. 

Through the years many improvements 
have been made, there being three periods 
of major accomplishment. A basement was 
excavated and equipped for Sunday School 
use about 1920. In this connection it is of 
interest to note that a part of the money for 



this project was raised by the Brotherhood 
through sponsoring a lecture by the famous 
author, Lloyd C. Douglas, a son-in-law of 
Dr. F. M. Porch, pastor at the time. 

In 1949 the front entrance was changed, 
definitely altering the appearance of the 
building. 

In 1954-55 extensive interior improve- 
ments were made. This included a complete 
remodeling of the chancel, a Hagren organ, 
new lighting and interior decorating, and an 
oil furnace. In addition many special me- 
morial gifts were received. The project 
culminated in the celebration of the church's 
centennial during the week of June 5 - 12, 
1955. 

A fourth improvement period is antici- 
pated in the near future, as plans are form- 
ing for the expansion of the educational unit. 

In addition to the ministry of its pastors, 
both in and out of the pulpit, the educational, 
devotional and evangelism programs are 
fostered by the auxiliaries: the Church 
School; Ladies' Aid; Women's Missionary- 
Society; Brotherhood; Happy Homes, an 
organization for young married couples; 
Ladies' Evening Circle; and the Luther 
League, for the young people. An excellent 
choir contributes to the spirit of worship. 

The value of recreational activities is not 
overlooked. Outstanding in this field is the 
Bald Memorial Park, where there is a cabin, 
and where a lake has recently been con- 
structed. 

The temporal affairs of the church are 
administered by a Council, consisting of nine 
laymen and the pastor. 

Through the merger of several synods 
in 1918 the United Lutheran Church in 
America came into existance. St. Mark's 
continues to be affiliated with this body. 

The congregation has been served by 
the following pastors: D. D. Swaney, S. L. 
Harkey, John Regan, J. E. Wesner, D. M. 
Henkel, J. F. Booher, D. L. Roth, W. A. 
Lilly, D. A. Shetler, E. A. Rees, C. R. Sherck, 
H. C. Funk, T. B. Hersch, J. N Lentz, P. J. 
Alberthus, L. F. Gunderman, B. B. Uhl, F. M. 
Porch, G. W. Styer, J. J. Gent, E. J. John- 
son, C. C. Warfel, A. L. Angersbach, and the 
present pastor, J. S. Rhine. 



-30- 



ST. PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH 

1870—1956 

The history of St. Paul's Lutheran 
Church has its roots in the German settlers 
that started to come to Nokomis Prairie in 
1865. They soon felt the need of having 
regular Sunday School and divine services. 
From 1870 to 1872 services were conducted 
by Doctor Swaney, a retired clergyman, the 
Rev. Eisenbach, Mt. Olive, and students of 
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. 

On the first Sunday in December, 1871, 
the first church building was dedicated. In 
1872 a parsonage was erected and a call was 
extended to Candidate John Droegemueller. 
He became the first resident pastor. It was 
not till 1884 that the congregation affiliated 
with the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod 
(then known as the Evangelical Lutheran 
Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States). 

As time went on it became necessary 
that a larger church be erected. This was 
done in 1889. From now on the old church 
building served as a school until the present 
Parish House was built in 1930. St. Paul's 
has had building programs from time to time 
through the years. In 1914 it was found that 
the parsonage erected in 1872 should be re- 
placed by a new building. That same year 
an addition was built on to the church which 
provides room for the altar, organ, and 
vestry. 

From the very beginning St. Paul's con- 
gregation saw the need of instructing the 
children. At first this chore was performed 
by the pastor. The stress was then laid on 
language and religion. Before the building of 
the present church ( 1889 ) the teaching was 
done in a room of the parsonage. From 1889 
to 1929 the first church building was used as 
a school. St. Paul's went into conducting a 
regular day school for its children in 1926. 
For five years the school was taught by 
senior students or graduates from Addison 
Normal School or Teachers' Seminary. In 
1931 one of these was given a permanent 
call. He then taught till 1943. Since the 
beginning of the present school term, Sep- 
tember, 1955, the school has operated as a 

—31 



two-room school. The present teachers: Mr. 
Duane Hingst, grades 4-8; Miss Dorothy 
Haake, grades 1-3. Previous to this 9 teachers 
served in the school. 

The Parish House serves for more than 
just a school. It also serves for Sunday 
School and Junior Bible Class every Sunday. 
Here a staff of 16 officers and teachers teach 
God's Word to 87 children and 20 high school 
students. 

During the evenings on week days there 
are meetings scheduled for five different 
organizations of St. Paul's congregation. 
These are the Walther League, a youth or- 
ganization; Married Couples' Club; Ladies' 
Aid; Men's Club; Parents' Club. Each one of 
these organizations has its own pet projects 
to help St. Paul's Church and School. Besides 
these meetings the Finance Board, Board of 
Education, Church Council, and Adult Mem- 
bership Classes use the Parish House for 
meetings. 

During the period of 86 years of exist- 
ence St. Paul's was served by a total of eight 
pastors. The present pastor is the Rev. Jacob 
Esslinger. Of these pastors and teachers that 
served St. Paul's some have taught or are 
still teaching as professors in the seminaries 
or teachers' colleges operated by the Luth- 
eran Church - Missouri Synod. 

On looking over the history of St. Paul's, 
one cannot help but notice that it had a be- 
ginning of only a few families, but grew so 
that it now has between 165-170 families on 
its mailing list. If a person could enumerate 
all the names of those who served their coun- 
try in the various wars and those who have 
in other ways distinguished themselves, and 
show what those have done and are doing for 
their country here in the community, we 
must say that if St. Paul's had not been there, 
the completion of Nokomis Centennial would 
be of quite a different hue. Nokomis has 
every reason to look with pride on the con- 
tributions that St. Paul's made to the com- 
munity that is now observing its 100th anni- 
versary. St. Paul's will not lie back and rest 
on its laurels, but will continue to do its part 
to make Nokomis a city worth Jiving in and 
remembering. 



f 



I) 







THE SOUTH FORK 
METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY 

In 1857 several German families settled 
in this community. The Rev. E. H. Kriege 
visited these families, preaching the Gospel 
to them, followed by the Rev. Louis Harmel 
from Decatur. The first organized meeting 
of these early settlers and their Christian 
leaders was held at the home of Henry Best, 
and in 1868 the South Fork congregation 
was officially organized. The first Quarterly 
Conference was held in 1868 at the home of 
William Kettelkamp. 

By 1869 the congregation had increased 
to such an extent that private homes were 
no longer adequate for church meetings. At 
a meeting on May 5, 1869, the groups decided 
on the building of a church. Two acres were 
deeded to the congregation by the Krummel 
family and construction on the church edifice 
was begun. In 1871 William Kettelkamp, Sr. 
deeded two acres to the congregation, upon 
which the present Kettelkamp Cemetery was 
established. 

Two of the first to become local preach- 
ers from the South Fork congregation were 
Fred Kettelkamp and August Kettelkamp, 
who received their license to preach in the 
year 1869. The first ordained minister to be 
appointed to the South Fork Church was the 
Rev. E. H. Kriege, in 1870, who served for 
three years. During the pastorate of Rev. F. 
R. Koenig, second in the line of regular ap- 
pointments, a four room parsonage was built. 
Not until 1884 was the other half of the first 
parsonage added. 

Yearly increase in membership necessi- 
tated a larger house of worship and the 
church annex was planned while Rev. C. J. 



Stueckeman was minister. His sudden illness 
delayed the building, and it was not until 
March, 1893, during the ministry of Rev. C. 
W. Schultze, that the contract was let. This 
building was completed in November, 1893. 
The church bell, still in use, was presented 
to the church in this year by Mr. Eugene 
Vandeveer. 

South Fork celebrated its Fiftieth An- 
niversary in 1918 during the ministry of 
Rev. A. H. F. Hertzler. Also during this year 
the present parsonage was built. Until 1925 
the South Fork Methodist Church was a 
member of the St. Louis German Conference. 
At this time, however, the South Fork 
Church merged with the Illinois English 
Conference. Up until this merger, the church 
services were conducted in the German 
language, but after the merger the services 
were all conducted in English. 

Improvements in church property have 
constantly been made. In the earlier years 
the outmoded coal oil lamps were replaced 
by acetylene lights, which in turn gave 
place, in 1918, to a Lalley Electric Lighting 
System. In 1941 the present R. E. A. system 
was installed. Also, in 1940, the present 
modern two-car garage was constructed. 
About this time, too, the present basement 
was dug under the church, which has since 
served for Sunday School classes and other 
group meetings and banquets. 

Among the major church improvements 
of the last decade are the following: complete 
redecoration of the church interior; installa- 
tion of beautiful stained glass windows; an 
electric organ; a church altar and commun- 
ion rail; and the erection of a large neon- 
lighted cross, replacing the old church 
steeple. 

From the time of the first missionary 
preacher to the South Fork congregation in 
1867, twenty six ministers have comprised 
the preaching staff of South Fork. The twen- 
ty-sixth is the present pastor, Rev. Jack K. 
Christian, who is now beginning his fifth 
year of service to the congregation. Through- 
out the years eleven young men from South 
Fork have dedicated themselves to min- 
istry, and five young women have become 
ministers' wives. 

The present membership is 185 persons. 



—32- 




TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 

For sixty-three of Nokomis' one hundred 
years, Trinity Lutheran Church has been 
part of our community. Since October 8, 
1893. the familiar white building has stood 
on Pine and Franklin Streets, and the people 
who worshipped there have been taking an 
active interest in Nokomis. Then, but four 
years ago, in 1952, the old building was re- 
placed by a new, dedicated to the glory of 
God and the welfare of our neighbors. Be- 
tween these two dedications, the newest and 
one of the oldest buildings in town, much 
history has been written. Many lives were 
blessed. Many sacrifices were made. It is 
a history in which not only Trinity's mem- 
bers may rejoice, but one which our whole 
community may pause to note. 

It is a history of growth. In 1893, there 
were but nine men in the congregation. 
These were the men whose courage and con- 
viction were responsible for its organization. 
Their names are familiar ones in the history 
of this community: Henry Buechsenschuetz, 
Leonard Buechsenschuetz, Albert Eckhoff, 
Henry Haake, Henry Hinrichs, Luebbe Jans- 
sen, Carl Kellerman, John Woltmann. Today 
their faith has been rewarded. Trinity Luth- 
eran Church now numbers 420 members in 
163 families. 96 children attend its Sunday 
School. The great majority of its members 



are active in the church and regular in their 
attendance. 

It is a history of achievement. Everj 
period in its history shows some project com- 
pleted. (In 1907 the old church was im- 
proved and enlarged. In 1919 the parsonage 
was enlarged. In 1922 a basement was put 
under the old building. In 1930 a pipe organ 
was purchased and the present Sunday 
School organized. In 1936 a house was pur- 
chased for Sunday School classes. In 1946 
work was begun on the climax of its history, 
the present building.) But its greatest 
achievement is one which is not always noted 
in the records. The blessed message that 
Christ is Lord and Savior has gone out from 
three generations of people. The history of 
Trinity has best been written in the faith and 
hope of these men and women, who have 
given far more than a church to Nokomis, 
they have given Christ. 

It is a history of fellowship. During its 
63 years, Trinity has been served by nine 
resident pastors. They are Pastor Paul Kolb, 
1895-96; Pastor Wm. Kowert, 1902-04; Pastor 
Ph. Estel, 1904-05; Pastor O. H. Henkel, 
1906-11 and 1916-29; Pastor E. H. Gade. 
1911-16; Pastor A. E. Richert, 1930-37; Pastor 
Alvin Mueller, 1938-43; Pastor E. H. Beke- 
meyer, 1944-53; and Pastor R. J. Martens, the 
present pastor. These are men who have 
come, left their mark, and gone again into 
others fields of service. Yet in these years, 
under many leaders, facing many problems 
together, Trinity has enjoyed peace. They 
have truly, in the words of the Apostle, "with 
one mouth and one mind glorified God, 
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." 




-33— 



AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY 

On the evening of March 24, 1922, a 
meeting was called to organize an Auxiliary 
to Waples Bauer Post No. 94. A charter was 
granted with 24 members. Membership in 
the Auxiliary shall be limited to the mothers, 
wives, daughters, and sisters of all men who 
were in military service of the United States. 
Also the women in their own right are eligi- 
ble. The first president was Mrs. Dora 
Crumbaugh. 

Each Auxiliary Unit is organized and 
directed by the State Department of Illinois. 
Above the State Department is the National 
Department. Each year delegates are sent 
to the County and District meetings and the 
State Convention. The Auxiliary has charge 
of the Junior Auxiliary. 

Each year the Auxiliary sends a girl to 
Illinois Girl State. On Memorial Day a bas- 
ket or wreath is placed on the cannon in the 
cemetery in memory of all our dead. Per- 
petual markers are placed on the graves of 
each of our members. 

Donations are given to the Child Wel- 
fare, Treasure Chest, Insulin, Vaponefrin, 
Canteen Books, Chritmas Gifts Shop, Easter 
Gifts, Easter Seals, Veteran Craft, Yank- 
Who-Gave, Auxiliary Loan Fund, National 
Security, T. B. Bonds, Christmas baskets, 
Jacksonville and Alton State Hospitals, Red 
Cross, Polio Fund, Heart Association, Crip- 
pled Children, Nokomis Memorial Park 
House, and books have been given to the li- 
brary in honor of deceased members. 

The Auxiliary serves the Senior Vice 
Commanders' Banquet each year, which is 
usually held in January. 

Poppies are sold on Poppy Day and 
prizes are given to the children for the best 
poppy posters. Flowers and cards are sent to 
Gold Star mothers and baskets of fruit, can- 
dy, and cigarettes are sent to veterans who 
are ill. There is an active Past Presidents 
Club. 

Regular meetings are held on the third 
Monday of each month. At present the 
membership is 139 and the president is Mrs. 
Lucille Schaefer. 



PAST PRESIDENTS PARLEY 

The Past Presidents Parley of the 
American Legion Auxiliary was organized 
Oct. 7, 1937, and has been an active organi- 
zation since that time. 

Meetings are held once a month at the 
homes of the members, with a business meet- 
ing followed by a social hour. 

The Parley was organized solely for the 
purpose of giving financial and moral assist- 
ance to our hospitalized nurses in the hos- 
pital at Norbury's in Jacksonville. 

Our Parley has an active group of 
twenty-eight members. 

* * * * 
Clippings From 1889 Free Press 

Nokomis celebrated 100th anniversary 
of Washington's inauguration as President. 

"Wells Tooley - a heart smasher, crusher, 
fell swooper and destroyer. As he looms up 
in imposing dignity among the knots of femi- 
nine beauty that sparkle and scintilate around 
him and drops his witicisms and repartess as 
they are proper responses to the occasion, 
generous rivalry sways the group and sallies 
de esprit contend for his attention." 

Closing school program: Recitations by 
Sammie Hiett, "The Boy"; Walter McCaslin, 
"The Hottentot"; Charlie Pullen, "The Greedy 
Mouse"; Eddie Hubbard, "The Young Speak- 
er"; Inez Gelly, "The Doll's Mission"; George 
Russel, "A Boy's Troubles"; Edgar and Elmer 
Shoemaker, "Our First Attempt"; Edna Green 
"Don't"; Edith Gelly "The Millionaire and 
Barefoot"; Roy Webster, "The Jolly Old Cow" 
Anna Bess, "The Little Light"; Arnold 
Eekhoff, "The Boy's Complaint";' Claudie 
Middleton, "A Careless Word"; Nannie 
Pullen, "Little Jim", Martha Handschy. 
"Little Goldenhair"; Dunn Weaver, "Vaca- 
tion", Lillie Rosche, "The Newsboy's Debt"; 
Charlie Littlefield, "Willie Briggs"; Dora 
Law, "A Little Girl's View of Life in a 
Hotel." March 9, 1889. 

Emma Scales attended Teachers' Nation- 
al Association in Nashville, Tenn. 

"New Babcock brand fire engines ready 
for use. Now for a hook and ladder com- 
pany." 

"Croquet is the popular game." 



AUK 



V. F. W. 

The Veterans of Foreign Wars was or- 
ganized and received their charter Feb. 9, 
1947. There were 50 charter members. First 
meeting hall was above the Candy Factory; 
second was in the Charles Kerr building. 
They are buying their present building next 
to Sides Grocery. All veterans having over- 
seas duty during time of war are eligible to 
be members. 

They support all civic programs and 
have donated three hospital beds to the 
community. 

Dale Johnson is the present commander 
and Forrest Rhoades is the adjutant. 
• • * * 



OF AMERICA 

NOKOMIS NAVY MOTHER S 

CLUB NO. 557 

The first Navy Mother's Club was orga- 
nized June 26, 1930, at McAllen, Texas. 

Later, National and State organizations 
were formed. There are now 790 clubs in 
the United States. 

The Nokomis Navy Mothers organized 
March 3, 1944, with 25 charter members. 

The purposes for which this organiza- 
tion was formed are to promote a program 
of education, welfare, and social interests 
between the parents of Navy men and 
women; to encourage contentment, efficien- 
cy, patriotism and pride among the men and 
women serving in the United States Navy. 

The spirit of the organization is to act 
as a proxy to other mothers' sons and daugh- 
ters while those mothers are taking care of 
our sons and daughters. 

There are still 24 sons and two daugh- 
ters of Navy Mothers in active service. 

We have helped with many civic pro- 
jects and drives in our local community, 
giving of our time and money. 

Proceeds from our tag sale is donated 
for welfare among hospitalized veterans. 




KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 
NOKOMIS COUNCIL NO. 2189 

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic 
men's organization. The local council No. 
2189 was granted a charter from the Su- 
preme office at New Haven, Conn., on Sept. 
19, 1920. There were 96 charter members. 
Present membership of the council is 140 
members. The first Grand Knight was Fred 
Ernst. The present Grand Knight is Wm. J. 
Boehler. The first Chaplain was Rev. C. 
Johannes and the present Chaplain is Father 
John J. Hogan. The local council meets on 
the first Monday night of each month at the 
St. Louis School. 

* * * * 
HOME BUREAU 

The five units of Home Bureau in the 
local area are among the 15 which made up 
the Montgomery County Home Bureau at 
the time of its organization. Preliminary 
steps toward county organization were taken 
when Mrs. Alden Snyder brought to Hills - 
boro Mrs. Kathryn Van Aken Burns, head of 
the Home Economics Extension service, to 
meet with a few women from each township. 
A permanent organization, with Mrs. W. R. 
Goby of Raymond as president, was effected 
on August 14, 1936. Two Nokomis women, 
Mrs. Louis Colonius and Mrs. R. J. Wattjes, 
Sr., were helpful in securing members. The 
first home advisor was Mrs. Mabel Albrecht. 

The present chairmen of local area units 
are Mrs. Roy Pocock, College Hill; Mrs. C. W. 
Cox, Irving; Mrs. Adam Betzold, Nokomis- 
Audubon; Mrs. Walter Redeker, Rountree; 
Mrs. Harlan Durston, Witt. Lois Elliott is 
home advisor, Margaret Dickerson, assis- 
tant. 

The units hold monthly meetings in the 
Park House or homes of members. They 
sponsor 4-H Clubs. Their aim is to create the 
best informed and equipped homemakers in 
their communities. 



-35— 




MASONIC LODGE NO. 456 A. F. & A. M. 

In June of 1865 application was made by 
eleven Nokomis men for authority to estab- 
lish a lodge of A. F. & A. M. in Nokomis. 
Temporary officers were elected and a hall 
rented for a meeting place. This hall was 
above the W. F. Mulkey store, at the corner 
of State and Spruce, the site of the present 
place of meeting. 

A charter for Nokomis Lodge No. 456 
was received on Oct. 4, 1865, and the follow- 
ing permanent officers were elected: Martin 
Miller, Worshipful Master; W. F. Mulkey, 
Senior Warden; James Welch, Junior War- 
den; John H. Matkins, Senior Deacon; John 
W. Hancock, Junior Deacon; M. V. Easterday, 
Secretary; S. L. Latimer, Treasurer; S. P. 
Mulkey, Tyler. 

The lodge has now reached a member- 
ship of 259. Meetings are held the second 
Wednesday of each month. The present of- 
ficers are as follows: Bliss Parker, Jr., Wor- 
shipful Master; Raymond Miles, Senior War- 
den; J. R. Worthington, Junior Warden; Max 
Moody, Treasurer; H. A. Arnold, Secretary; 
Orville Moreli, Senior Deacon; Al Compton, 
Junior Deacon; Cecil Polley, Senior Steward; 
Harold Battles, Junior Steward; Kenneth 
Wiseman, Marshal; Ed Sperry, Chaplain; Roe 
Darst, Tyler. 

* * • * 
W. C. T. U. 

The W. C. T. U. is the lmeal descendant 
of the Great Woman's Crusade which began 
December 23, 1873, in Hillsboro, Ohio. It is 
made up of men and women, striving, 
through an educational program, to make 
their communities better places in which to 
live. In 1879 Illinois became the 5th state 
organized. That same year Nokomis orga- 
nized a W. C. T. U. Today 72 counties have 
W. C. T. U. organizations. The principles, as 
written by Frances E. Willard and adopted in 
1874, are those to which members still pledge 
themselves. 



ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR 

Nokomis Chapter No. 138 Order of the 
Eastern Star was organized on April 19, 1889, 
for the purpose of promulgating Brotherly 
Love, Relief and Truth. 

Mrs. Sarah Manning was elected Worthy 
Matron and James Scott, Worthy Patron. A 
charter membership of fourteen has grown 
to 170 at present. 

This jurisdiction maintains two homes: 
one at Rockford, Illinois, and one at Macon, 
Illinois. 

In 1939 Nokomis Chapter observed its 
50th anniversary with an official visit of the 
Worthy Grand Matron. 

Mrs. Jean Hulbert and William Hulbert 
are the present Worthy Matron and Worthy 
Patron. 

* * * * 

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL 
WOMEN'S CLUB 

The Nokomis Business and Professional 
Women's Club was organized in 1928, with 
a membership of 38. The first permanent 
officers were Stella Yackle, president; Gene- 
vieve Bender, vice-president; lone Wild, 
secretary; Imogene Bess, treasurer. 

Seven of those holding membership to- 
day were charter members. There have been 
several honorary members. Two oldest, now 
deceased, were Mrs. Antje Eekhoff and Mrs. 
Mary Pier. 

Projects of the club show a special 
interest in the girls of the community. They 
have sponsored Camp Fire Girls, Girl Scouts 
and 4-H Club. They have helped needy high 
school girls, furnishing clothes, medical aid, 
and glasses. At present they are sponsoring 
the Brownies. 

Community service includes furnishing 
city street signs, contributing to the estab- 
lishment of the Park House, and entering 
floats in the Homecoming parade. 

Each year they entertain the high school 
senior girls and give a mother-daughter ban- 
quet. Formerly they gave a bosses' banquet 
annually. 

The present officers are Amber Hill, 
president; Gwendolyn Hieronymus, vice- 
president; Velma Hardy, secretary; Mary 
Lakin, treasurer. 



-36- 



NOKOMIS ROTARY CLUB 

How very appropriate for the Nokomis 
Club to be celebrating its thirtieth anniver- 
sary, and Rotary itself 51 years, along with 
the Nokomis Centennial. 

An organization meeting of the Nokomis 
Rotary Club was held in the basement of St. 
Mark's Lutheran Church, January 26, 1926, 
with the following officers: H. A. Arnold, 
pres.. L. K. Vandever, vice-pres.. O. J. Stiehl, 
secy., Wm. Bald, treas., Phillip Koucheveris, 
sgt. at arms, A. T. Woltmann, song leader, 
and A. J. Schroeder, pianist. The charter was 
presented to the local club May 4, 1926. 

From the time of its organization, to the 
present, the club has taken an active interest 
in community affairs; lack of space makes 
it impossible to enumerate the many 
things Nokomis Rotarians have accomplished 
in the past 30 years. 

The first regular Rotary ,\nn meeting 
was held Oct. 28, 1926. Since that date two 
to four such meetings have been held each 
year. Probably the outstanding programs 
have been the Mothers' Day gatherings. The 
first inter-city meeting was held with the 
Hillsboro Rotary Club Sept. 23, 1926. 

The charter members were H. A. Arnold. 
A. T. Woltmann, A. E. Vandever, L. K. Van- 
dever, Phil Koucheveris, A. J. Schroeder, 
Wm. Bald, Milo Johnson, O. J. Stiehl, Dr. J. 
M. Hoyt, J. J. Fries, A. O. Kettelkamp, Dr. 
F. M. Porch, Fr. C. Johannes, E. M. Jenkins, 
Charles Tomlinson, Boyd Pond, E. F. Pann- 
witt, H. I. Mayes, and H. O. Pinkerton. Of 
these. E. F. Pannwitt, A. J. Schroeder, and 
O. J. Stiehl are still members of the club. 

The local Rotary Club has 42 active 
members, with various classifications for 
each member; all have nick-names. The pres- 
ent officers are Donald McDermith, pres., 
Charles Hinkle, past pres., William Hulbert, 
vice-pres., Fred Heck, secy. -treas., Lloyd 
Davis*, sgt.-at-arms, F. B. Johnson, historian, 
Mervin Johnson, song leader, L. W. Wolt- 
mann, ass't., A. J. Schroeder pianist, and 
Irvin Singler, ass't. The board of directors 
are Donald McDermith, George Priddle, J. 



E. Anderson, W. Hulbert, H. C. Kettelkamp 
and Edward Ovca. 

The application of the -'Ideal of Service " 
by every Kotanan to his personal, business 
and community life, makes a fitting tribute 
to "The Century of Progress" of the Noko- 
mis trading area. May "Service Above Self" 
be the ultimate goal. I 'Deceased ) 

* • * * 
GREETINGS FROM YOUR 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS 
Louis W. Woltmann 

Supervisor 

Genevieve S. Holmes 

Town Clerk 

Jesse W. Eckhoff 

Highway Commissioner 

Homer Schaefer 

Assessor 

Town Board 

George Fullerton Edward Pilgrim 

Milton Kettelkamp Henry Stanley 

We are here to serve you. 

* • * • 
BETA SIGMA PHI 

The Illinois Zeta Gamma Chapter No. 
2608 of Beta Sigma Phi, an International 
Sorority, was organized by Mrs. C. H. 
Troutner, January 8, 1947, with eight mem- 
bers, a social sponsor, and an educational 
director. 

Beta Sigma Phi is a social, cultural, and 
philanthropic organization. The members be- 
lieve that "their chief right to live as an 
organization is the right to be useful." So, by 
giving generously of their abilities, their 
time and their energy, they strive to promote 
the welfare of their associates, the commun- 
ity, and the nation through organized human- 
itarian projects. They are especially interest- 
ed in cancer research and in the program of 
Polio prevention and care. Locally, the chap- 
ter have supported every worthwhile activi- 
ty in the community. 

The present membership numbers 
twenty-three. Mrs. Earl Jenkins has served 
as Social Sponsor of the sorority since its 
organization. 

Educational Directors in the past have 
been Mrs. E. D. Palmer, Mrs. C. R. Gleich, 
Mrs. Russell Sellett. Mrs. Floyd Barnstable 
is now serving in that capacity. 



-37- 




NOKOMIS LIONS CLUB 

The Nokomis Lions Club was organized 
by twelve men on March 19, 1952. The No- 
komis club was sponsored by the Hillsboro 
Lions. Charter Night was held at the South 
Grade School gym on May 22, 1952, with 
forty members present. The first officers 
were Glenn Johnson, pres.; Lee Dawson, 
sec y.; the Rev. John S. Rhine, treas. 

In the few years the local club has been 
organized the members have been very ac- 
tive in this community. A few of the various 
projects are as follows: Aided in the pur- 
chase of a wheel chair for Connie Kroenlein 
who was stricken with polio. Sponsor Boy 
Scout troop No. 99 jointly with St. Mark's 
Lutheran Church. Sponsor a boy each year 
to Boys' State. Sponsor the Lions Pony 
League team. Aided in the organization of 
Little League Ball and now provide umpires 
for the Little League games. Sponsored the 
"March of Dimes" in Nokomis in 1953, 1954, 
1955. Conducted several drives for used 
clothing which was turned over to the super- 
visors of Nokomis and Audubon Townships. 
Sold Brooms made by the Blind. Helped 
support the Hadley School for the Blind lo- 
cated in Chicago, and Leader Dog School, 
Rochester, Mich. Built sewer and rest rooms 
at Memorial Park and will complete a wading 
pool at the Park in April of this year, at a 
cost of approximately $8,000.00. 
Present Membership 

Dean Anderson, Frank Berns, Howard 
Bell, Monroe Berns, James Brackenhoff, 
Gene Brown, George Buchko, Norman Bean, 
H. C. Bricker, Ronald Calvetti, Robert Co- 
tanch, Louis Cesaretti, Mike Charnisky, Jeno 
Collebrusco, Maurice Crow, Lee Dawson, 
David Easterday, Walter Fricke, Paul Fabulo, 
Fernand Guyot, Darwin Gibson, Clarence 
Hard, Richard Holloway, Rudy Hribar, Jack 
Hall, Wm. Kennedy, George Hinton, Paul 
Layer, Charles Lehnen, Nels Melin, Robert 
Martens, Victor Michlautz, Paul Obregar, 
John S. Rhine, William Saatkamp, Jack Sale, 



Rodell Satterfield, Ralph Scheller, Ike 
Smith, Elio Tosetti, James Tosetti, Prima 
Tosetti, James Vancil, Edmund Vandever, 
Clyde Vancil, Geno Vighi, Henry Wexstten, 
Jr., Guy Wharton. 

