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«2S. 


1977.365 
R73c 
cop.  3 


Souvenir  Bo)k  of  Rossville, 
Illinois  eaitennial,  1859- 
1959. 


wimmfmimmii'mKi-'".  [ 


I 


977.365 
R73C 
cop.  3 


NTEMNIE 


Souvenir  Book 


I 


mfffr 


EOSSVILLE,  ILLIKOIS 


The  Rossville  Canning  Co. 


1895 


1924 


The  Rossville  Packing  Co. 


1924 


I9v9 


Visit   With    Us    During    the    Centennial 

AUG.  6,  7,  8 


Sincerely 

Louis  H.  Schlecht 


Richard  E.  Schlecht 


L  Eugene  Schlecht 


This  Book  is  Dedicated  to 

The  Memory  of  the 

Pioneers  of  This  Area, 

Whose  Foresight,  Bravery 

And  Dreams  of  the  Future 

Made  Possible  Our 

Community  of  Today, 


We,  the  people  of  the  Rossville  corriTnunity ,  ivish  to  extend  our  warmest 
welcome  to  all  the  visitors  ivho  are.  here  to  help  us  celebrate  our  lOQth  birihday. 
May  your  visit  be  a  pleasant  and  memorable  one. 

The  former  Rossville  residents  who  have  returned  for  this  celebration  will 
notice  many  changes  in  our  village.  As  they  view  the  town,  they  will  see  our  new 
modern  schools,  our  recently  built  postoffice,  the  many  improvements  to  both 
exteriors  and  interiors  of  the  business  houses  and  our  newly  added  fire  fighting 
equipment.  As  they  visit  our  residential  area,  they  will  be  pleased  to  see  the  well 
kept  lawns  and  houses  of  the  past  generations  are  now  complemented  by  the 
many  newly  built  homes  of  this  generation.  As  they  stroll  down  the  tree  lined 
streets,  many  a  memory  of  childhood  will  reappear. 

To  the  visitors  ivho  are  seeing  Rossville  for  the  first  time,  please  feel  free 
to  wander  throughout  the  entire  town.  We  are  very  proud  of  our  town  and  ivill 
make  every  effort  to  make  your  insit  a  pleasant  one. 

After  visiting  our  town,  we  hope  you  enjoyed  it  enough  to  return  again. 
If  you  like  a  friendly,  attractive  community ,  lee  are  sure  to  see  you  again. 

ROSSVILLE  COMMERCIAL  CLUB 

Harley  C.  Leaver,  President 
John  Gothberg,  Vice  President 
Ross  Songer,  Sec.-Treas. 


C^  3 


One  of  the  most  important  of  all  tasks  in  connection  with  the  Rossville 
Centennial  fell  upon  our  shoulders,  that  of  making  the  decisions  regarding  what 
events  ivould  take  place  and  ivho  ivould  be  appointed  to  make  each  event  a  suc- 
cessful one. 

A  million  thanks  to  all  of  those  who  accepted  committee  appointments 
and  ivorked  so  untiringly;  and  to  those  who  have  contributed  time,  material  or 
money. 

It  is  our  hope  and  prayer  that  this  centennial  will  serve  to  rekindle  a  neiv 
love  and  appreciation  for  the  spirit  that  builds  communities  such  as  ours. 

We  wish  to  express  our  thanks  for  the  privilege  of  working  luiih  all  the 
wonderfid  people  in  this  community  in  the  preparation  and  success  of  this  event. 
Without  the  help  and  encouragement  of  all,  our  task  would  have  been  an  imposs- 
ible one. 

THE  STEERING  COMMITTEE 

Jack  Gray 
A.  R.  Whistler 
Erma  Cronkhite 
L.  A.  Harris 


ALVAN  GILBERT 


(From  cut  of   1875) 

An  early  settler,  a  'prominent  Public  Official,  instrumental  in 

the   organization  of  the   community  and   Village.  A   good 

businessman  and  a  respected  citizen. 


STREET  SCENE  ON   NORTH  CHICAGO 


Preface. 

In  1778  the  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 
OF  VIRGINIA  passed  an  act  declaring 
"that  all  citizens  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Virginia  who  are  already  settled  or 
hereafter  settle  west  of  the  Ohio  River 
shall  be  included  in  a  distinct  County 
which  shall  be  called  Illinois  County". 

In  1787  as  part  of  the  newly  born 
United  States  the  territory  extending 
northwest  of  the  Ohio  river  to  the  Miss- 
issippi river  became  known  as  the 
"NORTHWEST  TERRITORY". 

In  1800  this  territory  was  divided  and 
the  eastern  part  was  set  off  as  OHIO, 
and  the  remainder  was  called  Indiana 
Territory.  In  1809  Indiana  was  set  a- 
part  and  Illinois  became  an  individual 
territory,  and  Counties  were  established 
by  Gov.  Nathaniel  Pope.  What  is  now 
Vermilion  County  was  then  a  part  of 
St.  Clair  County,  and  Cahokia  was  the 
County  Seat.  The  counties  were  very 
few  and  very  large  and  soon  divisions 
were  made.  In  1816  Crawford  County 
was  formed,  and  it  included  the  present 
Clark,  Edgar  and  Vermilion  Counties 
with  the  County  Seat  at  Palestine.  In 
1819    Clark   Countv   was   formed   from 


the  north  part  of  Crawford,  with  the 
County  Seat,  at  Aurora  on  the  Wabash 
north  of  Palestine. 

Illinois  was  admitted  to  the  Union 
December  3,  1818,  and  Vermilion  Coun- 
ty was  established  by  act  of  the  Legis- 
lature January  18,  1826,  with  its  size  a- 
bout  the  width  of  Vermilion  and  Cham- 
paign Counties,  and  extending  north  to 
the  south  end  of  Lake  Michigan.  As  set- 
tlers came  and  communities  sprang  up 
with  the  increasing  population  new 
counties  were  formed,  with  Cook  Coun- 
ty taken  off  in  1831,  (Chicago  popula- 
tion then  between  900  and  1000)  Cham- 
paign and  Iroquois  in  1833.  Livingston 
in  1837  and  Ford  about  the  same  time, 
Vermilion  reached  its  permanent  bound- 
aries as  at  present.  Its  size  is  about  22 
miles  east  and  west,  and  42  miles  north 
and  south,  containing  579,840  acres. 

The  first  land  entered  in  the  county 
was  October  11,  1822  on  the  Little  Ver- 
milion River.  The  Government  Land 
Office  was  then  at  Palestine. 

The  name  "VERMILION"  is  derived 
from  the  Indian  name  of  the  color  of  the 
clay  and  muddy  water  of  the  river;  the 


FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK 


OF 


ROSSVILLE 


Member  of  Federal  Reserve  System 


Member  of  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corp. 


It  has  been  our  pleasure  to  serve  the  financial  needs  of  this  com- 


munity since  1 900. 


PHONE  Rl  8-201 1 


color  resulting  from  the  burning  of  the 
outcropping  veins  of  coal.  The  same 
name  appears  on  a  river  in  Livingston 
and  LaSalle  Counties  where  the  same 
conditions  exist. 

PIONEERS 

Among  the  first  pioneers  to  push 
northward  from  Danville  were  Andrew 
Davison,  James  Davison,  Joseph  Gundy, 
Thomas  Gundy,  Joseph  Kerr  and 
Peter  Chrisman  who  chose  home  sites 
near  Myersville,  just  west  of  Bismarck 
about  1826.  Chrisman  had  a  mill  there. 
Some  of  these  men  also  had  lands  in 
Rossville  environs.  Others  came,  mov- 
ing on  northward, — Daniel  Liggett  and 
John  Bean  at  Rossville,  Thomas  Mc- 
Kibben,  three  miles  east  of  Mann's 
Chapel.  Robert  Horr  at  Mann's 
Chapel,  George  and  Wilham  Bicknell 
in  1834,  two  miles  north  of  Rossville, 
Abraham  Mann  in  1835,  three  miles 
south  of  Rossville.  Dr.  Brickwell  in 
1836,  in  Rossville,  Clark  Green  in  1835, 
east  of  Mann's  Chapel,  and  A.  Corn- 
stock  in  1837,  north  of  Rossville. 

Alvin   Gilbert  was    born    in    Ontario 

County,  N.  Y.  July  11,  1810,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  Gilbert.  He  had  two 
brothers,  James  H.  and  Elias  M. 
Samuel  Gilbert  and  family  came  to 
Illinois  in   1825,  and  after  one  year  in 


Crawford  County,  came  to  Vermilion 
County  and  settled  two  miles  south  of 
Danville.  Samuel's  brothers  Solomon 
and  Jesse  also  came  west,  and  in  1831 

Solomon  built  a  hotel  (log  cabin)  at 
the  west  end  of  Main  Street  in  Dan- 
ville. Jesse  built  another  hotel  in  1833. 
Samuel  Gilbert  established  the  first  fer- 
ry across  the  Vermilion  river  in  1828. 
Alvan    worked    on    the   ferry    and    also 

in  his  uncle's  mill.  Col.  Othniel  Gil- 
bert is  mentioned  several  times  in  the 
history  but  is  not  identified  as  to  re- 
lationships. 

Samuel  Gilbert  moved  to  Ross  town- 
ship in  1839  ,  settling  near  Mann's 
Chapel,  and  was  the  first  Justice  of  the 
Peace  serving  10  years,  and  the  first 
Postmaster,  serving  till  his  death  in 
1855. 

Alvan  Gilbert  married  in  1831,  mov- 
ing into  Ross  Township  in  1832,  buying 
a  small  farm  near  Mann's  Chapel,  later 

selling  it  to  his  father  Samuel  and  pur- 
chasing another  from  his  uncle  Solomon 

in  what  is  now  the  northwest  part  of 
Rossville.  He  lived  on  this  about  three 
years,  then  sold  it  and  bought  the  Dan- 
iel Liggett  farm,  which  is  the  south 
half  of  Rossville. 

The  government  land  office  was  es- 
tablished in  Danville  in  1831,  and  set- 
tlers increased   rapidly. 


LOOKING  EAST  ON  ATTICA  STREET 


ROSSVILLE 


BUILDING  AND  LOAN 
ASSOCIATION 


Chartered  July  25,  1881. 


ASSETS  $330,000.00 


1959  DIRECTORS. 

A.  R.  Whistler.  J.  C.  Culbert,  F.  C.  Reinbold.  Secy,  Glenn  Seymour, 
Vice  Pres.  C.  M.  Ross  S.  Q.  Smith,  Pres.  George  F.  Thomas.  E.  A.  Peter- 
son. Jess  Young.  Attny. 


ii:r45??^iSS.':;¥>^w:;:':::^.::::;^:^:;::::::t:;:^.yE 


■yyy:<-yy?^'y:-'y}'}i'^'^':-: 


LOOKING  SOUTH  ON  CHICAGO  STREET. 


One  reference  book  gives  the  follow- 
ing statistics:  — 

1822,  Only  8  white  families  in  the 
county. 

1830,  Danville  less  than  100  popula- 
tion, 3  stores. 

1840,  Danville  population  503,  3 
stores. 

1845,     Danville     population     600,     8 

stores. 

1850,  Danville  population  736,  grow- 
ing. 

1860,  Danville  population  1632,  grow- 
ing fast. 

1827,  Chicago,  about  6  or  7  white 
families  plus  Indians. 

Gurdon  S.  Hubbard  ran  the  first  flat 
boat  out  of  Danville,  via  the  Vermilion, 
Wabash,  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  to 
New  Orleans  in  1829.  Col.  Othniel  Gil- 
bert ran  the  last  one  in  1852. 

Gurdon  S.  Hubbard  and  Norman  D. 
Palmer,  his  partner  had  the  first  store 
in  Danville,  in  the  first  frame  building 
in  the  county,  which  was  located  where 
the  Palmer  American  National  Bank 
now  stands. 

The  earlier  inhabitants  of  this  area 
of  course  were  the  Indians,  of  the 
Pottawatamie  and  Kickapoo  nations 
Also  other  Indian  nations  visited  the 
territorv   from  time   to  time.  The   salt 


mines  were  known  and  visited  by  peo- 
ple from  many  miles  away  in  every 
direction,  and  the  settlement  at  what 
is  now  Danville  was  located  on  the  line 
of  Indian  travel  from  Ohio  to  the  Mis- 
sissippi river.  Other  trails  led  in  the 
main  directions  to  the  neighboring 
tribes. 

The  first  white  people  were  Indian 
Traders,  who  dealt  kindly  and  lived 
peaceably  and  on  friendly  relations  with 
the  red  men.  The  best  known  of  these 
was  Gurdon  Saltonstall  Hubbard,  of 
whom  we  shall  write  more  later. 

As  the  salt  miles  attracted  the  In- 
dians, so  they  were  the  great  factor  that 
brought  white  explorers  and  settlers 
into  this  vicinity.  They  came  up  the 
Wabash  and  Vermilion  rivers  to  discov- 
er the  salt  mines  of  which  they  had 
heard,  about  2^/^  miles  north  and  west 
of  Catlin.  (Sec.  16,  T19N,  R12W) .  The 
atlas  of  1875  shows  a  subdivision  of 
many  small  plots  which  would  indicate 
that  there  was  quite  a  settlement — 
somewhat  permanent — there. 

THE     SALT     MINES 

(from  Beckwith's  History) 
No  doubt  the  knowledge  of  the  salt 
springs  on  the  Vermilion  River  had 
strong  influence  for  making  the  treat- 
ies with  the  Pottawatomies  in  July  1819, 
and    with    the   Kickapoos      in      August 


NEM 
16  OZ. 


Royal  Crown 

COLA 


Complimen+s   of 

Danville 
Concrete  Products   Co. 

Ralph  E.  Durnell 

Future  Farm  Tile  Today 

802  Catlin  Road 
DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


Compliments    of 

Riley  &  Foreman 

Shell  Service 

HICKORY   2-9321 

101   W.  5TH  STREET 

Tilton,  Illinois 


DODD  &  YORK 


SHELL  PRODUCTS 

SHELL  OIL  DISTRIBUTORS 

809  Catlin  Road         Danville,  Illinois 


Compliments  to  you  on  your  Centennial 


O'NEIL  BROTHERS 

Construction  Company 
EXCAVATING  AND  DRAINAGE 


P.  O.  BOX  793 


DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


COMPLIMENTS  OF 


NEFF  CONCRETE  PRODUCTS  CO. 


7!  I  Section  St. 


MATERIALS  OF  PERMANENCE 
Danville,  Illinois 


Ph.-Hi-6-IOI6 


1819.  (Joseph  Barron  was  the  aide  and 
interpreter  for  General  Harrison,  and 
was  able  to  understand  and  speak  all 
the  Indian  languages,  so  he  had  access 
to  all  information  in  official  hands.) 
Almost  immediately  after  the  comple- 
tion of  the  treaties  with  the  Indian 
tribes,  Barron  and  some  friends  plan- 
ned an  expedition  to  explore  the  Ver- 
milion river  in  search  of  salt  springs. 
His  party  consisted  of  four  while  men 
and  four  Shawnee  Indians.  Two  of  the 
white  men,  Lambert  Bona  and  Zacha- 
riah  Schecott  (probably  Cicott)  were 
French  and  possibly  Indian  traders  and 
acquainted  with  the  territory  and  the 
presence  of  salt.  Barron  chose  Truman 
Blackman  —  unfortunately  —  for  the 
fourth  in  the  party.  They  traveled  up 
stream  via    the    Wabash  and  Vermilion 

rivers,  and  found  the  Salt  Springs  Sept. 
22,  1819.  They  returned  to  Ft.  Harri- 
son (Terre  Haute)  to  make  necessary 
reports  and  for  further  planning.  Bar- 
ron would  have  been  credited  with  the 
first  discovery  and  settlement  had  he 
not  chosen  Truman  Blackman.  For 
Blackman  immediately  betrayed  Bar- 
ron, and  with  a  party  consisting  of  his 
brother  Remember  Blackman,  Seymour 
Treat,  Peter  Allen,  Francis  Whitcomb, 
and  probably  Dan  Beckwith  and  George 
Beckwith  who  joined  them  after  they 
left  Ft.  Harrison,  hurried  overland  and 


returned  to  the  salt  springs  October  21, 
1819,  and  made  claim  of  first  discov- 
ery. 

It  is  thought  that  Seymour  Treat 
was  the  first  permanent  white  settler 
in  the  county,  coming  in  October  1819. 
They  were  40  miles  from  their  nearest 
neighbor.  Not  long  after  their  arrival 
they  were  joined  by  Francis  Whitcomb, 
George  Beckwith  and  Capt.  Truman 
Blackman,  and  a  company  was  orga- 
nized for  the  production  of  salt.  Tests 
proved  the  easy  access  and  availability, 
and  a  well  was  bored  to  a  considerable 
depth.  It  produced  very  briney  water 
which  produced  a  bushel  of  salt  from 
170  gallons  of  brine.  (One  writer  states 
100  gallons  of  brine) .  Large  kettles 
were  brought  up  river  and  80  were  in 
use  boiling  down  the  brine  with  an 
output  reaching  120  bushels  weekly 
according  to  some  reports,  and  selling 
for  $1.50  per  bushel.  Customers  came 
long  distances  to  buy. 

Early  settlement  began  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  County  and  spread 
northward  as  newcomers  arrived.  James 
Butler  at  Catlin,  in  1820,  Henry  John- 
ston soon  after  on  the  Little  Vermil- 
ion River,  H.  Luddington  in  1822  at 
Catlin,  (he  had  passed  through  this 
land  about  1816  and  there  were  no  set- 
tlements between  the  Wabash  river  and 
Fort  Clark  (Peoria)  and  only  two 
French  families  there.)  Gurdon  S.  Hub- 


LOOKING  WEST  ON   EAST  ATTICA  STREET 


Zorns  Standard  Service 

Washing 

Lubrication 

Wheel  Balancing 


Atlas  Tires  &  Batteries 


Phone  Rl  8-285! 


Rossville 


Compliments  from 

MAXINE'S 
BEAUTY  SHOP 


ROSSVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


Compliments  of 

LESTER  CUMBOW 

BARBER  SHOP 

1 12  E.ATTICA 
ROSSVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


Congratulations  from 

Rossville   Food   Lockers 

Custom  Butchering 

Lockers  -  Frozen  Foods 

105  W.  Attica 

Rossville.  Illinois 


Compliments  from 

Young  Funeral  Home 


Rossville,  Illinois 


Compliments  from 

CY  and  JOHN'S 

Cy  Tuggle  John  Smock 

BARBER  SHOP 

102  S.  Chicago 
Rossville.    Illinois 


Compliments  from 

COX  CABINET  SHOP 

Cabinets  —  Millwork 

Counter  Tops  —  Carpenter  Work 

Ph.  Rl  8-543 1  Maple  St. 

Rossville,  Illinois 


Compliments 

PRATHER  GARAGE 

International  Trucks 
24  Hour  Wrecker  Service 
Phone  Rl  8-2101  -  Rl  8-4541 
Rossville,    Illinois 


£u»  ^/-S?"  iS^S' 


LOOKING   SOUTH   ON  CHICAGO   STREET 


bard,  agent  for  the  American  Fur  Com- 
pany, and  Dan  Beckwith  also  an  In- 
dian trader  in  1823,  Danville. 

One  reference  lists  the  following  fam- 
ilies residing  in  the  present  territory  of 
Vermilion  County  in  1823 — 
Seymour  Treat,  Achilles  Morgan,  Henry 
Johnston,  George  Beckwith,  Alex  Mc- 
Conald,  James  Butler,  Asa  Elliott,  and 
possibly  two  brothers-in-law  of  John- 
ston, Barnett  and  Absalom  Starr  may 

have  been  here  then. 

At  this  date  the  center  of  population 
and  settlement  was  near  Catlin,  and 
the  meetings  for  public  action  of  every 
kind  were  held  there. 

ROSS  TOWNSHIP 

Vermilion  County  was  established  by 
Act  of  the  Legislature  January  18,  1826. 

and  the  act  provided  for  appointment 
of  Commissioners  to  select  the  location 
for  the  seat  of  County  Government. 
The  Commissioners  reported  March  25, 
1827,   having     chosen   the   present   site 

of  Danville. 

In  the  original  division  of  the  Coun- 
ty, this  Township  included  all  lands 
north  of  the  northern  boundaries  of 
Newell  and  Blount  Townships,   (which 


is  %  mile  north  of  the  center  of  Bis- 
marck.) to  the  Iroquois  County  line, 
and  twelve  miles  wide. 

Among   the   earliest   settlers   we   find 

these  who  pushed  northward  into  the 
new  country:  —  Jacob  T.  Ross,  Sec. 
9-21-11,  li/i>  miles  south  of  Alvin;  An- 
drew Davison,  1828,  1  mile  north  of 
Moore's  Corner;     Joseph  Gundy,  1828, 

and  Jacob  Gundy  1830,  north  of  Bis- 
marck; John  Demorest,  1828.  1  mile 
west    of    Alvin;    Daniel    Liggett,    1829, 

Rossville;  Alvan  Gilbert,  1832,  Mann's 
Chapel;  Thomas  McKibben,  1830,  south 
of  Bethel  Cemetery;  Willard  Brown, 
1835,  southeast  of  Alvin;  A.  J.  Miller, 

1834,  three  miles  east  of  Rossville;  O. 
Pritchett,  1832,  just  north  of  Rossville. 

The  mill  just  west  of  Alvin  was  built 
in  1838  by  a  Mr.  Clawson.  Many  of 
the  timbers  and  much  other  help  were 
furnished  by  Jacob  T.  Ross.  The  mill 
was  operated  by  Clawson  for  a  time, 
then  purchased  by  Chrisman,  (who  sold 

his  mill  at  Myersville  because  his 
brother  had  been  accidentally  killed  in 
building  work) ,  who  sold  to  Hoobler 
in  1848.  He  operated  it  until  he  sold 
to  Jacob   T.  Ross   in    1851.   Mr.   Ross 


Danville,  111. 


Paul  Foxworthy 


Tel.  185 


Reliable   Abstract  & 
Title  Co. 

Abstracts  -  Title  Insurance 
Blue  Prints  -  Photostats 

5  So.  Vermilion  Danville,  Illinois 

"At  The  Southeast  Corner  of  Square" 


Compliments   of 

Perry  Furniture  Company 

A  Complete  Line  of 
HOME     FURNISHINGS 


Phone  3263 


435  E.  Main  Street 


DANVILLE,    ILLINOIS 


Congratulations 


MARTY   K. 


1220  E.  Main  St. 


Danville,  111. 


COMPLIMENTS   FROM 


CORK  PLAZA 


DINING    ROOM    &   COFFEE   SHOP 


Danville,  Illinois  on  the  Square 


COMPLIMENTS 
OF 


NATIONAL  LIQUOR 
STORE 


117  East  Main  Street 


Danville,  Illinois 


Telephone  5353 


ROSSVILLE  PACKING  COMPANY 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CANNING  INDUSTRY  IN  ROSSVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


According  to  an  article  in  "The  Can- 
ning Trade"  magazine  published  in  1914 
entitled  "A  Brief  History  of  the  Can- 
ning Business  in  the  Central  West" 
written  by  Mr.  William  Moore  of  Hoop- 
eston,  Illinois,  that  industry  was  com- 
menced in  the  Village  of  Rossville  in 
the  year  1895  when  C.  A.  Allen  of  Hoop- 
eston,  Perry  Stufflebeam,  and  Phillip 
Cadle  of  Rossville  organized  the  Ross- 
ville Canning  Company  as  a  co-partner- 
ship.    Scant     information  is     available 

concerning  this  original  venture  

;    however,    the    factory 

burned  in  1900,  and  activity  was  at  a 
standstill  for  the  next  two  or  three  years. 
About  1904  the  property  was  purchased 
by  John  H.  Leslie  and  Company  of 
Chicago  which  firm  rebuilt  the  plant 
and  operated  it  until  1924  with  J.  F. 
Rutter  of  Rossville  as  manager.  During 
these  twenty  years  several  different 
vegetables,  including  sauerkraut,  and 
some  fruits  were  processed,  however, 
the  principal  product  was,  and  still  is, 
sweet  corn.  J.  F.  Rutter  is  remembered, 
not  only  as  a  machinery  engineer  (hav- 
ing designed  the  early  "Rutter  Kettle" 
or  horizontal  retort  for  processing  can- 
ned products)  but  also,  as  a  colorful 
personality  and  a  one-man-band! 

In  1924  interests  from  Hoopeston, 
Illinois  in  the  persons  of  Richard  Zook, 
William  Miskimen,  and  Edward  Trego 
purchased  the  plant,  incorporating  un- 
der the  name  of  "The  Rossville  Packing 
Company".  These  men,  from  the  two 
large  canneries  at  Hoopeston,  must  have 
visualized    the    expanding    markets    for 


canned  foods  which  were  rapidly  de- 
veloping at  that  time.  In  1925  "^  they 
selected  Louis  H.  Schlecht,  who  had 
been  active  for  some  years  with  the 
Hoopeston  Canning  Company,  to  man- 
age the  Rossville  operation.  Under  this 
organization  from  1924  to  1934,  the 
Rossville  plant  made  further  improve- 
ments and  experimented  with  additional 
products  for  the  plants  at  Hoopeston; 
beets  and  tomatoes  were  canned,  but 
did  not  prove  profitable.  Then  in  1929 
all-green  asparagus  was  introduced  to 
the  east-central  Illinois  canners  with  the 
first  production  at  Rossville;  from  that 
original  field  on  the  old  "Maier  Farm" 
south  of  Rossville,  asparagus  acreage  in 
north  Vermilion  County  has  now  in 
1959  reached  well  over  4000  acres.  It 
should  be  noted  that  during  this  period 
the  Rossville  plant  was  more  or  less  of 
an  experimental  and  feeder  operation; 
supplying  the  well-established  plants  at 
Hoopeston  with  additional  production 
for  their  expanding  sales,  and  with  re- 
search for  future  products. 

In  1935  under  the  pressures  of  the 
Depression  Years,  the  Rossville  cannery 
was  offered  for  sale  under  sealed  bids, 
and  was  purchased  by  Louis  Schlecht, 
the  acting  manager,  who  then  operated 
the  plant  as  an  individual  proprietor- 
ship until  1947.  These  twelve  years  saw 
the  fading-away  of  the  colorful  (but 
laborious)  mule-teams  and  hand-jerk- 
ers  and  the  advent  of  the  mechanical 
pickers,  the  disappearance  of  line-shafts 
and  remote  drives,  and  of  huge  case- 
stacking  crews  in  the  warehouse  — the 


COMPLIMENTS 


GIBSON  5c  TO  $1.00  STORE 


"Variety  Merchandise" 
Rossville,  Illinois 


C.  L  Gibson 


M.  F.  Gibson 


WHISTLER 


^fim'f         FARM  SUPPLY 


..^ 


TMtMOPfKHrufL 


PHONE    Rl    8-2351    -    ROSSVILLE.    ILL. 

Feeding  Equipment  Gas  Appliances 


Culbert  the  Florist 

Growers  and  Designers 

of 

Quality  Flowers 

Since  1897 

Rossville,   Illinois 


Paulson 
Plumbing  and  Heating 

50  years 
IN  ROSSVILLE 

Phone  Rl  8-2442 


1909 


1959 


Gravel 
Limestone 


BLACH  BROTHERS 

Rossville,  Illinois 
ph-RI  8-3861 


Crushed  Rock 


Construction 
Road  &  Bridge 


Tree  Removal 


in  numbers  and  in  extent  of  distribu- 
tion and  Ross  Township  was  divided 
east  to  west  by  the  section  line  which 
is  the  north  boundary  of  the  present 
incorporated  limits  of  the  Village  of 
Rossville.  The  north  Township  took 
the  name  "LYON"  but  when  they  sent 
it  in  to  the  Secretary  of  States  it  was 
returned,  because  there  was  already  a 
township  in  Cook  County  with  that 
name.  So  the  good  citizens  readily 
agreed  to  honor  the  popular  military 
man  from  Illinois,  U.  S.  Grant,  by 
choosing  his  name  for  the  new  Town- 
ship. 

It  is  reliably,  reported  that  for  quite 

some  time  the  Attica  Road  was  observ- 
ed as  the  township  dividing  line,  but 
the  error  finally  noted  and  corrected. 
(The  election  records  in  1872,  on  the 
proposition   to   incorporate  the   Village 

of  Rossville  read "  -  -election  was 

held  in  the  Rossville  House  in  the  Town 
of  Grant  -  -  -")  which  was  doubtless 
the  hotel  which  stood  at  107-109  N. 
Chicago  Street. 