• • • • 
REBEKAH LODGE 

On the night of Feb. 16, 1910, a group of 
people met at the I. O. O. F. Hall and formed 
the Nokomis Rebekah Lodge No. 226. A 
heavy snow was falling and forced all to 
remain in the building till morning. The 
purpose of the lodge is to promote a frater- 
nal spirit among its members, educate the 
orphans, and care for the aged. 

The lodge has been honored by having 
four District Presidents in its membership. 
Like other orders, the Rebekah Lodge has 
had its ups and downs but is still going. 

• * * • 
NOKOMIS WOMAN'S CLUB 

On November 4, 1911, the Nokomis 
Household Science Club was organized, 
whose purpose was to work in harmony with 
the Montgomery County Farmers' Institute. 

However, on December 14, 1915, the 
Household Science Club disbanded and re- 
organized as the "Nokomis Woman's Club." 
Music, art, literature, and household science 
were the subjects chosen for study. In 
January, 1916, the first officers of the Noko- 
mis Woman's Club were elected. The officers 
installed were president, Mrs. Charlotte 
Eekhoff; first vice-president, Mrs. Anna 
Taylor; second vice-president, Miss lone 
Wild; recording secretary, Mrs. Kate Bald; 
corresponding secretary, Miss Ruth Cassel- 
berry; treasurer, Miss Virginia Griffin. 

During the first year, the membership 
consisted of fifty-seven members, but that 
number decreased during the depression. 

They struggled valiantly to maintain 3 
library, with Miss Hettie Wells as one of the 
first librarians. 

Nokomis Woman's Club is federated 
with the County, District, State, and the 
General Federation. 

The aim of every Woman's Club is to 
build better communities with more under- 
standing and more religion. 



—38— 




CITY COUNCIL 

The City Council is the governing body 
of Nokomis. The aldermanic form of gov- 
ernment was in effect until 1929, when the 
commission form was adopted. Through the 
many decisions of the council, some too small 
to attract public attention, some so great as 
to cause controversy, Nokomis has forged 
ahead in beauty, in security, and in well-be- 
ing. 

Only a few of the outstanding acts of 
past councils can be mentioned here. One of 
the first which was to begin the change of 
Nokomis from a small country village to a 
beautiful little city was to put in pavement 
and concrete sidewalks in 1911. The install- 
ation of ornamental lighting on State Street 
in 1923 added to this "new look." 

The councils have kept pace with the 
needs of all departments by the purchase of 
needed equipment, such as trucks for the 
street department and the water depart- 
ment, and a police car. Antiquated hand 
drawn fire trucks were replaced by the 
motorized type in 1922. These, in turn, were 
replaced by the present trucks in 1947. 

Two outstanding accomplishments for 
the health and comfort of the community 
were the installation of a water softener, 
about 1923, and the construction of an up-to- 
date, efficient disposal plant in 1954, replac- 
ing an outmoded plant. 



Nokomis City Council 

Clarence Hard 

T. H. Harrison, City Clerk 

Homer Stanley, Mayor 

Alvin Hagemeier 

Primo Tosetti 

Gerald Cain 

Meets First And Third 
Monday of Each Month 



Recreational facilities have not been 
overlooked, as is attested by the purchase of 
playground equipment and park upkeep. 

The last city election was held in April, 
1955. Kenneth Kellerman, who was elected 
mayor, died a few months later. The office 
was filled by Homer Stanley, a council mem- 
ber. This council is resurfacing East Union 
Street and South Elm from Union to Route 
16. North Spruce, from Route 16 to the 
Raymond road, is being black topped, and 
curbing and gutters are being installed. 
Some new sewers have been put in and a 
great number of water connections have 
been made resulting in more revenue for the 
city. Another source of revenue is the park- 
ing meters installed by the council in 1948. 
The office in the city hall has been improved 
and the city clerk moved into it. Several 
bonds, with interest, have been paid off, and 
a substantial reserve in the Federal Reserve 
Bank of East St. Louis has been built up for 
future payment of bonds. 

It is the avowed policy of this council to 
do only the urgently needed things, so that 
the indebtedness may be paid off as fast as 
possible. Definite plans for the future, as 
soon as money is available, include: acquisi- 
tion of more fire equipment and a building 
for its shelter; more sewer connections; the 
widening of West Union Street. 



: ? ,f) 




THE AMERICAN LEGION 
WAPLES - BAUER POST NO. 94 

FOR GOD and COUNTRY we associate 
ourselves together for the following purposes: 
to uphold and defend the constitution of the 
United States of America; to maintain law 
and order; to foster and perpetuate a one- 
hundred percent Americanism; to preserve 
the memories and incidents of our associa- 
tions in the great wars; to inculcate a sense 
of individual obligation to the community, 
state and nation; to combat the autocracy of 
both the classes and the masses; to make 
right the master of might; to promote peace 
and good will on earth; to safeguard and 
transmit to posterity the principles of justice, 
freedom and democracy; to consecrate and 
sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to 
mutual helpfulness. 

In August, 1919, a Post of the American 
Legion was organized in Nokomis by Col. 
George Seaman of the Department of Illinois. 
The name selected was WAPLES - BAUER 
POST NO. 94 A. L., being named after two 
veterans who were first to make the supreme 
sacrifice during World War I. This was the 
first Post organized in Montgomery County 
and is at present the largest post in the 
county. Also the Montgomery County Coun- 
cil had its beginning with the Nokomis Post. 
In 1933 the Post purchased the present Le- 
gion Hall which was financed by the mem- 
bers and friends, and in 1941 the final note 
was burned. A banquet and ceremony were 
held in appreciation of the many favors mak- 
ing the purchase possible. This also was the 
beginning of the annual State Vice Com- 
manders' banquet held each year since. Some 
of the vital programs carried on through the 
years are the sponsorship of Junior Baseball, 
School awards, Boys' State, Community ser- 
vice, and primarily service work on behalf 
of the disabled and needy veterans. The 
Post has furnished a large number of legion- 
aires as leaders in the State, District and 



County organizations. Each year the Post 
has carried on the tradition of the G. A. R., 
honoring the veterans of all wars in com- 
memoration of Memorial Day with fitting 
ceremonies. After the beginning of W. W. 
II the charter of the Legion was amended to 
accept into membership these veterans. 
Later Korean Veterans were admitted. The 
Legion was directly responsible for the new 
legislation known as the G. I. Bill of Rights, 
furthering the welfare of these veterans. The 
majority of the Post Commanders since 1946 
have been selected from this group. 
Past Commanders 
1919 John Willis, 1920 John Oltmann, 
1921 David Baird*. 1922 Carl Olmstead*, 
1923 Louis Nantkes, 1924 O. J. Stiehl, 1925 
John Cook, 1926 Elmer Wilson, 1927 Emil 
Wells, 1928 Charles Newport, 1929 Harry 
Weaver*, 1930 J. E. Anderson, 1931 Nels 
Melin, 1932 Emory Weakley, 1933 Gus Bow- 
ers, 1934 Chester Pocock," 1935 Rene De- 
Larche*, 1936 James Thornhill, 1937 Albert 
Smith, 1938 Pearl Crow*, 1939 Earl Jenkins, 
1940 Charles Pick, 1941 A. R. Evans*, 1942 
Fernand Guyot, 1943 L. W. Woltmann, 1944 
Fred Layer, 1945 George Carr*, 1946 Frank 
Obregar, 1947 George Fullerton, 1948 Mervin 
Johnson, 1949 Wilbert Brueckner, 1950 Ken- 
neth Kellerman*. 1951 Mario Costa, 1952 
Frank Berns, 1953 Marion Loop, 1954 Del- 
bert Lehnen, 1955 James Guyot, 1956 Guy 
Wharton. ( * ) Deceased. 

* * * * 
1889 

"Coal mine under discussion Feb., 1889." 

"John Paddock attended inauguration of 
President Harrison - March, 1889." 

"Proposal for a mill. Solicit subscribers 
for stock - McGrew Hartsock. Opened 
July, 1889." 

"The May Bretonne Company gave a 
very satisfactory - refined, chaste, entertain- 
ing & highly pleasing - entertainment at 
Weaver's Opera House." 

"Nokomis Creamery - 30,000 pounds 
butter fat in July." 

"Contract signed to macadamize a por- 
tion of State St.-$1,500 per block." 

"W. M. Todd, young attorney, locates in 
Nokomis." 



—40- 




MONTGOMERY COUNTY ANTI THIEF 
ASSOCIATION AND GOPHER HILL 

SUB ORDER NO. 296 

The Anti-Thief Association — What It Is 

What It Is Not. 

The Anti-Thief Association is an organ- 
ization composed of law abiding citizens who 
have banded themselves together for the 
mutual protection of its members against 
thieves and other criminals and to cooperate 
with the civil authorities in apprehending 
and bringing to justice all such offenders; to 
educate our citizenship in the love of the 
Flag, in patriotism, and in charity to the 
needy and to all the Order. 

The A. T. A. is a fraternal order and is 
both a detective and a protective order. Its 
members assist each other in time of sickness 
and distress. 

The A. T. A. is a patriotic organization; 
its objective is to uphold the law of the land. 
It teaches patriotism and greater respect for 
the law to its own members. 

The A. T. A. is a protective organization; 
thieves fear and shun it. 

The A. T. A. is a secret order, but secret 
only so far as necessary to carry on its work. 
' The A. T. A. is an officers' Aid Society. 
R works in close harmony and cooperation 
with the sheriff and police officers to uphold 
the law, order, and justice. 

The A. T. A. is chartered under the laws 
of the state in which it operates. 

The Anti-Thief Association is not a law- 
less vigilance committee, but is opposed to 
mob violence in any form and will expel any 
member that takes part in a mob. None but 
law abiding citizens is permitted to join the 
order. 

The A. T. A. is not a political organiza- 
tion - members of all parties belong. 

The A. T. A. is not connected in any way 
with any religious denomination, sect, or 
creed. 

The A. T. A. does not violate one law to 
uphold another. 



The Anti-Horse Thief Association was 
first organized in 1854 by Major David 
McKee. With horse thieves and all sorts of 
criminals having free reign throughout the 
country. Major McKee and a few of his close 
friends met at the Highland School house in 
Clark County. Mo., to see what might be 
done to restore some law and order. It was 
in this meeting that the Anti-Horse Thief 
Association was born. 

In September of 1863, Major McKee, 
who had been honorably discharged from 
Civil War service with the Union Forces be- 
cause of physical disabilities, called a meet- 
ing at Luray, Mo., of all the former A.H.T.A. 
members that could be reached. A tempor- 
ary organization was set up and the meeting 
adjourned to meet again at Millport, Mo. 
The Millport meeting began October 23, 1863, 
with eleven members present at the first 
session. The first constitution and by-laws 
were adopted and officers elected. 

The first sub-order Charter was issued 
at a subsequent meeting held March 21, 1864, 
with representatives of eight sub-orders 
present. 

In 1881, State Orders were formed under 
the jurisdiction of a National Order. 

The following sub-orders, with the ex- 
ception of Gopher Hill, Sub-Order No. 296, 
are members of the Montgomery County 
A. T. A. which was organized Jan. 19, 1937: 
South Audubon Sub-Order No. 285 

Organized April 1, 1920 

North Nokomis Sub-Order No. 300 

Organized Oct. 3, 1921 

Rountree Sub-Order No. 327 

Organized Feb. 26, 1923 

Phillips Chapel Sub-Order No. 343 

Organized 1924 
Little Hickory Sub-Order No. 378 

Organized Oct. 20, 1926 

Wares Grove Sub-Order No. 438 

Organized April 3, 1939 

Fillmore Sub-Order No. 418 

Organized Feb. 2, 1947 

Irving Sub-Order No. 274 

Organized Mar. 4, 1947 

New Prospect Sub-Order No. 440 

Organized Mar. 26, 1947 

Gopher Sub-Order No. 296 

Organized Sept. 12, 1921 




Nokomis 
Public 
Library 



NOKOMIS PUBLIC LIBRARY 

Many good libraries have had very 
humble beginnings in the home of some 
active club members whose fellow club mem- 
bers joined forces to buy and circulate books 
among their own group. 

Such a group was Nokomis Woman's 
Club who gathered their privately owned 
book collection in the home of a member 
who lived near the shopping area of the 
town. Gradually the collection outgrew 
space available in a private home and was 
moved to rented quarters on the town's main 
street. It was attended by a club member 
and supported and augmented by the sale of 
handmade articles and contributions from 
members of the Woman's Club. 

In the mid-thirties, the collection be- 
came part of an authorized WPA Library. 
During this period, many valuable books 
were added. More readers were served and 
more hours made available for browsing and 
borrowing books. 

About 1941 the Library was again 
sponsored by the Woman's Club and re- 
ceived some aid from the Township and the 
Nokomis Coal Mine. It was open 12 hours a 
week and the gigantic task of sorting, classi- 
fying and cataloging was begun. 

In 1950 the Library became township 
supported by vote and its administration 
turned over to the Supervisor and a Library 
Board of 6 women and a trained librarian 



who served as secretary of the Board. This 
set up exists today. The Board acts in an 
advisory capacity and is responsible for gen- 
eral policies and disbursement of funds. The 
Library, located one half block from the 
main street, is now open 28 hours a week. 

The present Library includes a large, 
attractive reading room, a non-fiction study 
room and a small room for storage, magazine 
files, office supplies and equipment. Monthly 
Board meetings are held in this room. 

In 1954-55 over 21,000 books were cir- 
culated to some 900 readers. Three schools 
were serviced and many special orders re- 
ceived monthly from the State Library. The 
Library owns about 6,000 volumes of fiction 
and non-fiction and subscribes to 35 maga- 
zines. About 675 new books were added 
last year. 

Many adult clubs in the area have held 
meetings in the Library for instruction on 
its use. Such topics as reference, card cata- 
log, Dewey Decimal System, fiction, non- 
fiction, biography, vertical file, periodicals 
and audio-visual aids were discussed. 

Weekly Hobby Shows, a Gallery of 
Local Artists and occasional Story Hours are 
special features of the Library. 

Knowledge, accompanied by human 
interest and sympathy will lead to a Public 
waiting at the Library doors-and the Library 
with assurance, will meet the challenge to 
become "The People's University." 



—42- 




FAMILIES OF NOKOMS 



Many names appearing in this section of the Centennial 
History are no longer listed in the current directory 
of Nokomis. 



other families are not included. This 



Many 
grettable. 

From covered wagon days to this very week, families have 
come and gone or come and stayed. Always their influence 
has remained. Their lives have colored the fabric through a 
hundred years. 



ARCHIBALD FAMILY 

William Archibald, Sr. was born in 
Ayrshire, Scotland, on Dec. 9, 1824. He was 
married to Miss Margaret Gilmour of Ren- 
frewshire. In 1868 they came to the U. S., 
settling in Macoupin Co. In 1881 they moved 
to the Nokomis community. Their family 
numbered eleven, all of whom lived to adult- 
hood except Agnes, who died at the age of 
eight. 

In 1899 an epidemic struck the locality 
in which they lived. When it had passed, the 
parents and three sons, Hugh, Will and 
Robert had been taken. With true courage 
those who were left accepted the changes in 
their lives and carried on. 

Hugh who had married Miss Margaret 
Morris was combining farming and school 
teaching. Mrs. Archibald remained at the 
farm and cared for their three small sons. 
Will, a teacher in H. S. had been living at 
home and Robert was farming with his 
father. Two others were in homes of their 
own. George at his farm near Rosamond and 
Elizabeth, Mrs. Drake, lived in Audubon. 

The younger ones, left at the farm, 
stayed on for five years, then separated. 
Janet was married to Mr. Paul Calame, 
Mary resumed teaching, John purchased the 
North Side Livery which he operated during 
the pre-automobile days, James took up the 
study of medicine, graduating from the St. 
Louis University. He was located in Nokomis 
for several years as a practicing physician. 
Then after more study became a specialist 
in the X-ray and its uses. He was connected 
with the St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Danville, 
111., at the time of his death in 1940. Charles 
R. graduated from the St. Louis College of 
Pharmacy in 1911, and was employed in St. 
Louis when called to service in World War 
I. When discharged he returned to Nokomis. 
He passed away in 1942. 

Of the family of eleven only two are 
living: Mary K., who resides in Nokomis, 
and John, who was married to Miss Edna 
Gordon in 1932. Their farm home is near 
Bernie, Mo. Mrs. Archibald's former home 
was on Prince Edward Island, Canada. There 
are eight grandchildren. 

Three sons of Hugh and Margaret 
Morris Archibald are Darrell, who is a M. 



E. minister in an Indiana Conference, mar- 
ried Miss Anna Lee. He studied at Barber- 
ville College in Kentucky, received his 
Masters Degree from Northwestern, then 
finished at Garrett Biblical Institute in 
Evanston. They have one son, James Hugh, 
a student at La Porte, Ind. H. S. 

David Maurice, second son, was married 
to Miss Estella Stanley. They live on the 
farm where he was born. He has never 
called any other place, "Home". They take 
an active interest in all organizations for the 
good of the farming community and civic 
welfare. They have one son, David Stanley, 
who recentlv completed four vears in the U 
S. Navy. 

A third son, Hugh, Jr., was married to 
Miss Cecil Dean. He had prepared himself 
for the ministry studying at the Ozark 
Wesleyan College, and finishing at the Gar- 
rett Institute in Evanston. He passed away 
in 1935. Mrs. Archibald resumed teaching 
and cared for their two daughters. Margaret 
was graduated from Blackburn College, 
Carlinville and is now a laboratory techni- 
cian at the Burge Hospital in Springfield, 
Mo. Ruth studied at Greenville, 111. College. 
She is now Mrs. Melvin Boston of Spring- 
field, 111. They have a little son, David Hugh. 
The sons of Irwin and Elizabeth Archi- 
bald Drake are Frank A., who has lived in 
Decatur for years, was married to Miss 
Mary Newcomb. They have four children. A 
son, Harlan, served with the armv in World 
War II. 

Hugh A., who was married to Miss Sadie 
Morgan, a teacher in the rural schools, lived 
in Nokomis for a few years. They have re- 
cently purchased a new home in Blooming- 
ton where he is employed. Their one son, 
James, served in the U. S. Navy during 
World War II. He is now employed at 
Bloomington and lives at home. 

Daughters of Paul and Janet Archibald 
Calame: Mary Grace, who attended Brown's 
Business College in Bloomington, was 
employed in the office at a large stock farm 
near Delavan. Later she married the son of 
her employer and lives at this farm which 
has belonged to several generations of 
Browns. They have one son, Paul Lewis, 
recently married, who will receive the Agri- 



44 



cultural Science Degree at the close of this 
year's work (1956) at the U. of I. 

Iona Margaret, who graduated from 
Evanston Hospital School of Nursing in 1934 
and received the B. S. Degree from North- 
western University in 1935, married Mr. P. 
J. Tyler. She holds the position of Super- 
vising Nurse of the Bell Telephone Co. They 
live in Chicago where Mr. Tyler has busi- 
ness interests. 

Marjorie Jeannette, who became a 
teacher, was married to Mr. Roger E. 
Stevens, whom she met at the Blackburn 
College, Carlinville. They live on a farm 
near Jerseyville that has belonged to the 
family for years. They have five daughters: 
Joanne, who is in nurses' training at the 
Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis, Mary Jane, 
Cara Gay, Janice and Jeanne. There are 
fifteen great grand-children. 

• * * * 




Carl, Mrs. Bevill, Floyd, Mr. Bevill 

BEVILL FAMILY 

Mr. Charles Bevill. who was born in 
Witt Twp., was married to Miss Lillie Ver- 
icker on August 8, 1923. In 1943 they moved 
to Chicago. 

They have two sons: Floyd Earl and 
Carl Eugene, both married; Floyd to Miss 
Jane Thompson and Carl to Miss Nelda 
Griggs. 

Flovd was graduated from Nokomis 
H. S. in 1942. Later he attended E. I. T. C. 
at Charleston, 111. He was with the Naval 
Air Corps from 1943 to 1945, and attended 
U. of Tenn., at Knoxville, Tenn., from which 



he was graduated, August, 1949. They have 
one son, born Feb., 1943. William Earl 
Bevill. 

Carl was graduated from Nokomis H. S. 
then attended the E. I. T. C. at Charleston, 
111., from 1950 to 1951. He joined the U. S. 
Navy in 1952, discharged February, 1956. 
There are two children: Thomas Allan and 
Susan Elaine. 

• * * * 
BOURQUIN FAMILY 

Abram Bourquin, one of the first breed- 
ers of Brown Swiss Cattle in Montgomery 
County, was born in Ohio in 1854. He came 
to Nokomis in 1879, purchasing the farm on 
part of which Coalton has since been built. 

The family moved into Nokomis in 1899 
and, soon after, Mr. Bourquin purchased the 
Belknap property which he plated for 
Bourquin's Addition. 

The Bourquins moved to Spokane, 
Washington, in 1905. Mr. Bourquin met 
with an accidental death in 1914 and Mrs. 
Bourquin passed away in 1949. Their 
daughters still live in Spokane— Jessie now 
being Mrs. E. M. Glassburn, and Naomi, a 
teacher in the public schools. 

* * * * 
BROWN FAMILY 

Mr. S. B. Brown came to Nokomis in 
1893 and afterward became associated with 
Mr. Chase Wells in a men's clothing busi- 
ness. The firm was known as Wells and 
Brown. This firm's business was discontin- 
ued after many years and Mr. Brown be- 
came an employee of the Nokomis National 
Bank. 

He was married to Miss Luella Snell who 
passed away in 1946. To this union were 
born two sons: Paul Maurice and Judd Snell. 
Both grew to manhood, finished the course 
of study in Nokomis schools and later their 
courses at the U. of I. Both are now deceased. 
Mr. Brown was elected mayor of Nokomis 
and filled that position very satisfactorily for 
two terms. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brown were active mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church of which he was a 
trustee. He was also a member of the School 
Board for a number of years. Since his retire- 
ment, Mr. Brown has lived in Nokomis but 
spends the winters in Winona, 111. 



—45— 



HUBERT ARTHUR BRYCE 

Hubert A. Bryce, who farms about 3} 2 
miles west of Nokomis, is a native of the 
community in which he lives. He was born 
on June 28, 1897, to William F. and Lula 
Belle (Lingle) Bryce. 

The Bryce family, natives of Scotland, 
lived some years in Canada before coming 
to Montgomery Co. and settling in Butler. It 
was in Canada that William F. was born to 
James and Janet (Forbes) Bryce. In this 
family circle were three daughters and three 
sons, as follows: Miss Grace, Christiana 
(Mrs. Ed. Collier), Nettie (Mrs. Ed. Randall ), 
George, William, and Arthur. 

About 1870, Mr. James Bryce moved his 
family to a farm in Nokomis Twp. where he 
opened a blacksmith shop. With the help of 
the sons he was able to carry on both occupa- 
tions successfully. While on this farm the 
younger members attained adulthood, mar- 
ried and each took his place in the commun- 
ity. When Mr. and Mrs. Bryce retired and 
moved to Nokomis to spend their remaining 
years, the son, William, and wife occupied 
the home place. It was there they reared 
their family consisting of the son, Hubert, 
and a daughter, Letha. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. 
Bryce continued to reside on the farm until 
their death. Mr. Bryce passed away in 1942 
and Mrs. Bryce, in 1945. 

In his youth, Hubert attended the rural 
school in his community and was graduated 
from the Nokomis High School in 1915. His 
life has been spent in farming except for a 
time when he attended Millikin University, a 
year in Florida, and the time spent working 
on a freighter traveling from New Orleans 
to ports in South America. On June 16, 1942, 
he was married to Miss Grace Walton who 
had been a teacher in the Decatur Public 
Schools for nineteen years - having previous- 
ly taught several years in Montgomery Co. 
In 1939 she received a B. Ed. degree from 
I. S. N. U. 

For a time the Bryces lived in Nokomis, 
but later bought a farm west of the city. 
They occupied that property until three 
years ago when they built a completely mod- 
ern brick house on their adjoining farm, 
where they are now living. 



CARSTENS FAMILY 

One of the foremost citizens of Noko- 
mis, in her earlier days was Mr. John Cars- 
tens who was born in Haltland, Germany. 
He came to the U. S. in 1852, settling at Alton. 
Here he was married to Miss Jeanette Hughs 
who was of Scotch descent. Their family 
numbered five: four daughters and one son. 
Mr. Carstens enlisted in the Army in 1861 
and was enrolled in Co. K. 9th 111. Infantry. 
Later he became Captain of what was known 
as the Preacher's Co. D. 122nd 111. Infantry 
and served until the close of the war. 

In 1868 the family came to Nokomis, 
where Mr. Carstens opened a hardware and 
grain business. He was very successful and as 
the enterprise grew, it was known as Car- 
stens and son. He was elected in 1888 as 
Representative to the State Legislature 
where he was an efficient member. He was a 
staunch Republican, a member of the G. A. 
R. and of the I. O. O. F. 

A daughter, Mrs. Anna Shannon, is still 
living. A grandson, Harold Arnold, and a 
grand daughter, Mrs. Jeannette Schaper, 
still live in Nokomis. Mr. Carstens died in 
1913 and Mrs. Carstens in 1937. 
* * * * 
CASE FAMILY 

In 1856 two brothers, John and Samuel 
T. Strider, came to the Nokomis community 
from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. They 
were among the earliest settlers. At his 
death John was sixty-four years of age. His 
grave was the first one made in the Nokomis 
Cemetery. His wife passed away in 1898 at 
the age of eighty-one. 

Samuel T. Strider's family also spent 
their remaining years in Nokomis. Mr. 
Strider held the office of tax assessor at one 
time and was police magistrate from 1872 
until 1886. They were members of the St. 
Mark's Lutheran Church where there is a 
record of their deaths. Mr. Strider died in 
1897 at the age of ninety, and his wife pass- 
ed away in 1891 at the age of eighty. Their 
family numbered eleven. 

Molly, the youngest of the family, 
married Robert Middleton. He was a police 
officer for a time and a farmer for a number 
of years. He preceded his wife in death. Two 
daughters, Claudia and Lujenia, live near 



—46— 



Nokomis at present. Mrs. Middleton is 
remembered by all who knew her for her 
pleasing personality. She passed away in 
1941. 

Her daughter, Claudia, was married to 
Mr. Harvey Case in Washington, D. C, on 
January 20, 1898. The ceremony was per- 
formed by the Rev. T. Dewitt Talmage. 

Mr. Case had lived in Bunker Hill where 
he attended the Military Academy, and was 
stationed in Washington, D. C. for a time. 
After his father's death he returned to 111. to 
take charge of the estate, coming to the farm 
north of Nokomis where the family still re- 
sides. Lujenia became a teacher in the No- 
komis Public Schools, but is now retired. 
She is married to Mr. Joe Huber. 

The family of Harvey and Claudia Case 
are Howard, who manages the farm and is 
considered an excellent business man, much 
interested in agriculture; and Virginia, who 
taught in the Nokomis Public Schools and 
also in schools near by, but is retired. 

As descendants of one of the old-time 
families in the Nokomis community, the Case 
family is held in high esteem, as true friends 
and good neighbors. 

• * * * 
EASTERDAY FAMILY 

Mr. Elias S. Easterday was born in New 
Somerset, O., on Oct. 4, 1834. At the age of 
twenty-one he came with the family to the 
Nokomis community. At that time (.1855) 
our city was just a station stop for the rail- 
way trains. 

On Feb. 20, 1861, he was married to 
Sarah Elizabeth Pyle and they lived on a 
farm until 1880 when they moved into town. 
Mr. Easterday began work here as a carpen- 
ter. Their family numbered five: Edgar, 
Jessie, Walter, Mabel, and Karl. At this time 
only two are living — Mabel and Karl. There 
were three grandchildren: Wayne, son of 
"Walter and Lula Graden Easterday; Anna 
Mae and David, children of Karl and Lydia 
Engelman Easterday. Wayne, now deceased, 
leaves three children, Harold, Donald and 
Louise. David's three sons are Dan, Marc, 
and Ken. So there are six grandchildren. 
Anna Mae, now Mrs. Flesher, has no family. 

Mr. Easterday, at the age of fourteen, 



was confirmed in the Lutheran faith and 
attended St. Mark's church in Nokomis. 

* * * * 

EEKHOFF FAMILY 

Gerhard Eekhofi came to this country 
from Germany in 1854. He married Antje 
Woltmann, also a native of Germany. They 
first lived on a farm near Nokomis. Later 
Mr. Eekhoff was in the mercantile business 
in town with his brother-in-law, Mr. John 
Woltmann. After his death Mrs. Eekhoff 
continued her association with the Wolt- 
mann Store for many years, becoming 
affectionately known to the community as 
"Tante Antje." 