Coffeen's  history  of  1870  lists  statis- 
tics of  Ross  Township  as  follows:  Area. 
57,600  acres;  In  cultivation  11,892  acres; 

Population  1,738;  15  schools;  3  church- 
es; 6  Sunday  Schools;  2  Post  Offices. 
Rossville,  and  Jordan  (location  not 
found.) 

On  June  13,  1927,  action  was  com- 
pleted dividing  the  townships  with  the 
south  half  taking  the  name  "SOUTH 
ROSS." 

SURVEY  part  of  Ross  Township 
Records  show  that  survey  of  Town- 
ships 21,  22  and  23,  North  Range  11, 
West  was  made  December  3,  1822,  and 
Townships  21,  22  and  23,  North  Range 
12,  West  was  made  November  18,  1822. 

This  is  that  territory  from  about  4  miles 
south  of  Bismarck  north  to  the  County 
line,  and  12  miles  wide,  from  the  State 
line  west  to  two  miles  east  of  East  Lynn. 

ELEVATION 

The  elevation  of  some  of  the  towns 

in  Vermilion  County  taken  on  the  Rail- 
road tracks — Grape  Creek.  538,  Dan- 
ville downtown  597,  Danville  Junction 
611,  Alvin  662,  East  Lynn  693,  Hen- 
ning  695,  Rankin  716,  Hoopeston  716, 
Cheneyville  722,  Rossville  702,  highest 
point  in  the  County  in  the  Section  ad- 
joining Reilly  on  southeast  770. 


SOME  ROSSVILLE  INDUSTRIES 

Grist  Mill,  about  1875,  Ezra  Werner  the 
miller,  followed  by  A.  H.  Gernand 
and  others,  where  present  Canning 
Co.  is  located. 

First  Canning  Co.  Stufflebeam,  Redden, 
Cadle  and  Allen,  used  old  Mill  build- 
ing, which  burned. 

Rossville  Electric  Light  Co.  built  on  the 
mill  site. 

Rossville  Canning  Co.  established  1904. 

Spring  Lake  Ice  Co.  F.  L.  Stewart,  406 

N.  Chicago  St. 

Blueing  Factory,  Mr,  Wm.  Thomas, 
Father  of  Mrs.  Jack  Cosby. 

Brewery,  Mr.  Miklethum,  where  Christ- 
man  Park  is  located. 

Brewery,  James  Cornell,  near  124  W. 
Attica  St. 

Cigar  Factory,  Kadison  Brothers,  over 
102  E.  Attica  St. 

Creamery,  Rossville  Creamery  Co.  127 
W.  Attica  St.  1909  to 

Cement  Blocks,  The  Young  Younguns" 
Jess  &  Homer,  1905 

Wagon  Factory,  Byron  Cronkhite,  315- 
321  E.  Attica  St.  Building  used  also 
for 

Threshers  &  Wagons,  L.  T.  Austin 

Ironing  Boards,  C.  W.  Meneley 

Corn  Shredders,  Fowler,  Stufflebeam; 
Building  burned  3/1/1906 

Bakery  Wholesale  &  Retail,  J.  E. 
McCarty 

Brick  &  Tile  Plant,  Habel  Bros,  1889 

Brick  &  Tile  Plant  Postlewait  &  Red- 
den, 1905 

Incubator  Factory,  A.  Schafer,  G. 
Maury,  P.  Warner,  1908 

Laundry,  Stifler — Kelley — Sparrow — 
German — McGranahan — W.    Maury. 

Tinsware  &  Utensils,  Adam  Hoover 

Tinware  &  Art  Novelties,  H.  Cain 

Poultry  Dressing  &  Shipping,  Lyons  & 
Marko 

Cabinet  Shop,  James  Atwood. 

Shoe  Factory,  1894-1901 

Broom  Factory.  Zack  Norton. 

Rossville  Greenhouse,  Villars,  1897,  J. 
Culbert — 

Baw  Industries,  (Cob  processing,)  Joe 
Ashbrook 

Harness  &  Buggies,  E.  J.  Davis 


The  Williamson  Hotel,  109  N.  Chicago  Street.  The  first  hotel  at  this  address  was  built  in  1859,  it 
was  improved,  changed  ownership  and  was  enlarged  to  become  a  well  known  landmark  for  travelers. 
It  was  burned   in    1911. 


DR.  JOHN  C.  MASON 


SINCE    1930 


ROSSVILLE.    ILL 


RESIDENT  DOCTORS  OF 
ROSSVILLE 

Richard  Brickwell,  J.  J.  McElroy,  S. 
D.  Lewis,  R.  D.  Purviance,  J.  Frank 
Heritage,  M.  T  Livingood,  T.  E.  De- 
maree,  J.  R.  Livingood,  S.  R.  Wilson,  J. 
O.  Palmer,  C.  E.  Brown,  E.  E.  Howard, 
F.  M.  Mason,  Bossart,  R.  P.  Donovan, 
J.  C.  Mason,  W.  R.  Waschick,  E.  M. 
Bush,  D.  D.  S.,  D.  W.  Fithian,  D.  D.  S., 
A.  K.  Bush,  D.  D.  S. 


■iyS"? 


THE   OLD  JOHN    R.   SMITH   GENERAL   STORE 


VILLAGE  OF  ROSSVILLE 


Daniel  Liggett  and  his  family  were 
of  pioneering  tendencies  and  came  to 
Illinois  and  Vermilion  County  in  18^29, 
and  chose  this  for  their  home,  which 
was  a  cabin  located  at  304  South  Chi- 
cago St.  (The  Stufflebeam-Bracken 
home) .  They  decided  to  make  a  perma- 
nent home  and  on  January  29,  1833  he 
entered  with  the  government  the  SEV4 
Sec.  11-22-12,  (which  is  the  Village 
south  of  Attica  St.  and  west  of  Church 
St.  On  January  2,  1936  he  entered  the 
80  acres  just  east  of  Church  St. 
and  south  of  Attica  St.  Mr.  Lig- 
gett died  in  1838,  and  the  estate  was 
cut  up  and  divided  among  his  heirs, 
and  the  pieces  were  sold  and  traded 
time  after  time  until  by  the  early  1850's 
Alvan  Gilbert  owned  the  whole  tract. 
The  40  acres  just  north  of  Attica  St. 
and  west  of  Church  St.  was  entered  by 
Alvan  Gilbert  on  February  15,  1836, 
and  the  40  acres  just  north  of  that  was 
entered  November  1,  1839,  also  by  Mr. 
Gilbert. 

Probably  the  first  permanent  settlers 
here  were  the  Daniel  Liggetts  in  1829, 
John  Bean  1830,  and  William  and 
George  Bicknell  not  long  after.  The 
crossing  of  the  Chicago-Danville  trail 
and    the   Attica-Paxton   road,    together 


with  the  nearness  of  the  Northfork  riv- 
er and  the  plentiful  timber  and  fertile 
prairie  made  it  the  natural  choice  for 
newcomers  to  stop  and  a  little  commu- 
nity to  grow.  And  it  was  equally  nat- 
ural for  it  to  be  given  the  name  of  Lig- 
gett's  Grove.  Somewhere  and  for  some 
unknown  reason  the  little  village  gain- 
ed a  decriptive  name  (we  know  not 
why)  of  "Henpeck"  which  appears  to 
have  been  very  widely  used.  But  it  was 
probably  more  or  less  customary  for  the 
first  village  or  Township  to  he  given 
the  same  name,  hence  with  the  platting 
of  the  Original  Town,  "ROSSVILLE" 
was  born.  (In  some  of  the  histories  the 
writers  have  confused  the  Bicknell 
House  —  built  at  the  river  crossing  two 
miles  north  of  Rossville  with  the  first 
settlement  here.) 

From  Coffen's  Handbook  of 
Vermilion   County,    1870 

The  town  of  Rossville  is  beautifully 
located  in  the  northern  part  of  Ver- 
milion County,  on  the  line  of  the  Chi- 
cago, Danville  and  Vincennes  Railroad, 
in  the  edge  of  the  timber  on  the  North 
Fork  of  the  Big  Vermilion  River, 
twenty  miles  north  of  Danville. 


PRUITT'S  STORE 

1 1 8  S.  Chicago  St.  Rossville,  Illinois 


Our  Thanks  to  Those  Pioneers  of  100  years  ago 

Greetings  to  you  people  of  today, 

Most  sincere  wishes  for  the  success  and  happiness 

of  those  that  carry 

on  in  the  next  century. 

A  Friendly  Store  Where  You  Are  Always  Welcome 

Hardware  Gifts  Toys 

Kurfees    Paints 


THE  ROSSVILLE 
TELEPHONE  COMPANY 

Serving  the  connnnunity  nnore  than  sixty  years 


CELEBRATING  OUR  BIRTHDAYS 

ROSSVILLE'S - 1 00th 

AMERICAN  LEGION'S 40th 

SPEARS -DUKES  POST  733 

FOR  COMMUNITY.  STATE  and  NATION 


The  village  contains  nearly  three  hun- 
dred inhabitants,  about  twenty  dwell- 
ing-houses having  been  erected  here 
within  the  last  year.  The  public 
school  building  and  the  excellent  schools 
therein,  under  the  management  of  Pro- 
fessor S.  Q.  Davison,  assisted  by  the 
Misses  Laurie  Grant,  Gracie  Groves, 
and  Eva  Groves,  is  an  institution  which 
stands  ahead,  perhaps,  of  any  other 
similar  school  in  the  county.  The  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  lately  complet- 
ed, is  worth  over  $5,000.00.  A  Presby- 
terian Church  is  in  process  of  erection. 
Business,  although,  perhaps,  not  numer- 
ously represented,  is  well  represented  by 
the  excellent  dry-goods  store  of  Hen- 
derson; Lee  &  Co.;  the  Drug  Store  by 
I.  B.  Werner;  the  Agricultural  house 
under  charge  of  Mr.  Deamude;  and  a 
few  other  stores.  C.  Tuttle,  Esq.,  will 
soon  add  another  dry-goods  establish- 
ment. 

The  prospects  of  Rossville,  are  for 
the  future,  of  the  most  encouraging 
character. 

The  "ORIGINAL  TOWN  OF  ROSS- 
VILLE," was  platted  August  6,  1859, 
and  included  less  than  the  present  busi- 
ness district just  around  the  cross- 
ing of  Chicago  and  Attica  streets,  the 
southwest,  northwest  and  northeast  cor- 
ners only.  The  southeast  corner  was 
not  platted  until  April  3,  1862.  All  on 
the  south  of  Attica  St.  was  by  Alvan 
Gilbert,  and  on  the  north  of  Attica 
St.  by  Joseph  Satterthwaite  and  Alvan 
Gilbert.  The  village  grew  and  Gilbert's 
First   Addition   was   platted   in   August 


1869;  Gilbert's  Second  Addition  in  Oc- 
tober 1871;  Livingood's  Addition  (north 
side)  in  October  1871;  and  Gilbert's 
Third  x\ddition  in  September  1873.  Sev- 
eral others  have  followed  these. 

Rossville  has  grown  to  maturity  and 
fulfilled  the  prediction  of  Mr.  Coffeen. 
It  is  a  village  of  such  beauty  that  it 
attracts  the  attention  of  travelers  and 
visitors.  It  is  one  of  the  nicest  and  best 
small  towns  in  the  county.  On  crossed 
paved  highways;  with  good  streets,  well 
maintained:  municipal  water  system 
that  supplies  plenty  of  water  that  is 
"tops";  natural  gas,  which  became  a 
reality  in  1957;  good  churches  with  ac- 
tive congregations;  fine  schools  which 
are  up  to  date  in  facilities  and  curricu- 
lum, and  staffed  by  well  trained  and 
qualified  teachers;  citizens  who  take 
pride  in  their  homes  and  home  town; 
public  officials  who  take  their  respon- 
sibilities seriously  and  have  an  outlook 
toward   an   even   better  future;     many 

other  desirable  attributes  and  the  spir- 
it of  friendliness  and  helpfulness  of  all 
its  people,  it  is  only  natural  that  to 
hundreds  and  hundreds  near  and  far 
"Rossville"  means  "Home  Sweet  Home." 
1959  VILLAGE   OFFICIALS 

President  of  Board —  Harry  M.  Beck- 
ley. 

Trustees,  Francis  D.  Borror,  Stanley 
W.  Paulson,  Robert  L.  Lusk,  Lewis 
Hathaway,  Willard  Hughes,  Russell 
Young. 

Village  Clerk,  Janice  Yeoman  Small; 
Treasurer,  John  R.  Paulson;  Police  Mag- 
istrate, Otto  Judd  Funk;  Police  Chief, 
Robert  L.  Brake. 


■  MM' 
HI 


^'-^•%ii:T 


s^*^ 


ROSSVILLE  FIRE  STATION 


Compliments  of 

PLA  -  MOR  BOWLING 
ALLEYS 

phone  010 

502  W.  Orange  St. 
Hoopeston,  Illinois 


Compliments  of 

Harland  R.  Cade 

CITIES  SERVICE  OIL  CO. 
Consignee 

Plione-766 

Hoopeston,  Illinois 


Compliments  of 


JOHN  DEERE  VERMILION  WORKS 

of 
Deere  And  Company 


Hoopeston,  Illinois 


Compliments  of 

HARVEY    GOODRUM 

BUILDING  CONTRACTOR 
GENERAL  MASONRY 


ph.  526 


704  W.  Penn.  St. 

Hoopeston,  Illinois 


"Here's   to   another    100" 
Save   Miles 
and   Money 
at  the  new 


^A/ARDS    if 


MONTGOMERY  WARD  &  CO. 
In  Hoopeston,   Illinois 


SEE  US  FOR  YOUR  FERTILIZER 

NEEDS 

DALPH  -  RAY  -  EARL 

Hoopeston  Fertilizer  Co. 

Smith  -  Douglass  Fertilizer 
Hoopeston,  III.  -  Phone  203 


Compliments  of 

LOYAL   ORDER 
OF  MOOSE 

1227 


Hoopeston,  Illinois 


ROSSVILLE  INCORPORATED 

The  Illinois  legislature  passed  an  Act 
setting  the  plan  for  incorporating  Vill- 
ages, which  act  was  approved  April  10, 
1872.  On  July  1,  1872,  thirty  three  resi- 
dents signed  a  petition  to  the  County 
Judge,  Hon.  R.  W.  Hanford,  to  call  an 
election  to  vote  on  that  question,  spec- 
ifying the  territory  involved  as  the 
East  Half  of  Section  12,  and  the  West 
Half  of  Section  11  in  T22N,  R12W  and 
representing  that  it  contained  more  than 
three  hundred  inhabitants. 