There were five children in the family: 
Johanna, wife of J. F. Reinders; Andrew J.; 
Arnold G; Anna, wife of W. R. McCaslin; 
Kathryn, wife of the Rev. W. J. Kowert, 
pastor of the Trinity Lutheran church at that 
time. Two daughters were born to the Rein- 
ders, four to the Kowerts, and one son to the 
McCaslins, all of whom have children and 
two of whom have grandchildren. 

Most of the five Eekhoffs left Nokomis 
within a few years after marriage. Arnold 
and his wife, Elizabeth, returned for a 
period to take charge of the J. Woltmann Co. 
south side store. The McCaslins made their 
home in Nokomis from 1932 to 1947, when 
Walter established headquarters here for his 
engineering firm. Anna, who is the sole 
survivor of the original family, now resides 
in California with her son. 

Only Andrew spent his entire life here. 
He was married in 1908 to Miss Charlotte 
Holmes of Chicago, a Nokomis High School 
teacher. In early life a printer, he later 
conducted a wholesale poultry and egg 
business. He was postmaster from 1913 to 
1921 and again from 1935 until his death in 
1940. During this time he also carried on an 
insurance business. 

The name of A. J. Eekhoff was intimate- 
ly associated with civic, school, church and 
political affairs. He held the offices of mayor, 
president of the school board, Sunday School 
superintendent. Church councilman, and 
numerous others. He was a leader in move- 
ments for the advancement of his home town 
and made an outstanding contribution to No- 
komis community life. 



EVANS FAMILY 

Wm. B. Evans (1856-1918) and Hattie J. 
Evans (1866-1930) lived their entire lives in 
Nokomis. Mr. Evans was active in city affairs 
having served as police officer and constable 
for many years. Mrs. Evans was a faithful 
worker in the Presbyterian Church and 
Order of Eastern Star. They were the par- 
ents of ten children: Preston, Verne, Agnes, 
Leigh, Frances, Mildred and Harold. Reaves, 
Benny and Sadie are deceased. We are proud 
to honor our parents at this Centennial 
Celebration. 

• * * * 
FOSTER FAMILY 

The subject of this sketch, Mr. George 
Foster, was born in County Tyronne, Ireland, 
in 1839. He was the son of James and Mar- 
garet Foster who brought their family to 
America in 1847 settling on a farm in Scioto 
Co., O. Their crossing the Alantic was a 
very stormy time. The vessel, a sailing one, 
was crowded and at one time during a storm 
the passengers were ordered to throw some 
of their possessions overboard, to lighten the 
load. In one of the Foster chests, cast into 
the sea, was the family Bible containing 
names and dates. 

When the Civil War broke out Mr. 
George Foster enlisted as a private in Co. E. 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His company was 
sent to raid the Va. and Tenn. Railway. They 
met the enemy at many points: Lexington, 
Staunton, and Winchester, at which place 
they were attached to Gen. Sheridan's troops. 
At the second battle of Winchester Mr. Fos- 
ter was wounded and sent to a hospital in 
Philadelphia. He had recovered and joined 
his comrades, when news came of Lee's sur- 
render. 

In 1867, having come to Montgomery Co., 
111., he met and married Miss Lucetta Pattin- 
gale, daughter of a prominent and well-to-do 
farmer from whom she inherited the farm 
which was the Foster home for seventy-two 
years. They were the parents of five chil- 
dren: Margaret, Joseph, Hattie J., Daisy, 
and James Ross. None is now living except 
Margaret, who is Mrs. Kensil of Shelbyville. 

Mr. Foster was a staunch Republican, 
casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. 
He was a member of the Cottingham Post 



G A. R. and was commander for one term, 
then vice-commander. Being one of the 
tallest he always carried the flag on their 
Memorial Day march. Mr. Foster passed 
away in 1905 at a hospital in Chicago where 
he had gone for treatment, and Mrs. Foster 
died July 6, 1929, at the home of her son, 
Ross, in Fillmore. 

* * * * 

GELLY, FREDERICK, O'DONNELL 
FAMILIES 

Robert Gelly was born in Ireland in 1845, 
and came to this country when he was five. 
His parents settled on a farm near Trenton, 
Illinois, and Mr. Gelly bought a farm south- 
east of Nokomis in 1870. In 1876, he mar- 
ried Mary Ellen Richardson, who had been 
teaching school in Trenton following her 
graduation from Presbyterian Female Semi- 
nary at Jacksonville, Illinois. 

After a few years, the couple moved into 
Nokomis, where Mr. Gelly was active in 
community affairs. A staunch Republican, 
he was never an office-seeker, but served as 
postmaster here from 1889 to 1893. For some 
years he had a general merchandise store on 
Main Street and was later associated with 
his son, George, in general insurance. He 
was one of the early directors of the Nokomis 
Building Association. Mr. Gelly died in 1915, 
and Mrs. Gelly died two years later. 

Of their eight children, the oldest, Leona, 
was a typhoid victim in 1898. George, an 
invalid throughout his life because of a boy- 
hood injury, and a well-known figure on 
Main Street during the early 1920's, died in 
1926. Sadie, who taught music in Nokomis 
for many years, and later married Ray C. 
Wilson, died in 1953. 

Of the surviving children, Robert Gelly, 
Jr., lives in Van Buren, Arkansas, having re- 
tired from his pharmacy there. Ingalls, also 
a retired druggist, lives in Indianapolis with 
his wife, formerly Florence Brenner of No- 
komis. Rexford is a jeweler in Muncie, 
Indiana. The two daughters, Mrs. J. F. 
O'Donnell and Mrs. H. G. Frederick, have 
always lived in Nokomis. 

Mrs. O'Donnell, formerly Edith Gelly, 
was married to J. F. O'Donnell in 1903. Mr. 
O'Donnell was with the Paddock Lumber 
Company and later worked for some years 



48 



in the office at the North Mine. He died 
here in 1943. 

Their daughter, Esther, was graduated 
from University of Illinois and married L. E. 
Nantkes in 1936. Mr. Nantkes is president 
of the First National Bank and is a well- 
known Nokomis business man. Mrs. Nantkes 
teaches in Nokomis High School, and their 
son, Donnell, is a student there. 

Cecil O'Donnell attended Bradley Poly- 
technic Institute. He served with the Navy 
during World War II and is now a jeweler in 
San Mateo, California, where he lives with 
his wife. Ethel. 

Mrs. Frederick, formerly Inez Gelly, 
was married in 1904 to Henry G. Frederick, 
who had come here from Pana about 1900 as 
a cigar manufacturer. Mr. Frederick died 
in 1920. and Mrs. Frederick became a teacher 
in the Nokomis schools, retiring after 28 
years of teaching. 

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick had five chil- 
dren. Charles, the oldest, edited the Free 
Press-Progress for a time, and after his 
graduation from University of Illinois served 
as Assistant Dean of Men there until called 
to active military service in 1940. He became 
a colonel in the Army Air Corps during 
World War II, and is now with the Air Force 
as Secretary of the Joint Army-Air Force 
Welfare Board in Washington, D. C. 

Ruth, who attended MacMurray College 
at Jacksonville, has been with the American 
National Red Cross for 25 years, having had 
assignments in Europe during World War II, 
and in both Europe and the Far East since 
that time. She has just gone to Guantanamo 
Bay Naval Base, in Cuba, to be Red Cross 
Field Director. 

George has always been associated with 
the candy business. A past president of the 
National Association of Candy Manufactur- 
ers, he is now in New York as president of 
Loft Candy Company, the largest in the 
world. He is married and has three children. 

Olga was graduated from Washington 
University, and is married to Dr. Alfred 
Gellhorn, Director of Cancer Research for 
Columbia University Medical School. They 
live in Englewood, New Jersey, with their 
five daughters. 



Harry, after graduation from the School 
of Journalism at Illinois, was a report. m- on 
the Honolulu Star-Bulletin when Pearl Har- 
bor was attacked. He covered the fighting in 
the Pacific for United Press throughout 
World War II. and is now editor and pub- 
lisher of the Bangkok Post, the only English 
language newspaper in Bangkok, Thailand. 

The Gelly family has been closely as- 
sociated with the life of Nokomis over a 
period of 86 years, with the two daughters, 
one grand-daughter, and one great-grandson 
still living here. 

* * * * 
ALF GRIFFIN FAMILY 

Mr. Alf Griffin came to Nokomis in 1878 
having accepted a position in the National 
Bank. 

Later, with his brother, Jesse, he opened 
a hardware and furniture store, but after a 
time disposed of his part to his brother. 

He then became interested in the Real 
Estate and Loan Business, and in 1907 he 
helped organize the Farmers' National Bank. 
He was its president until he retired in 1920. 

Mr. and Mrs. Griffin ( Belle Freeland) 
with their daughters, Genevieve and Vir- 
ginia, were members of the St. Mark's 
Lutheran Church. Mr. Griffin passed away 
on Dec. 7, 1942. 

* * * * 
HALLER FAMILY 

The subject of this sketch, Jacob Haller, 
was born in Ross Co., O., on Jan. 25, 1834, 
and with his parents moved to 111. in 1842. 
When about eighteen, he, with a group of 
young men, made a trip across country to the 
California gold fields. He was very fortunate 
in opening a productive mine and also in 
obtaining farm land in the Sacramento 
Valley, which he operated successfully for 
eleven years. 

Mr. Haller was married while in Cali- 
fornia to Miss Nancy Ann Abrahamson, and 
on the trip back to Illinois, they came by sea, 
around Cape Horn. Their family numbered 
ten of whom only six reached adulthood: 
Catherine, Nancy, Eugene, Millie, and 
Milton. They lived in Audubon Twp. for a 
time, before moving to their large farm, just 
south of Nokomis. Mr. Haller was one of the 
founders of the Nokomis National Bank, and 



—49- 



a director during his life-time. He was an 
able financier, ever upright and honest in 
his methods, a Mason, and, with his family, 
attended the M. E. Church. He passed away 
in 1916, Mrs. Haller in 1920. A grand- 
daughter, Mrs. L. R. Kessinger, still resides 
in Nokomis, also a great grandson, David 
Kessinger and his familv. 

* * * * 
HARTSOCK FAMILY 

Mr. L. M. Hartsock was born in Johns- 
ville, Md. in 1841 on a farm in Frederick 
County. When four years of age he was left 
an orphan and lived with another farmer 
near by. He had very little schooling and 
entered a flour mill at eighteen to learn the 
trade. He worked at several mills in Md., 
but in 1872 he came to the E. A. Cooley & 
Co's. flour mill at Nokomis. He and Mr. 
Hobson bought this mill later and at Mr. 
Hobson's death he acquired it all. Back of 
it lay the well remembered Mill Pond which 
supplied water for the steam boilers, and 
also gave the youngsters a winter skating: 
rink. In 1888 the mill burned. In 1889 with' 
B. F. McGrew, Mr. Hartsock built a new 
150 bbl. roller mill nearer the railway and 
later bought McGrew's share. It was known 
as The Nokomis Roller Mills. His products 
were sold in New England, New York and 
even exported. It was in this mill Mr. Hart- 
sock fell and his death was the result. 

He was married to Miss Frances Cooley 
in 1868, a native of Indiana. Their family con- 
sisted of two boys and two girls. All are de- 
ceased. 

They built the lovely residence, near 
the mill on the corner of State and Oak St., 
which still is one of the nicer homes facing 
Route 16. 

* * * * 
HILL FAMILY 

The subject of this sketch, Lewis Hill, 
was born near Fillmore in 1834. Later the 
family moved to a farm in Audubon Twp. 
known as the Burk place. When Mr. Hill 
was about twenty years of age, news came 
from California of the discovery of gold. With 
a group of young adventurers he started for 
the gold fields. They travelled on foot driv- 
ing a large herd of cattle, with three covered 
wagons drawn by teams of oxen carrying 



their provisions. They made the trip in six 
months and fourteen days. 

He returned after two years, was mar- 
ried to Mary Matilda Whitmore, and resumed 
farming. They were the parents of eleven 
children of whom only one is now living. 

When Lincoln called for troops at the 
beginning of the War between the States, 
sixteen young men met at a saw mill south 
of Nokomis and pledged each other to enlist. 
Everyone kept the pledge. All enlisted and 
as far as is known only Mr. Hill and one 
other, William McNichols, returned. Mr. 
Hill was mustered in at Camp Butler into Co. 
B 73rd Illinois Infantry. They were sent on 
to Louisville, where they joined Sherman's 
Division of the Army of the Cumberland. 
This army fought at Perry ville, Stone River, 
Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. It was a 
hard campaign and saved the State of Tenne- 
ssee for the Union. 

After his return from the army, Mr. Hill 
began again with taking care of his farm and 
continued until his retirement, when he 
moved into town. He was a member of the 
Cottingham Post, G. A. R. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hill celebrated their 
fiftieth anniversary, and ten years later 
their sixtieth. Mrs. Noll, their daughter, 
came to share it with them, from Bethany, 
Missouri, where she resided until her death. 

Mr. Hill passed away in 1918 at the age 
of eighty-four, at his home in Nokomis. His 
funeral was held under the auspices of the 
G. A. R. Rev. S. A. Mcintosh conducted the 
services, he being the minister of the M. E. 
Church at that time. 

• * * * 
HUBBARD FAMILY 

Isaac G. Hubbard was born in Ashta- 
bula, O., Nov. 10, 1835, and came to Hills- 
boro in a covered wagon in 1872. Later he 
bought eighty acres, one and one-half miles 
southeast of Nokomis, establishing a nursery. 
He devoted his time to growing hedge, ever- 
greens, berries, and fruit trees. Mr. Hubbard 
developed the Champion Peach, which took 
prizes at the World's Fair in Chicago, in 1893. 
He raised and budded hundreds of trees each 
year making sure they were true to name. 

Mr. Hubbard married Miss Alice 
Mowbry in 1874. Her father helped in 



—50— 



building and finishing the steamship, Great 
Eastern, that laid the Trans-Atlantic Cable. 
There were five children: Iola C, who 
passed away on Dec. 21, 1955; Isaac, a 
physician in Manson, Wash.; Edward D., a 
Nokomis dentist; Alice, and Kate, wife of W. 
F. Bald. All attended and were graduated 
from the Nokomis Schools. The family were 
members of the St. Mark's Lutheran Church 
where Mr. Hubbard was a deacon for several 
years. Mr. Hubbard passed away in Texas 
where he, Mrs. Hubbard, Iola, and Alice had 
lived for a time. He was buried at Nokomis. 

The fruit from the Hubbard Peach Or- 
chard was shipped in baskets, hauled to 
Nokomis or Oconee by wagon. Mr. Hubbard 
and Fred Price were the first to spray 
orchard trees, in this locality. 

• * * * 
HUGENER FAMILY 

Mr. Clemens Hugener, soldier, farmer, 
butcher, miner, and handyman came to the 
U. S. from Switzerland in 1880. At that time 
he was twenty years old. After several 
years he sent passage money to Miss Maria 
Scroggins, a lady he had never seen. She 
was a sister of his brother's wife. They were 
married in Nokomis in 1890 and spent the 
rest of their lives in this city which was over 
fifty years. He died in 1945 and Mrs. Huge- 
ner in 1951. 

Their family consisted of two sons and 
two daughters: Clara, now Mrs. Jann whose 
home is in Mattoon; Paul, who passed away 
at the age of 21; Marie, now Mrs. Gorka who 
lives in Chicago; and Christian, who for 
about 35 years has been the local electrician. 
He was married to Miss LaRue Brookman of 
Irving in 1919. They have had four children: 
Mary K., wife of George Bryce who is Post- 
master now at Irving; Blanche M., a regi- 
stered nurse, wife of William Nash, of the 
Montgomery Service Co.; Paul O., deceased; 
Roberta J., wife of a prominent Butler far- 
mer, Carl Niehaus; and Christian, Jr. of the 
U. S. A. F. at Wichita, Kansas. 

The Nokomis citizens are made quite 
conscious of Chris Hugener when any elec- 
tric trouble strikes, and he is on hand as 
quickly as possible. 



WILLIAM KETTELKAMP FAMILY 

William R. Kettelkamp came from 
Germany to Montgomery Co., 111., by way of 
Edwardsville. He was married to Miss 
Lisetta Bollman. Their family numbered 
five: Samuel R., who was one of the first 
rural mail carriers at Nokomis, married Miss 
Emma Best, lived for a time on his farm and 
is now retired. They celebrated their golden 
wedding anniversary in Dec, 1953. 

Frank, who was a postal clerk at 
Nokomis for twenty-seven years, has retired. 
He and Mrs. Kettelkamp celebrated their 
golden wedding Nov. 23, 1954. 

Albert O., who was Postmaster in 
Nokomis for a time and later mayor of the 
city, moved to Hot Springs, Ark., where he 
passed away in 1939. 

August, who was killed by a tractor at 
the home place, left a son, Edgar, on the farm 
and a son, Gilbert, Professor of Education at 
the U. of I. 

Clara, who married Mr. George Hardy, 
is the mother of Miss Velma one of the 
Nokomis teachers. She and Mr. Hardy are 
both deceased. 

William Kettelkamp purchased land 
north of Nokomis; after farming for a num- 
ber of years he retired and came into the 
city. 

He owned eighty acres of land off the 
north and east city limits, and had part of it 
laid off into lots. This is one of the newer 
residential sections of the city and is known 
as "Kettelkamp's Addition." 

He took an active part in the South 
Fork M. E. Church and was one of the 
founders of the Grace M. E. 

His brother, Fred, donated the land for 
the Kettelkamp Cemetery, north of Nokomis. 

• * * * 
LAW FAMILY 

Mr. Fredrick Law, one of the pioneers, 
was born in Baden, Germany, in 1843. He 
came to the U. S. by way of Canada and in 
1867 opened a harness shop in Nokomis. He 
was very successful and by good manage- 
ment acquired many pieces of property in 
Nokomis and valuable farm lands. 

He was married in 1868 to Miss Susan- 
nah Jane Barringer. She passed away three 



-51— 



years later leaving two daughters, Rosina 
and Nellie. 

In 1873 he married Miss Amanda Cole. 
Their family consisted of two sons and a 
daughter, one son dying in infancy. Charles 
Law married Miss Florence Durdy and is 
now deceased. Dora became the wife of 
Charles Crumbaugh and still makes Nokomis 
her home. 

One grandson, Fred Crumbaugh, has won 
recognition as an artist. His paintings have 
been shown at several National exhibitions 
and at the 111. State Galleries. 

Mr. Law died on March 24, 1929. Mrs. 
Law's death occurred Oct. 23, 1949. 

• * * * 
McCASLIN FAMILY 

Marshal Oliver McCaslin was born in 
1854. His father, Demarcus Asbery McCaslin, 
grandfather, Hugh McCaslin, great-grand- 
father, James McCaslin, a native of Ireland, 
lived in North Carolina and Kentucky. They 
settled in Illinois in 1828. 

Marshal grew up on a farm near Noko- 
mis. In 1879 he married Mary Angeline 
Gaines, daughter of George Washington and 
Elizabeth Gaines of Donnellson, Illinois. 
After their marriage they lived in Macoupin 
county for nine years, moving to Nokomis in 
1886. Here they continued to live the rest of 
their lives. They were members of the 
Baptist Church. 

Marshal, at one time, was Nokomis city 
marshal. He was a building contractor until 
he retired in 1923. His wife died in 1932, at 
the age of 74. He died in 1947, at the age of 
93. 

Five children were born to the couple. 
Lester Guy, Walter Roy, Hugh, Earl Asbery, 
and Mary Ginevra. Lester died when four 
months old. 

Walter, married to Anna Eekhoff, be- 
came a civil engineer. The family lived in 
Kansas City, Mo. from 1914 to 1932. Upon 
returning to Nokomis, Walter became active 
in community life. He was vice-president of 
the A. Lincoln Council of Boy Scouts of 
America. He became city engineer, a posi- 
tion previously held in 1910. His engineer 
contracting firm, "McCaslin and Company", 
was in business here at the time of his death 



in 1947. A son, Walter Roy, born in Nokomis 
who subsequently worked in the Nokomis 
Postoffice, living now in Arcadia, Calif., has 
three children. 

Hugh married Florence Lock of Hills- 
boro. He was a pharmacist. Until 1910 he 
worked for Kempton drug store in Nokomis. 
Later he owned a drug business in Snyder, 
Okla., until his death in 1949. He was then 
residing in Okay, Okla., on the Daley cattle 
ranch, which he owned. There are two sons: 
Harold, who lives in Chickasha, Okla., has 
three children; Ronald, who lives in Tulsa, 
Okla., has two children. Earl died in 1906 
at the age of 19. Ginevra married Ross A. 
Taylor of Oklahoma, a civil engineer. They 
live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

* * * * 
H. C. MILLER FAMILY 

Harry C. Miller and his wife, Florence 
Condo Miller, came to Nokomis in 1900 — Mr. 
Miller as Superintendent of Schools. Later 
he combined law practice with real estate 
business. Their children are Mrs. William 
E. Carson (Alta), Kansas City Kansas; Mrs. 
James P. Haynes (Agnes), Louisville, Ky.; 
Mrs. Carl Treece (Vinita), Grand Junction, 
Colo., Mrs. Gunnard A. Nelson (Florence), 
Overland Park, Kansas, and Mrs. John T. 
Hand (Harryet) River Rouge, Mich. The 
family home was at 220 East Union. Mr. 
Miller died in 1947, his wife, in 1952. 

* * * * 
THE DR. J. C. OSBORN FAMILY 

Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Osborn, formerly Miss 
Rhoda Rush, came to Nokomis, from Jersey- 
ville in 1873. They lived for a time on a farm. 
Later having studied to become a veterinar- 
ian at Charleston, 111., Dr. Osborn opened 
an office in Nokomis. His coming meant 
much to the farmers and stock raisers of the 
community. He was an alderman for twenty- 
four years and acting mayor during Mayor 
Woltmann's trip to Europe. 

The family numbered ten, only six of 
whom lived to adulthood, and only two still 
living — Mrs. Mae Neely and Mrs. Ethel 
Hansen. 

Mrs. Osborn was a direct descendant of 
Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration 
of Independence in 1776. 



52 



F. J. PANNWITT FAMILY 

In 1882 a young blacksmith and horse- 
shoer, F. J. Pannwitt, came to Nokomis to 
work for J. L. Freasier whose shop was lo- 
cated on the back of the present Post Office 
site, facing the park. 

In 1885 he bought out Mr. Freasier's 
business and property and was married to 
Miss Margaret Essman of Bland, Mo., the 
same year. By hard work he expanded the 
business until it employed six men, and 
1 1 k m \ Pannwitt farm wagons built in his 
shop were to be seen on the highways around 
Nokomis. 

In 1904 he bought out the Challecombe 
implement business, corner of Central and 
Spruce Streets and sometime later sold the 
blacksmith business to Louis Priess. 

In 1908 Mr. Pannwitt's son Edwin F. 
Pannwitt, just home from Gem City Busi- 
ness College, was taken into the business and 
the firm name changed to F. J. Pannwitt and 
Son, under which name the business contin- 
ued until it was sold in 1946. 

In 1912 the two story brick building 
next to the implement store was built and 
the hardware business added to the imple- 
ment business; in 1916 furniture was also 
added. 

Mr. F. J. Pannwitt died on October 8, 
1919, and the business was continued by his 
son, Edwin F. Pannwitt, and his daughter 
and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Fred P. 
Layer. The implement business was sold in 
1920 and the hardware and furniture busi- 
ness in 1946. Mrs. Pannwitt died in 1928. 

Edwin F. Pannwitt was married to Effie 
W. Battles in 1908 and they have two chil- 
dren. Their daughter Alice May married 
Rev. Reynold E. Best, at present pastor of 
West Seattle Baptist Church. They have 
one daughter, Suzanne. 

Their son Fred J. Pannwitt married 
Barbara Semple of New York City and they 
have two daughters, Monica Jean and Eliza- 
beth. Fred received the Master's degree in 
journalism from Columbia University in 
New York, served in the Navy in World 
War II, and is now in the editorial depart- 
ment of the Chicago Daily News. 

Florence L. Pannwitt was married to 
Fred P. Laver in 1919 and they have two 



children. Their daughter, Margaret, is mar- 
ried to Kenneth R. Wood, who is a statisti- 
cian at the U. S. Quarter Master Depot in 
Chicago. They have two children: a son, 
Paul P.. and a daughter. Diane. 

Their sun. Paul, after serving in the 
army eleven months in Korea, married 
Marilyn Bauman. They are at present con- 
duct hit; Layer's Store located in the former 
Schaper Drug Store building, selling gifts, 
paints, electrical appliances, and T.V. sets 

Since selling their business in 1946 Ed- 
win F. Pannwitt has been secretary-treasur- 
er of the Nokomis Building Association and 
Fred P. Layer has been a traveling salesman 
selling housewares. 

* * * * 




MR. AND MRS. A. P. PAUSCHERT 

1884-1955 1885- 

Born at Shelbyville, the Pauscherts 
grew up, went to church and school, and 
married there, on June 19. 1907. Before 
their marriage she had taught school; he had 
clerked in a clothing and dry goods store and 
studied photography, practiced the profession 
a while in Louisville, Ky.. and bought a 
studio in Colfax, McLean county, 111., in 1906. 
There their first son was born; they soon 
came to Nokomis, purchased the old Whittle- 
sev Studio, and opened it as "The Pauschert 
Studio" Dec. 15, 1908. 

The studio was operated continuously 
until they retired and closed out the business 
at the end of 1953 - after 45 years of service 
to the community in which they developed 
and deeply valued and enjoyed a wide ac- 
quaintance while recording the photographic 



-53— 



history of families from births, through con- 
firmations, graduations, and marriages, to 
deaths. 

At the time of their retirement, Mr. 
Pauschert was the Nokomis business com- 
munity's senior business man in point of 
continuous and unchanged operation. 

Immediately upon reaching Nokomis, in 
1908, they affiliated with St. Mark's Lutheran 
Church and remained active therein, both 
long occupying offices in its organizations. 

Mrs. Pauschert was the first president 
of the Grade School Parent-Teacher Associ- 
ation. She was a life member and past 
president of the St. Mark's Missionary So- 
ciety, and president for many years of the 
Ladies' Aid. She was affiliated with the 
Royal Neighbors. Mrs. Pauschert died Aug. 
11, 1955, after 5-months' illness. 

Mr. Pauschert served 28 years on the 
St. Mark's Church Council, was Sunday 
School Superintendent many years and sev- 
eral times president of the Men's Brother- 
hood. He served 9 years on the old Grade 
School Board of Education, and several years 
as secretary of the Merchants Association. 
In 1927, the last election under the alder- 
manic form of city government, he was 
elected city treasurer, and after completing 
that 2-year elective term was re-appointed 
term after term by succeeding mayors under 
the commission form until 1952. He is now a 
member of the Board of Directors of the No- 
komis Building Association, and has property 
interests in Pana. He continues to occupy 
the family home. 

There are 2 living children, and 2 grand- 
children: Donald of Pana, secretary-treas- 
urer and general manager of Pana News, 
Inc., publisher of the Pana News-Palladium, 
the Tower Hill Times, and the Herrick Bul- 
letin; and Helen, wife of Attorney George 
Aichele of Western Springs, 111., and their 
two sons, George and Donald. The Pausch- 
erts' 3rd child and younger son, George Paul, 
died here of poliomyelitis in 1931 at the age 
of 10. 

* * * * 
SCHAPER FAMILIES 

Charles Schaper was born in Wester- 
brook, Germany, and came to the U. S. at the 
age of twenty-one, locating at Hillsboro, 111. 



He was married to Miss Almeda Cole. Their 
family numbered ten of whom only four 
lived to adulthood: George, Frank, William, 
and Bessie. 

Charles Schaper was a carpenter, but af- 
ter coming to Nokomis in 1865 he, with oth- 
ers, conducted a lumber business. The firm 
was known as Webb, Carstens, and Schaper. 

He was the first president of the Board 
of Trustees when Nokomis was organized as 
a village in 1867. He also served as Town 
Clerk, Assessor, Justice of the Peace and 
President of the Schoool Board. He passed 
away in 1904. 

William Schaper, son of Charles and Al- 
meda Schaper, was married to Miss Mollie 
Durdy. They had no children. They lived in 
Nokomis for a time, later moving to Indian- 
apolis, Ind. He was a salesman for the firm 
of Hollweg and Reese, wholesale dealers in 
chinaware. He passed away in 1917. 

Another son, Frank H. Schaper, was 
married to Miss Julia Herman of Raymond. 
He was a painter and interior decorator in 
Nokomis for many years. He passed away in 
1920. His family consisted of a son, Roy, and 
a daughter, Nina. Roy was married to Miss 
Huldah Kettelkamp in 1918 and lived for 
several years at Nokomis. They are the par- 
ents of a son, Kenneth, and a daughter, 
Yvonne Schaper Lewis. Both are married 
and have families. 

While in Nokomis, Roy was associated 
for a time with Floyd Sides in the grocery 
firm known as Sides and Schaper, and later 
with C. W. Barnstable in a feed and hatchery 
business. He now lives in Pana where he op- 
erates a business of his own. In his business 
ventures he has been very successful con- 
ducting affairs with marked ability. The son 
and daughter live in Pana and are associ- 
ated with the Schaper Feed and Hatchery. 

Nina, now Mrs. Roitero, lives at the fam- 
ily home place in Nokomis. 

George H., eldest son of Charles and Al- 
meda Schaper, married Miss Leora Culp. He- 
was five years old when the family came to 
Nokomis in 1865. He attended the Nokomis 
Schools and afterward entered the Shurtleff 
College in Alton, 111. He began work for Day 
and Upstone at their drug store, at the age 
of sixteen, and later purchased the business. 
—54- 



He was continuously at this store, at the 
same location— 109 W. State St.— for sixty- 
nine years, or until the day of his death in 
1945. He was a successful business man, held 
in high esteem by all who knew him. He held 
the following offices: City Clerk, Director of 
Nokomis National Bank, Member of the 
School Board for twenty years, and also of 
the Cemetery Board. He was connected with 
all the civic organizations of his time. His 
family numbered three - Edward, Fred C, 
and Newell. 

Edward was graduated from The St. 
Louis College of Pharmacy and was asso- 
ciated with his father in Nokomis. He mar- 
ried Miss Genevieve Smith. Their family 
consisted of one son, George Eugene, who 
died at about thirteen years of age, and a 
daughter Jane, now Mrs. John Wright, who 
lives in Detroit. Edward passed away in 
1953. 

Fred C, the second son, after finishing 
Nokomis High School attended the Gem 
City Business College at Quincy, 111. He was 
associated with his father in the drug store 
for many years. At present he is with the 
State of 111. as Revenue Tax Inspector. He 
was married to Miss Helen Tevis whose death 
occurred in 1942. Their daughters, Leora 
Schaper Kralik and Sue Schaper Balzrina, 
have families of their own. Leora resides at 
Hillsboro, 111., and Sue in San Diego, Cali- 
fornia. The present Mrs. Fred Schaper was 
Miss Marie Lebkuecher of Beardstown. They 
have recently built a new home on School 
Street, Nokomis. 

Newell, third son of George and Leora 
Schaper, was married to Miss Mary Harter 
of Indianapolis, Ind. They have one son, 
Ralph Newell, who is a Baptist minister, 
living in California. He is married and 
three children bless this union. Newell has 
been a professional pianist at Kansas City 
for over twenty years, and for many years, 
and is now, Staff Pianist at Radio Station 
W. D. A. F. and T. V. 

Bessie, the only daughter of Charles and 
Almeda Schaper, years ago moved away 
from Nokomis. She lived in Chicago until 
her death in 1923. 

The Schaper name has been intimately 
associated with Nokomis since 1865, and is 



proud of any part it may have had in help- 
ing make Nokomis the city we now all live 
in and of which we are so proud. 

* • * * 
SIPPELL FAMILY 

Mr. George Sippell was born in Ohio in 
1845. He learned watch-making at Coving- 
ton, Kentucky. In 1868 he opened a jewel- 
ry store in Nokomis, retiring in 1902. 

He was married to Annie Eliza Hale in 
1871. A daughter, Mrs. Essie Randle, lives 
now at Clayton, Mo. 

Mr. Sippell was a director of the Noko- 
mis National Bank, for many years, and was 
president from 1893 until his death in 1911. 
He is remembered as a man of scrupulous 
integrity. 

• * * * 
SPERRY FAMILY 

The Sperry ancestors ( Puritans or 
Separatists) lived in England previous to 
1600. Being persecuted by the Episcopalian 
Government, they fled to Holland where 
they were again persecuted; then they se- 
cured a grant of land located in Virginia 
from the King of England and came to 
America on a Dutch sailing vessel about the 
same time as the Pilgrims. They may have 
been stowaways in the Dutch slave ship in 
1619. (Who knows?) They made a settlement 
in Virginia and named the town Sperryville 
which now is on U. S. Route 211. After two 
generations they moved to Ross Co., Ohio, 
where they lived two generations, then 
down the Scioto and Ohio Rivers, up the 
Mississippi to Quincy, 111. Shortly after the 
Sperry family left the boat at Quincy, 111., an 
explosion occurred, which sent boat and cargo 
to the bottom of the river . Then to Barry, 
Pike Co., where Hiram B. and Mary Ann 
( Doran ) Sperry were married in 1858. Later 
they moved to Waverly and Auburn where 
Hiram Sperry was the only teacher in each 
school. In 1864 to Audubon Twp. where he 
bought the E 1 L . of S. W. ' , 31-10-1 and Chris 
Balsley bought the W 1 j S. W. 31-10-1. On 
this 160 acres was a one-room log cabin in 
which these families lived. Such was pioneer 
life. 

Present generation: Cicero Sperry, Nor- 
man Sperry, Milo Sperry, Minnie Penne- 
packer, Mary Graden, Mattie Huddleston, 



-55- 



lone Traylor, Clarence Sperry, Edgar Sper- 
ry, Nettie Lounsbury, May Sperry. Living as 
of 4- 15- '56: Mary Graden, Nettie Lounsbury. 
May Sperry and Edgar Sperry. Large fam- 
ilies, farmers, 40' \ school teachers, 60', 
Methodist and Baptist, Anti Socialists, Re- 
publicans. Indebted to library for history, to 
Stranges, to Traylors, and to histories of 
Montg. Co. 

* * * * 
TAYLOR FAMILY 

About the year 1850 Mr. and Mrs. George 
Taylor came to Illinois from New Jersey by 
way of Niles, Michigan, and Alton, Illinois. 
They settled on a farm north of Nokomis 
where Mr. Taylor became interested in the 
buying and selling of farm lands. Later 
they moved into town where he aided in 
founding the Old Nokomis National Bank. 
He was an executive of this organization un- 
til his death. 

Their family numbered five: Augusta, 
William, Eugene, Jerome, and Horace. Au- 
gusta and Jerome never married, and lived 
in or near Nokomis all their lives. 

Eugene married and brought up his fam- 
ily on the home farm, where one son still re- 
sides. Later he moved to Kansas, where he 
purchased extensive wheat lands. 

Horace married after moving to Chicago. 
He became a well known cartoon artist. He 
was associated with the Chicago Record 
Herald, a daily newspaper. Later, becoming 
a free lance artist, he did work for Harper's, 
Everybody's, and other prominent maga- 
zines of that time. 

William was married to Anna Dravo 
Day, on April 20, 1880. He was associated 
with the Old Nokomis National Bank at that 
time. Later he conducted a mercantile 
establishment. He was born June 26, 1857, 
and passed away on Sept. 11, 1920. Mrs. 
Taylor was born on Oct. 22, 1862, and died 
on Nov. 23, 1934. Their family consisted of 
two daughters: Florence Elizabeth and Nella 
Day. 

Florence Elizabeth, the younger, was a 
successful business woman for many years. 
Her death occurred on Jan. 2, 1951. Nella 
Day was married to Farrish Arnot Reisner 
in 1906. Their family numbered two: Ernest 
William and Anna Elizabeth. Ernest mar- 



ried Miss Barbara Watters of Winchester, 
Mass. Their home is in Fairfax, Virginia. 
He is with the U. S. government in Washing- 
ton, D. C. Anna Elizabeth married Alvin O. 
Fuhrmann of St. Paul, Minn. They reside 
at Palos Verdes Estates, California. Their 
only son, Alan Taylor, is a student in Michi- 
gan State College. Mrs. Reisner has been 
most successful in the business world, and 
lives at present in Washington, D. C. 
• * * * 
THE VANDEVER FAMILY 

A. K. Vandever, A. E. Vandever and 
Lester K. Vandever came to Nokomis in 1908 
starting in the newspaper business by pur- 
chasing the Nokomis Progress from W. P. 
Hagthrop. This partnership continued until 
1918, at which time A. E. Vandever pur- 
chased the interest of his partners and with 
Luther E. Shoemaker consolidated the two 
Nokomis papers under the name of the Free 
Press-Progress. 

A. K. Vandever was born in Moweaqua, 
111., September 4, 1855. His parents were 
Aaron S. and Isabella Vandever, the former, 
a practicing physician at Oconee, Illinois. 
He was following his profession there when 
in response to his country's need he enlisted 
in Company I, Thirteenth Missouri Infantry, 
and was wounded at the battle of Fort Don- 
elson. In 1863 he moved to Irving, 111., but 
he never recovered from his wound which 
ultimately caused his death in 1868. It is a 
matter of record that Aaron S. Vandever and 
Isabella Slater were the first or second couple 
to be married in Audubon township. 

When 27 years of age A. K. Vandever 
began teaching school in Montgomery County 
and in 1900 he turned his attention to jour- 
nalistic work by publishing the Irving Times; 
he was active in the best interests of Irving 
and later in Nokomis. He was married in 
1884 to Miss Mamie Haller of Irving. They 
have both departed this life. 

A. E. Vandever remained actively en- 
gaged in the newspaper business for 45 years, 
but in 1953 he retired on account of failing 
health. A. E. Vandever was married in 1908 
to Miss Lela P. Bond of Irving, and to this 
union was born one son, Edmond B. Van- 
dever. They have four grandchildren. Mr. 
Vandever served Nokomis as Supervisor and 



-56— 



Mayor. He was a member of the Rotary 
Club and his lodge is the Nokomis A. F. and 
A. M. 456. 

Lester K. Vandever, leaving the news- 
paper profession in 1918, attended law school 
and practiced law in Nokomis and Witt for 
a number of years. It was while living in 
Nokomis that he was elected State's Attorney 
of Montgomery County; he also was appoint- 
ed as Assistant Attorney General. It was 
while filling the office of State's Attorney 
that he moved to Hillsboro to practice law. 
He is a member of Nokomis A. F. i& A. M. 
456 and of the Rotary Club in Hillsboro. He 
also has taken an active part in the develop- 
ment of both Nokomis and Hillsboro. 

In 1916 Mr. Vandever was married to 
Miss Nora Bolding of Nokomis, and to them 
were born three children: Ralph A., Lester 
J. and Mrs. Harry Hoff. They are grand- 
parents of nine children. 

Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Vandever are mem- 
bers of St. Mark's Lutheran church in Noko- 
mis and Mr. and Mrs. Lester K. Vandever 
are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church 
in Hillsboro. 

• * * * 
J. L. WALCHER FAMILY 

J. L. Walcher has practiced Veterinary 
Medicine in Nokomis since 1909. He is a 
graduate of the Chicago Veterinary College, 
and his wife is the former Miss Lucile New- 
ton. 

Dr. Walcher has been affiliated with 
Nokomis Building Association for twenty 
years, and is now president of that Associa- 
tion. 

The Walchers have one son, Dr. Dwain, 
who was graduated from the University of 
Chicago in 1940. He spent five years at Yale 
University. At present he is on the staff at 
Indiana Medical Center, Indianapolis, Ind. 

* * * * 
WALTON FAMILY 

Mrs. Nancy Walton came into the Noko- 
mis community in 1862, bringing her twin 
children, Ned and Nellie. They lived on a 
farm southeast of Nokomis. When Ned grew 
to manhood, he took over the farm, and 
Nellie married Mr. Arch Bussong and moved 
to St. Jacobs, 111. 

In 1887 Ned was married to Miss Ella 



Beck and later they purchased the home 
farm, two miles southeast of town where 
they spent the remainder of their days. 
They were highly respected by everyone as 
good neighbors and true friends. Their 
family numbered three: Clyde, now deceased 
who married Miss Cordelia Pierson; Nellie 
E., who became the wife of Henry Opperman 
and who died on April 13, 1954, the result of 
an automobile accident; Clara Grace who be- 
came Mrs. Hubert Bryce, and lives now on a 
farm west of Nokomis. There are two 
grandchildren: Iola Opperman Barger of 
Decatur and Claralena Opperman Nowatka 
of Dayton, O. 

Mr. Walton's death occured in July, 1933, 
at the age of seventy-three. Mrs. Walton 
died on Julv 12, 1928, aged seventy-eight. 

* * * * 
WEAKLEY FAMILY 

J. C. Weakley was married to Miss 
Carrie Cottingham on June 8, 1884, at Hills- 
boro. He had come to Nokomis in 1883, 
working as a tinner. Later he added a stock 
of hardware to his place on W. State St. 

After his retirement Mr. and Mrs. 
Weakley lived at their home, corner State 
and Oak St. She preceded him in death only 
a few months. Their family numbered four: 
Harry, who died in 1895; Marguerite, who 
passed away in 1922; Emory, who married 
Catherine Hoehn; and Ray L. whose wife 
was Hazel Kuhle. There are four grand- 
children: Ronald Rabold, Robert Rabold, 
Margaret and Helen Rabold. There are three 
great grandchildren: Kelsey and Rodger Ra- 
bold and Carl Willenbrock. 

* * * ¥ 
WEAVER FAMILY 

The subject of this sketch, Alson F. 
Weaver, was born in Madison Co. in 1838. 
After completing the courses of study at 
Edwardsville, he entered the Wesleyan Uni- 
versity of Delaware, O., graduating in 1861. 

In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private 
in the 117th Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry and was at once moved up to Ser- 
geant. His company served in the south- 
west. He was with Bank's Expedition up 
Red River, where they were under fire cons- 
tantly. This and other battles helped to save 
Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana for the 



—57- 



Union. He was mustered out at Springfield, 
111., in 1865. 

In 1866 he was married to Miss Martha 
A. Dunn at Zanesville, Ohio. Of their fam- 
ily of eight, six lived to adulthood: Lora, 
Winnie, Dunn, Hettie, Earl, and Harry. Only 
three of these are now living, Dunn, Earl and 
Hettie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Weaver lived on their 
farms for some time, first in Madison Co. 
and then Montgomery Co. near Nokomis. In 
1880 Mr. Weaver moved into town and open- 
ed a general store on West Main Street using 
the ground floor. The second floor was 
known as Weaver's Opera House. Later he 
gave up this venture and embarked in the 
insurance business, which occupied his time 
until his retirement. 

He held many positions of trust: mem- 
ber of the Board of Directors of the Nokomis 
National Bank, member of the School Board 
for eighteen years, Township Supervisor, 
Town Clerk and Highway Commissioner. 
He was also a member of the A. F. & A. M. 
Lodge No. 456, and, too, a member of the 
G. A. R. Post No. 236 of which he was com- 
mander for many years. 

On one of his farms sixty acres lying 
within the city limits he built a beautiful 
home which is now the Memorial Park 
House. The High School too is built on these 
acres and the Memorial Park occupies much 
of this place. 

The marked characteristics of Mr. and 
Mrs. Weaver were their kindness and gener- 
osity to those less fortunate than themselves. 
Mrs. Weaver passed away March 22, 1911, 
and Mr. Weaver on June 5, 1924. 

* * * * 
THE JOHN WOLTMANN FAMILY 

Mr. John Woltmann came with his 
parents from Germany in June, 1868. He was 
married to Miss Minnie Nantkes in 1885. 
They were the parents of five children: 
Arnold, Jesse, Louis, Carl, and Lillian. His 
first venture in business was in companv 
with G. Eekhoff in 1882. This store was at 
the corner of State and Pine Streets. 

Mr. Eekhoff left the stare later, moving 
to Iowa, and Garrelt Brakenhoff became the 
new partner. Mr. Woltmann's sister, Mrs. 
Antje Eekhoff, was an assistant in the store 



and was wide and favorably known. To 
many she was known as "Tante Antje." This 
firm was incorporated in 1907 as "The J. 
Woltmann Co." and continued in business 
until 1952 when the corporation was dis- 
solved after over seventy years in business 
in Nokomis. Mr. Woltmann passed away in 
1941 and Mrs. Woltman in 1938. Mr. Wolt- 
mann was a stockholder and director of the 
old Nokomis National Bank, Mayor of the 
city for several terms, member of the City 
Council for years, member of the Nokomis 
Public School Board, and of the Trinity 
Lutheran Church, of which he was one of the 
founders. A good man, a faithful, honest 
citizen, and a true friend. 

* * * * 
YACKLE FAMILIES 

Frank and Tony Yackle came with their 
parents to America in 1865 from Baden, Ger- 
many, their native country, when the boys 
were very young. They grew up and atten- 
ded school in Hillsboro, 111., where Frank be- 
came a cobbler and shoe merchant, and Tony 
became a blacksmith. Frank married Kath- 
erine Huber, and Tony married Lena Lud- 
deke. In 1889 Tony and his family moved to 
Nokomis where he entered the employ of 
F. J. Pannwitt as a blacksmith and later 
owned his own shop on E. Front St. He died 
in 1912. His widow and daughter live in No- 
komis where Stella taught in the public 
schools for many years. Frank and his fam- 
ily came to Nokomis in 1891 and he opened 
a shoe shop where he sold and repaired shoes 
until a short time before his death in 1945. 
He served as a commissioner and mayor of 
Nokomis. Mrs. Frank Yackle passed away 
in 1937. Their son Carl, a retired mail clerk, 
resides in Mattoon; the older daughter, 
Florence Thoma, lives in Watertown, Wis- 
consin; the younger daughter, Viola Ramsey, 
lives in Moline, 111. 

* * * * 
'Garrelt Brakenhoff bought an interest 
in a store in Nokomis. The new firm will be 
Woltmann & Brakenhoff." 1881 



"Hon. John Carstens left for Springfield 
for the convening of the State Legislature - 
Jan., 1889." 



58 




JOHN PIER, SR. 



PIER FAMILY 

Mr. John Pier, Sr. was the son of Joe 
and Mary Hoppe Pier who came to Nokomis 
from Mascoutah in 1880. His wife was the 
daughter of Francis and Mary Gosner Beeler. 
She was born in Greenville, 111., and came to 
Nokomis in 1869. 

Mr. Pier was born in 1865 at Damains- 
ville, 111., and came with his parents to a 
farm near Nokomis. He was employed for 
a time as a carpenter in St. Louis. He was 
married to Miss Mary Beeler in 1888 and 
they lived on a farm until 1903 when they 
moved into Nokomis. He passed away in 
1936 and Mrs. Pier in 1955. Their family 
numbered four: Charles, John, Jr., Emma, 
and Frank. 

Charles, now deceased, married Miss 
Lula Barker in 1911. Their children are 
Mildred, Charles, Jr., Paul D. and Ralph now 
deceased. John, Jr. married Miss Berniece 
Godown in 1917. They have no family. 
Frank married Miss Helen Charnisky in 1937. 
They have no children. Miss Emma lives 
with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pier. There are 
several great grand children: Charles R. 
Pier, Dawn Starr Pier, Richard, Micheal, and 
Sandia Lou Girard. Sandia Girard and 
Dawn Starr Pier are not now living. There 
is a great great grandson, Kessler Joe Pier. 



PIER COAL CO. 1895 - 1956 

In 1895 Mr. John Pier, Sr. opened a 
place of business as a retailer and shipper of 
hay: in 1903 he bought the Gardner Stokes 
Coal business and added a stock of brick and 
tile. He purchased the Bentz Elevator in 
1906 which he sold later to Henry J. Nobbe 
in 1911. For a time he bought and shipped 
pears and apples with the Simon Lerner 
Com. Co. 

Mr. Pier was a civic minded man, build- 
ing many homes for sale or rent. He has 
operated the coal business at the present lo- 
cation for 46 years, the oldest firm in Noko- 
mis today. It is conducted by John, Jr., Miss 
Emma, and Frank and is known as The Pier 
Coal Co. Their success may well be attri- 
buted to careful attention to business and to 
reliability. 

Mr. Pier was a member of the City 
Council at the time the first pavements were 
laid, and for a number of terms he was 
Alderman for Wards No. 2 and 3. 

Frank and John, Jr., are members of the 
Nokomis Fire Department and of the Ameri- 
can Legion. John served in World War I 
and Frank in World War II. Miss Emma be- 
longs to the American Legion Auxiliary and 
to the Business and Professional Woman's 
Club. 

The building, which burned on the Pier 
Company's present location, was known as 
Culp's Coffin and Wagon Factory. 



-59- 



THE VALLEY OF THE MOON 

Centennial Pageant 
Under the auspices of the Nokomis Centennial Committee 

General Manager, Scenes and Action — LaRue Hugener 
Narration — Anita Stanley 

Welcome: 

By the Princess and her Indian maidens. 

Prologue: VOICE OF THE MIGHTY WEST WIND 

By the narrator alone. 

Scene One: THIS IS THE VALLEY 

This scene depicts the land which is now our town as it was in the 1830's. 
Scene Two: THE FIRST SETTLERS 

This scene pictures the arrival of the first settlers. 

Scene Three: AUDUBON 1836 

This scene introduces Anasa Berry by whom the town was named. 

Scene Four: DANCING— THE DREAM OF THE ILLINOKOS 

This scene portrays the mythical tribe to whom Nokomis belonged. 

Scene Five: TOGETHER IN FAITH 

This scene delineates the Sabbath and the first wedding in the valley. 

Scene Six: DANCING— OAK GROVE 

This scene pictures a social gathering at the first school house. 

Scene Seven: COMING OF THE IRON HORSE 

This scene depicts the completion of the railroad through the valley and a visit from Mr. 
and Mrs. Lincoln. 

Scene Eight: SO WE TOOK THE NAME NOKOMIS 

This scene shows the members of the town council gathered in the city park for their 
meeting at which the town becomes incorporated and officially adopts the name Nokomis. 

—60— 



Scene Nine: FOR FREEDOM'S CAUSE 

This scene shows the effect of the Civil War on the town. Also the sympathetic heart of 
its citizens toward an oppressed people. This features negro spirituals. 

Scene Ten: DANCING— SATURDAY NIGHT 

This scene pictures the city park in the gay 90's. It features a band concert and The Hesi- 
tation Waltz. 

Scene Eleven: TURNING OF THE CENTURY 

This scene describes the turn of the century. It introduces various industries and the 
excitement caused by the first automobile. 

Scene Twelve: DANCING— BLACK ROCK SURFACED 

This scene delineates the boom to Nokomis with the coming of the coal mines. It intro- 
duces the people of many nationalities who now make up the town and features some of their 
folk dances. 

Scene Thirteen: THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN 

This scene portrays the various types of professional people produced by the hetero- 
geneous Illinokos. It features baseball. 

Scene Fourteen: OVER THERE 

This scene shows the effect of World War I on the Nokomis Community. It features 
songs of that era. 

Scene Fifteen: DANCING— CRESTING THE WAVE 

This scene portrays Nokomis at its most prosperous best. It features entertainment as we 
knew it at the city park during the roaring 20's. 

Scene Sixteen: THE SAD SAD DAYS 

This scene depicts the depression. The struggle of the town for survival. World War II. 
Tribute is paid to all men and women who served in the armed forces and a salute is fired in 
honor of those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. 

Scene Seventeen: HOPE OF SURVIVAL 

This scene tells of post war prosperity. It tells of new industries. It features roller skating. 

Scene Eighteen: THE STAFF OF LIFE 

This scene pays tribute to the farmers of the community and features the TRAIL 
RIDERS. 

Epilogue: DANCING— 

This brings in the entire cast and features the Princess. 

—61— 



IN LOVING MEMORY OF 



JOSEPH WM. WILD, (march 6, 1856-June 10, 1924) 
IDA OHLMAN WILD, (May 9, 1865-July 29, 1952) 
IONE ELIZABETH WILD, (Feb. 25, 1890-Sept. 16, 1954) 



— OLIVIA WILD McMANUS 




BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL 
NOKOMIS 

"Personal success, business success, built upon materialism 
alone, are empty shells concealing disappointment, saddened 
lives. 

Cast your bread upon the waters and it will come back in 
abundance." 



GEORGE ROBERT WHITE 




Christmas Parade Sponsored By Nokomis Chamber of Commerc 



NOKOMIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

The Nokomis Chamber of Commerce, 
formerly known as the Nokomis Merchants' 
Association was organized on June 19, 1924. 
The first officers of the Association were 
Edwin Pannwitt, president; Alvin Henkel, 
secretary; and George Schaper, treasurer. 

Previously, the merchants had organized 
under various names, only to fail, but the 
organization in 1924, succeeding the Nokomis 
Booster Club, served in the capacity of a 
Chamber of Commerce until the name was 
changed officially in May, 1952. 

During the years this organization has 
worked for the benefit of the community and 
has been active in supporting all projects 
beneficial to the people of Nokomis and its 
farming territory. 



Among the benefits resulting have been 
a fine cooperation of the merchants and the 
farmers in joining in Saturday evening 
entertainments, picnics, annual Farmers 
Institute meetings, etc. 

They were also active in behalf of the 
coal mining industry, in organizing the new 
bank, bringing in various factories which 
created new jobs, purchasing a Memorial 
Park, and for years sponsoring an annual 
Farm Bureau-Merchants picnic. 

They subscribed to stock in Nokomis 
New Industries to furnish capital to estab- 
lish new industries. 

Present officers are Howard Bell, presi- 
dent; Fred Kettelkamp, vice president; Leslie 
Sperry, treasurer; and George Sale, secre- 
tary. 



"Nokomis Nat'l Bank received from 
U. S. mint by express 1,000 silver dollars of 
1879 vintage." 



'Street sprinkler on the job." June, 



1880. 



"New sidewalk leading 
completed." May, 1880. 



to the cemetery 



"Since our night police has been dis- 
charged the tramp trampeth to the calaboose 
and retireth early." March, 1879. 



-64— 



ANN'S FASHION SHOPPE 

Miss Ann Hueschen will celebrate being 
in business in Nokomis 27 years this fall. 
With only a couple hundred dollars, Ann 
started a Millinery and Novelty Shop where 
the Nokomis Bakery is now located. Mrs. 
Wm. Blaeuer of Litchfield had the back as 
a beauty shop and Miss Hueschen used the 
front for her business. This arrangement 
was started Oct. 29, 1929. The following 
March, Mrs. Blaeuer sold her interest to 
Ann's sister, Mrs. Luella Buechsenschuetz 
who operated the beauty shop until June, 
1934, when she quit business. 

In 1936 Miss Hueschen moved to the 
Kerr Building, where the V. F. W. is located; 
here Ann did business for 10 years; then she 
moved to her own building and the business 
name was changed to ANN'S FASHION 
SHOPPE. 

In 1945 Miss Hueschen purchased the 
building that is now used for her store from 
Mrs. Anna Shannon. These lots, 11 & 12, blk. 
32, were laid out over 120 years ago and 
originally sold for $50.00. Ann remodeled 
the store and the apartment above where she 
lives. 

From the modest beginning in 1929, 
Ann went through the depression of three 
bank failures in Nokomis, building the busi- 
ness, such as she is enjoying today, by hand- 
ling nationally advertised merchandise. Her 
motto is "Exclusive but not Expensive." Mrs. 
Ann Kapilla and Mrs. Alma Pereboom assist 
her in the store and Joann Williams on Sat- 
urdays. 

Miss Hueschen is the daughter of the 
late Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich Hueschen, pio- 
neers of this community. Ann has always 
been active in church work, having been 
organist at Trinity Lutheran Chuch for 25 
years and belonging to the Ladies' Aid and 
The Altar Guild. Miss Hueschen is a char- 
ter member of the Nokomis B. & P. W. and 
the Chamber of Commerce. She is always 
ready to help in any civic enterprise that 
might come up for the benefit of the 
community. 

* * * * 

City directory February, 1889 - Noko- 
mis had 75 business firms; 1,100 population. 







Howard 



Bell 



BELL'S JEWELRY 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard D. Bell came to 
Nokomis from Charleston, 111., ten years ago, 
when Mr. Bell opened one of the most com- 
plete jewelry stores in Central Illinois. 

Mr. Bell is a graduate gemologist and is 
an authority on diamonds. Since coming to 
Nokomis, Howard has taken a very active 
part in all civic affairs. At present, he heads 
the Nokomis Chamber of Commerce. 

* * * * 
JOE DUEZ SHOE REPAIR SHOP 

Joe Duez Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 
Duez, Sr., natives of Belgium, was born in 
Patton, Penn.; he worked in the coal mines 
from 1917 - 21 before learning the shoe 
repair trade from his brother. He in turn 
taught another brother while in a shop in 
Pana. 

In 1944 Mr. Duez bought his present 
location from Ed. Wilson, who had a barber 
shop there. He lives in Witt and commutes 
to Nokomis each day. This year, along with 
the repair work, he has put in a line of men's 
and boys' dress and work shoes. 

• * * * 

"The Nokomis Coal Mining Conmpany 
licensed by the Secretary of State - Dec, 
1887 D. H. Zepp, Geo. Schaper, N. Singer, 
Alt' Griffin, E. G. Greenman, and L. M. 
Hartsock were promoters." 



"Social Club issued 100 invitations to a 
grand ball at the Armory Hall." 1 1878) 



-65- 




BERNS BROS. CONCRETE PRODUCTS 

The Berns Bros. Concrete Products is 
one of the oldest businesses in our commun- 
ity, as Frank N. Berns, cousin of Nick Berns, 
father of the Berns brothers, bought the lots 
on which the business is located today, back 
in 1911, and the following year started the 
block and tile business. 

Monroe and Frank J. Berns, after getting 
out of Service, bought this business in Mar., 
1946. Both boys had been in the Army, Mon- 
roe being released in Sept., 1945, and Frank 
the following January. 

In 1950 the brothers expanded their bus- 
iness, purchasing an automatic block ma- 
chine; this was a big improvement as it turns 
out 180 blocks an hour. In the fall of 1951 
and the spring of '52, Monroe and Frank 
again decided to become more modern and 
added a Redi-mix plant. This machine mixes 
the concrete at their place of business, and 
it is then trucked to the place where it is 
used. 