The  Judge  ordered  the  election  for 
July  27,  1872.  The  election  was  held  as 
ordered,  with  68  voters  listed  and  53  for 
Incorporation  and  15  against.  The 
Judge  then  ordered  an  election  on 
August  24,  1872  to  elect  six  trustees  for 
the  Village  of  Rossville,  which  election 
was  held.  The  POLL  BOOK  lists  the 
following   voters; — 

1.  Henry  Bonnett,  2.  Peter  Treon,  3. 
J.  A.  M.  Kokendefer,  4.  George  Haines, 
5.  J.  B.  Haas,  6,  Thomas  M  Elliott,  7. 
J.  V.  Anderson,  8.  W.  W.  Little,  9. 
Christopher  Weingand,  10,  Henry  Pur- 
tell,  11.  Wm.  D.  Foulke,  12.  John  Ross, 
13.  E.  A.  Dingle,  14,  Fred  Makenthum, 
15.  Mike  Welch,  16.  William  Iva,  17. 
Alvan  Gilbert,  18.  S.  D.  Lewis,  19.  John 

B.  Lee.  20.  B.  A.  Wait,  21.  Abner  Warn- 
er, 22,  Wm.  Greathouse,  23,  Wm.  Holden, 
24.  Henry  Ebling,  25.  George  Bourne, 
26.  Wm.  'H.  Harrison,  27.  P.  A.  Savage, 
28.  John  B.  Warner,  29  .Allen  Scott,  30. 
J.  H.  Lloyd,  31.  Wm.  R.  Harker,  32. 
Ezra  B.  Warner,  33.  Elwood  Agnew,  34. 
J.  S.  Tursher,  35.  John  McGee,  36.  John 
W. ,    37.  W.  S.  Head,  38.   Wm. 

C.  Bissell,  39.  S.  C.  Baker,  40.  J.  S. 
Stout,  41.  Joseph  Allen,  42.  A.  B. 
Snider,  43.  J.  Grant,  44.  Fred  Groom, 
45.  Calvin  Gwinnup,  46.  I.  T.  Meneley, 
47.  Ira  Green,  48.  J.  R.  Baldwin,  49.  E. 
E.  Cooper,  50.  J.  A.  Goudy,  51.  Wm.  I. 
Evans,  52.  E.  Birch,  53.  T.  D.  Biddle, 
54,  D.  C.  Deamude,  55.  W.  J.  Hender- 
son, 56.  M.  T.  Livingood,  57.  Wm.  Ross, 
58  Patrick  Rosater  (?),  59.  I.  B. 
Warner,  60.  I.  W.  Shilling,  61.  W.  I. 
Allen,  62.  W.  C.  Tuttle,  63.  Scott 
McNeil,  64.  H.  A.  Allen,  65.  A.  Boyd,  66. 
Austin  Clark,  67.  Lewis  Tuttle,  68.  R. 

D.  Purviance,  69.  Thomas  Wilson,  70. 


John  S.  Lee,  71.  Milton  Lee.  72.  E.  M. 
Gilbert,  73.  John  Shumate,  74.  Wm.  M. 
Phillips,  75.  James  Cornell,  76.  Mike 
Graham,  77.  John  Britton,  78.  John  F. 
Tuttle,  79.  Wm.  M.  Tennery,  80.  E.  H. 
Grant,  81.  Benj.  Z.  Duley,  82.  Wm. 
Phillips. 

The   election   results   were,  Trusteees 

elected;  R.  D.  Purviance,  77,  I.  B. 
Warner,  50,  W.  Laidlow,  48,  W.  C. 
Tuttle,  47,  Wm.  LeFever,  45,  and  Ira 
Green,  45.  Others,  S.  D.  Lewis  33,  John 
B.  Lee  33,  B.  A.  Wait  33,  Deamude  33, 
W.  W.  Phillips  31,  Al  Gilbert  1,  Ander- 
son 2,  M.  Lee  1,  Grant  1. 

Other  men  who  signed  the  original 
petition  to  the  court  or  voted  in  the 
first  election  and  not  listed  among  the 
above  poll  were  — 

George  Bowen,  W.N.Steel,  Wm.  S. 
LeFever,  J.  E.  Hutchins,  E.  C.  Gass,  H. 
H.  Horr,  J.  R.  Lotbie  (?),  J.  R.  Smith, 
W.  W.  Littell,  Charles  Allen,  C.  Gwinn- 
up, Wm.  Laidlow,  Richard  Groves, 
Robert  Biddle. 


Laurels  to  present  business  people  for 
the  longest  records  of  continuous  activ- 
ity seem  to  belong  to  Samuel  Q.  Smith, 
Clark  Carter,  and  Jess  Young,  who 
through  the  years  have  been  always  on 
the  job,  dependable  in  their  services  and 
interested  in  community  welfare. 


y^ 


Sam  Q.  Smith  has  operated  his  own  business  over 
50  years  and  Is  still  active.  Mrs.  Bert  (Axie)  Smith 
was  active  over  50  years  but  is  now  retired.  They 
are   not  related. 


COMPLIMENTS 
OF 

Complir 

nents   of 

SMITH         ALSOP 
PAINT  &  VARNISH  CO 

DARB  LUNCH 

50  Years  of  Paint  Making 

Sandwiches 

Refreshnnents 

1 909          1 959 

"Earl" 

"John" 

Danville  Paint  &  WP  Co. 

(991) 
151   N.  Vermilion                      Danville 

310  E.  Main  St. 

Hoopeston,  III. 

Comp  innents   of 

Compliments   of 

liar  son's  Clothes  Shop 

WEBER'S  DRUG  STORE 

Clothing,   Shoes,    Furnishings 

Pau    E.  Weber.  R.  Ph. 

Hoopeston,  Illinois 

Carl  W.  Weber,  R.  Ph. 

223  Main                            Phone  110 

The  Rexall  Store 
Hoopeston,    1  linois 

The  Ritz  Restaurant 

"Where    Quality    Reigns    Supreme 

Home  Made  Candies" 

Breakfast  —  Lunches  —  Suppers 

215  E.  Main  St. 
Hoopeston,    Illinois 


Compliments   of 

THRASHERS 
SHOE  STORE 

Hoopeston,  Illinois 


Hoopeston    Standard 
Parts  Co.,  Inc. 

— Automotive  Parts  And  Supplies — 

109  N.  Market  St.        Hoopeston,  III. 
PHONE  825 

Your  NAPA  Jobber  is  a  Good 
Man  to  Know! 

Machine  Shop  Service 


COMPLIMENTS   OF 
Frank  F.  Dornf  eld  &  Co, 

The  Store  For  Men  &  Boys 
Hoopeston,  Illinois 


205  East  Main  St. 


Phone  133 


THE  BICKNELL  HOUSE 

George  and  William  Bicknell  home- 
steaded  land  about  two  miles  north  of 
Liggett's  Grove  on  the  Northfork 
stream  about  1835.  As  traffic  on  the 
"trail"  increased  rapidly  they  erected 
the  Bicknell  Inn  in  1845  at  the  crossing 
of  the  stream,  and  it  was  well  pa- 
tronized—  it  is  said  A.  Lincoln  was  a 
patron,  —  and  the  place  has  been  a 
land  mark  for  over  a  century. 

The  house  was  occupied  by  William 
Bicknell,  who  never  married,  and  his 
brother  George  and  wife  Millie  Bicknell, 
who  were  parents  of  three  children, 
Timothy,  (born  in  1835,  the  first  white 
child  born  in  Grant  Township)  Solomon 
and  Clara.  Millie  Bicknell  was  a  chart- 
er member  of  the  Rossville  Presbyterian 
Church.  William  Bicknell  died  in  1849 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Bicknell  died 
in  1857,  and  the  daughter  Clara  kept 
house  for  her  brothers  until  her  mar- 
riage to  Samuel  Thomas  in  1865.  In  that 
year  they  purchased  for  $2000.00  eighty 
acres  in  Sec.  7,  T22N  RllW,  (the  pres- 
ent home  of  Charles  Thomas)  which  is 
still  in  the  Thomas  family. 

Samuel  and  Clara  Thomas  had  nine 
children,  Millie,  Oscar,  Frank,   William, 


Richard,  Edward,  all  deceased,  and 
Charles,  George,  and  Mary  (Mrs.  Ross 
Fetters)  residing  just  east  of  Rossville. 
There  are  also  six  grandchildren  and 
twelve  great-grandchildren.  This  is  one 
of  the  few  first  settlers  with  descendants 
still  in  this  community. 

The  Inn  continued  under  new  owners 
for  many  years,  and  was  occupied  as  a 
dwelling  until  1950  when  it  was  moved 
to  make  way  for  a  modern  home. 


Disastrous  Fires 

Dec.  9,  1879— School  Building,  N.  Chi- 
cago St. 
1886, — All  buildings  surrounding  2  brick 

stores  at  106-108  and  110  S.  Chicago 

St. 
1888 — School      Building,       (Grade    and 

High)  N.  Chicago  St. 
July   10,   1894— All  stores  east  of  Chi- 
cago and  south  of  Attica  Streets. 
1900 — Canning  Factory 
Mar.  1,  1906— The  Red  Wagon  Factory, 

East  Attica  St. 
1908— Livery  Barn,  106  E.  Maple 
1911— Williamson   Hotel,    109    N. 

cago  St. 
1917_Garage,  113  W.  Attica  St. 
1942_Garage,  106  W.  Attica  St. 
1945 — High  School,  Corner  of  Harrison 

and  Benton. 


Chi- 


BICKNELL   HOUSE,    ROSSVILLE 


BEST   WISHES 
President  and  Board  of  Trustees,  Village  of  Rossville 

H.  M.  Beckley,  President 

F.  D.  BORROR  ROBERT  LUSK 

L  F.  HATHAWAY  S.  W.  PAULSON 

WILLARD  HUGHES  RUSSELL  YOUNG 

JOHN  PAULSON.  TREASURER 

JANICE  SMALL.  VILLAGE  CLERK-COLLECTOR 

O.  J.  FUNK.  POLICE  MAGISTRATE 

ESTON  N.  CASE,  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  UTILITIES 

ROBERT  BRAKE.  POLICE  CHIEF 

WILLIAM  H.  COX.  ASSISTANT  TO  SUPERINTENDENT 


Rice  Turkey  Farm 


1913 


1959 


SERVING  THE  HOTEL 

AND  RESTAURANT  TRADE 

WITH  A  QUALITY  PRODUCT 

Martin    &    Ruth    Rice 


PHONE  Rl  8-4713 


Rossville,    Illinois 


Fred  A.  Smith  Lbr.  Co. 


SERVING 


THIS  COMMUNITY 


SINCE  1909 


311-313  East  Attica  Street 


Rossville,    Illinois 


Phone  Rl  8-2061 


POST  OFFICE 


The  first  regular  mail  service  through 
this  County  began  in  1832,  from  Chi- 
cago to  Danville  to  Vincennes,  Indiana. 
In  1836  another  route  was  established 
to  Decatur  and  Springfield,  and  another 
to  Ottawa,  and  soon  a  third  to  the  east 
through  Newport,  Rockville,  Danville, 
Ind.,  and  Indianapolis,  and  still  another 
to  Lafayette,  Ind. 

The  first  postal  service  for  this  vicin- 
ity was  instituted  at  "NORTH  FORK," 
(Mann's  Chapel)  in  1839,  with  Samuel 
Gilbert  as  Postmaster.  The  Post  Office 
remained  there  until  1853,  by  which 
time  "Liggett's  Grove"  or  "Henpeck" 
had  grown  to  a  size  demanding  recogni- 
tion and  so  it  became  the  new  location, 
but  the  name  remained  "NORTH 
FORK."  When  in  1859  the  Village  was 
platted  and  officially  named  "ROSS- 
VILLE"  from  the  Township  name,  the 
Post  Office  name  was  changed  to  "Ross- 
ville"  also. 

The  office  was  located  at  times  in  the 
old  Livingood  home,  404  N.  Chicago  St: 


in  the  building  that  first  stood  at  122 

S.  Chicago  St;  the  first  dwelling  at  509 
N.  Chicago  St;  in  some  stores,  and  at 
113  E.  Attica  St.  for  nearly  thirty  years, 
moving  in  1923  to  105  N.  Chicago.  In 
1958  a  new  building  was  occupied  at  106 
E.  Maple  Street  with  modern  quarters 
and  adequate  room  for  the  expanded 
business. 

(Before  Rossville  had  a  postoffice 
one  called  "Rio"  was  located  on  Sec.  22, 
just  south  of  Hoopeston — near  where 
the  open  air  theatre  is — and  Allen  Lewis 
was  postmaster  about  four  years  with 
income  of  $5.00  to  $6.00  per  year.  That 
was  about  1838  to  1842)  . 

Listed  Postmasters  include  Alvan 
Gilbert,  James  Stewart,  Joseph  Satter- 
thwaite,  W.  J.  Henderson,  J.  W.  Mc- 
Taggert,  Harry  Shannon,  Addie  Shan- 
non, Addison  Davis,  Theodore  Habel, 
Joseph  Braden,  Leo  J.  Byrne,  Russell 
Young,  Edward  Hathaway,  Ross 
Prather,  Joseph  Brown. 


,  sSt 


.    A-^aJLitCOOKlMftcur    ■_ 


^^*">'^^  j^m^Im-   , 


ROSSVILLE  HARDWARE 

H.  M.  Beckley 

OWNER 

115-117  E.  Attica  St.  Telephone  Rl  8-2391 

A  Hardware  store  for  86  years,  in  the  same  location. 

WELCOME  TO  ROSSVILLE 

Help  us  celebrate  our  Centennial,  And  have  a  good  time. 


Standard  Oil  Co. 

SERVING  ROSSVILLE 

AND 

SURROUNDING  COMMUNITY 

R.  H.  Weber,  Local  Agent 
Rossville,  III.  Phone  RI  8-2461 


COURSON'S 

406  W.  Fairchild  Street 

DANVILLE,  ILLINOIS 

Open  Every  Day  To  Serve  You 

Until  I  I  P.M. 