The summer of 1953 they again took a 
step forward in progress by replacing their 
old building with a modern block, fireproof 
building which measures 60 x 70 ft. When 
the Berns brothers remodeled, an old steam 

* * 

"I. O. O. F. & Masonic Halls damaged by 
cyclone, May, 1880." 



engine, that had been used over 40 years 
before, was pulled out and was left standing 
at the far end of the lot. 

In 1955 the latest electronic block and 
tile making equipment was added. This ma- 
chine has a capacity of producing more than 
500 units per hour. At date of purchase there 
were only 17 other machines of this kind in 
the United States and Canada. 

This business has grown and expanded 
until at present the boys deal in everything 
that is made of concrete, such as, drain tile. 
septic tanks, building blocks, and sand, grav- 
el and cement. The business takes in a radius 
of more than 75 miles. Berns brothers' first 
big block construction was the L. E. Nantkes 
building on N. Spruce in Nokomis in 1950. 

Monroe was born on a farm near Oconee, 
but came at the early age of six months, 
with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Berns, 
when they moved to a farm a mile and a half 
south of Nokomis. Here was the birthplace 
of his brother, Frank. Monroe married Miss 
Merle Wittnam of this farming community 
and they are the parents of one daughter, 
Eileen. Frank married Miss Pauline Kirk- 
patrick, and they have two children: daugh- 
ter, Janet Sue, and son, Bobbie Joe. 

* * 

"Six-button white kid gloves for $1.00." 



'Pay Car - January, 1881." 



"Raspberry Festival at Weaver's Hall, 
June 15, 1880 - 25c admission." 



—66— 




Henry J. 



Bender 



w : ^ 



HENRY J. BENDER 

Henry J. Bender, in business in Noko- 
mis 65 years, was born in St. Louis, Mo., 
Feb. 4, 1864; he came to Nokomis in 1875 
with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank 
C. Bender who started a bakery and restau- 
rant in a frame building where Ann's Fashion 
Shoppe is now located. He assisted his father 
in business for several years. 

In 1888 Mr. Bender and the late John 
Hukill opened a grocery and dry goods store. 
A year later he became manager of the Plan- 
ters Hay Compress Co., which he held for 
several years. 

Mr. Bender then formed partnership 
with the late Nick Bentz in the elevator and 
grain business: after four years he purchased 
Mr. Bentz's interest and continued to operate 
alone until 1906 when he sold the elevator to 
the late H. J. Nobbe. 

In 1906 Mr. Bender opened a coal yard, 
in the same location, and confined his busi- 
ness to retailing coal exclusively until he sold 
the business in 1948 to the Nokomis Coal Co. 
and retired from active business. His office, 
both for elevator and coal business, was 
originally the first railroad depot in Nokomis. 

H. J. Bender was a director of the Noko- 
mis National Bank for 10 years, and a direc- 
tor of the Nokomis Building and Loan 
Association the same number of years, serv- 
ing as president four years. He retired due 
to failing health. 

Mr. Bender was an active member of St. 
Louis Catholic Church and a charter member 
of the Knights of Columbus Council 2189. 

In 1893 Mr. Bender and Miss Mollie 
Kroeger were united in marriage and their 
entire married life was spent in Nokomis 
until his death June 1, 1952, and her death, 



Mar. 15. 1956, both at the age of 88. Their 
one daughter, Genevieve, with her husband, 
Mr. Coen, resides in Nokomis. 

• * * • 
QUALITY CLEANERS 

The history of the Quality Dry Cleaners 
dates back to the early 20s. when Mr. and 
Mrs. A. E. Powley began this business where 
the Mini Candy Factory is now local ed. In 
1926 R. P. Keele bought the business from 
the Powleys, and his brother, Roy E. Keele, 
took over the management for him. George 
Moeller. who had been employed by the 
Powleys. continued to work with Roy Keele 
until 1937. when he went into business for 
himself. In 1931, Harold Altom was employ- 
ed and has been with the firm for the past 25 
years. Mrs. Altom joined the firm in 1938 
and is also active in the business to date. 
George Hill became another member of -'the 
family" in 1932. He operates his own truck 
to give delivery service to an area of approx- 
imately 20 miles radius. Roy Keele's two 
sons, Carl and Jimmie, both having grown up 
around the dry cleaning business, worked 
part time during their high school years, Carl 
beginning in 1940 and Jimmie in 1944. Upon 
graduating they both entered the Service, 
Carl into the Navy and Jimmie into the 
Coast Guard. 

In 1927 Mr. Keele started selling and 
servicing radios. As time progressed ami 
television came into the picture, he added i 
new subject to his field of interest. He be- 
gan selling and servicing television in 1950. 
The Day-Upstone building was bought 
in 1945 from the Day estate and the business 
was moved to that building, the present lo- 
cation. 

February 1, 1956, Roy Keele and his two 
sons, Carl and Jim, bought the dry cleaning 
establishment from R. P. Keele and now 
operate it in conjunction with the Television 
Sales and Service which Roy Keele started 
in 1950. They have the agencies for RCA 
Victor and Sylvania Television and Radios 
and also operate a complete service depart- 
ment. 

* * * * 
"Nokomis Ladies' Cornet band gave one 

of their popular balls Wednesday, January 
19, 1887." 



-67— 




Your Servant 
of the Centurv. 



Congratulations 

T0N0K0MIS0NHER 
Centennial Anniversary 

Were proud to have played a part in the city's 
progress, furnishing dependable Low Cost Elec- 
tricity for nearly harf of this Century. 



MORE POWER TO AND FOR YOU! 

Reddy is ready now — with plenty 
Reddy will keep AHEAD for the future 

Central Illinois Public Service Company 

Low Cost Essential Service to Industry, Business, Farm and Home. 



JOHNSON AUTO CO. 

The Johnson Auto Co. is one of the oldest 
businesses in Nokomis, being owned and 
operated by Fred B. Johnson and son, Mer- 
vin. Fred B. Johnson was born on a farm 
north of Mt. Olive, April 17, 1896. After go- 
ing through country schools and working on 
the farm for several years, he attended The 
Berry Auto School in St. Louis. After 
graduating, Fred returned to Mt. Olive and 
in rapid succession was a taxi-cab driver, 
worker on Wabash railroad, and garage em- 
ployee of the Brubaker Auto Co., at Staunton. 

In 1916 Fred came to Nokomis and work- 
ed on Henry Wolters' farm for six months. 
Then he was employed in the garage operat- 
ed by Ray W. Snedeker and owned by A. O. 
Kettelkamp. 

On January 25, 1918, Fred married Miss 
Christina Moos, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Wm. Moos, pioneers of Nokomis community. 
They have two children, Mervin E. and 
Adeline Richardson. Fred served his coun- 
try in World War I and Mervin saw action 
in" World War II. 

Fred B. liked this community, and, after 
the Armistice in 1919, he came back to No- 



komis and started in the garage business, 
with his brother, Milo. Their trade name 
was Johnson Bros., and they were first lo- 
cated in the Kerr Bldg. At this time they 
secured their first new car franchise, the 
Buick. The first Buick sold by this firm was 
to Thomas Wolters. It was a 5 passenger 
touring car which sold for two thousand 
dollars. 

June, 1920, the brothers purchased and 
moved to the garage building still housing 
the Johnson Auto Co. Six years later they 
secured the fast growing small car, the 
Chevrolet franchise. Oct. 1, 1938, Milo sold 
his half interest, and Fred B. operated as an 
individual until Jan., 1947, when his son, 
Mervin, purchased half interest. This is the 
status of the Johnson Auto Co. today. 

There are 19 employees working for the 
Johnson Auto Co. Elmer Wilson, Fred R. 
Kleinik, and Julius Saatkamp have been with 
the Johnson Co. since the beginning. 

Mr. Johnson is appreciative of the No- 
komis community for supporting this thriv- 
ing enterprise from its humble beginning. 
He has always used the slogan: "When 
Betters Cars Are Built - Buick Will Build 
Them." 




Felix 
Ronchetti 



RONCHETTI AGENCY 

Felix Ronchetti, one of our oldest 
businessmen, has been in the beer distribu- 
ting business for 50 years, starting in 
Benld back in 1906, with a horse and "Wagon. 
In 1916 he came to Nokomis and has con- 
tinued this business ever since. His brother, 
John, was in partnership with him until he 
moved to South Bend, Ind., and later passed 
away. 

In the 20's when the country was on 
prohibition, Mr. Ronchetti continued the 
distribution of soft drinks. Anheuser Busch 
even handled tea and coffee. 

Ten years ago his son, Frank, was dis- 
charged from Service and went into 
partnership with his dad. Frank lives in 
Mattoon and handles the east part of the 
state. He is in the Army Reserves and com- 
missioned a Lieutenant Colonel. 

The Ronchetti Distributing Co. operates 
the territory from Litchfield east to the 
Indiana line and has the distributing rights 
for the famous Budweiser and fast growing 
popular Busch Bavarian Beers; the R. & R. 
Distributing Co.. Inc. has the distributing- 
agency for Stag and G. B. Beers of St. Louis. 
The last mentioned is in Paris, 111. From a 
horse and wagon, Mr. Ronchetti has come a 
long way until now he operates 5 branches. 

Mr. Ronchetti also branched out into 
other business. In 1932 he started the Felix 
Ronchetti Insurance Co. and deals in real 
estate. In fact, he is one of the larger proper- 
ty holders in Nokomis. Mrs. Hugh Keller is 
office manager and his brother-in-law, John 
Jones, operates the trucks. 



Mr. Ronchetti married Miss Josephine 
Gaudino of Benld and they are the parents of 
a son, Frank (previously mentioned), and a 
daughter, Madeline, wife of Kenneth Buel. 
Mr. Buel formerly lived in Nokomis, the son 
of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Buel. For the past 30 
years he has been assistant manager of the 
Union Electric Co. in Collinsville. For a 
number of years Mrs. Buel taught English at 
the local high school. 

* * * * 
THE CANDY KITCHEN 

The Candy Kitchen had its beginning in 
Nokomis when Geo. and Phillip Koucheveris 
and Geo. Ellis opened this popular place, on 
the corner of S. Pine and W. State, in April, 
1919. Two years later, Mr. Ellis sold his in- 
terest to the brothers. In May, 1934, Joe 
Viola and Jeno Collebrusco bought the in- 
terest of the Koucheveris brothers, who had, 
in the meantime, purchased a candy kitchen 
in Taylorville. 

In 1938 Mr. Viola and Mr. Collebrusco 
purchased the building next to the theatre, 
from the Snell estate; ten years later, they 
remodeled the building making it one of the 
nicest looking places on State Street, and 
moved into it from the old stand which had 
been known as the Candy Kitchen for 29 
years. They have since put in air condition- 
ing, making it more pleasant for their cus- 
tomers. The Candy Kitchen makes home 
made ice cream, candy, and caramel apples; 
they also sell light accessories. 

Joe and his sister, Mary (Viola) Colle- 
brusco, started working in the Candy Kitch- 
en from the beginning, in 1919. Jeno, of Tay- 
lorville, bought interest in the Candy Kitch- 
en in 1928, and Lucille (Engelman) Viola 
has been connected with the firm since her 
marriage to Joe, April 29, 1934. 

Joe and Lucille Viola are the parents of 
a daughter, Sherrie Lynn, and Jeno and 
Mary Collebrusco are the parents of a daugh- 
ter, Jean Ann. 

The Violas and Collebruscos have al- 
ways been civic minded citizens, playing 
leading rolls, in all activities that have been 
beneficial to Nokomis and the surrounding 
community. For the past thirty-five years 
their names have been etched in making The 
Century of Progress in Nokomis. 



HIRSCH ANNIVERSARY 

The Twenty-Sixth Anniversary of the 
founding of P. N. Hirsch & Company, whose 
local department store is located at 100 West 
State Street, will be celebrated beginning 
this year with a special sales event in May. 

The Hirsch organization now operates a 
total of 54 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, 
Alabama and Arkansas and recently ac- 
quired their own general office and ware- 
house building in St. Louis, Mo. 

The company started in business in 1930 
at Jonesboro, 111. In 1931 their first store 
was moved to Anna, Illinois, and shortly 
thereafter a second store was opened in 
Metropolis, Illinois. The steady, if not spec- 
tacular, growth and expansion of the chain 
of P. N. Hirsch & Company stores in the 
twenty-six years is considered outstanding 
in the retail merchandising field. 

Credit for its progress is given by the 
Hirsch Company to public acceptance of the 
policy it has consistently followed. That is 
"to offer the best possible quality merchan- 
dise at the lowest possible price and to guar- 
antee complete customer satisfaction through 
a liberal exchange and refund policy." 

The local P. N. Hirsch & Company store 
was acquired by the company in 1950 from 
Albert Smith and is managed by Norman 
Bean. He and his family live in Nokomis and 
have taken an active part in all civic affairs 
of the community. They and The P. N. 
Hirsch i& Company extend the heartiest 
Welcome to all at the Nokomis Centennial 
celebration. 

* * * * 
EDGECOMBE HATCHERY, INC. 

Robert B. and Oliver started up the 
Edgecombe Bros. Hatchery, Sept. 1, 1953, in 
the Woltmann Building, which is a landmark 
in Nokomis. 

This business handles a full line of Hon- 
egger feeds, Dr. Salsbury remedies, and 
equipment, chicken-houses, brooders, feeders, 
etc. They are the authorized Honegger As- 
sociate Hatchery Dealers for this community. 
Edgecombe Brothers pride themselves on 
getting breeding stock every year and selling 
only FIRST GENERATION chicks. 

July 1, 1954, Robert and Oliver Edge- 
combe incorporated into the Edgecombe 



Hatchery, Inc.. which has been run success- 
fullv under the same management ever since. 

• * * * 
NOKOMIS BOWLING LANES 

121 S. Spruce St. 

Bowling, the Nation's No 1 recreation, 
was first operated at the above location in 
Nokomis some 30 years ago by Jeff Chlebus, 
who later sold to Milo J. Johnson. 

A year ago Howell C. Bricker leased 
the alleys from Armand Tosetti. He has suc- 
cessfully managed this sport through the 
past season by putting in full time, thus 
giving the patrons the advantage of proper 
supervision. 

There have been 8 men's teams 
scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Thurs- 
day nights and 8 women's teams on Wednes- 
day with four teams on Friday night; this 
schedule left Saturday and Sunday open for 
inter-city bowling. The Nokomis Bowling 
Lanes, under the management of Mr. 
Bricker, furnish a clean recreation for the 
entire family. 

Howell, the son of the late U. S. 
Bricker and Hattie Bricker of Nokomis, was 
born at Lovington, 111., and moved, with his 
parents, to Nokomis about 50 years ago 
where he worked in the local mines until 
their closing. He married Miss Emily Morri- 
son of this city. They are the parents of two 
sons, Alvin and Keith, both of Nokomis. 

* * * * 
KENNEDYS ROLLER RINK 

This popular amusement place, just east 
of town, is owned by Alvinah and George 
Kennedy. Good, clean fun is always main- 
tained. For the convenience of the cus- 
tomers, a snack bar adds to the popularity. 
The Kennedys were farmers near Decatur 
before coming to Nokomis in 1946. They 
first purchased a roller rink tent; then the 
following spring the present permanent rink 
was constructed. The parking facilities are 
excellent for crowds. 

Mrs. Kennedy was one of eight chil- 
dren of Rev. and Mrs. Bechtel of Decatur. 
The Kennedys have three children: George 
Jr., Gerald, and Janet, wife of Fred Bowers. 

"For Popular Entertainment - Roller 
Skate". 



-70 



KELLER'S IMPLEMENT CO. 

115 E. Front St. Nokomis, 111. 

The Allis Chalmers farm equipment 
franchise for this community was taken by 
A. W. Collins in 1944. In December, 1952. 
Chuck Johnson and Mr. Collins sold the 
agency to Hugh Keller, and the firm is now- 
known as the Keller Implement Co. 

Mr. Keller, a son of the large familj of 
Mr. and Mrs. Leo H. Keller, Sr., was born on 
his father's farm about 3 1 -, miles west of 
Nokomis. 

Hugh has the advantage of knowing the 
farmers' machinery needs from his practical 
experience gained on the farm and from his 
work with an implement dealer before buy- 
ing his own business. Farmers of this area 
are familiar with the Allis Chalmers equip- 
ment and the friendly and courteous service 
extended to them at the Keller Implement 
Co. 

Mr. Keller married Miss Josephine 
Lenzi, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lenzi, 
Sr., of Nokomis. She has employment with 
the Ronchetti Insurance Co. 

* * * * 

MELIN CHARNISKY 

INSURANCE AGENCY 

The Melin-Charnisky Insurance Agency, 
111 S. Spruce St., was started Jan. 2, 1956, 
when these gentlemen bought the insurance 
business from Luther Battles. 

This reliable agency handles a complete 
line of Fire, Auto, Casualty, Bonds, Life, 
and Health and Accident policies. The office 
is managed by Mrs. Janice Charnisky. 

Nels Melin was born in Middleton, 111., 
coming to Nokomis with his parents in 1909. 
He married Miss Ethel Wilson of Irving and 
has a son, Julbert. and a daughter, Brenda. 

Michael Charnisky is the son of Mr. and 
Mrs. Mike Charnisky of Coalton, married 
Miss Janice McConiga of Nokomis. They 
are the parents of a daughter, Jan Michelle. 

Both are Navy men, Melin seeing action 
in World War I and Charnisky in World War 
II. Nels is a rural carrier and Mike a city 
mail-carrier of the local Post Office. They 
are very appreciative of the fine response 
they have received in so short a time in 
business, and extend a hearty "Welcome" 
to the Nokomis Centennial. 



LOUIS E. MARLEY — REAL ESTATE 

Starting at the art of "crying sales" 
when a young man, Col. Louis E. Marley 
graduated in the late thirties as a Real 
Estate Broker. His office is located at 108 S. 
Spruce St., Nokomis. He has advertised: 
"IF IT'S ON EARTH, I CAN SELL IT." 

Mr. Marley represents the Northwestern 
Ins. Co. of Peoria, The Prudential, and The 
Franklin Insurance Companies out of Spring- 
field, in regard to farm loans - for the con- 
venience of his many customers. 

Louis, the son of Mrs. Ed Marley (his 
father having passed away a number of 
years ago), was born on the Marley Home- 
stead, 4 miles southeast of town, in Audubon 
Twp. on April 26, 1903. Mr. Marley married 
Miss Catherine Kelley, well known register- 
ed nurse of Montgomery Co. At present she 
helps in the office. 

Mr. and Mrs. Marley express their ap- 
preciation for the courteous treatment they 
have received since being in business here. 
• * * • 
McDAVID MOTOR, INC. 

The history of McDavid Motor, Inc. in 
Nokomis dates back to 1917, when the Mc- 
David cousins of Hillsboro bought the garage 
business from D. E. Leach. This firm was 
located where the Kettelkamp Implement 
Co. is now located. The McDavid Motor Co. 
was owned by C. L., E. T., and J. K. Mc- 
David. A. B. McDavid was the first general 
manager. Later Chas. A. Newport managed 
the firm. 

In 1922 they built at the present location 
and R. L. Kessinger managed the business 
until 1932 when G. D. Robbins became the 
manager until his untimely death in Aug., 
1953. 

In 1937 the business was incorporated 
as The McDavid Motor, Inc. G. D. Robbins 
and W. H. Bauer were stock holders. Mar., 
1953, Geo. V. Spengel, Carl Wright and Carl 
Wunderlich bought shares in the firm. 

A body shop was built in 1952 ami last 
fall the "Big M" Mercury franchise was 
added. The new attractive colored cars of 
today will never be so popular as the old 
Model T., when we had such songs written 
as "Get Out and Get Under " 



KROGER STORE 

The Nokomis Kroger Store, on the 
corner of W. State and Pine Streets, was 
started in 1922, at the same location that now 
houses the store. At that time they shared 
the east half with the C. I. P. S. Company. 
More than fifty years ago, the Nokomis Post 
Office was located in the east room of the 
building. 

The first manager was Wesley Hardy. 
He was there only a short time until Otto 
Johnson became the store manager. Mr. 
Johnson served in this capacity until Jan- 
uary 4, 1941, putting in almost twenty years 
of service. He owns the building. 

Victor Micklautz, the present manager, 
started working for Kroger's in 1927 when 
still going to high school. In 1931 he became 
a regular clerk and ten years later, the store 
manager. 

The Kroger Store is a big organization, 
having at present in the Nokomis store, 
eleven employees, each well suited for his or 
her position. This makes it one of the finer 
stores of the community. In 1939 the Kroger 
Co. installed a self service system which was 
the first of its kind in the community. Now 
many grocery stores have this "help your- 
self" plan. 

Victor Micklautz married Miss Alice 
Middleton of Nokomis in 1936 and they 
have two children: a son, Victor Lynn, a 
junior at the local high school and a 
daughter, Nancy, in grade school. 

Mr. and Mrs. Micklautz and family are 
active members in the St. Mark's Lutheran 
Church. He is a member of the Nokomis Unit 
School Board, a member of the Chamber of 
Commerce, and of the Nokomis Lions Club. 
This year, he received a merit of distinction 
from the Kroger Co., for being the outstand- 
ing civic minded manager of this district. 
Vic is always willing to give a hand in all 
affairs that are for the betterment of Noko- 
mis and surrounding trading area. 

* * * * 
NOKOMIS FLOWER SHOP 

September 11, 1946, Ruby and Jose- 
phine Elliott of Hillsboro opened the Noko- 
mis Flower Shop, where the Candy Kitchen 
is now located. The place was managed by 



Fern Wolters, who has been with the Hills- 
boro Greenhouse for years. She excels in 
cross pollination. The "mums" that are 
grown in Hillsboro are of the excellent 
variety comparable only to those seen in 
Shaw's Garden, St. Louis. 

In 1948 Mrs. Elliott sold the Nokomis 
Flower Shop to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Dunn. 
When Mr. Dunn died in 1952, the interest 
was sold to William Sattgast and his son-in- 
law, Howard Whitten of Hillsboro, the pre- 
sent owners. 

Mrs. Kenneth Smalley was the firBt 
manager of the Flower Shop until July, 1949, 
when Mrs. Lois Peters took over, assisted by 
the able help of Mrs. Amber Hill. In July, 
1954, Mrs. Peters was forced to quit due to 
ill health. Mrs. Henry Stanley is the pre- 
sent manager. 

The Nokomis Flower Shop belongs to 
the Telegraph Delivery Service for the con- 
venience of out-of-town customers. 

* * * * 
LAYERS STORE 

The building and business of the present 
Layer's Store were built and started by Day 
and Upstone. In 1876 Mr. George Schaper 
started working for Day and Upstone and in 
1895 he bought the business. Mr. Schaper, 
along with his two sons, Fred and Edward, 
ran the store until his death in 1945. In 1946 
the store was sold to Glenn E. Johnson who 
operated it until August 1, 1953, when he 
sold out to Paul Layer. 

The store is now called Layer's Store 
and is run by Paul and Marilyn Layer. Mrs. 
Layer was formerly Marilyn Bauman, daugh- 
ter of Mr and Mrs. Fred Bauman; she for- 
merly worked at the Rexall Drug Store. She 
and Paul were married on Sunday, Decem- 
ber 27, 1953. 

They have Sherwin-Williams paint in 
the store along with gifts and sundries. They 
also have cameras and camera supplies. 

Paul has lately added Radio and Tele- 
vision Service and Repair to the store and 
hopes to have well known Television sets to 
sell. 

You are always welcome at Layer's 
Store, 104 W. State Street or call them for 
delivery - phone 171. 



—75 



KEMPTON REXALL DRUGS 

1891 — 1956 
A. J. Schrocder — Pharmacists — J. E. Siegrist 

The Kempton Rexall Drug Store had its 
beginning in 1891, under the firm name of 
Preston & Kempton, in the now K. & K. 
Meat Market Bldg., 100 E. State St. Three 
years later. Mr. Kempton bought out Mr. 
Preston's interest and the firm was known 
as the C. H. Kempton Drug Co. In 1888 Mr. 
Kempton sold to a Nokomis physician. Dr. P. 
L. Freeland. who evidently moved the store 
to 117-19 W. State, now occupied by Ann 
Hueschen and the Layel-Arnold Insurance 
Agency, which had been built in 1893. 

After Mr. Kempton sold, he was engaged 
in the poultry business at Morrisonville. 111. 
After a short stay, he again purchased a 
drug store in La Grange. 111. In 1900 Mr. 
Kempton returned to Nokomis and bought 
back the drug store from Dr. Freeland. Due 
to the Nokomis Big Fire, the store did bus- 
iness on the corner of the alley at 110 E. 
State St. The drug store was then moved to 
the building now occupied by the Nokomis 
Gas & Electric Co.. owned by Alf Griffin, 
later by John Ronchetti. In 1921 the present 
building was purchased, at 108 W. State St., 
which had been known as the Russell Mer- 
cantile Co. 

In 1918 A. J. Schroeder accepted a po- 
sition as company weighman for the Noko- 
mis West Mine; he and his family moved 
here from Mt. Olive. In Dec. of that year he 
was offered the position as pharmacist and 
assistant manager of the Kempton Drug Co. 

Mr. Schroeder was a true Rexallite 
from the founding by Louis K. Liggett, who 
was his personal friend, more than 50 years 
ago. "A. J." realized the neglect of a neces- 
sary drug and medicine line in our town. 
From a meager beginning of purchases from 
Rexall in 1918, and with the cooperation of 
clerks and helpers, a Rexall business in No- 
komis and community excels cities with pop- 
ulation of 50,000 and more. Rexall's slogan. 
"GOOD HEALTH TO ALL — FROM REX- 
ALL," has been the store's slogan; and for 
the past 20 years the Nokomis store has been 
on Rexall's International Honor Roll and 
one of the top leaders in purchases in our 
state. 



Jan.. 1925. A. J. Schroeder became a 
partner of the firm and in Nov. of the same 
year Mr. Kempton passed away, leaving the 
care of his widow to Mr. Schroeder and his 
wife, who took care of her every need, and 
the operation of the drug store as a partner- 
ship until her death. 

A. J. Schroeder then assumed complete 
ownership of the drug firm, now known as 
the •Kempton Rexall Drugs." The original 
name. Kempton, has been maintained from 
the beginning until the present. 

In 1953. J. E. Siegrist was taken in as a 
partner and manager. W. P. Gilbert has been 
with the firm 30 years; Emma Nantkes 24; 
J. E. Siegrist 13 years; and Wm. Bowers and 
Jennie Compton, three and two years re- 
spectively. 

• * * * 
KELLER S MARKET 

The Keller Market I formerly the Clover 
Farm Store operated by Bennie Bernardini 
until his death Jan., 1954) is now owned and 
operated by Mrs. Joy Keller, daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Ray Isbell of Charleston, 111., for- 
mer Nokomis residents. Joy married Paul 
Keller of this community who farms north 
of Nokomis. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Keller, No- 
komis H. S. alumni, are the parents of three 
children: Kay. Carol Jean, and Paul, Jr. 

Mrs. Keller features home killed meats 
and a full line of qualitv groceries. 

• * * * 
SIDES LAUNDRY 

In 1949 Jim Vancil started a new busi- 
ness in Nokomis, the housewife's dream, 
"Taking the Blue out of Monday". February. 
1952, Mr. Vancil sold his laundry to Mr. and 
Mrs. Tony Mazurier, who, in turn, sold to 
Homer Sides of Coalton. October 1, 1953. 

The Sides' Laundry do all their washing 
and drying by automatic washers and dryers, 
and they do finishing and flat ironing as well 
as dyeing and tinting of all kinds. Any 
material that is fragile is given personal 
attention. 

Mr. Sides is very appreciative of the fine 
response and hopes to serve the Nokomis 
communitv for manv years to come. 

• * * • 

"A large crowd watched the balloon 
ascension Noember, 1878." 



—73- 



TOSETTI'S GROCERY STORE 

A very popular grocery store, on the 
North Side, is owned and operated by Mr. 
and Mrs. Primo Tosetti. 

Primo is one of a family of eleven chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Silvio Tosetti. The 
family moved to Nokomis when he was a 
child, from Ladd, 111. His father worked in 
the coal mines in Ladd and Nokomis; here 
he was injured in 1924; four years later his 
wife, Gentile, started a grocery store at the 
present location. 

Primo worked in the mines and factories 
of the cities, but decided his mother needed 
help in Nokomis. In 1942 he took over the 
store and since that time has made it one of 
the finer stores of the community. A self 
service dairy case and daily delivery are 
outstanding features. 

Primo married Miss Nita Grimes and 
they have two children. Mr. Tosetti is an 
aggressive young business man and at pres- 
ent is a member of the Nokomis City 
Council. It is only natural that he is inter- 
ested in the Nokomis Centennial celebration 
this year. 

* * * * 
NOKOMIS IMPLEMENT COMPANY 

The Nokomis Implement Company was 
formed in May, 1920, by Theo. H. and Henry 
A. Johnson, who purchased the business 
which was then John Deere from F. J. 
Pannwitt. The Johnson Brothers purchased 
the International Harvester contract from 
the Miller Bros, in 1923 who were then op- 
erating in the Joe Brenner place which is 
now the location of the Johnson Auto Used 
Car Building. 

Nokomis Implement Co. sold both IH 
and John Deere Equipment for several years 
before selling the John Deere franchise to 
Julius Kettelkamp and since that time this 
Company has been the International Har- 
vester dealer in Nokomis. 

On February 1, 1948, the Nokomis Imp- 
lement Co. and the I H franchise were pur- 
chased by J. E. "Dutch" Anderson and 
George Priddle who are now operating in 
the same location that the Nokomis Imple- 
ment Co. was formed. 

* * * * 

"Maple pest in 1884." 



MOELLER'S MEN'S CLOTHING STORE 

This is the history of 118 W. State St., 
Nokomis, 111. At the present there is on this 
location a two story brick building that 
houses the Mollers — George, Violet, Georgie. 

Many years ago there was a one story 
frame structure here occupied by Gus 
Weber, who ran a saloon, followed by Cot- 
ton Brenner and Joe Ernst. The old timers 
remember this saloon as badly in need of 
repairs where the dogs chased the cats right 
through without opening the doors. In 1912 
this structure was torn down and the present 
building was erected by Wells and Brown 
who operated a Men's Furnishings on the 
first floor and rented the upstairs for offices. 
The Wells and Brown business prospered for 
a number of years. When the business was 
dissolved, the building was rented to Louis 
Schneider for a general clothing store 
followed by A. F. Zwinak. Later it was oc- 
cupied by Jesse Robertson and son, Kenneth, 
as a hardware store. After this business came 
to an end, the building remained vacant for a 
number of years. 

In 1937 George Moller bought the 
building from Ben Brown and has since been 
operating a Men's Ready-to-Wear store 
assisted by his wife, Violet, and son, George, 
who is a sophomore at the University of 
Illinois. The Moellers occupy the apartment 
on the second floor which they call home. 
This arrangement has made it especially 
handy for many frustrated mothers that 
need a last minute item as Junior is getting 
ready for the Prom. They have made many 
real friends through their business and civic 
efforts and are always behind the boy or 
girl who is "in there pitching." 

* * * * 

"Hitching posts ordered removed from 
Main St. and placed around the park." 1881 



"25 million chinch bugs passed over No- 
komis going south on Wednesday, July 20, 
1887. (who counted them?). Some people 
were grateful as the cloud covered the sun - 
it was a very hot day." 



"Leonard Lease gave $1,000 to Carthage 
College, 1887." 



-74— 



BARNSTABLE FEED & HATCHERY 

Back in 1910 this business was born, when Mr. and Mi 



Sullivan started 



handling, in car 
flour, bran, shorts, 
and corn in a 
building, 24x30, c 



lots, 
oats, 
little 
i S. 



Spruce St. In those days 
people bought flour in the 
bag of 50 or 100 lbs. or in 
a barrel. That was when 
nearly every housewife 
baked her own bread. 

In 1912 young Clar- 
ence Barnstable started 
working for the Sullivans 
as a handyman driving a 
Dne-horse delivery wagon. 
This he did for 6 years; 
business flourished, but 
young Barney thought 
he'd try his hand in other 
fields, so he got a job at 
Mine No. 10. He worked 
only a week until the 
mine caught on fire and 
that influenced him to go 
into business for himself; 
he bought a half interest 
in the fast growing busi- 
ness. The Sullivan Feed 
Store. 



In 1922 Roy Schaper bought the other 
half of the Sullivan store and the place was 
known as Barnstable & Schaper Feed Store. 
Business flourished, so in 1928 they decided 
to extend their interest to the hatching of 
chicks, which was fast becoming popular 
with farmers. They started with a 28,000 
capacity incubator, which has now grown to 
a capacity of 400,000 and they are hatching 
not only baby chicks, but turkey poults, 
ducklings, and goslings, for which they have 
a market throughout the U.S.A. In 1933 Mr 
Schaper took over the Pana firm and Mr. 
Barnstable became sole owner of the busi- 
ness in Nokomis, known as Barnstable Feed 
& Hatcheries. Much of the credit for the 
success of this firm has been the association 
of the faithful employment of Mrs. Nona 
Schnell, Phillip Stauder, Darrell Mindrup, 
son Clarence, and others. 




Purina Makes 50 Millionth Ton Purina Chow. 

Thanks to the Feeders in This Community for 
Their Help. 
Besides feeds, they have added several 
lines of different merchandise consisting of 
Ralston Purina; Checkerboard feed; Agrico 
fertilizer, in bags or bulk; rock phosphate; 
limestone; Salsbury and Purina sanitation 
products; and a full line of farmers' agri- 
cultural needs, used in our community. 

In 1951 the Barnstables built a modern 
grain elevator on their farm located on the 
Nokomis-Fillmore blacktop road, and are 
buying and selling grain. On this farm is a 
2 story brick home, where the Barnstables 
have sponsored many community picnics, 
with the help of local citizens and the Ansar 
Temple Shriners' Band of Springfield, of 
which Mr. Barnstable is a member. In the 
past, all profits of the Fourth of July picnic 
have been given for the benefit of the 
crippled children, Shriners' Hospital in St. 
Louis. 



On the farm they raise turkeys, chick- 
ens, dairy cattle and hogs, all of which add to 
the management of a well established farm. 

Mr. Barnstable married Miss Clara 
Klamer, of the South Fork community; they 
have a son, Clarence, Jr. who married Miss 
Martha Martin of Witt. They have a daugh- 
ter, Barbara Bea. In 1954 Mr. Barnstable 
and son bought the Kerr building, which is 
available for a factory. 

Barney has always been a BOOSTER for 
the Nokomis community; helping to open the 
West Mine, helping to establish The Add-A- 
Phase Co., and helping with the Bank and 
Ski factory are a few of his worthwhile ef- 
forts. Yes, Barney came up "the hard way" 
and became one of the Nokomis businessmen 
and a community booster. 

* ' * * * 
DAVIS FUNERAL HOME 

The Davis Funeral Home has all modern 
equipment, including an oxygen resuscitator 
and regulator, along with 24-hour ambulance 
service under the experienced directorship 
of E. E. Davis and his wife, the former Miss 
Ruby Satterfield of Pana. 

This funeral home was established in 
1908 by Sophia and Wm. Dude. After Mr. 
Dude's death, the daughter, Dora, and her 
husband, Charles Nicol, were owners. They 
modernized it and later sold to Mr. Davis, 
Dec, 1945. 

Mr. Davis is a graduate of Worsham 
College of Mortuary Science of Chicago and 
worked for Hursen, Inc., of that city, for 
several years. He also served with the 
Armed Forces, as 1st. Lieutenant, in World 
War II. 

The Davises are ably assisted by Mrs. 
Davis' brother, Rodell Satterfield, who mar- 
ried a local girl, Miss Kathryn Tosetti. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davis, with their twins, 
Robert and Barbara, have made Nokomis 
their town and are very happy that they 
have chosen our friendly city in which to 
live. 

* * * * 
"Montgomery Co. Fair four days in Sept. 

1884 in Hillsboro. First day - Old Settlers' 
Reunion; last day - Sweepstakes." 



"Ringling Bros. Circus July 30, 1889." 



DAIRY QUEEN 

About sixteen years ago a new, freshly, 
frozen dairy food, low in butterfat and high 
in proteins and minerals, came into exis- 
tence. It can be said with certainty that ice 
milk, of which Dairy Queen is one, satisfies 
the taste of the consumer. Mr. and Mrs. 
Herbert Lakin own such a place — "The Cone 
with the Curl on Top." 

September, 1951, Mr. Hayes, of Pana, 
opened the first frozen dairy product in No- 
komis. June 28, 1952, the store was sold to 
the Lakins. The Dairy Queen is a very busy 
hot weather spot on Main Street from the 
opening, the middle of March, to the middle 
of October. 

Herbert is the son of Mrs. John Lakin 
and the late John Lakin. Mary is the daugh- 
ter of Mrs. Jachino and the late Joseph 
Jachino. They were married June 11, 1931 
and have two children: Shirley, who is em- 
ployed in Springfield by the Sec'y of State, 
and Herbie, a freshman in the local high 
school. 

The Dairy Queen salutes the Nokomis 
Centennial. 

* * * * 
TOWN PUMP 

An old landmark of Nokomis, the Tam- 
men building, at the corner of N. Spruce and 
Front Streets, was rejuvenated in 1946, when 
Jewel and Al Lauris remodeled this ancient 
frame building into a modern tavern known 
as the Town Pump. Aug. 23, 1950, Mr. Lauris 
passed away. Three years later Mrs. Lauris 
married Louis "Congo" Vercellotti, a native 
of Coalton. Mrs. Vercellotti is the oldest 
daughter of Mrs. Mary Russ, Nokomis. 

* * * * 
HOME OIL CO. 

Nokomis Hillsboro 

Phone 281 KE 2-3453 

The Home Oil Co., under the able man- 
agement of Carl D. Brooks, has been servic- 
ing Montgomery County for the past twenty 
years, with TYDOL "Flying A" gasoline and 
heating oils and VEEDOL, "The World's 
most famous Motor Oils" and greases. 

* * * * 

"Ice prostrated telephone lines in the 
city, Dec, 1878." 



-76- 



Poll* Parrot 




FRICKE S SHOE STORE 

Nokomis' only shoe store, established 
June 11, 1949, is operated by Margaret L. and 
Walter C. Fricke. At the time of opening, 
they considered several makes of shoes, and 
chose the brand of Roberts, Johnson & Rand, 
as they felt they could offer the customer 
more value. 

Walter C. was born on a farm northwest 
of Nokomis, the youngest son of the late Mr. 
and Mrs. Gustav C. Fricke. His paternal 
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Fricke, 
moved from Marine, 111., to Montgomery Co., 
in 1867. to a farm 12 miles west of Nokomis. 
His maternal great-grandparents, Mr. and 
Mrs. Doerr, settled on a Federal Land-Grant 
farm, about 13 miles northwest of town, in 
the Harvel vicinity, in 1854. Walter is a 
nephew of the late Dora S. Kerr, who 
successfully conducted, with her husband, 
the Kerr's Hardware & Variety Store in No- 
komis. He was graduated from the Nokomis 
High School with the class of 1926 and ser- 
ved 14 years on the Montgomery County 
Board of Supervisors. 

June 16, 1942, Mr. Fricke married Miss 
Margaret L. Nash Wolaver. She had spent 
most of her early life in Newark, N. J. Mrs. 
Fricke and her mother, Ann Nieft Wolaver, 
came back to Nokomis in October, 1935, to 
take care of her grandfather, Henry C. Nieft. 
Grandpa Nieft was born in Louisville, Ky., 
one hundred years ago, coming to this com- 
munity at an early age. His wife, Fiebe 
Apple, and her parents were settlers of the 
Nokomis Community over a century ago. 

The Fricke Shoe Store is a family shoe 
store, handling Poll-Parrot shoes for the 
growing feet of children, Trim-Tred for the 
style of women, and Rand shoes for men. 
Back, when Nokomis was very young; "Star 
Brand Shoes are Better" was a familiar slo- 
gan. 

The reception that Nokomis has given 
the Fricke's venture into business, is greatly 
appreciated - Hoping to serve you, the public, 
for many vears to come. 



FIRST NATIONAL BANK 

of Nokomis 
NOKOMIS, ILLINOIS 

Organized and opened for business Sept. 
3, 1940. Firsl day total assets $99,806.72. As- 
sets at close of business May 21, 1956, $2,762,- 
592.88. 

First Board of Directors: L. A. Schrei- 
ber, President, Deceased; O. F. Spengel, 
Vice-President, Deceased; A. J. Schroeder; 
Wm. Zeifang; Edwin F. Pannwitt. 

Present Board of Directors: L. E. Nant- 
kes, President; J. J. Viola, Vice-President; 
M. W. Bagley, Cashier; J. J. Collebrusco; 
Fred B'. Johnson; A. J. Schroeder; Felix Ron- 
chetti. 

Others who have served on the board 
are J. L. Walcher and Ike Smith. 

Present Employees: M. W. Bagley, 
Cashier; Max L. Moody, Ass't. Cash. & Sec'y. 
to board; Alana E. Dasovich, Teller & Gen. 
Bkpr.; Myron K. Schaefer, Bkpr.; Edna C. 
Fournier, Bkpr.; Mildred M. Fearn, Bkpr., 
Louis A. Priess, Custodian. 

Other employees who have served the 
bank: Wm. A. Schneeberg, Cashier, C. B. 
Davenport, Ass't. Cashier, now deceased, 
Harry G. Smith, Genevieve Singler Holmes, 
Helen E. Nussman Flaxbeard, Agnes M. Pin- 
tar Schrass, Mildred G. Wattjes Pudenz, 
Clarice L. Bagley Ruppert, Judith L. Fricke 
Gipson, John S. Lehenbauer, Pauline M. 
McClain and Mrs. Cornelia Colonius. 

* * * * 

"Report of Nat'l Bank - Resources 
$151,345.72. A. J. Williford. cashier; H. F. 
Rood, Geo. Tavlor, Geo. Seppell - directors." 

(1887). 



"Our town (Nokomis) is $2,000 out of 
debt - why not build a pavilion in the park'? 
Litchfield is building one in their park and 
they are deeply in debt." 1878 



"Town Board officers elected March 11, 
1881 - John Frasier, pres.; A. H. Draper, 
clerk; Geo. Stevens, attorney; Thos. Ridler, 
constable & street commissioner; James 
Topping, night constable - all on the Temper- 
ance ticket." 



"Nokomis Catholic Church rededicated 
Februarv 22. 1881." 



-77- 



SIDES I. G. A. MARKET 

The Sides I. G. A. Market has been 
serving the Nokomis community with gro- 
ceries, meats, and vegetables for the past 
thirty-five years. Floyd B. Sides started in 
the grocery business just across the street 
from the present location in the summer of 
1921. 

In June, 1938, the Nokomis National 
Bank Building was sold. Mr. Sides bought 
it and, after remodeling, moved to the pre- 
sent location, 101 East State Street. At the 
same time Mr. Sides became affiliated with 
The Independent Grocers of America. This 
is a national organization in which indepen- 
dent grocers buy collectively, passing the 
saving, that is gained, to the customers. 

The popularity of this store is not alone 
due to the well known brands of canned or 
packed goods on the shelves, but also to the 
watchword, SERVICE. The whole atmos- 
phere is one of courteous, pleasant, and 
efficient attention, that at once wins cus- 
tomers to the store. They know that for 
quality their line of meats, groceries, and 
canned goods cannot be excelled. You will 
always find the select and unusual at Sides 
I. G. A. Store. 

Floyd B. Sides married the former Miss 
Ruth Rhine; both are natives of the Nokomis 
community. Floyd is the son of the late Mr. 
and Mrs. William E. Sides, and his wife is the 
daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles 
Rhine of Nokomis. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sides make their home in 
a beautiful brick bungalow at 210 South 
Maple Street. They reared Mrs. Sides' 
nephew, James Brackenhoff, who clerks in 
the store. He married Miss Nelda Harbert of 
the Harvel community. They have one son 
and two daughters. 

Mr. Sides is a member of the Nokomis 
Chamber of Commerce and the local 
A. F. & A. M. lodge. He has always taken an 
active interest in civic affairs of the Noko- 
mis community and it is his desire to be able 
to be of service for years to come. 

* * * * 

"Gregor Fleck, the butcher, installed 
machinery to make bologna and other kinds 
of sausage." 1889 



NOKOMIS BUILDING ASSOCIATION 

112 South Pine Street, Nokomis Illinois 

The Nokomis Building Association, the 
oldest and strongest savings and loan asso- 
ciation in Montgomery County, was orga- 
nized May 6, 1881 by David H. Zepp, Fred 
O. Paddock, John Marsland, Henry Randle, 
and John E. Atchinson. 

During its 75 years of service, the No- 
komis Building Association has gone through 
several depressions, always emerging 
financially strong. In 1953 the assets of the 
Association crossed the Million Dollar mark. 
Today there are over $120,000.00 in reserves. 

The Association is a member of the 
Federal Home Loan Bank, the United States 
Savings and Loan League, the Illinois Sav- 
ings and Loan League, and the Federal 
Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, an 
instrumentality of the United States Govern- 
ment, which insures all savings accounts up 
to $10,000.00 each. 

Hundreds of home owners in Nokomis 
and surrounding territory thank the Noko- 
mis Building Association for making it 
possible for them to own their homes. The 
money placed in savings accounts with this 
association is reinvested in first mortgage 
home loans. 

During the past year over $29,000.00 in 
dividends has been paid on savings accounts 
in the Nokomis Building Association, making 
a sizable amount to be put in circulation in 
the Nokomis Community. 

By the time this book is ready for gen- 
eral distribution, it is probable that the 
name of the corporation will be changed to 
the Nokomis Savings and Loan Association 
as being a more appropriate name for ser- 
vices offered by the Association. 

Dr. Millard H. Irwin, director for 24 
years and president for the past 13 years, 
died January 28, 1956. Arnold Woltmann, a 
director for 23 years and vice-president for 
the past 13 years, died April 23, 1956. 

The present officers and directors are 
Dr. J. L. Walcher, president; A. E. Vandever, 
vice-president; A. P. Pauschert, vice-presi- 
dent; Edwin F. Pannwitt, secretary- 
treasurer; Merle B. Kottwitz, assistant secre- 
tary; L. W. Woltmann and George Moeller. 



—78- 



STIEHL FUNERAL HOMES 

Nokomis — Witt 

The Stiehl Funeral Homes have been 
very familiar names in giving that extra 
service in Nokomis, Witt, and Ohlman com- 
munities for the past many years, under the 
able directorship of O. J. Stiehl. He and his 
wife, the former Amanda Monke, are from 
the Mt. Olive community, where they were 
married after Mr. Stiehl returned from 
World War I. 

O. J. Stiehl was graduated from the 
Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and 
first located in South Bend, Ind., where he 
successfully managed a funeral home for 
several years. On October 1, 1922, Mr. and 
Mrs. Stiehl came to Nokomis after they had 
purchased the Kroeger & Arnold Funeral 
Home. When the building on Main Street 
became inadequate, due to parking facilities, 
the Stiehls purchased the building at Main 
and Maple St. and the adjoining residence. 
Both were remodeled, grounds landscaped, 
and on Dec. 1, 1935, the present funeral home, 
used exclusively for funeral services, was 
dedicated to the Nokomis community. 

In July of 1946 a father-son partnership 
was formed, when Jay, son of Mr. and Mrs. 
Stiehl, returned from three and one half 
years' service in the U. S. Navy. This ar- 
rangement continued until 1949, when Jay 
and his family moved to Atwood, Illinois, 
where they are engaged in farming. 

At this time Lee Dawson, a licensed fun- 
eral director, became affiliated with the 
Stiehls - the present arrangement. 

On October 1, 1951, Stiehls bought the 
Stauder & Hoehn Funeral Service in Witt 
and they are now serving both communities 

Besides their son, Jay, the Stiehls have 
one daughter, Myra Ramers, now living in 
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. They also have four 
grandsons and one granddaughter. 

Since coming to Nokomis the Stiehls 
have been active in all community affairs. 
They are members of Trinity Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Stiehl being chairman of the 
building committee of the newly erected 
church. Mrs. Stiehl has also been active in 
the ladies' organizations of the church and 
community. Mr. Stiehl has served as secre- 
tary of the Merchants Assn., has been com- 



mander of the local, county and district 
Legion and has served the Post as service 
officer since 1924. He was a charter member 
and first secretary of the Nokomis Rotary 
club and has served on the County and State 
boards of the Tuberculosis Associations. The 
name of "Stiehl's" has been history making 
on the Nokomis Road of Progress. 

• * * * 
NOKOMIS LUMBER COMPANY 

Nokomis Lumber Company dates back 
to 1913 when Frank and Harry Hargrave did 
business for a quarter century, then the 
building was left to deteriorate. Rufus Niemi 
and Roy Kessinger held weekly sales here 
for a time. 

On January 16, 1950, Mr. and Mrs. Frank 
J. Luba of Cicero, 111., and Dwain R. Seifert, 
and Charles Dobernick bought the building 
from Mr. Niemi, and completely remodeled 
it with modern equipment. The first of this 
year Mr. Dobernick sold his interest to the 
other two. 

The Nokomis Lumber Co. has the agency 
of the Johns Manville panels and planks 
which build, decorate, and insulate at the 
same time. 

Lillian and Frank Luba have a dry 
goods store in Cicero, and are the parents of 
three daughters. D. R. Seifert, the manager, 
is a serviceman of World War II; he married 
Rowena Christy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Alex Christy. They have three sons: Larry, 
Kenneth and Alex. Rowena operates the 
"Rowena Beauty Shop". 

* * * * 

As these are prosperous times, and No- 
komis is the most enterprising town on this 
road, why not sink a coal shaft? (April, 
1880). 



"The Building Association made its first 
loan on Tuesday night of this week I May 10. 
1881 ), the money selling at a premium of 25 
and 30 per cent." 



"Bee Line Route I & St. L. R.R. will sell 
excursion tickets to Washington and return 
for all to see the inauguration." March, 1881. 



LP GAS PLANT OF NOKOMIS GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY 
PIONEERS IN THE HANDLING AND USE OF LP GAS 




This company was opened for business 
on Mar. 15th, 1928, by L. E. Nantkes and Ora 
K. Weber. It was organized primarily for the 
purpose of handling farm machinery, but 
during the first year bottled natural gas was 
put on the market and this was added to the 
line. This company installed one of the first 
L P Gas stoves in Central Illinois. After two 
years Mr. Weber left the Company and it has 
since been under the management of L. E. 
Nantkes. The next year farm machinery was 



BRANHAMS VARIETY STORE 

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Branham started a 
Nokomis Variety Store on the last of March, 
1915, in the Kroeger & Arnold Bldg., now 
owned by Elio Tosetti. 

In 1917, as the war years had expanded 
their business, the Branhams bought at the 
present location from Jesse Griffin, who had 
conducted a hardware and furniture store. 

May, 1919, Mr. and Mrs. Branham 
bought another variety store in Terre Haute, 
Ind. and moved to that city, leaving their 
store, in Nokomis, to hired managers. The 
first manager was Leoretto Kroller, /followed 
by Mr. Fletch, Fred C. Michelman, Mr. 
Browman, and the present manager, Leslie 
Sperry. Leslie started working in the store 
in 1946 and became manager 3 yrs. later. Mr. 
Michelman served in this capacity for 25 
years, from 1923 - 1948. Carrie Cook has 
worked in the store for 34 years. 



dropped and since that time the company 
has been promoting the use of what is 
known as L P Gas. From this small begin- 
ning the company now serves more than 700 
customers. The management has always 
believed that employees are entitled to share 
in any profits, so at the present time the 
company is owned by L. E. Nantkes, Morris 
H. Rennekamp, Ambrose Kroenlein, James 
Goodwin, Ray West, Mildred Fetsko, and 
Mary A. Jodaitis. 

* * 

The Branhams wish to say "Thanks" to 
the Nokomis Community, with expressed 
appreciation to their efficient managers. 

* * * * 
CARROLL'S ANTIQUE & GIFT SHOP 

A hobby that started in her home 13 
years ago has developed into a thriving bus- 
iness at 120 E. State St., Nokomis. 

Mrs. Hilda Carroll, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Theo. Geiss, handles anything that can 
be termed a collector's item. Most of her 
many customers are out of town and she 
prides the fact that her first customer in 1943 
still does business at Carroll's Antique and 
Gift Shop — a thought that all business likes 
to cherish. 

* * * * 

"The A. F. Weaver new home is com- 
pleted." (Now the Park House). 1889 



-80- 



THE SALE SUPERETTE 

Phone 16 AG Food Store Nokomis, 111. 

The Sale Superette is probably the old- 
est location of a grocery store in Nokomis. 
Henry Runge started a grocery at this loca- 
tion around 1886 and sold out to Crumbaugh 
& Law in 1898. Crumbaugh & Law operated 
under this name until 1899 when it became 
Crumbaugh & Co. 

In April of 1900 F. C. Best purchased the 
business from Crumbaugh & Co. and in Jan. 
1901, he took a partner, W. H. Shannon. This 
firm of Shannon & Best operated until 1912 
when they sold to Frank Kroeger and H. A. 
Arnold. Kroeger and Arnold operated as 
partners until 1924 when Frank Kroeger 
entered the insurance field and H. A. Arnold 
continued to operate the grocery and dry 
goods business; H. A. "Dutch" Arnold stay- 
ed the longest of any of his predecessors, 
selling to George M. Sale in 1950. George 
and "Dutch" spent the longest time of any 
in this location. George Sale started to work 
for H. A. Arnold in March, 1927, and pur- 
chased the business in Oct. 1950, making al- 
most 24 years of pleasant employer-employee 
relationship. 

The present building was built in 
1899 or 1900 by Robert Gelly. Robert Gelly 
maintained ownership of the building until 
his death, when it was sold by his heirs to 
Kroeger & Arnold in 1916. In 1932 H. A. 
Arnold and Frank Kroeger dissolved their 
real estate holdings and H. A. Arnold became 
the owner until he sold to George Sale in 
Oct., 1950. 

Geo. M. Sale, son of Phillip and Ida Sale, 
married Ella Engelman, daughter of Edward 
and Gertrude Engelman, in Nov. 1933. They 
have three children, Donald, at present in 
the U. S. Army in the Far East; Shelby, a 
junior in High School, and Georgia, age 3. 

It has been the policy of all our prede- 
cessors to deal fairly with the customer and 
maintain quality at fair prices. This is still 
the aim of The Sale Superette to give "Qual- 
ity Food at Economical Prices." Employed at 
trie Sale Superette in addition to the family 
is Rudy Hribar and Dorothy Westphal. Our 
best wishes to Nokomis and community on 
this centennial celebration. May Nokomis 
have continued success and prosperity. 



NOKOIUIS NEWSPAPERS 

Probably the oldest business venture in 

Nokomis is the Free Press, which was first 
published in 1877 by E. M. Hulbert, and. now 
in its 87th year, is known as the Free Press- 
Progress. 

In 1877 the Free Press and the Gazette, 
a newspaper that had started a few months 
before, were consolidated under the name of 
Free Press-Gazette and managed by Hulbert 
and Graden. Later Adam Rademacher ob- 
tained possession until 1880 when E. M. 
Hulbert again took over the duties of editor. 
It was in 1881 that J. W. Wild entered the 
picture working as a printer for Mr. Hulbert 
for six years, after which time Wild became 
a partner with Mr. Hulbert. 

The exact date of Mr. Hulbert's leaving 
the newspaper business in Nokomis is not 
known, but his interest was sold to Henry 
Webster, who died in 1917. Mrs. Webster 
delegated her part in the business to her son, 
Luther E. Shoemaker. 

During this period there was a paper 
being published by A. K. Vandever and his 
sons, A. E. and L. K. Vandever, named the 
Progress, which had been purchased from 
W. P. Hagthrop in 1908. It was in 1917 that 
A. E. Vandever and Luther E. Shoemaker 
consolidated the two papers under the name 
of the Free Press-Progress. Several years 
later Shoemaker sold his interest in the 
paper to Charles R. Frederick; then D. B. 
Pauschert entered the picture by taking over 
the Frederick interest. It was in 1934 that 
Pauschert sold his interest in the paper to A. 
E. Vandever. The paper is now owned by A. 
E. Vandever, Edmond B. Vandever, and 
Edward J. Ovca, and operated by Vandever 
and Ovca. 

The plant is a well fitted country 
printing office publishing the seven column, 
10 to 16 page weekly newspaper and doing 
commercial and offset printing. 
• * * • 

Some market prices in 1887: spring 
chicken 4c lb.; roosters 2c lb.; hens 4c a lb ; 
apples 50c a bu.; beefsteak 10c a lb.; roast 8c 
a lb.; bacon 8 & 10c a lb.; corn 26 & 27c a bu.; 
wheat 72c a bu.; oats 22c a bu.; butter 8-15c 
a lb. 




THE NOKOMIS EQUITY ELEVATOR 

THE NOKOMIS EQUITY ELEVATOR 
pictured above was organized in 1930. The 
elevator proper, concrete warehouse, and 
part of the present office were constructed 
in 1918 and operated until 1930 under the 
name of NOKOMIS FARMERS CO-OP 
ELEVATOR COMPANY. At that time the 
Company was re-organized under its present 
charter and became affiliated with the Na- 
tional Farmers Equity, whose president was 
Mr. LeRoy Milton of Greenville, 111. The 
Company is chartered and operates under 
the Capper-Volstead Act of 1923. 

The first Board of Directors were Wm. 
Herzog, pres.; Henry C. Weber, vice-pres.; 
Wm. Brockman, sec'y-! Fred Bauman, George 
Hardy, Heie D. Janssen and John Epley. 
Roy N. Phillips was employed as manager, 
and served in that capacity until Jan., 1947. 

The charter members of the organization 
consisted of 92 co-op minded producers of 
this trading area with a capital investment 
of $28,000.00. This number has increased 
until the Company now has 715 stockholders 
with a capital investment of $77,625.00. 

Five of the first eight years of operation 



the Company operated at a loss. All other 
years have netted a fair amount of profit. 