Complete  Line  of  Food 

Confections 


AMBIA  BOTTLE  GAS 


AMBIA.  INDIANA 


An  Old  Timer  With  A 


New  Service 


BOTH  BULK 


& 


BOTTLE  GAS 


<^Kilg^^ 


THI    All-PURPOSE    FUll 


ROSSVILLE  BUILDING  AND  LOAN  ASSOCIATION 


The  Illinois  law  authorizing  the  in- 
corporation of  Building  and  Loan  Asso- 
ciations became  effective  July  1,  1879. 
On  May  13,  1881,  a  committee  of  Ross- 
villc  citizens  presented  a  petition  for  in- 
corporation to  the  Secretary  of  State. 
They  were  given  a  permit  to  proceed 
with  organization,  and  within  ten  days 
had  applications  for  255  shares  of  Capi- 
tal Stock  from  4 J;  subscribers. 

Call  for  an  organization  meeting  was 
issued  and  on  June  6,  1881  the  meeting 
was  held  in  the  old  "ODD  FELLOWS 
HALL"  (the  upstairs  of  a  frame  build- 
ing at  102  South  Chicago  St.) .  The  y 
chose  a  board  of  12  Directors,  and 
adopted  their  by-laws,  and  the  Directors 
organized  and  selected  the  officers.  This 
action  was  dulv  reported  and  approved 
and  the  ROSSVILLE  BUILDING 
AND  LOAN  ASSOCIATION  was  in- 
corporated July  25,  1881. 

The  officers  were:  President,  R.  W. 
Weld,  Vice-Pres.,  W.  S.  Demaree,  Sec- 
retary, W.  D.  Eoulke,  Treasurer.  D. 
Watson.  Directors,  (for  1  year)  O.  G. 
Crane,.W.  D.  Foulke,  Scott  Crouch.  John 
Milligan.  (For  2  years)  Wm.  H.  Harri- 
son, F.  J.  Pastor,  George  Stamp,  Allen 
Grant.  (For  3  vears)  W.  R.  Weld,  Emil 
H.  Langhans,  W.  Watson,  W.  S.  De- 
maree. Other  member-subscribers:  — R. 
L.  Dengler,  John  Westfall.  John  Ruth. 
C.  C.  McAllister,  John  Keller.  J.  S. 
Stout,  J.  M.  Stafford,  E.  B.  Werner, 
Harrv  Shannon,  W.  W.  Dale,  Maurice 
W^alsh,  Emma  Westfall.  John  B.  Wern- 
er, Charles  M.  Ross,  Henry  Hughes, 
Peter  Treon,  Mike  Graham,  Ezra  Hack- 


man,  Jacob  Pirl,  Carl  Funk,  Minna 
Funk,  W.  Vining,  W.  T.  Vining,  C.  D. 
Smith,  D.  Holenbeck,  Edward  P. 
Langhans,  Abraham  Mann,  C.  W. 
Miller,  G.  Maury,  John  J.  McElroy,  W. 
R.  Harker,  H.  C.  Troupe. 

Each  of  these  44  members  subscribed 
for  from  1  to  25  shares  of  Installment 
Stock  upon  which  they  paid  15  cents 
per  week  per  share,  and  as  soon  as  funds 
permitted  loans  on  improved  real 
estate  were  made.  Operations  have  con- 
tinued without  interruption,  serving 
both  investors  and  borrowers,  and  mak- 
ing a  valuable  contribution  to  the 
growth  and  improvement  of  our  fine 
community.  We  know  of  no  other  busi- 
ness in  Rossville  which  can  pass  this 
record  of  77  years.  This  Association  has 
always  been  well  managed,  and  directed 
by  men  who  were  prominent  in  the  bus- 
iness activities  of  the  community,  and 
if  we  could  list  them  all  they  would  be 
remembered  for  their  public  interest 
and  civil  pride. 

In  the  begining  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tors met  every  Saturday  evening  and 
the  members  were  expected  to  appear 
and  make  their  weekly  payments  of 
dues.  As  years  passed  the  Association 
grew  with  the  community,  and  it  has 
kept  pace  with  the  times  in  adopting 
modern  methods,  and  maintained  the 
highest  standard  of  service  '^o  its  cus- 
tomers, both  investors  and  borrowers. 
This  service  has  been  so  well  received 
that  the  volume  of  business  has  more 
than  quadrupled  in  the  last  ten  years. 
Present  Assets.  $330,000.00 


I 


A  TYPICAL   STREET   SCENE   OF   ROSSVILLE 


Compliments   of 

VAN  ZANDT 

TRUCKING  CO. 

George  Van  Zandt,  Jr. 
Ph.-Hl-6-6848  HI-2-3860 

1441  Warrington  Ave.      Danville,  III. 


Into  the  Wonderful  World 
of  Autodynamics   At 

KOEHN  MOTORS,  INC. 

Telephone  936         319  N.  Vermilion 
DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 
DESOTO  —  DODGE 

PLYMOUTH  —  DODGE  TRUCKS 


TELEPHONE  HI  2-1421 

814  Warrington  Avenue 

Danville,  Illinois 

DICK  DAMERY 
DANVILLE  SCALE  CO. 

Howe  Scales 
Service  On  All  Makes 

Motor  Truck,  Farm 

and  Automatic  Scales 

Contractors  for  Scale  Pits 


Compliments   of 

L.  L.  LENOVER 

SALES  &  SERVICE 
Air  Compressors 
806  Warrington  Ave.        Danville, 
Ph.   HI-2-0204 


HICKORY  0800 

Danville 
Tent  &  Awning  Co. 

Awnings  Ornamental  Iron 

Tents  Canvas  Products 

"Just  a  Shade  Better" 
219-223  West  Main  Street 

Danville,  Illinois 


Compliments   of 

LEVERENZ 


AUTOMOTIVE  SERVICE 


W.  Main  St. 


Danville, 


VERMILION  COUNTY 
ABSTRACT   COMPANY 

Abstracts 

"Only    Complete   Abstract   Plant 

in  Vermilion  County" 

Title  Insurance 

Representative  for:  Chicago 

Title  and  Trust  Company 

23  W.  Main  St.  Danville,  III. 

Telephone  HI-2-0510 


^^    QUARANTESD      FURS 


20    W.    Main 
Danville,     Illinois 


ALVAN  GILBERT 

The  Gilbert  family  was  of  English 
origin,  and  were  early  settlers  in  the 
Colony  of  Massachusetts.  Alvan  Gilbert 
was  born  in  Ontario  County  New  York, 
July  11,  1810,  the  son  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  Morse  Gilbert.  He  had  two  bro- 
thers, James  H.  and  Elias  M.  The  fam- 
ily came  west  by  boat  to  Crawford 
County  Ohio  in  the  spring  of  1825.  The 
next  year  they  came  west  and  settled 
about  two  miles  south  of  Danville. 
Solomon  and  Jesse  Gilbert,  uncles  of 
Alvan.  came  to  Danville.  Solomon 
building  a  mill  on  the  north  fork  of  the 
Vermilion  river,  and  Jesse  starting  a 
ferry.  Alvan  worked  for  both  in  their 
businesses. 

Alvan  Gilbert  married  Matilda  Horr 
April    18,    1831,   and   they   moved   into 
Ross  Township  in  1832,  buying  a  small 
farm  from  his  father-in-law,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  state  road  at  Mann's  Chapel. 
To  this  he  added  by  entry  and  purchase 
until  he  owned  about  240  acres.  Later 
he  sold  this  farm  to  his  father  and  pur- 
chased another,  the  north  part  of  Ross- 
ville,  from  his  uncle  Solomon.  He  lived 
there  for  some  time  then  sold  it,  and  by 
purchase,  and  trades  became  the  owner 
of  the     original     Daniel    Liggett     farm 
which  was  the  south  part  of  Rossville. 
He    traded    extensively    and    probably 
owned  about     900     acres  in     Ross  and 
Grant    Townships.    The    Gilberts    had 
two   daughters,  Sarah  E.  who  married 
George  C.  Dickson,  and  Nancy  J.  the 
wife  of  Frederick  Grooms.  Mrs.  Gilbert 
died  in  1849  and  Mr.  Gilbert  later  mar- 
ried Nancy  Horr,  the  widow  of  Samuel 
Elzy. 

When  Mr.  Gilbert  made  his  perman- 
ent home  in  Liggett's  Grove  it  was  but 
natural  that  the  dwelling  was  at  the 
spot  where  Liggett  originally  built  his 
cabin, — now  306  South  Chicago  St.  His 
acquisition  of  this  land  was  not  a  single 
transaction,  but  many,  over  several 
years  as  he  bought  the  various  parcels 
into  which  the  Liggett  estate  had  been 
divided  and  allotted  to  the  widow  and 
other  heirs.  By  the  mid  1850s  he  had 
probably  procured  all  of  the  quarter 
section  south  of  Attica  St.  and  west  of 
Church  St.  And  as  an  active  commun- 
ity was  developing  Mr.  Gilbert  had 
foresight  and  faith  in  the  future  and  in 
the  summer  of  1859  the  ORIGINAL 
TOWN  was  platted  and  given  the  name 
ROSSVILLE,  after  the  Township  name, 


and  this  was  officially  dated  August  6, 

1859. 

Mr.  Gilbert  was  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners appointed  by  the  Legislature  to 
divide  Vermilion  County  into  Town- 
ships. He  was  chosen  the  first  Assessor 
for  the  Township,  and  was  an  official 
for  many  years,  serving  as  Supervisor 
for  18  years,  and  as  Chairman  of  the 
County  Board  of  Supervisors  for  most 
of  thai  time.  In  1876  he  was  elected  to 
the  Illinois  General  Assembly.  It  has 
been  reported  that  he  secured  passage 
of  a  special  bill  which  permitted  the 
routing  of  South  Chicago  St.  with  a 
sharp  curve  east  at  Perry  St.  leaving  his 
property  with  a  spacious  front  lawn. 
(The  street  was  straightened  in  1940 
when  the  new  highway  was  improved.) 


ma. 


■  '•Kf 


Original     Milestone     marking     Hubbard     Trail, 
State      Highway      near      Mann's      Chapel. 


Thomas  Bennett,  another  English- 
man, came  to  America  in  1851,  living 
first  in  Danville  and  Covington,  Indiana 
and  in  1866  selecting  his  home  site 
south  of  Rossville.  He  farmed  exten- 
sively, and  had  a  wide  trade  in  fine 
livestock.  He  was  interested  in  com- 
munity affairs,  very  generous  and  a 
leader  in  the  religious  life  of  the  com- 
munity. 


i       I 


ROSSVILLE  AMERICAN  LEGION   HOME 


SPEARS-DUKES  POST  #733 
AMERICAN  LEGION 


Application  for  a  charter  for  the 
Rossville  American  Legion  was  received 
in  the  Department  of  Illinois  June  22, 
1921,  with  the  name  of  Lloyd  K.  Spears 
Post  #706.  Seventeen  veterans  signed 
the  application:  F.  Grant  Williamson, 
Thomas  E.  Maury,  Percy  B.  Potts, 
Dean  E.  Reece,  Roy  S.  O'Laughlin,  Otto 
F.  Yeoman,  Harold  C.  Grays,  Gharles 
D.  Borror.  Otto  N.  Siewert,  Alva  Gronk- 
hite,  Fred  L.  Ervin,  Offie  Sloan,  W. 
Earl  Wright,  Joseph  A.  Grimier,  Glar- 
ence  Morgan,  Robert  Bivans,  Arista 
Trough. 

Post  #706  was  in  existence  in  1921 
with  36  members;  in  1922,  17  members 
in  1923  there  were  no  members  and  the 
Post  was  cancelled.  Then  on  December 
14,  1927,  application  for  charter  for 
Lloyd  K.  Spears  Post  #733  was  filed 
with  fifteen  veterans'  signatures:  Har- 
old G.  Grays,  Thomas  C.  Stifler,  Glar- 
ence  E.  Morgan.  Russell  Young,  Alva 
Gronkhite,  Leo  G.  Smith.  Ivan  F.  Bond, 
Eric  O.  Ryberg,  Fern  F.  Goon,  John 
Davidson,  Dean   E.   Reece,  Francis  D. 


Borror,  James  E.  Blake,  Made  H.  Seals, 
Raymond  H.  Poland. 

On  January  22,  1947  the  name  of  the 
Post  was  changed  to  Spears-Dukes  Post 
#733.  Thus  an  infantry  soldier  and 
an  air  force  veteran,  who  died  a  war 
apart  are  memorialized  by  Rossville's 
American  Legion  Post.  Pvt.  Lloyd  K. 
Spears  was  the  only  Rossville  man  to 
lose  his  life  in  World  War  I,  and  T. 
Sgt.  William  Dukes,  the  first  to  lose 
his  life  in  the  second  World  War. 

Pvt.  Spears  was  born  in  Kentucky 
and  moved  with  his  family  to  Ross- 
ville in  1905  when  he  was  18.  He  was 
drafted  in  1917  into  the  Infantry,  and 
died  in  1918  in  France,  a  victim  of  a 
German  air  raid.  Sgt.  Dukes  was  a 
native  of  Gollison,  111.,  and  graduated 
from  Rossville  High  School  in  1940  and 
enlisted  in  1942  in  the  Air  Force.  He 
was  a  veteran  radio-operator  and  gun- 
ner in  a  B-17  bomber,  and  lost  his  life 
in  an  airplane  crash  over  Reedham, 
England.  February  21,  1944. 

Ten  boys  who  called  Rossville 
"home,"  who  gave  their  lives  in  W..W. 
II  are:  Harold  Gasner,  Kenneth  Huff- 
man, Richard  McLain,  James  Ghittick, 


Wilbur  Hughes,  Harold  Poland,  Her- 
shel  Mullins,  William  Dukes,  Harold 
Lackey,  Harlan  Steele. 

Eugene  Lewis  lost  his  life  on  a  Ijuinl)- 
ing  mission  over  Korea  during  the  Ko- 
rean conflict. 

Legion  meetings  were  held  in  the 
rooms  above  102  S.  Chicago  St.  until 
1934,  when  the  Post  purchased  the 
Depler  home  at  105  Gilbert  St.  In  1952 
this  was  sold  to  start  the  erection  of  the 
new  Legion  Home  just  completed  on 
Thompson  Ave.  Volunteer  labor  is  pri- 
marily responsible  for  this  handsome 
Post  edifice. 

This  year  marks  the  40th  anniversary 
of  the  American  Legion,  formed  in 
Paris,  France,  March  15-17,  1919,  with 
a  purpose  to  "safeguard  and  transmit 
to  posterity  the  principles  of  justice, 
freedom  and  democracy",  for  which 
they  had  lately  fought.  This  determin- 
ation was  incorporated  in  the  preamble 
to  the  Legion  constitution,  which  reads: 
"To  preserve  the  memories  and  inci- 
dents of  our  associations  in  the  great 
war,  To  consecrate  and  sanctify  our 
comradeship  by  our  devotion  to  mutual 
helpfulness". 