Since 1947 the warehouse space has been 
greatly increased and an additional 80,000 
bu. of grain storage has been built. The 
original elevator was modernized, and labor 
saving modern cleaning, grinding and mix- 
ing facilities were installed to render the 
best of service to the patrons. These im- 
provements have increased the total fixed 
assets of the Company from the original 
$47,000.00 to the present $156,000.00. 

Besides handling grain, the Company 
retails feed, seed, fertilizer, and farm supplies 
for its members and patrons. 

The present Board of Directors are 
Henry C. Weber, pres.; Edw. O. Herzog, vice- 
pres.; Fred C. Bauman, sec'y-; Harold Casey, 
Joseph Schrempp, Walter J. Meier, and Les- 
ter Epley. Others who have served on the 
Board at different times since the Company 
was organized are Albert Reincke, Fred 
Michelman, Richard J. Wattjes and Maurice 
Archibald. 

Of the 92 original stockholders, 23 are 
still producers and members after 26 years. 
At present the Company is managed by Fred 
Heck who succeeded Mr. Phillips in 1947. 



H2 



NOKOMIS FARMERS MUTUAL FIRE 
AND LIGHTNING INSURANCE CO. 

& 

PANA-HILLSBORO DISTRICT CYCLONE 

MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. 

When Nokomis was only twenty years 
old, the Nokomis Farmers Mutual Fire and 
Lightning Insurance Company was started; 
therefore they are celebrating eighty years 
of continuous service in this farming 
community. 

Due to heavy losses in Philadelphia 
more than two hundred years ago, Ben- 
jamin Franklin started the Philadelphia 
Mutual Contributionship, of which the 
local Mutual Company is a branch. In fact 
all insurance is based upon this humble be- 
ginning. On March 1, 1876, an organization 
meeting was called with J. H. Beatty as 
president and L. A. Sweany as secretary. 
Two weeks later, A. F. Weaver was chosen 
as permanent secretary. This meeting was 
held in the Weaver Building where the five 
directors elected, representing each town- 
ship, were J. M. Kerr, Rountree; A. F. 
Weaver, Nokomis; Wm. Oberle, Witt; J. B. 
Pocock, Audubon; and Wm. Bowers, Irving. 
In 1882 J. M. Kerr was put in as president. 

At the Annual Meeting, 1889, Jacob 
Haller was elected president and F. M. 
McNaughton as secretary; E. B. Pocock also 
served as the president with Mr. Brophy as 
secretary. William H. Casselberry later took 
Mr. Brophy's place and served the company 
well for many years. 

Going into modern history, we find 
Perry Weber as president and R. B. Warn- 
sing as the secretary. Mr. Warnsing served 
until his death in 1949. The following Annual 
Meeting, January. 1950, E. W. Schneider was 
elected secretary and is serving now. In 1947 
Clarence Zeifang was elected president. 

* * 

College Students - Amy Stewart, Jack- 
sonville; Jennie Hulbert and Wm. Gray, 
Shurtleff; Martha Upstone, Oxford Seminary; 
John Seys, Ann Arbor; Luella Denman, 
Smith College in Northampton, Mass. 



From their beginning of five townships 
in 1876 and less than sixteen thousand 
dollars in assets, they now have over nine 
million dollars and twelve hundred policy 
holders representing sixteen townships. The 
Farmers Mutual has the lowest rates of an; 
of the non-profit insurance companies of the 
state. It is affiliated with the Pana-Hillsboro 
District Cyclone Mutual Ins. Co., located at 
Hillsboro. Henry F. Hofferkamp is president, 
Herbert S. Smith, vice-president and C. W. 
Boone, secretary. This company handles the 
coverage of wind, cyclone, and had of forty- 
five counties of Illinois, which is the second 
largest in the state governed by the Depart- 
ment of Insurance, and as such, have their 
Annual Meeting on the fourth Tuesday in 
January. At the past meeting the following 
fourteen directors were re-elected: L. W. 
Hulbert and Harry Hoffman, Nokomis; 
Clarence Zeifang and Chester Pocock. Audu- 
bon; Olin N. Snyder and Rex Weller, 
Rountree; Louis N. Probst and Edw. Speiser, 
Witt; Gerald McElroy and Phillip Speiser, 
Irving; Carl Reincke and Nelson Bollman, 
Greenwood; and John Brookens and Frank 
Repschen, Johnson Township. 

The sixteen townships from which any 
of the directors can take applications are 
Nokomis, Witt, Rountree, Audubon, Irving, 
Raymond and N. Fillmore in Montgomery 
County; Oconee in Shelby County; Hurri- 
cane in Fayette County; Bear Creek, Green- 
wood, Johnson, Ricks, Locust, Rosamond 
and Taylorville in Christian County. At the 
Annual Meeting, bordering townships can be 
added. 

May the Nokomis Farmers Mutual and 
Lightning Insurance Company be congratu- 
lated for the fine service performed in the 
past eighty years and may they continue to 
serve the community for years and years to 
come. 

• * 

G. A. R. - Headquarters Camp-fire and 
Reunion of Soldiers and Sailors in Nokomis, 
September 27, 28, 29, 1889. 



"Lafe Sawyer graduated from North- 
western U. College of Pharmacy - July, 1889. 



"Nokomis will hold its first annual fair 
Sept. 25, 26, 27, 1889." 

"No bathing in the Mill Pond." 1884 



;;:; 



:> 



THE HEDLUND MANUFACTURING 
COMPANY 

In July, 1948, Swan Hedlund met Ed 
Ruppert and Ray McCurdy at a reunion at a 
lake in Augusta, Wisconsin, and during the 
course of conversation Mr. Hedlund express- 
ed a desire to go into business and stated 
that he was interested in establishing a wood- 
working plant, having had a number of years 
experience in this line of work in Minnesota. 
The Nokomisans advised that Nokomis was 
looking for a new industry and hoped that 
the town might be considered for a location. 

The following day Mr. Hedlund and Mr. 
Glenn L. Reed started driving south through 
Illinois and had tentatively thought they 
might find a location in the southern part of 
the state near Cairo. However, they investi- 
gated all possibilities along the route and 
actually did not get all the way down to 
southern Illinois. They had almost decided 
on locating in Litchfield when Mr. Ruppert 
and Mr. McCurdy persuaded them to come to 
Nokomis as the people were anxious to get 
industry in the locality. Mr. Kenneth Moss 
was contacted and a meeting of the business 
men was called. An agreement was entered 
into at that time whereby Nokomis New In- 
dustries would furnish a building for the 
plant, shares of stock being sold by Nokomis 
New Industries to finance the project. 

Upon completion in late 1948, the build- 
ing was sold to the Hedlund Manufacturing 
Company who opened for business in Jan- 
uary, 1949, with eight plant employees and 
one office employee. Principal items manu- 
factured at the time were toboggans and 
snow skis. Late in that year the manufac- 
ture of water skis was started on a small 
scale but during the past few years the popu- 



larity of water skiing has advanced so rapid- 
ly that water skis have now become the main 
item manufactured. 

The early years were a struggle for this 
new industry and during the first two years 
it operated at a loss. With determination 
and hard work of the officers of the company 
and the full cooperation of its employees, the 
plant has now grown to the extent that, with 
each passing year, production and sales have 
practically doubled. The Hedlund Manufac- 
turing Company supplies its products to 
every state in the United States and exports 
to many foreign countries. Inquiries regard- 
ing these water skis have been received from 
various parts of the world and shipments 
have recently been made to Singapore, Dutch 
Indies, Tahiti, South America, Mexico, 
Canada, England, and Sweden. Approxi- 
mately 90^ of the water skis used by 
champions and in competition in tourna- 
ments are furnished by this company. It 
has become the largest water ski manufac- 
turer in the country, and the name of Noko- 
mis is known far and wide as the home of 
the Hydro-Flite water skis. 

The plant was originally started with 
10,000 sq. ft. of floor space; facilities have 
been expanded extensively during the past 
years so that at the present time another 
addition is being made to the plant which, 
when completed, will give approximately 
30,000 sq. ft. of space in all. Five years ago 
the manufacture of water skis averaged 
about 1500 pairs for the year, three years 
ago 10,000 pairs, and this year it is estimated 
that production will be well over 40,000 
pairs besides all other accessories and in ad- 
dition to the other lines manufactured. Em- 
ployees have increased from the original 
eight to seventy and office personnel from 
one to seven. 

In 1953 a sled manufacturing business 
was purchased and added to plant opera- 
tions. At the present time Hedlund Manu- 
facturing Company manufactures water skis, 
toboggans, snow skis, sleds, and hockey 
sticks. 

The Hedlund Manufacturing Company 
is grateful to the people of Nokomis for 
their support and proud to have been a part 
of the town's progress. 



—84— 



THE KETTELKAMP IMPLEMENT CO. 

The JOHN DEERE CO. whose business in 
Nokomis is handled by the Kettelkamp Im- 
plement Company, is marking 100 years of 
PROGRESS- - just as Nokomis is doing this 
year. The first premium on plows at the 
Illinois State Fair in 1856 was taken by John 
Deere, of Moline, who exhibited a dozen 
different sizes for different uses. 

The history of the Kettelkamp Imple- 
ment Company had its beginning about 40 
years ago when Julius F. Kettelkamp, with 
Miller, Crickenberger, and Young, was in the 
real estate and insurance business. Their 
office was where Rt. 16 Cafe is now located. 
Mr. Kettelkamp was still on the farm, north 
of Nokomis, but would walk to work every 
day. 

In 1917 Mr. Kettelkamp built at the 
corner of E. State and Maple Streets. Here 
he held the agency for Chevrolet and Over- 
land cars. In 1926 he took over the agency 
to sell Oliver implements, along with his car 
and insurance business. In 1928, when Ted 
and Henry Johnson took the International 
line of implements. Mr. Kettelkamp decider! 
to handle the John Deere implements; at that 
time he bought the present building from 
Ray W. Snedeker, and the firm was known 
as the Kettelkamp Implement Co. With this 
purchase, he took over the agency of selling 
Hudson, Dodge and Essex cars, along with 
the others. He continued in this large line 
of selling until his death on March 26, 1943, 
when John F. Cook, who had been his sales- 
man since 1923, took over the management 
for Mrs. Emma Kettelkamp, wife of the 
founder. Mr. Cook served in this capacity 
until February 2, 1952, when the business 
was sold; thus Johnny put in thirty years of 
service for the Kettelkamp Implement 
Company. The business changed hands but 
not the name, when Fred W. Kettelkamp, son 
of Mr. and Mrs. Benj. T. Kettelkamp, bought 
the company. They also have the agency for 
Westinghouse appliances. 

Fred was born and raised on a farm in 
the Kettelkamp community north of Noko- 
mis. He truly knows the farmers' needs by 
actual experience. Mr. Kettelkamp married 
the former Miss Noretta Hicks, a graduate 
of the Pana High School. She works for the 

—85- 



firm as bookkeeper. The Kettelkamps are 
the parents of three children - sons. Benn; 
and Bruce, and daughter. Sue. 

Leon Pieper, mechanic, was workii 
Mr. Snedeker when Julius V. Kettelkamp 
bought the business and has b» 
since. Lester Fesser, parts-man, has been 
with the firm for the past fifteen years. 

The Kettelkamp Implement Company 
offers the best of implements and 
that this agricultural community could ask 
for. With the plow that took honors a1 the 
State Fair, the Kettelkamp Implement Com- 
pany, salutes Nokomis and the 100 vears of 
PROGRESS. 

• * * * 




JUBELTS VARIETY BAKERIES 

114 E. State St. Nokomis, 111. 

The B. & B. Bakery was located at this 
location, when Bob and Evelyn Allan started 
in 1949. Mr. Allan at one time worked for 
Jubelt Bakeries. 

This spring Mr. Jubelt added Nokomis 
to his list of four bakery shops. Gene Gorsich 
is the baker and manager of the Nokomis 
shop, and Mrs. Bliss Parker and Mrs. Junior 
Parker are clerks. 

Paul M. Jubelt started in Mt. Olive in 
1922 and now has places in Mt. Olive, 
Litchfield, Taylorville and the one in Noko- 
mis. His son, John, is associated with him. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jubelt make their home in 
Mt. Olive and manage the local shop. Besides 
the son, John, they are the parents of a 
daughter, Mrs. Dorothy McEdowney, of 
Chicago Heights, 111. 

The Jubelt Variety Bakeries wish to 
extend the heartiest congratulations to the 
Nokomis Centennial. 

• * * * 

"A singing school under management of 
Rev. McKee opened with more than 45 
scholars - May, 1S84." 




MOHAWK 
FURNITURE & HARDWARE COMPANY 

The history of the Mohawk Furniture & 
Hardware Co. dates back to 1904, when the 
late F. J. Pannwitt bought the implement 
business from the Challecomb Brothers. 
This was in the corner building that now 
houses the Nokomis Implement Co. In 1908 
Edwin joined his father in business and the 
firm was known as F. J. Pannwitt >& Son. 

In 1912 Mr. Pannwitt took on a line of 
hardware and built the present building. 
Four years later Mr. Pannwitt and son added 
furniture, along with their hardware, and 
four years later the building was enlarged. 

Edwin continued the business after the 
death of his father, with the help of his 
brother-in-law, Fred Layer, and Edward 
Ruppert, until July 24, 1946, when Fred B. 
Johnson bought the building and Edgar 
Richardson, son-in-law of Mr. Johnson, 
started what was known as the Richardson 
Furniture and Hardware Store. 

Mr. Richardson was in the Army Air 
Corps Reserves and was therefore called 
back into the service on March 1, 1953; at 
that time Lloyd V. Davis, who was a native 
of Nokomis, but had been in St. Louis for the 
last 12 years, was called to manage the store. 

With Eddie Richardson in Greenland 
and not being able to look after his interest 
in the store properly, he decided to sell to 
his father-in-law on the first of Oct., 1953. 

Fred B. Johnson took over the store and 
changed the name to Mohawk Furniture & 
Hardware Co. He retained Lloyd Davis as 
manager until his untimely death, April 14, 
1956. Others who work for the firm are Ed. 
Ruppert, Jerry Crow, and Roy Becker. 

The building is a two-story structure 
and is one of the best built and best looking 
in Nokomis; the well known brands of fur- 
niture with the fine stock of hardware give 



this community a fine place to shop. 

Capt. Richardson and family are now 
living in San Antonio, Tex. The story of Mr. 
and Mrs. Fred B. Johnson can be found 
under Johnson Auto Co. History. 

* * * * 
ILLINOIS CONSOLIDATED 
TELEPHONE COMPANY 

The Montgomery County Telephone Co. 
was organized in October, 1895, with the 
following directors: G. W. Huffer and W. S. 
Berry of Coffeen; J. J. Frey, C. A. Ramsey, 
A. M. Howell, and W. A. Howett of Hillsboro; 
G. Carstens of Nokomis. In 1896 the first 
telephone line was completed to Nokomis 
with the instrument in the Schaper Drug 
Store. 

The 1908 Nokomis telephone directory 
listed 428 names, 28 of which are still in the 
1956 directory. 

This company was sold to the Illinois 
Consolidated Telephone Co. in 1924. The 
following tabulation shows the growth of 
telephone subscribers in Nokomis since 1915: 
1915_472 telephones; 1925—760; 1935—560; 
1945_797 ; 1955—1,305; and 1956—1,339. 

Today there are 11 operators — Julia 
Epley, chief operator; Billie Schaefer, 
supervisor; Dorothy Bruns, Helen Cassidy, 
Mary Conterio, Anna Belle Glavish, Donna 
Janssen, Nelinda Tosetti, Wanda Turner, 
Delores Reed, Jean Wright, and two line- 
men, Julio Maretti and Wm. Westphal— in 
the Nokomis office where more than 4,500 
local calls and 200 long distance calls are 
averaged daily. 

• * * * 
"Considerable labor is now being per- 
formed on the east part of Union St. The 
street commissioner hopes to secure a per- 
fect system of drainage." (Now, 72 years 
later, East Union is again under reconstruc- 
tion.) 



"Nokomis baseball team defeated Hills •• 
boro's team - July, 1884." 



"Notice - All members of the Nokomis 
Library association will please return books 
by Friday, April 23, 1880. S. A. Henkel - 
librarian." 



WELSCH'S 
BAKERY &- RESTAURANT 

SPRUCE STREET 

NOKOMIS, ILLINOIS 



Joseph IDelsch, Prop. 
1906 - 1932 



—87- 



Piano and Voice 

119 S. Maple St., Margaret Rademacher, 

Instructor, Ph. 49 



Chiropractor 

110 E. State St., Irvin Mathias, Ph. 104 



Optometrist 
104 S. Pine St., Benj. T. Rose, Phone 72-L 



Woodman Life & Accident Insurance Co. 
204 S. Vine St., James Vancil Agt., Ph. 60-W 



Schaefer's Coal Company 
206 W. Front St., Homer Schaefer, Ph. 159 



Charlie's Plumbing and Heating 

212 S. Vine St., Chas. Lehnen, Prop. 

Ph. 116-L 



Plumbing, Sheet Metal, Furnace Work 

S. Spruce St., C. R. Gleich, Reg. Plumber 

Prop. 



Lenzi Plumbing and Heating 

713 N. Spruce St., Joe Lenzi, Jr., Lisc. 

Plumber, Ph. 217 



Mutt and Jeff — Builders 
Harry Stinn and Jack Sale 



Charm Beauty Shop 

212 S. Vine St., Ursula Lehnen, Prop. 

Ph. 116-L 



Opal Matthews' Beauty Shop 

19% S. Spruce St. Opal Matthews, Prop. 

Ph. 449-L 



Rowena's Beauty Shop 

Ph. 443-K 

330 Sherman St., Rowena Seifert, Prop. 



Shamrock Beauty Shop 

104 So. Spruce St., Doris Dewerff, Prop. 

Ph. 93-K 



Virginia Ann Beauty Salon 
112 S. Pine St., Mary Spengel, Prop., Ph. 34 



Len's Barber Shop 
112 S. Spruce St., Leonard Mehochko, Prop. 



Buchko's Barber Shop 

211 W. State St., Geo. Buchko, Prop. 

F. Vernetti, Barber 



Wilson's DeLuxe Barber Shop 
19 S. Spruce St., A. B. Parsons, Prop. 



Cesaretti Oil Company 

211 N. Maple, Louis Cesaretti, Distributor 

Ph. 251-K 



D-X Oil 

103 Frederick St., Milton (Bill) Kettelkamp, 

Distr., Ph. 292-K 



Farmers' Service Station 
315 E. State St., Wm. J. Nash, Mgr. Ph. 151-K 



Gipson's Sinclair Station 

Cor. S. Spruce & E. Union, Jesse R. Gipson, 

Prop. 



Golitko Cities Service 

E. Rt. 16, John "Cot" Golitko, Mgr. 

Ph. 227-K 



Goodwin Service Station 

UN. Spruce St., Johnny & Tommy 

Marathon Oil and Gas 



Heck's Texaco Service 
E. Rt. 16, Herb Heck, Prop., Ph. 276-K 



Hinkle Standard Service 

Cor. W. State l& S. Cedar, Chas. Hinkle, Prop. 

Ph. 155 



Nokomis Oil Company 
W. Rt. 16, Izzy & Barney, Props., Ph. 186 



Wharton's Marathon Service Station 
Rt. 16, Guy Wharton, Prop., Ph. 242-K 



Wides Service Station 

Cor. W. State & S. Cedar, Joe Lenzi, Sr. 

Mgr. 



Village Tavern 

Coalton — John Fetsko, Prop. 

Phone 285-L 



-38— 



PICTURES 

and 

REMINISCENCES 

MEMORIES ARE PRECIOUS TREASURES WE 
KEEP WITHIN THE INNER VAULT OF OUR SOULS. 



In Solemn Tribute to 
Those of Our Comrades- 
Courageous, Great £Men- 
For Whom There Was 
c Z\o Homecoming 



CIVIL WAR 

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR 

WORLD WAR I 

WORLD WAR II 




F. Schaper, G. Scott, M. Stobbs, A. Kroll, F. Swartz, A. Kerr, O. Ekey 

A. J. Eekhoff, (Unknown), W. Stobbs, L. Oberle, R. Tooley, C. Pullen, G. Whitten, W. Greg, 
D. Weaver 



Nokomis City Park 

(fence around it) 

James W. Scott 

Fred Homley 




—91— 



A Chicken Dinner 

When Thomas Stevenson Battles arrived 
in Nokomis 95 years ago he carried five 
hundred dollars in gold in a money belt 
around his body which he said grew heavier 
each day. With this he bought 200 acres of 
land from Wesley Seymore, a land agent at 
Hillsboro, 160 acres of which had been part 
of a land grant used to pay off a Massa- 
chusetts volunteer for his service in the 
army. 

A short time later Mr. Battles brought 
his wife, Ann E. Battles, and six children, 
the youngest of whom, Anna, aged 4, was 
well known in Nokomis as Mrs. George N. 
Uzzell. The adventures of this family were 
many and varied. Anna loved to come to 
town and watch the horses work the tread- 
mill that sawed wood for the trains, as all 
locomotives burned wood at that time. The 
station was an old box-car located behind 
Rood's General Store which stood about 
where Keele's place is now. The one other 
business building was the blacksmith shop 
owned by Smith Swords, an ancestor of the 
well known Dickey Swords. 

Mrs. Matilda Swords Frassier and her 
husband were living on the farm bought by 
Mr. Battles, and they sold him their crops, 
livestock and poultry. The pigs and ducks 
slept under the cabin and kept up such a 
noise that no one could sleep. The ducks nib- 
bled the floor and the pigs were full of fleas 
that got into the house and bit the kids, 
so the cabin had to be boarded up to keep 
them out. 

The chickens were so wild it was neces- 
sary to shoot one if a chicken dinner was 
wanted. One day company came unexpected- 
ly and the son was sent out to shoot a guinea 
Little sister Anna peeked around the corner 
of the house to see how he was getting along 
just as he fired. One shot hit her, knocking 
her down and scaring him nearly out of his 
wits. She was not badly hurt but she carried 
the mark all her life. He hit the guinea, two 
hens, and crippled the rooster. As this was 
during the Civil War, the settlers had trouble 
with guerrillas, a band of whom had their 
headquarters at Van Burensberg. Hearing of 
Mr. Battles having paid for his land with 
gold (paper money being very uncertain as 



to value those days; they decided to pay him 
a visit and find out if he had any more. 

Hearing of this by way of the grape-vine, 
he sent a telegram to the governor, who re- 
plied that there would be 100 militia-men 
within an hour's ride of the place. This 
message was sent back by grape-vine, and 
the guerrillas never came. 

Nevertheless everything was kept ready 
for a raid and one day a large group was seen 
coming through the swamp that bordered 
the south edge of the farm. The dust was so 
great that only a few horsemen could be dis- 
tinguished. All ran for the house and armed 
themselves with rifles, shot guns, pistols, 
pitch forks, axes, corn knives, and clubs. The 
two smallest girls, Hannah and Anna, were 
told to get under the bed which they did only 
to pop out again to see what was going on 
They were chased back again; about that 
time the dust cleared away revealing what 
was supposed to be guerrillas to be a herd of 
cattle stampeding and the horsemen were 
the herders trying to round them up. 

This story is taken from the records kept 
by Mrs. Anna Battles Uzzell and her parents, 
and is correct in every detail. 



February 27, 1891 

The Champion Peach which orginated at 
Nokomis, at the nursery of Mr. I. G. Hubbard 
appears to be getting a world wide reputa- 
tion. 

We observe a number of extracts from 
leading papers and testimonials with refer- 
ence to this peach, and as they come from 
high authority it speaks well for Mr. Hub- 
bard as a pomologist. 

Points of superiority claimed for this 
variety of peach are hardiness and produc- 
tiveness. It ripens early, is one of the largest 
and highly flavored early peaches, and best 
shipper of early variety. It is a perfect free 
stone — a rare thing among early peaches. 



On Thursday May 7, 1891, a swarm of 
bees attacked the team of horses driven by 
Walter Hovey and hitched to J. Woltmann's 
& Co. produce wagon. As a result the team 
ran away, the wagon was demoralized, and 
200 dozen eggs were broken. The accident 
happened some six miles north of town. 



-92- 




Nokomis Juvenile Band — 1916 

Back row: E. Belcher, A. Baxter, S. Nash, B. Belcher, J. Masner, A. Geral, V. Layman. M. Pier- 
punt, J. Harrison 

Middle row: J. Bostonetti, G. Kapilla, S. Willis, J. Pendleton, P. McPherson, R. Bender, G. 
Maxeiner, O. McManus 

Front row; E. Krumm, Hutchison II. — drum major, B. Powers. ■"Chick" Hutchison — leader 




The Wm. Taylor Store 

Celia Beeler, Minnie 
Kueck, Lydia Engelmann, 
Nell Taylor, Alice Stewart, 
Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Taylor 





Woltmann's White Steamer 
G. Brakenhoff, Arnold Woltmann, 
John Woltmann, Jesse Woltmann 



The Jayne Barber Shop 
Andrew Jayne and son, Tony 





The big snow— March, 1912 



f ,4flt&l7 



Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church in 
Audubon, built in 1856, the forerunner of the 
St. Mark's Lutheran Church. This building 
was later (1868) sold to the Methodists. 



i 




The Hartsock Mill 



'14 




First Armistice Day in Nokomis — 1919 




Spannagel Hardware, 
Furniture, & Buggies 



-95— 



From the Nokomis Gazette, June 15, 
1872. (T. J. Pickett & H. F. White— Editors). 

A meeting will be held at Brookman's 
Hall, Mon., June 17, to make arrangement 
for a big Fourth of July celebration in Noko- 
mis. 

A new color is called "Vende". 

The Dolly Varden costumes are falling 
into bad repute. 

Nokomis Nursery— H. T. Hubbard— one 
mile southeast of Nokomis. 

George Culp — Dealer in Burial Caskets. 

J. L. Mills— Dentist— Teeth filled with 
gold, silver, or tin foil. 

The ladies of the Methodist mite society 
cleared $70 on their festival held in the 
Brookman Hall. June, 1872. 

From the Nokomis Weekly Atlas, Feb. 
28, 1881. (H. M. Graden, Publisher). 

Thos. Pinkerton — Barber & Hair 
Dresser. 

Mrs. Bryce's Bazaar of Fashion. 

Matthew Stobbs— Dealer in Clothing. 

David Marston has sold his residence 
about one mile south of town, to Robert 
Getty. 

Members of the Nokomis Cornet Band 
elected E. J. Pullen, leader, and Ad. E. 
Rodecker, Sec.-treas. 

Married on Thurs., the 24th at the resi- 
dence of the officiating clergyman, Rev. Wm. 
Vanhooser, Mr. John Bruns of Ohlman and 
Miss Mary Longbine of Rountree. 

J. N. Barney — dealer in groceries, 
queensware, glassware, wood and willow 
ware. Produce taken in exchange for goods. 

Easterday Bros., Druggists. New Firm! 
New Goods! New Prices! Old Stand of Bliss 
& Co.— Jan., 1881. 



"Town in mourning over death of Presi- 
dent Garfield. Business houses closed from 
10-4. Black crepe on doors of stores and 
homes. Church bells tolled - Sept., 1881." 

"Button gloves are more worn than 
mousquetaires." (fashion note, May, 1887). 

"Aaron Garrisine sold his farm of 160 
acres to Wm. Kettelkamp for $3,500 - less 
than $22 an acre." 

"Hot election between the license and 
anti-license groups. Antis won March, 1879." 



Mr. and Mrs. George Sippell came to 
Nokomis in 1871 as newlyweds and went to 
housekeeping at the present address of 417 S. 
Vine St. Mr. Sippell's jewelry store was lo- 
cated in a building where the present V.F.W. 
Hall is, and Mrs. Sippell could see the 
jewelry store from her back door!!! 

Mrs. Sippell brought the first bananas 
to Nokomis. She went on a visit to Cincin- 
nati and brought the bananas back with her. 

Back in the 70's trains stopped in Noko- 
mis for the passengers to get their meals at 
the hotel, The Prairie House operated by Mr. 
Jim Bone on Front St. just back of the sta- 
tion. 

The oldest house in Nokomis which is 
still standing was built in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stanley and Meron live there. It is just across 
"Lovers' Bridge" on S. Union St. 



"Driving Park Association arranged for 
races on July 4. Green trotters and pacers. 
Purses $7 for first and $3 for second. Half 
mile dash for $10 open to all horses." 1896. 



"Eight foot vein of coal struck at Witt. 
Shaft completed July, 1896." 



"City Council voted to charge School 
Board 5c a pupil for the use of city water." 
1896. 

"City Council notified railroad company 
to put crossings at Oak and Walnut Streets." 
(Not in yet.) 1896. 



"Maro and Owen Ekey have a canning 
factory on their farm. They have placed in 
the stores canned peaches, peach butter, 
corn, and tomatoes. They raise their own 
fruit and vegetables to can." 1896. 



"Some of the boys who bet on the elec- 
tion settled their debts Sat. night by taking 
their friends a ride down Main St. in a 
wheel barrow. The drum corps headed the 
procession." 1896. 

"J. Chambers, H. O. Pinkerton, R. T. 
Paddock, O. Ekey, O. Reese, Florence Durdy, 
Ollie Pullen, i& Mrs. E. Cooper made up the 
local talent 'Ideal Comedy Company.' They 
put on the play, 'Josh', to entertain the home 
folks." 1896. 



-96- 




Group of Men on Deer 
Hunting Expedition in 
Arkansas — about 1896 

Jim Wilson, Abe Bour- 
quin, John Durston. Otis 
Kellogg, Richard Rawling, 
John Challacombe, Jacob 
Harkey. Michael Probst 



First Paving Project 




Nokomis Bachelors 
Picnic 

Float— "Why Not 

Accept Us?" 



"50 years ago - taxes were not so high; 
circuses had no elephants; sermons were a 
mile long; log houses were mansions; pew 
rents were never heard of; coonskins were 
legal tender; eggs were 3c a doz.; blazed trails 
guided the traveler; hotels did not charge 
$2 a day; woods were full of wild game; there 
was no bottom to the roads; beefsteak was 3c 
a lb.; the old oaken bucket hung on a pole.' 
(1884) 

"Congressman bought a St. Bernard dog 
for his sweetheart - object - keep other men 
away at all hazards." 

"Tickets to San Francisco, Los Angeles, 
Sacramento via New Orleans February 13 - 
March 15 to see the Mardi Gras. Choice 8 
routes." —1887 



Church Directory: Baptist - no pastor, 
Lutheran - Rev. Lilly, Christian - Rev. W. 
Van Hoosier, Catholic - Fr. J. Storp, Metho- 
dist - Rev. H. W. Davis, Presbyterian - Rev. 
T. E. Spillman. 

"Letter list published for letters that had 
been in the office 30 days." 

"Sid Easterday is moving the old White 
Settlement school house to his father's farm 
where he expects to make a dwelling of it." 

Circuit Court proceedings: embezzle- 
ment, carrying concealed weapons, larceny, 
perjury, house of ill fame, murder, confidence 
game, selling mortgaged property, disturbing, 
religious meetings, selling liquor in less 
quantities than one gallon, selling liquor to 
a minor." 




-art 



"G. R. Spannagel sold 5280 ft. I 
if stovepipe in the fall season of 188" 



Woltmann's Store 

Jesse Woltmann, Arnold 

Woltmann, Dora G r o t e, 

Garrelt Brakenhoff. Louis 

iann (on wagon). 



■' Mr. Washington Ekey spent the winter 
in Florida." (That custom isn't new today.) 



m\\ a Garr 



Ice Cutting On Ekey's Pond 




—99— 



IT WAS A LONELY FACE 

With graceful hands and face as fair 
As any maiden near, 
With honesty and talents rare, 
And Voice, pleasing to hear. 

Thru rain and hail and sun and gale, 
Before the public stare. 
Toiling precisely not to fail 
The ones who passed by there; 

And dedicated to a work 

Of most concern to all 

And ne'er a minute did she shirk 

Thru summer, spring, or fall. 

And even when the winter came, 
And blustery winds would blow, 
The work was carried on the same 
In sunshine or in snow. 

Thru years and years of honest toil, 
Thru prosperous ones and lean, 
Thru happiness and thru turmoil 
This face was always seen. 

Men looked at her and hurried on; 
Some looked and looked again. 
And many who have looked are gone, 
And many strangers came. 

To glance at this most lovely face 
And slender graceful hands, 
From far and near unto this place 
They came from many lands. 

But now the years have piled up high 
Upon this face so fair, 

And these same years have dimmed the eye 
Of some who lingered there. 

Time claimed the beauty of this face; 
Those hands are motionless, 
And men who had admired their grace 
Now see their uselessness. 

So when the sun had climbed the east 

And heralded the day, 

There was no minister or priest 

To kneel or even pray, 



But men came trudging to this place 
With tackle and with block 
To take away this weary face 
Nokomis' old Town Clock. 

G. D. Robbins 

* * * * 

Several of the boys who raided the 
principal of the Nokomis school last winter, 
have been liquidating the amount of their 
fines this week by working it out in street 
labor. 

"Basket Picnic at Nokomis, June 15, 1881, 
James Young - Marshal of the day. Free 
Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor all 
in full regalia in the parade." 

Plea for street crossings from sidewalks 
around the public square to the stiles. 

"School enrollment Sept., 1881 - Room 1, 
Mrs. Randal 71; Room 2, Miss Belnap 49; 
Room 3, Miss Scales 46; Room 4, Miss Shelly 
35; Room 5, Miss Graves 45; Room 6, Miss 
Boone 40 - total 286." 

"Good baseball team 'Clippers', consis- 
tent winners." 

"Prairie House burned - Eureka House 
threatened but saved - Front Street, north 
of R. R. station." 1881. 

1884 

"Huntley Dramatic Co. played the 
drama, "A Celebrated Case", to a large 
audience in Weaver's Hall - Jan., 1884." 

"Nokomis Dramatic Co. presented the 
drama, 'Turn of the Tide' or 'Wrecked in 
Port' at Weaver's Hall - Feb. 22, 1884. Cast: 
G. Castens, G F. Miner, Chas. Randal, Guy 
Penwell, J. B. McLean, Miss A. Hovey, Miss 
Annie Potter, Miss Julia McLean, Miss Lucy 
Freeman." 

"Honor Roll pupils Feb., 1884 - Total 
pupils in school 351 - Bertha Singer, Geo. 
Fleck, Charlie Littlefield, George Kerr, Daisy 
Latimer. John Strain, Winnie Weaver, 
Johnny Singer. Philip Sale. Walter Hovey, 
Albert Bess, John Kinney. Lelia Whitten, 
Katie Strain, Laura Hill, Celia Beeler, Glenn 
Rhoades, Lucy Frasier, Nathaniel Brophy, 
Tom Kinney." 

On January 9, 1872, the Nokomis Nation- 
al Bank received a charter to conduct busi- 
ness. National banks are chartered for only 
twentv vears. 



-100- 



mm 







First Presbyterian 



Church and Parsonage 



"G. A. R. Camp - Fire, Oct.. 1884. Five 
thousand present. Mayor Singer gave 
address of welcome. Oconee band furnished 
music. Local music by Misses Belle Free- 
land. May Taylor. O. H. Paddock, and N. E. 
Freeman." 

"Mr. L. Manning has in successful opera- 
tion a new brick manufacturing machine by 
which he is able to turn out from 12,000 to 
15.000 bricks per day." 



On the program at the County Teachers' 
Meeting was A. K. Vandever who talked on 
the subject "Punishment in School." 1887 

"Dr. J. Osborne, our worthy veterinarj 
surgeon performed quite a skillful operation 
on a cow of Mr. H. Sperry's last week." 1887 

"Denman's store, corner of State & Pine, 
moved to corner of State & Spruce, Jan., 
1879." 



Denman's Store 
Corner W. State & S. Pine 








fe t8 ^ 








IHHHHI 







Legion Baseball Team 

Back row: O. J. Stiehl, 
John Jaros, Pearl Crow, 
Emory Weakley, (un- 
known). Mike Pintar, Willi- 
am O'Malley, Elmer Wilson, 
Paul McGee, Gus Bowers, J. 
E. Anderson, James Thorn- 
hill, Nels Melin, Ike Smith, 
Lawrence O'Malley, Mel 
Digman, J. Jaros (mascot). 



"Mr. Thomas Triffet was given a contract 
to build an addition to the school house 
($3,500)." 

"Montgomery County Teachers' meeting 
in Nokomis, Oct." 12, 188*9. 67 teachers pre- 
sent." 

Niagara Falls excursions - round trip 
$7.00. 

"Ladies' and gentlemen's burial slippers 
for sale." 

"The Nokomis library is in a flourishing 
condition. It has recently added 25 new 
volumes and its exchequer is as yet not 
overdrawn." 1884 



Town officers: Board of Trustees - H. N. 
Randle, E. G. Kerr, Abe Bowser, John Wolt- 
mann, John Hutton, W. E. Stokes; Town 
Clerk - Thos. Jett; Town Treasurer - Garrelt 
Carstens; Day Policeman - Wesley Snell; 
Night Policeman - John Manning; Street 
Commissioner - S. Hutton; Pound Master - 
Ben Callison; Justices of the Peace - C. A. 
Schaper, H. M. Todd. (Feb., 1889.) 

"Notice: The size of our town is alto- 
gether too small compared with the amount, 
of water melon rines that are tossed promi- 
scuously about in our streets." 1884 



Waiting For The Train 
On Picnic Day! 




-102— 



P z, 



iiif." 'i 



Ed Fowler — driver. 



hririZ. * — *= — ^3 Ge °' Enge,man ' s grocer> 



"Latest fashionable amusement is the 
'progressive picnic'. It is conducted in this 
manner: The couples start on a moonlight 
night in buggies; at every half mile a short 
stop is made; the gentleman alight, change 
buggies and, consequently, partners. This 
is continued until each gentleman has made 
the rounds. It is said the fashion orginated 
in the mind of a well-known society man 
who found it rather tedious to entertain a 
solitary lady for a couple of hours." 

"Lawrence Manning received a patent 
for his new brick kiln - Sept., 1887." 



"Party for little Harry Pinkerton to cele- 
brate his third birthday — Sept., 1878." 

"Donkey Club gave notice to the young 
ladies of the Methodist & Lutheran Churches 
that they would take up positions on each 
side of the church steps on Sunday immedi- 
ately after the service." 

''Nokomis Ladies' Band played at Palmer 
for a picnic. The Taylorville band of men 
also played there. No such music was ever 
heard. The men tried to captivate the ladies. 
We suspect the two bands will soon consoli- 
date." 




Yackle's Shoe Store 



-103— 




Shannon & Best 
General Store 



First annual commencement of Noko- 
mis Public School, May 20, 1887. Hugh 
Archibald gave the address of welcome. 
Music by Nokomis Male Quartette - A. J. 
Williford, John Paddock, Alf Griffin, Joe 
Paddock. Miss Millie Haller gave the vale- 
dictory address. Each graduate (4) gave 
essays: "Benefits of Discontent," "White- 
wash," "Voices of the Wind," "Dignity of 
Labor." 

"Machinery has arrived for the Nokomis 
Creamery, and it will soon be placed ready 
for operation - June 3, 1887." 



"Hartsock's mill has a new roller process 
to be placed in operation soon. Finest in the 
state." 

"New school house in Audubon Twp. 
Sept. 18, 1878." 

"Good hotel accomodations at the Noko- 
mis House on Front St. operated by J. W. 
Hancock. Later changed to Eureka House 
on corner of Front St. and N. Spruce St." 

Train schedule in 1887 showed 4 passen- 
ger trains westbound and 3 east bound each 
day. (That was accomodation). 



Kerr Hardware Store 




—104 




Dr. W. C. Hovey 



First Autos In Nokomis 

Joseph Brenner — Jerome Taylor 



"Wanted - An elevated walk on the 
south side of State St. for the benefit of those 
who live on the second floor." 

"Attention is called to 'pig-hole' ditch 
on the south side of State St.; also to the 
broken eggs, straw, broken dishes, papers, 
rags, etc. which are constantly accummulat- 
ing. Town officials, please take action." 1878 



"The Greenbackers postponed their 
meeting Sunday eve at the brick yard be- 
cause a Garfield meeting was being held at 
the same place." 1878 

"Miss Julia Matkins will commence 
teaching a select school in the public school 
house May 5, 1879." 



Ruins Caused By Fire 

Todd & Snell Store 

Schaper Drug Store 

Weinstein Store 




—105— 



Remember the high school contests in 
athletics, declamations, orations, etc.? All 
day out on the track and field, then at night 
all sunburned and tired, the crowd gathered 
in the Weaver Hall for the speeches! Real, 
honest-to-goodness school spirit! 

Remember skating on the old mill pond 
and the reservoir? 

Remember the LaPearl Circus, Pullen 
shows, and the Kickapoo Indian Saginaw 
Medicine shows in the Weaver's Hall; they 
played "Ten Nights in the Bar Room," "East 
Lynn." etc.? 

Remember opening night at the Holmes 
Opera House with the box seats filled to see 
the "Rajah of Bong?" Bills for the "Rajah of 
Bong" were still pasted on the dressing room 
doors just a few years ago. 

Remember the basket ball games and 
roller skating around the posts in Weaver's 
Hall? 

Remember the muddy roads, wood side- 
walks, fences around all the yards, bustles, 
pompadours, chokers, high button shoes, 
sweeps on the dresses even in school? 

Remember when Albert Kroll blew his 
horn when his bread was baked in the Snell 
Bakery? 

Remember the sound of the old school 
bell? What became of that old bell? 

Remember the street sprinkler and the 
kids that followed on hot days? The hokey- 
pokey ice cream wagon? The scissors grind- 
ers and umbrella menders? Horse races out 
at the old race track? Chautaqua at Bone's 
Grove where people camped for the week? 
Church socials in the homes? Open house on 
New Year's Day? Tramps from door to door 
and they left their mark on the gate posts? 

Remember when the 7:40 p. m. train 
from the west came in nightly and all the 
boys & girls — yes, and the oldsters too — 
went to the depot, then to the Post Office? 
Dates, chats, fun!! When the office closed at 
6 p. m. every one thought the town was 
ruined! 1896. 

Who remembers the bench between 
trees in front of the Handshy home ( now the 
Scheller auto repair shop ) ? Yes, and the well 
at the side — another trysting place! 1896. 



Remember when the Rhine and Archi- 
bald boys, west of town, came to shool in a 
big bob "sled and picked up all the kids on the 
way? 1896. 

Remember the sack lunches at noon on 
days when the weather was too bad to go 
home as we usually did? Then there was a 
full hour a. noon. The youngsters met in 
little groups and exchanged a hard boiled 
egg for cookies. No hot lunches then. 1896. 

Remember when H. C. Miller, his bro- 
ther, and the high school boys serenaded 
many when Mr. Miller's brother was in 
town? 1896. 

Remember how everyone ran out to see 
those first autos when the unfamiliar honk 
was heard? 

Who remembers the creek that ran be- 
tween the Palace Theatre and the Hulbert 
Hardware, down Main St. and across the 
railroad? 

Remember the graduation exercises 
when each graduate gave an oration? How 
interesting!! 



An Early Accident 

Now that the hoop skirt seems to be on 
its way back, we are reminded of a story told 
by the late George N. Uzzell of his sad exper- 
ience with a pair of hoops. Mr. Uzzell had 
escorted a young lady to church who was 
wearing hoops. They went on horseback as 
was customary in those days, and of course 
all ladies rode a side saddle. 

On arriving at the church, the girl got 
the hoops caught on the saddle horn and 
couldn't dismount. The young man did his 
best to help her but as she was a chunky sort 
of girl, he could not lift her high enough to 
unhook the hoop; so he did the only thing 
possible, that is, he went around on the right 
side of the horse, unbuckled the saddle girth 
and, using it as a block and tackle, lowered 
the girl to the ground to the very great 
amusement of the entire congregation. Ap- 
parently this incident broke up the romance, 
for he later married Miss Anna Battles who 
lived within walking distance of the church. 

"Mr. Alonzo Holmes is supremely blesf 
in the possession of a handsome bride. Pit 
was married in Patoka to Miss Lilly H. 
Johnston of that city." 

106— 




"Maggie Hartsock having completed a 
course in music at Shurtleff College in Alton 
is readv to teach piano and organ." Jan. 
1889. 

Miss Emma Scales has a school in 
Morrisonville." 



"5-HSiSSfc^ izxaS. 



O. H. Paddock Lumber Company 

"Our city has recently procured and put 
up new street lamps and has hired a man to 
keep them lighted and in proper order. How- 
ever, the lights seldom burn so the tax payers 
are objecting." 1878 




J. Archibald 
Livery Stable 
N. Spruce St. 



-107— 



<<^ ^ ^ 




Nokomis' First Fire Truck 

"S. T. Striders observed their golden 
wedding anniversary Oct., 1878." 

"Jacob Haller and Isaac G. Hubbard are 
building new homes on their farms." 1878 



Hose Carts— Hand Pulled 

"Round trip excursion to St. Louis $2.25." 
"Prairie House - J. S. Bone, proprietor, 
Front St., north of depot." 

"$8.00 round trip to Niagara." 




Ready for a Sunday 
Afternoon Drive 



—108— 




\ 



i 




Nokomis' Second Fire Truck 



"A protest against the practice of some Officers of Nokomis H. S. literary soci- 



who leave church during the devotional 
exercises. Very much out of place. Advice, 
If you are not going to stay through the ser- 
vice, do not go in but stay out and save your 
credit and eood name." 




ety: Hubert Manning, pres., Carl Schwartz, 
v. pres.; Nellie Parker, sec; Grace Cole, treas. 
Katie Strain, critic. 1887 

"One of the best stories written from a 
picture was handed in by Ida Travis - No. 6." 



Charlie Kerr's Winton 
Six Ready for the Parade 

Gene Holmes 
Gladys Best 
Jaclyn Argo 
Vera Holmes 



May 22, 1891 

J. Woltmann & Co. are making arrange- 
ments to begin work on their new brick 
building by the first of June. The structure 
will be 30x90 and one story. They expect to 
utilize their old building as a chicken house. 



January 7, 1891 

Frank Yackle on Wed. moved his house- 
hold goods from this city ( Hillsboro ) to No- 
komis, where he opened a boot and shoe 
repair shop. 

The people of Nokomis will have to look 
long and searchingly before they will find a 
more honest or conscientious boy than Frank. 

He has had long experience in the busi- 
ness in which he now engages, and we hope 
the people of Nokomis will give him a fair 
share of their patronage. 

January 12, 1891 

The Post Office is now located in its new 
and commodious quarters in the Gelly build- 
ing, and is as neat and convenient as the 
public could wish. In fact there is no office 
that will compare with it in the county. Post- 
master Gelly certainly merits much credit 
from the public. The new quarters are well 
lighted and roomy. 

"Mr. A Calihan celebrated Feb. 27, by 
inviting in a few friends and neighbors, the 
occasion being in gratitude for his release 
from Libby Prison on Feb. 27, 1865." 



March 18, 1891 

The pioneer party given last Wednesday 
night at Weaver's Hall is a pronounced event 
of the season. The object of this gathering 
was simply to promote socialability among 
the older people, and to have a good time in 
general. 

In these respects the plan was a howling 
success, for jovial converse and good cheer 
predominated throughout the evening. 

The company was large and all did jus- 
tice to the supper when served. During the 
evening Mayor Randall was called upon for 
a speech. He happily responded by remark- 
ing that the various classes of society had had 
their turn on recent dates at similar social 
gatherings. 



On January 7, 1890, George Whitten and 
Wells Tooley made an overland trip to Hills- 
boro on skates. The distance is 18 mile and 
their time was 2 hours 35 minutes. 



In 1888 there were 165 log schools, 191 
stone, 1439 brick, 10,413 frame. Average 
salary, male-$52.93, female-$43.09. 

January 31, 1890, Roll of honor 208 out of 
353. 

March, 1890, Roll of honor 88 out of 359. 

August 8, 1888 

Until further notice the cider mill will 
be in operation on Tuesday and Saturday 
each week. 

The mill is in excellent condition and will 
do your work quickly and well. Cider for 
sale at 10c a gallon. 

F. C. Bender. 



September 12, 1890 

Postmaster Gelly has decided to erect a 
fine two story brick building on the lot where 
Gibson Bros, formerly conducted their res- 
taurant. 

The contract for erecting the building 
has been awarded Mr. Thomas Triffet. 



April 30, 1886 

Nokomis boasts of two cornet bands (the 
members of one are of gentlemen, the other, 
ladies ) , one glee club, and a string band, be- 
sides a well organized class in vocal music. 
We can truly be termed a musical as well as 
a progressing city. 

May 21, 1886 

One of our merchants purchased a lot of 
eggs one day last week and, in the afternoon 
of the same day, young chicks stepped forth 
from them. 



November 12, 1886 

Three good houses and lots for sale at 
$250.00 each. Rent for $4.00 a month (20$ 
on investment ) . A bargain for some one. 



November 20, 1886 

R. T. Court of Springfield, deputy head 
consul of the Modern Woodman of America, 
is in town with a view of organizing a camp. 
The Modern Woodman is a secret society and 
at the same time a benefit fraternity. 



-110- 




J. Fa 



Residence & Store — Corner E. Central & Spruce 



Our attention has been called to the 
violation of an ordinance relating to bathing 
inside the corporated limits. It is probable 
if the law on this question is not heeded, 
someone will have the penaltv to pav." Mav, 
1880. 



"M. E. Church 'talking up' a bell for 
their church. Got it in Nov. 1878. Put up in 
Jan.. 1879." 

"W. E. Pennepacker was teacher at Oak 
Grove in Sept., 1887." 

20 oz. loaf of bread - 5c. 




The Kull Grocery Store 



—111- 




Old Mill and Feed Store 
On The North Side 



"A. F. Weaver, S. Denman, G. S. Upstone 
attended the G. A. R. encampment in Rock 
Island." 

Restaurant placard: Plain Meals 20c 
Extra orders 25 & 30c; Ham and eggs 15c 
Luncheon 15c; Bread, Butter, Coffee 10c 
Sandwiches 5c. 

Ordinance 32 caused all saloons to close 
Mondav, April 4, 1887. 



1881 
"B. F. Green - surgeon dentist." 
"Rents in Nokomis 1/3 higher than in 

St. Louis." 

"Nokomis Orchestra gave dances in 

Weaver's Hall." 

"Local dramatic club gave 'Among the 

Breakers'. Music by Nokomis Orchestra." 
"Coal mine talk, but not much interest." 



J. Carstens & Son Elevator 




Nokomis Country Club 




Ruins of Mr. John Carstens' 
Home Caused by Cyclone May 18, 1883 



-113- 



"Eligible bachelors in 1896: E. Frank 
Draper, Dr. J. M. Sprinkle, Jesse S. Griffin, 
Albert Rhoades, Benton Brown, H. O. Pinker- 
ton, Wm. McKown, N. B. Brophy, Henry 
Schwartz, Wm. Shannon, Albert Spannagel, 
Harry Wilson, Robert Paddock, A. J. Eekhoff , 
Maro Ekey, Matt Stobbs." 



"Leap Year dance given by the Empire 
Club at Weaver's Hall." 1896 



"Mr. Hagee had electric lights put in the 
hotel May, 1896." (Present location of Stiehl 
Funeral Home). 



"C. H. Kempton installed a soda foun- 
tain in his drug store May, 1896." 



"City Council removed the bridge on 
Maple St. near the Hagee House and put in a 
tile." May, 1896. 



"School Board asked for water mains to 
be extended to the school for fire protection." 
1896. 



"Wheelmen's Club formed. 27 bicycles 
in front of Spannagel's store. The men rode 
to Hillsboro, Taylorville, and Raymond. 
Complaints came in that the riders didn't 
observe rules of the road." 1896. 



"Croquet Club gave a strawberry festi- 
val on J. L. Manning's lawn. Pullen's band 
played." 1896. 



Teachers hired: Horace Safford-Buckeye; 
Wm. McNeil-Tester; John Sellers- Walker; 
John Sullivan-Card's Grove; Ernest Mallory- 
Brewner; Omar Webster - Young; Maggie 
Marley-Avoca; Elisha Safford-Oak Grove; 
Fred Ernst-Starr; Myrtle Safford-Sherman. 
May, 1896. 



School Library open from 2-3 o'clock 
each day and every other Sat. Charles Rus- 
sell-librarian." 1896. 



"Nokomis Drum Corps furnished music 
at Litchfield, Decoration Day." 1896. 



"Mine talked up again — Dec, 1896." 



"Good sewing machine to be exchanged 
for a good cow." 1887 



June 20, 1890 

Prof. W. B. Davis has finished the task 
of enumerating the school district. The re- 
sult of his work shows that there are 397 
males and 412 females over 21 years of age, 
and 345 males and 342 females under 21 years 
of age making a total of 1496 residing in the 
district. 

Of these there are 687 under 21 and 188 
under 6 years making 499 of school age. 

There are 174 more persons in the dis- 
trict than in the corporation of the town; this 
deducted from 1496 would leave a population 
for the town of 1,322 or a gain of nearly 32 M» 
percent in 10 years. 



John Strider was the first man buried 
in Nokomis cemetery. A child was buried be- 
fore Mr. Strider. Mr. Strider is the grand- 
father of Mrs. Rutherford German in Ohl- 
man and Mrs. C. M. Travis in Nokomis. 



September 16, 1891 

Cashier A. J. Williford was in Chicago 
this week for the purpose of ascertaining the 
cost of an electric plant for the town. A plant 
to furnish 6 arc lights for the street and 150 
incandescents will cost about $4,000. Repre- 
sentatives of some of the responsible firms 
will be here in a few days for the purpose of 
inspecting the town, and a complete estimate 
will then be furnished. 



November 25, 1891 

Mr. Abe Bourquin has returned from 
the Fat Stock Show at Chicago bringing with 
him all the laurels for his herd of Brown 
Swiss cattle. He claimed to have beaten the 
record with one cow from his herd for milk 
and butter. In the test of three days the ani- 
mal produced 245 lbs. of milk from which 
was made 9% lbs. of butter. With this test 
Mr. Bourquin has the distinction of owning 
the finest dairy stock in the United States. 



"In a publication of this type, errors are 
unavoidable and are regretted; however, 
such errors of omission, commission, mis- 
spellings and oversights will be rectified and 
acknowledged in the bi-centennial edition 
which will be published in 2056. Kindly con- 
tact the committee at that time." 

Book Committee 



—114— 




Back row: Agnes Carstens, May Van Hoosier, Fan Carstens 

Middle row: Lucy Frazier, Emma Van Hoosier, Henry Randall (director), Flo Handschy, 

Nell Randall 
Front row: Elizabeth Snell, Lou Whitmore, Laura Anderson 




An early Nokomis parade 
with Holmes Opera House 
in right foreground and 
Weaver's Hall right back- 
ground. 



-115— 



»iiii!imiin!iiriiiiiiiiif[ 




Presbyterian Ladies' Aid Society 

Front row: Mesdames May Davy, Gardner Stokes, Miss Mercy Riddler, Mesdames John M. 

Shoemaker, Rob't. Gelly, Sena Sawyer, Wilson, Gray, Rich Robinson, Wm. 

Archibald, M. Quick, Ulrici, Mary Hutton, Chas. Best, W. B. Evans. 
Back row: Mesdames Carl Weakley, Christina Collier, Fred Law, Frank Schaper, John Baisch, 

Nellie Riddler Bryce, Mattie Upstone McClure. Chambers, Barkley, Miss 

Jennie Safford, Mesdames Albert Bess, Jennie Todd, Dora Law Crumbaugh, 

John Garrisine. 



Clerks In Day & Upstone 
Store — 1879 

Back row: Gus Bullock, 
John Upchurch, H. V. Bul- 
lock, Mr. Williamson 

Middle row: George Scha- 
per, John Aichison, Henry 
Runge, N. C. Freeman, Lafe 
Sawyer 

Front row: Sim Welch, 
Mary Day, G. S. Upstone, 
J. H. Day 




— llfr- 




Tin- Sphinx Cluh 



The "Black Six 

Back row: Grace Cole, 
Dora Crumbaugh, Nettie 

Kerr 

Front row: Lillian Span- 
nagel, Lora Nims, Ollie Pul- 

len 



"The pink lunch given last Wednesday 
evening by the Ladies' Band, at the Com- 
mercial House, was well attended and was a 
success in every way." 

"29 Postoffices in Montgomery Co. — 
Litchfield, largest, then Hillsboro, then No- 
komis." 1887. 



33rd Annual Mongomerv Fair, Sept., 
13-16. 1887. 

"Fast horses at the racing park, April 
1879." 

"Many people froze to death. 26 degrees 
below zero - plenty ice for lemonade next 
summer." 1887 



Baptist S. S. Class 

Edna Hancock. Lulu Kerr. 
Mary Hill, Lucy Kerr, Anna 
Gipson. Nellie Hiett, Minnie 
Wilson, Lulu Gage 





& 3 


rf If 






Wagon and Blacksmith Shop— 1892 
J. Brenner (above), F. Hoeppner, "Eddie" Pannwitt, F. J. Pannwitt, T. Yackle 



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Law's Harness and Boot Shop 

—118— 




II. S. Basketball Team 

Won County Champion- 
ship two successive years. 
Went to State finals and 
lost to Bloomington. 

J. Ford, E. Meinzer, Mr. 
Buellesfield (coach), H. Ar- 
nold, C. Best. B. Zimmer- 
man, A. Williford 



H. S. Track Team 

E. Brockman, J. Ford. H. 
Arnold. M. Ford, J. Smith 

Front row: B. Zimmer- 
man. R. Shackle, A. Willi- 
ford 




H. S. Basketball Team 

Won County Championship 

C. Archibald. B. Zimmer- 
man. K. Shackle, H. Busby, 
E. Meinzer, H. Arnold, A. 
Williford 



-119— 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The Centennial Book Committee submit this book 
as a souvenir for the Nokomis Centennial. 

The assistance of the following in its preparation 
is worthy of special acknowledgment: 

Mary Archibald for her poem, 

"Song of the Nokomis Schools" 

Meda Pennepacker Cassler for her poem, 

"Our Town's Centennial" 

Charles Turzak for cover design and art work 

Engravers: Capitol Engraving & Electrotype Co. 

Springfield. Illinois 

Printers: Free Press-Progress, Nokomis, Illinois 

All who bought space or sent in reminiscences, clippings 

and pictures. 



—120—