The  American  Legion  plays  an  im- 
portant role  in  veterans  affairs.  Vol- 
unteer service  officers  promate  the  Le- 
gion's vast  rehabilitation  programs. 
They  initiate  most  of  the  claims  for 
Veterans  and  their  dependents.  It's 
rehabilitation  program  is  of  service  for 
the  welfare  of  all  Veterans,  particularly 
the  disabled,  their  dependents,  the  war 
widows  and  orphans.  This  involves  the 
Gifts  to  Yanks  and  the  distribution  of 
the  Poppy  (the  memorial  flower  of  the 
dead) . 

One  of  the  greatest  peacetime  con- 
tributions the  Legion  has  made  has  been 
in  helping  youngsters,  in  child  welfare 
and  youth  work.  The  local  Post  spon- 
sors a  Little  League  Baseball  Team. 
Other  programs  under  Americanism  in- 
clude Boys  State  and  Boys  Nation.  Post 
^733  annually  gives  American  Legion 
School  Awards  which  is  maintained  on 
a  national  level,  thru  the  Americanism 
commission  of  the  American  Legion. 

1958-1959  OFFICERS 

Commander  George  F.  Perkins;  Vice 
Comm.  John  C.  Carter;  Vice  Comm. 
Clark  Funk;  Adjutant  Joe  P.  Barragree 
Jr.;  Finance  Officer  James  C.  Davis; 
Chaplain   Leon   Lloyd;     Sgt.    At-Arms 


Richard  Hughes;  Historian  Curtis  Ger- 


man. 


PAST  COMMANDERS 


F.  Grant  Williamson,  Carl  W.  Smith, 
Russell  Young,  C.  E.  Morgan,  Alva 
Cronkhite,  Francis  Borror,  Wade  H. 
Seals,  Harry  M.  Seals,  Otto  F.  Yeoman, 
Raymond  H.  Poland,  Walter  Ernst,  W'. 
L.  Freese,  Lawrence  Mclntyre,  Ray- 
mond Green,  John  Falconer,  Jay  Prilla- 
man,  Robert  L,  Lusk,  Russell  L.  In- 
gram, Dallas  Denison,  Otto  Judd  Funk, 
Curtis  German,  Vernon  LaMar,  Clark 
Baker,  Arlyn  Dain,  James  C.  Davis, 
Leland  Lewis,  George  F.  Perkins. 

AMERICAN  LEGION  AUXILIARY 
UNIT  #733 

The  American  Legion  Auxiliary  Unit 
to  Post  #733  was  organized  in  Febru- 
ary 1929,  by  Katherine  Best  the  18th 
District  Director,  with  fourteen  char- 
ter members:  Gertrude  Stifler,  Wanda 
B.  Davidson,  Edna  Boardman,  Pansy 
M.  Poland,  Verna  T.  Strickler,  Hetty 
M.  Young,  Mabel  E.  Blary,  Lucille 
Morgan,  Dorothy  Ann  Morgan,  Esther 
Stifler,  Bertha  R.  Cronkhite,  Marjorie 
Young,  Rachel  R.  Reece,  Mary  C. 
Spears. 

Seven  of  the  Charter  members  still 
belong  to  the  Unit.  The  first  President 
was  Gertrude  (Mrs.  Thomas)  Stifler. 
There  have  been  23  Presidents,  seven 
serving  more  than  once;  they  are:  Ger- 
trude Stifler,  Verna  T.  Strickler,  Lucille 
Morgan,  Marjorie  Young,  Pansy  Po- 
land, Eunice  Fitzwater,  Blanche  Bor- 
ror, Rachael  Reece,  Elizabeth  Paulson, 
Effie  Huffman,  Maude  Ernst,  Esther 
Crawford,  Mary  Gladden,  Claire  Funk, 
Leola  Queen,  Winifred  Yeoman,  Marie 
Henak.  Hazel  King,  Sue  Funk,  Ida 
Schaffer,  Louise  Foster,  Betty  Jackson, 
Evelyn  Dain. 

Prior  to  World  War  II  a  high  of  58 
members  was  reached,  in  1958  the  Unit 
reached  an  all  time  high  of  205. 

In  1934.  the  Junior  Auxiliarx^  was 
formed  with  sixteen  daughters  of  Le- 
gionnaires enrolled.  Present  enrollment 
is  44.  The  Auxiliary  also  assisted  the 
same  year  in  the  formation  of  Squadron 
#733  "Sons  of  The  American  Legion", 
enrolling  21  boys. 

In  the  number  one  program,  for  which 
both  Legion  and  Auxiliary  were  orga- 


THE  "300"  ROOM 


Perfect  Food  -  Perfect  Service 


THE  BOWLING  BALL 


Danville,    Illinois 
Your  Host— Bill  Bolick 


Perfect  Food  -  Perfect  Service 

Your  Host  —  Bill  Bolick 

THE 

Crest 

Air-Conditioned 
PERFECT  FOOD 

On    U.   S.    Routes    I    and    136   N.  -   Danville,   Illinois 


A  PROGRESSIVE  STORE 


GRAY  CLOTHING  CO 


SERVING  A  PROGRESSIVE  COMMUNITY. 


Jack  Gray 


L.  A.  HARRIS  —  INSURANCE 


HERE  TO  SERVE  ALL  YOUR  INSURANCE  NEEDS 


107  Maple  St. 
Rossville,  Illinois 


nized,  :^733  has  more  than  carried  its 
share  of  the  load.  Participating  in  a 
financial  way  to  all  phases  at  a  Nation- 
al and  Departmental  level,  the  Unit  has 
maintained  a  corps  of  Volunteer  work- 
ers (Gold  Ladies)  contributing  thous- 
ands of  hours  and  huge  sums  of  ma- 
terial value  to  Danville  V.A.  Hospital 
as  well  as  other  Veteran  Hospitals 
throughout  the  state.  Auxiliary  Ser- 
vice Motto:  "It  is  so  easy  to  forget, 
so  blessed  to  remember." 

Other  programs  carried  out  exten- 
sively are:  Child  Welfare,  Americanism, 
including  "Girl  Good  Citizen"  selec- 
tions, Girl's  State,  Veterans'  Craft  Ex- 
change, National  Security,  Civil  De- 
fense, Legislation.  Pan-American,  Gold 
Star,  Education  of  War  Orphans,  Com- 
munity Service,  and  Music. 

Since  its  organization,  the  Unit  has 
had  representation  continously  on  the 
District  Board,  including  two  District 
Directors,  as  well  as  one  Fourth  Divi- 
sion President,  one  Department  Chap- 
lain, one  Veterans  Administration  Hos- 
pital Chairman,  and  numerous  Depart- 
ment chairmanships  and  services.  Unit 
#733  has  won  many  awards  for  service. 

In  the  new  Post  Home,  the  Auxiliary 
has  answered  the  Legion's  request  to 
furnish  the  kitchen,  ladies  lounge,  and 
any  such  other  furnishing  projects  as 
can  be  accomplished. 

1958-1959  OFFICERS 

President  Mary  Gladden;  1st  Vice- 
Pres.  Gertrude  Green;  2nd  Vice-Pres. 
Gladys  Laursen;  Secretary  Alice  Cour- 
son;  Treasurer  Pansy  Poland;  His- 
torian Marjorie  Tweedy;  Chaplain  Gol- 
die  Pruitt;  Sgt.  At-Arms  Betty  Gad- 
dis;  Asst.  Sgt.-At-Arms  Louise  Barra- 
gree. 


Herbert  Smith  Jr.,    Rossville   letter  carrier 


FRED  A.   SMITH   LUMBER  CO. 
Observes    BOtfi    Anniversary 

This  vear  has  been  a  "Golden"  one 
for  the  Fred  A.  Smith  Lumber  Com- 
pany in  Rossville,  observing  its  50th 
anniversary  January  9th.  The  firm  pur- 
chased the  business  from  John  E.  Swift 
on  January  9th  and  the  actual  deed  was 
signed  by  Mr.  Swift  and  his  wife  Nellie 
H.  on  March  11th  1909. 

The  lumber  yard  was  originally 
founded  in  1888  by  the  late  L.  K.  Yeo- 
man who  was  a  native  of  Chillicothe, 
Ohio,  and  moved  to  Jasper  County 
Indiana  at  the  age  of  three  and  left  the 
farm  for  Kansas  in  1885.  Three  years 
later  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Rossville  and  founded  the  Lumber  yard. 

Mr.  Yeoman  was  killed  on  January 
13,  1901  in  a  tragic  accident  as  he  was 
returning  to  Rossville  after  attending  a 
horse  and  mule  sale.  Following  his 
death  the  lumber  yard  was  sold  to  John 
and  Nellie  Swift,  who  operated  it  until 
it  was  sold  to  the  present  owner. 

Records  indicate  that  the  present 
lumber  shed  was  built  in  April  1912  at 
a  cost  of  $2,357.31.  This  included  the 
office  of  the  company  and  was  used  until 
late  in  1948  when  work  was  started  on 
remodeling  the  office.  That  task  was 
completed  in  early  1949  and  the  com- 
pany now  has  one  of  the  finest  yards  in 
Illinois. 

A  list  of  managers  from  1909  includes 
Lee  Ireland;  Clark  C.  Carter;  Dick 
Miller;  Ivan  Bond;  Merle  Clem  and 
Cecil  Green  who  has  been  in  charge  since 
early  in  1935.  Through  the  years  the 
company  has  had  only  two  field  man- 
agers; they  are  Leo  Ireland  and  the  pres- 
ent manager  Irvin  L.  Weller.  The  com- 
pany president  is  F.  F.  Bailey  who  has 
offices  in  Rockford,  111. 

In  recent  years  many  new  homes  have 
been  built  in  Rossville,  from  small  neat 
and  attractive  cottages  to  elaborate  and 
ornate  residences,  and  during  the  same 
time  many  existing  homes  have  been 
remodeled  and  modernized  into  late 
style  dwellings.  If  space  permitted  us  to 
picture  them  you  would  see  that  every 
street  is  lined  with  well  kept  cheerfully 
inviting  places,  whose  attractiveness 
could  not  be  surpassed  anywhere. 


ILLINOIS  LUMBER, 
GRAIN  &  COAL  CO. 

At  Your  Service  1875 

Building  Industry  Headquarters 
Hoopeston,  Illinois 

PHONE  9 


SILVER  BROTHERS 
CONSTRUCTION    CO. 

Washington  Street  At 

C.  &  E.  I.  Railroad 

HOOPESTON.  ILLINOIS 

William  Silver  Harry  Silver 

Phone  1251  Phone  476 


LEE  &  TWEEDY 


LIVESTOCK  HAULING  —  GENERAL  TRUCKING 


Phone  -  485  or   140 


"Chuck"  Lee 


Hoopeston,  Illinois 

"Don"  Tweedy 


HAROLD  E.  COX 

HOOPESTON  INSURANCE  AGENCY 


ALL  TYPES  OF  INSURANCE 


1 05  5.  Market 


Hoopeston,  Illinois 


PHONE  54 


Jones  Implement  Co. 

N.  Market  St.  Hoopeston,  III. 

NEW  IDEA  —  A-C 

FARM  EQUIPMENT 

Phone  219 


"We  Service  All  Makes  of 
Radio  and  Television" 

HOOPESTON 
RADIO  &  TV  SERVICE 

106  N.  Market  St.       Hoopeston,  III. 


CULBERT  THE  FLORIST 


One  of  the  few  family  businesses 
operated  tor  more  than  60  years  and 
now  in  the  third  generation,  which  has 
become  a  Rossville  "Institution" 
through  its  long  and  high  quality 
service. 


James  Culbert  was  born  at  John's 
Haven,  Kincardenshire,        Scotland 

August  31,  ]846.  He  grew  to  manhood 
and  learned  the  horticulture  trade  on  a 
large  estate.  In  1869  he  came  west  to 
St.  Catherines,  Canada,  where  he  lived 
ten  yea'"^  following  his  trade.  He  then 
came  '.^  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  met 
and  married  Antoinette  Johnson  who 
had  cmie  to  the  United  States  from 
Prague.  It  was  there  that  their  son 
John  was  born. 

In  1896  the  family  moved  to  Ross- 
ville, purchiisi'ig  a  small  greenhouse 
from  James  Villars.  It  was  located  on 
the  south  side  of  McKibben  St.  and  was 
later  moved  to  its  present  location  and 
enlarged.  In  the  early  years  Mr.  Culbert 
maintained  the  business  here  and  also 
sold  plants  and  flowers  from  a  horse 
drawn  wagon,  visiting  the  neighboring 
towns,  from  where  manv  children  and 
grandchildren  of  former  customers  now 
come  in  their  fine  modern  cars  to  take 
advantage  of  the  fine   Culbert  service. 


Mr.  Culbert  was  ably  assisted  by  his 
wife  who  always  greeted  friends  and 
customers  in  a  very  gracious  manner. 
He  was  joined  by  his  son  John  in  1908, 
at  which  time  they  added  more  glass. 

In  1913  John  was  married  to  Mabel 
Case,  who  was  an  able  partner  in  the 
business.  They  have  two  sons  John 
Robert,  and  James.  Both  saw  service  in 

W.  W.  II,  and  upon  their  return  to 
civilian  life  followed  the  "family  line" 
and  John  Robert  Culbert  has  advanced 
in  the  profession  to  be  Professor  in 
Floriculture  at  the  University  of  Illinois. 
James  worked  with  his  father  until 
1957,  when  he  took  over  the  business. 
The  business  has  a  new  modern  shop, 
with  greatly  expanded  facilities.  And 
Wholesaling  has  been  added.  They  grow 
fifteen  acres  of  summer  and  early  fall 
flowers  at  their  place  at  512  N.  Chicago 
St.  and  instead  of  a  horse  drawn  wagon, 
they  send  out  daily  a  large  refrigerated 
truck  which  supplies  many  of  the  retail 
florists  located  within  a  60  mile  radius 
from  Rossville.  James  is  assisted  by  his 
wife  Molly,  and  their  three  children. 
Jimmy.  Bruce  and  Laura,  the  fourth 
generation  of  Culberts  who  may  become 
the  future  florists  of  Rossville. 


i^ttSM 


ROSSVILLE  CEMETERY 


CHECK  WARDS 
LOV/  PRICES 


power-froc 

TRACTOR  TIRES 

•  Long-angled    tread    bars     give 
greater  traction  .  .  .  extra  pull 

•  Husky,  tough  body  stands  up 
to   constant  poundings,  shocks 

•  Self-cleaning  tread  design 
DRIVE  NOW... PAY  LATER 

on  Wards  convenient  terms 


WARDS 


\n 


Danville,  Illinois 


Compliments   of 

Custom  Kitchen  Shop 

Phone  67111 

Custom  Cabinets  And  Formica 

Counter  Tops  ....  Mlllwork 

3180  N.  Vermilion  St. 

Danville,  Illinois 


BERRY'S 

Farm  &  Home  Store 

2807   N.   Vermilion 

Danville,  Illinois 

Complete  line  of  Gro-Coated 
field  &  Garden  Seeds 


Compliments   of 

GOODLOE    E. 
MOORE    INC. 


2811  N.Vermilion 


Danville,  III. 


Compliments   of 


HILL 
LUMBER  COMPANY 


Hickory  6-8007  Danville,  Illinois 


Compliments   of 


Elton  A.  Wagner  Co. 


505  North  Gilbert  Street 


DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


Hickory  6-0203 


GURDON  SALTONSTALL  HUBBARD 
(From  his  autobiography  published   1888 
(%  Mrs.  D.  W.  Fithian  and  other  histories) 


Giirdon  Hubbard  was  born  August  22 
1802,  in  Windsor,  Vermont, — the  son  of 
Elizur  Hubbard,  and  Abigail  Sage,  Hub- 
bard. His  father  was  a  lawyer,  who  in 
1812  lost  everything  through  bad  in- 
vestments. Gurdon  was  sent  to  live  with 
an  aunt  where  he  could  attend  school. 
He  returned  home  and  in  1815,  the 
family  went  to  Canada,  but  Mr.  Hub- 
bard being  an  American  citizen  could 
not  practice  law  there,  and  they  were  in 
very  distressed  circumstances.  Gurdon, 
though  young,  was  active  in  business, 
buying  and  peddling  produce,  starting 
with  a  capital  of  25  cents.  In  1816  he 
secured  employment  in  a  hardware 
store,  working  as  clerk  and  handyman 
for  nearly  two  years.  Then  he  signed  up 
to  work  for  the  American  Fur  Co.  as  a 
clerk,  and  in  Mid  May  1818  the  outfit 
left  for  the  west.  Many  weeks  of  trying 
travel  conditions  brought  the  outfit  to 
Mackinaw  Island,  where  the  fur  tradeil 
gathered  and  brought  their  furs  in  the 
spring  for  shipment  east;  then  in  the  fall 
would  return  to  their  posts  for  the 
winter  hunting  seasons.  Hubbard's  first 
assignment  was  clerk  with  an  outfit 
picked  to  go  to  Fond-du-Lac  (Lake 
Superior.  But  through  friends  he  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  transfer  and  was 
sent  to  the  Illinois  river  territory  and 
St.  Louis.  While  they  were  at  Mac- 
kinaw he  he  came  a  close  friend  of 
John  H.  Kinzie,  who  later  became  a 
business  associate,  and  was  a  very  im- 
portant citizen  of  Chicago. 

Hubbard's  first  arrival  in  Illinois 
territory  was  at  Calumet  river  Septem- 
ber, 30,  1818.  The  next  day  the  party 
continued  around  the  lake  shore  and 
reached  Fort  Dearborn  and  Chicago. 
His  second  trip  in  1819  brought  him  a- 
gain  to  Illinois.  His  business  and  travels 
took  him  to  St.  Louis,  Starved  Rock,  a- 
long  the  Des  Plaines  river.  Ft.  Clark 
(Peoria) ,  Blue  Island,  The  Fox  river, 
Kalamazoo  river,  Muskegon  and  other 
points  in  Michigan.  He  continued  in 
north  Illinois,  until  1823  when  he  was 
assigned  to  the  Iroquois  country — which 
included  the  Kankakee  river,  and  the 
Iroquois  river  to  a  point  just  south  of 
Watseka,  and  a  wide  hunting  area. 


It  was  natural  for  him  to  reach  out, 
and  by  1824  he  had  picked  out  a  good 
route  from  Iroquois  to  Chicago,  and 
then  extended  it  on  to  Danville.  It  ex- 
tended through  what  is  now  Blue  Is- 
land, Homewood,  Bloom,  Crete,  Grant, 
Momence,  Beaverville,  Iroquois,  Hoop- 
eston,  Myersville,  and  Danville,  then 
further  southwest  to  the  salt  works,  Be- 
ment  and  Blue  Point  in  Effingham 
County.  His  choice  of  route  evidently 
was  good,  for  in  1833-34  the  Illinois 
General  Assembly  ordered  a  State  Road 
to  be  located  from  Vincennes  to  Chicago 
and  milestones  be  placed  from  Danville 
to  Chicago,  and  the  Commission  adopt- 
ed this  trail  most  of  the  way. 

Hubbard  established  headquarters  in 
Danville  about  1824  for  his  fur  business 
reaching  out  to  stations  on  the  Em- 
barrass and  Little  Wabash  rivers. 
About  1827  this  business  slumped  and 
he  abondoned  those  stations  and  built 
the  first  frame  building  in  Vermilion 
County,  a  store  room,  at  the  SE  corner 
of  Vermilion  and  Main  streets,  where 
the  Palmer  American  National  Bank 
now  stands.  His  partner  in  the  enter- 
prize  was  Norman  D.  Palmer.  The  Ind- 
ians came  from  many  miles  around  to 
trade,  bringing  their  families  and  camp- 
ing on  the  bluffs  for  days  at  a  time, 
trading  their  furs  for  the  available 
merchandise.  This  business  continued  to 
shrink  and  about  1832  Hubbard  con- 
verted his  business  to  stock  more  suited 
to  the  needs  of  white  settlers.  Being  de- 
sirous of  returning  to  Chicago  and  his 
land  interests  there  he  sold  his  store  and 
business  to  Dr.  William  Fithian,  who 
continued  it  for  some  time.  Dr.  Fithian 
came  to  Danville  in  1832  from  Ohio, 
was  a  very  civic  minded  man,  and 
acquired  extensive  land  holdings  around 
the  village  of  Fithian. 

In  earlier  years  Hubbard  had  an 
Indian  wife,  Watseka,  by  name,  and  she 
is  remembered  by  the  town  (probably) 
named  in  her  honor.  However  it  is  said 
that  she  could  not  become  accustomed 
to  civilized  ways  and  returned  to  her 
tribe.  Later  in  1831  Hubbard  married 
Miss  Elenora  Berry,  whose  sister  mar- 
ried Dr.  Fithian. 


Campbell's  Pharmacy 

Walgreen   Agency 

Hoopeston,    Illinois 
Reliable  Prescriptions 


BLOYD'S 
SUPER   MARKET 

"Your  Food  Store  of 
Friendly  Service" 

226  E.  Main  Street 
Hoopeston,  Illinois 


Complinnents   of 

MAIN  STREET 

INN 

Beer  —     Liquor  —  Wine 

206  E.   Main   St. 

Hoopeston,  Illinois 


PHONE:  127 

Hoopeston   Implement   Co. 

Hoopeston,    Illinois 
SYMBOL  OF  SERVICE 


Complinnents   of 

C.  J'S  PUMP 

DIXIE  HIGHWAY 

HOOPESTON 
ILLINOIS 


KINGS    KASTLES 
DRIVE-IN 

Specializing  In 

Fine  Food 

Where  Quality 

Has  No  Substitute 

Dixie  Highway 
Hoopeston,    Illinois 


Complinnents  of 

UPTOWN   LOUNGE 

PHONE  04 
E.  MAIN  ST. 

HOOPESTON.  ILL. 


Connpliments   of 

DALE  &  JERRY'S 
BARBER  SHOP 


108  E.  Main  St. 


Hoopeston,    Illinois 


Hubbard  was  the  builder  of  the  first 
Court  House  in  Vermilion  County,  and 
active  in  many  other  improvements. 

Hubbard  had  endeavored  to  interest 
some  Danville  people  in  investing  in 
lands  around  Lake  Michigan,  but  with- 
out success.  When  he  left  Danville  a- 
bout  1834,  he  became  a  very  active 
booster  in  everything  for  improving 
Chicago. 
He     built  the    first     brick     building  in 

Chicago. 
He  was  the  first  meat  packer  in  Chi- 
cago. 
He  was  the  first  Insurance  Underwriter 

in  Chicago. 
He  helped  organize  the  first  Episcopal 

Church   (St.  James) 
He    represented    Vermilion    Co.    in    the 

General  Assembly  1932-1833. 
He  encouraged  the  building  of  the  Illi- 
nois &  Michigan  Canal,  and  was  on 
the  first  board  of  commissioners. 
He  took  the  first  flat  boat  from  Dan- 
ville via  the  Wabash,  Ohio  and  Miss- 
issippi rivers  to  New  Orleans,  1829. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  trustees  of  the 
"Town   of  Chicago"   when   incorpor- 
ated in  1835. 


And  countless  other  important  under- 
takings. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  physical  stam- 
ina, moral  courage,  and  upright  char- 
acter which  brought  him  the  respect 
of  all  who  knew  him. 

Hubbard  Woods  at  Chicago  was  named 

in  his  honor. 

He  died.  Sept.  14,  1886,  after  an  ill- 
ness of  three  years,  suffering  with  blood 
poison,  losing  one  eye  in  1883  and  the 
other  in  1885.  He  was  buried  in  Grace- 
land  Cemetery. 

For  many  years  the  Hubbard  Trail 
monument  in  the  Bracken  yard  has  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  local  residents 
and  visitors.  The  following  story  was 
told  this  writer: — Some  years  after  Mr, 
Hubbard  had  left  these  parts  he  return- 
ed and  came  to  Rossville  for  a  visit  and 
to  hunt  deer.  While  visiting  with  his 
host  with  stories  of  his  experiences  on 
the  trail,  his  host  asked  him  just  where 
the  trail  ran  through  Rossville  for  he 
would  like  to  put  up  a  marker.  Mr. 
Hubbard  located  the  place  exactly  and 
offered  to  send  a  marker  if  his  host 
would  have  it  set  up. 


ROSSVILLE.  NOVEMBER  1863 

By  Charles  W.  Warner 

(Rossville  Press  1 2-1 -1 92 1) 


Mr.  Warners  list  of  the  buildings  in 
Rossville     in  November  1863  is  given 
with  present  street  addresses  and  occu- 
pants. 
George  Dickson,  Res.  707  S.  Chicago  St. 

(Noble  Taylor's  res.) 
Fred  Groom,  Res.  505  E.  Attica,  (J.  W. 

Ashbrook.) 

Alvan     Gilbert,     Res.  304  S.     Chicago, 

(Mrs.  Marcia  Brackin.) 

Hotel,   109   N.   Chicago,    (Dr.   Mason's 

dwelling) 
Store.   102   N.   Chicago,    (Grab-It-Here 

Store) 
W.  J.  Henderson,  Res.  403  N.  Chicago, 

(Mae  Hathaway  Res.) 
James  R.  Stewart,  Res.  509  N.  Chicago, 
(Minnie  Thomas  Res.  East  half.) 
James     Byrne.     Res.  110  N.     Chicago, 

(Texaco  Gas  Station) 
Joseph     Satterthwaite.     Res.     &     Post 

Office,    402    N.    Chicago    st.    (North 

part  of  H.  S.  Grounds) 
Wm.     Laidlow,     Res.   108  W.     Attica, 

(Township  Building) 


George  Bourne,  Res.  112  W.  Attica, 
(Barthel  Baker  Res.) 

Store,  102  S.  Chicago  St.  (Cy's  Barber 
Shop.)  The  1st  store  built  in  town. 

Dr.  Richard  Brickwell,  Res,  111  W. 
Attica,    (Emery  Beckley  Res.) 

School  House,  117  W.  Attica,  (Still  a 
part  of  Ross  Songer's  house.) 

W.  J.  Henderson  Store  — frame  — 106- 
108  S.  Chicago  (Grays  Clothing) 

Christopher  Weingand,  Res  &  Shoe, 
112  S.  Chicago.  (Self  Help  Groc.) 

An  apple  orchard  surrounded  by  a  rail 
fence,  with  tall  flag  pole  in  corner, 
occupied  the  lot  where  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  stands  and  on  eastward. 

All  east  of  Chicago  St.  and  south  of 
Attica  St.  was  meadow  and  farm  land. 

By  1871  there  were  about  twenty  to 
twenty-five  houses  here  and  among 
the  businessmen  were  James  Cornell, 
J.R.  Smith.  W.  J.  Henderson.  D.  C. 
Deamude  and  Van  Haas.  This  report 
states  that  Alvan  Gilbert's  home  was 
the  first  brick  building  in  the  county 
outside  of  Danville. 


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a'mM,mtmafm'Mff'""'-u,Mm,,Hh,,m,m*fi!>f. 


oMi- ■Jriiiiii wumf" 


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ROSSVILLE  TELEPHONE  CO. 


The  Rossville  Telephone  Co.,  received 
its  franchise  from  the  Village  about  1896 
or  1897,  and  began  construction  of  its 
plant  and  lines.  These  grew  and  in  a  few 
years  connected  Rossville  with  Alvin. 
Bismarck,  Henning,  Jamesburg  and 
Pence,  Indiana.  After  a  few  years  Pence 
was  detached  and  became  a  part  of  the 
system  then  expanding  in  Warren 
County. 

The  first  central  office  was  in  the 
rooms  above  the  First  National  Bank, 
but  about  1904  or  1905  the  Company 
purchased  a  dwelling  at  110  N.  Chicago 
St.,  where  they  had  rooms  for  the 
switchboard,  sleeping  room  for  night 
operators,  a  business  office  and  a  work 
shop  with  adequate  outside  space.  This 
was  headquarters  until  April  1927,  when 
thev  bought  and  occupied  the  building 
at  104  E.  Attica  St. 

The  first  Directory  of  September  1958 


listed  38  subscribers. 

Charles  Brown,  (Alvin),  Cunning- 
ham, W.  T.,  Citizens  Bank,  C.&.  E.  I.  R. 
R.,  Citv  Engine  House,  Cadle,  Philip, 
Demaree,  Dr.  T.  E.,  Dwyer.  O.  E., 
Evans  House,  Habel  Bros,  Hoover.  A, 
Res.,  Hoover,  A.  Store,  Hale,  O.  E..  In- 
dependent Office,  James,  W.  H.,  Judy  & 
Landon.  Kellev,  J.  (Alvin).  Lee,  Mrs. 
Kate,  Mason,  Dr.  F.  M..  Maury,  G.  E., 
McGuire,  R.  G.,  Putnam,  Ed,  Prilla- 
man,  W.  ]M.,  Press  Office,  Palmer,  Dr. 
J.  A..  Reed,  J.  W.,  Stewart.  F.  L..  Swift, 
J.  E.,  Stifler.  J.  K.,  Stufflebeam,  O.  P., 
Smith,  George  S.,  Shumate,  Chas., 
AVilliamson  Hotel,  Wilson  &  Umbarger, 
AVarner,  P.  M..  Wilson,  Dr.  S.  R., 
Williams,  D.,  Yeoman,  L.  K. 

Present  subscribers,  1275. 

The  Rossville  Telephone  Co.  was  in- 
corporated January  7,  191.3,  by  Perry 
M.  Warner,  Charles  Warner,  and  Fred 


Draper,  with  400  shares  of  stock.  From 
time  to  time  there  were  changes  in  offi- 
cers and  transfers  of  stock,  nntil  Janu- 
ary 1934  when  the  Central  West  Utili- 
ties Corporation  became  the  princii)al 
owner.  Mr.  Warner  continned  as  man- 
ager being  succeeded  by  Mrs.  INIary 
Strickler  Jan.  1,  1943,  to  July  1.  195'2. 
Edward  Summerill  served  for  a  year 
when  Henry  Thompson  of  Petersburg. 
Indiana  became  general  manager  with 
Edward  Hirsch  in  charge  locally,  suc- 
ceeded by  C.  Lowell  Woodruff  May  1. 
1959. 

The  Company  has  endeavored  to 
meet  the  needs  of  the  territory  and  to 
keep  abreast  of  the  times.  It  is  now  fully 
modern  having  installed  dial  service  in 
Alvin,  July  1.  1950,  Henning,  April  3. 
1953.  Rossville  January  15.  1956.  and 
Bismarck  June  15,  1956.  The  office 
building  is  fully  modernized,  and  as  a 
result  of  recent  ice  and  sleet  storms 
almost  all  lines  have  been  completely 
rebuilt. 

March  16,  194^2,  noon  —  a  severe 
cyclone  destroyed  almost  two-thirds  of 
all  buildings  in  Alvin.  leaving  destruc- 
tion, six  dead  and  many  injured.  With 
the  back  part  of    the    telephone    office 


building  blown  off,  windows  out,  and 
only  one  out  line  working,  the  coura- 
geous operator,  Mrs.  Jennie  Crouse, 
worked  steadily  for  more  than  fourteen 
hours,  calling  aid,  sending  and  receiving 
messages,;  directing  the  injured  and  the 
workers;  and  turning  one  room  of  the 
office  into  a  first  aid  station.  For  her 
alertness  and  heroic  unselfish  service 
she  was  awarded  the  Theodore  N.  Vail 
silver  medal  and  $500.00. 


List  of  employees  of  the  Rossville 
Telephone  Company  should  include:  — 
Operators:  — Naomi  Davis,  Lillian  Stif- 
ler.  Estella  Bogart,  Georgia  Kinney, 
Earl  Miller,  Anna  Williamson,  Mary 
Long,  Cleo  Williamson.  Josephine  Sant- 
myre.  Elizabeth  Hazel,  Anna  May 
Nichols.  Pearl  Cline,  Lola  Seals,  Eva 
Bogart.  Myrtle  Watson.  Bernice  Sey- 
mour, Rebecca  Bray,  Pearl  Hann,  Mrs. 
Hogue,  Juanita  Seals,  Etta  Mack,  Mary 
Gladden; 

Bookkeepers  and  linemen;  Flora  Pre- 
voe.  Bessie  Cornell,  Bernice  Young, 
Rachael  Reece.  Marv  Strickler,  Frank 
Reinbold.  G.  Will  Miller,  Herbert  Wil- 
liamson, H.  M.  Seals,  L.  Mclntyre,  Me. 
Hogue,  John  Falconer.  Jack  Smock. 


*<>'*^Sf<» 


VIEW  IN   ROSSVILLE  CEMETERY 


Queen  Candidates  and  Sponsors 


^cs^W    "«    -~„ 


Doris   Beckner 


Bonnie     Bowles 


Bonnie     Butzow 


r 


V 

r,     ^Jn" 


Patricia    Courson 


Norah     Gernand 


Ann    Harris 


DORIS  BECKNER Rossville    Home    Bureau 

BONNIE  BOWLES Rossville  High  School 

(Student  Council) 

BONNIE  BUTZOW Rossville     Saddle   Club 

PATRICIA  COURSON   American   Legion    Auxiliary 

(Post  733) 

NORAH  GERNAND  First    Presbyterian    Church 

ANN  HARRIS  American  Legion 

(Spears-Dukes  Post  733) 


.'  ,«»^  *** 


Mary  Lou   Hathaway 


^r"^ 


Joet+a     Hughes 


Theda   Lou   Piatt 


Sara  Prillaman 


Roberta    Queen 


Marilyn    Weinard 


Diana  Widan^an 


MARY  LOU  HATHAWAY First    Methodist    Church 

JOETTA  HUGHES  Rossville   Boy  Scout   Troop 

THEDA  LOU  PLATT  Rossville   Woman's   Club 

SARA  PRILLAMAN Rossville   Commercial  Club 

ROBERTA  QUEEN  Order  of  Eastern  Star 

(Rossville  Chapter) 

MARILYN  WEINARD  Antioch  Pixies  4-H  Club 

DIANA  WIDAMAN  Rossville  Civic  Woman's  Cxub 


SUNBEAM 

Bread  With  A  Bonus 


Congratulations 

SNIDERS 


•■COTTON   SHOP" 


Vermilion  At  North  —  Danville, 


DANVILLE  CAR  SALES 

102  South  Street 

DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 

Authorized  Rannbler  Dealer 

Hickory  2-0580 


Vermilion   Lumber  Co. 

615  North  Jackson   St., 

Phones  324  and  325 

DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


THE   HOUR   GLASS 


410    N.   Vermilion 


Danville,    Illinois 


The   Finest   In   Charcoal 
Steaks  —  Sea  Foods 


Ph.  8242 


123    N.   Ver. 


Danville 


KELLY 

WILBERT 
BURIAL    VAULT   CO. 

Urbana.  Illinois 
Danville.  Illinois 


^PUR  FUNE^RAt  DIRf  CTQR 

'|S&<:  K  NO WS  BEST ih*S|.  r- . 


George  B.  Satterwhite  Co. 

Kraft  System  Recapping 

V/heel   Balancing 

Radio    &    Batteries 

12-14-16  N.  V/alnut  Street 

Phone  993 

DANVILLE,  ILL. 


U.  S.  ARMY  RADAR  SITE 

The  Rossville  Radar  Site,  situated 
one  mile  north  and  one  mile  east  of  the 
Village,  was  constructed  early  in  1958 
and  was  activated  in  May  with  a  com- 
plement of  fourteen  men.  The  site  com- 
mander is  Master  Sergeant  James  L. 
Wooten,  who  is  assisted  by  Sergeant 
First  Class  Leonard  I..  Christensen. 

The  Army  personnel  assigned  here  are 
well  aware  that  they  are  playing  a  vital 
role  in  the  defense  of  our  nation.  Their 
primary  purpose  is  to  provide  an  early 
warning  for  the  Chicago-Milwaukee  de- 
fense area  in  the  event  that  enemy 
planes  should  attempt  to  get  through  to 
those  heavy  industrial  concentrations. 

The  site  is  in  operation  24  hours  a 
day,  seven  days  a  week.  A  large  antenna 
is  constantly  scanning  the  skies  for  uni- 
dentified planes.  Three  men  are  on  duty 
at  all  times  to  record  and  plot  infor- 
mation received  on  the  radar's  screen. 

Three  structures  make  up  the  instal- 
lation; they  are  a  generator  hut,  the 
radar  antenna,  and  the  radar  control 
and  administration  building.  Sleeping 
and  eating  billets  for  the  unmarried 
personnel  are  provided  in  Hoopeston, 
while  families  have  been  provided  with 
dwelling  places. 

The  Rossville  installation  is  one  of  10 
sites  in  and  around  Chicago  that  work 


in  conjunction  with  the  Nike  Missile 
Site  in  Chicago.  It  is  a  part  of  the 
Radar  Detachment  (Provisional),  45th 
Artillery  Brigade  (Air  Defense),  Ft. 
Sheridan,  111.,  which  commands  the 
Chicago-Gary  anti-aircraft  defenses, 
and  is  commanded  by  Brig.  General 
Peter  Schmick. 


Another  man,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
who  came  in  1862  was  W.  J.  Henderson. 
He  was  very  energetic  in  promoting  and 
building  up  die  town.  He  started  his 
first  store  in  1862,  and  in  1864  built  a 
good  frame  building  at  106-108  S.  Chi- 
cago St.  This  was  replaced  in  1875  by 
the  brick  building  still  there,  and  which 
was  very  advanced  in  style  and  quality 
and  attracted  attention  throughout  the 
County.  (The  second  story  room  was 
the  "Opera  House"  for  many  years.) 
Mr.  Henderson  engaged  in  merchandis- 
ing, farming,  hotel  keeping,  grain  buy- 
ing and  general  trading,  for  about  thirty 
years.  He  was  the  father  of  five  daugh- 
ters, Jennie,  Mary  E.  (Mrs.  Charles 
Ellis),  Fanny  (Mrs.  Dan  Maury), 
Elizabeth  E.  (Mrs.  Dan  Watson) ,  all 
deceased  and  Anna  (Mrs.  Frank  Davis.) 
Davis) . 


U.  S.  ARMY  RADAR  STATION 


1824  EAST  MAIN  STREET 

DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 

PHONE  2595 

LUXOR  MOTEL 

LUXOR  EGYPTIAN  DINING  ROOM 

1827  East  Main  Street  Danville.  Illinois  Phone  951  I 


Congratulations  to  the  Citizens 
of  Rossville.  Illinois 

on  their   100  years  of  success 

THE  BORDEN  CO.  Milk  Div. 

1024  E.  Fairchild  Danville.  III.  Ph.  3294 

TIRES 

For  Farm-Factory-Truck-Car 

SEE 

NOBLE  MOTOR  COMPANY 

GOODYEAR  on  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

Danville,  Illinois 

"More  People  Ride  on  Goodyear  Tires 

Than  on  Any  Other  Kind" 


COMPLIMENTS 
OF 


PALMER  DISTRIBUTING  CO. 

422  S.  BOWMAN  AVE. 

DANVILLE.  ILL. 

CARLING  BLACK  LABEL  BEER 


ROSSVILLE  METHODIST  CHURCH 


As  settlements  spread  northward  in 
the  county,  the  first  permanent  homes 
in  Ross  Township  were  at  what  is  now 
Mann's  Chapel.  The  little  settlement 
welcomed  the  occasional  visits  of  itiner- 
ant preachers,  and  about  1837  the  first 
Methodist  class  was  formed,  and  be- 
came known  as  Bennett  Class,  being 
named  for  the  leader  and  teacher 
Thomas  Bennett,  Sr.  The  population 
grew  slowly,  and  the  class  continued  to 
grow  until  it  organized  as  a  church  and 
the  Brick  Church  Building  (stiil  stand- 
ing and  being  restored  as  a  historical 
shrine)  was  erected  and  dedicated  in 
1857. 

By  this  time  "Liggett's  Grove", 
"Henpeck"  or  "Rossville"  as  it  was  later 
named,  had  begun  to  thrive  as  a  com- 
munity about  three  miles  north  and 
church  services  were  held  there  from 
time  to  time.  Interest  was  good  and  the 
Rossville  Methodist  Church  was  or- 
ganized during  the  winter  of  1868  in  the 
school  building,  where  Sunday  School 
and  Church  meetings  were  held  until 
the  erection  of  their  first  building  which 
was  dedicated  July  17.  1870.  The  build- 
ing was  of  brick,  34x56  feet,  and  cost 
$5,500.00. 

Among  the  first  members  of  the 
church  were:  Dr.  &  ]\Irs.  M.  T.  I-ivin- 
good;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noah  Messick;  Mr. 


and  Mrs.  S.  Q.  Oavidson;  Mrs.  Hannah 
Brickwell;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Milton  Lee; 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  A.  Dingle;  Mrs.  P. 
Pendergrast;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  D. 
Campbell;  Mrs.  John  E.  Little. 

The  church  grew  and  soon  needed 
more  room  so  an  addition  or  Chapel  was 
built  to  the  east  side  of  the  building. 
This  was  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
W.  T.  Beadles,  1886-1890.  Many  pres- 
ent old-timers  remember  this  building 
well.  After  a  decade  of  growth,  the  con- 
gregation again  felt  the  need  of  more 
adequate  modern  quarters,  and  in  the 
winter  of  1902-03  it  was  decided  to  erect 
a  new"  building,  and  a  committee  of 
eight  was  chosen  to  direct  the  work;  F. 
L.  Stewart,  Chairman;  D.  W.  Fithian, 
Secretary;  D.  Watson.  Treasurer;  Philip 
Cadle;  George  S.  Smith;  William  Bar- 
cus;  O.  P.  Stufflebeam;  and  Charles 
Umbarger.  They  met  first  April  6,  1903, 
proceeded  with  plans,  and  in  the  late 
summer  the  cornerstone  was  laid,  dur- 
ing the  pastorate  of  Rev.  E.  A.  Hamil- 
ton. Rev.  T.  L.  Hancock  came  to  serve 
the  charge  that  fall  and  carried  the 
project  on  to  completion  with  dedi- 
cation February  28,  1904.  The  overall 
cost  of  this  project  was  $16,000.00.  The 
Ladies  Aid  Society  worked  diligently  to 
furnish  the  carpeting,  pulpit  furniture 
and   other   items,   the     members     con- 


Jim  Allen  Chevrolet  Company 


Telephone  400 


212  West  Main  Street 


Hoopeston,  Illinois 


YOUR  CHEVROLET  HEADQUARTERS 


THE  BODY  SHOP 

Roy  Biedenkopf,  Owner 

Wheel  Alignment  -  Auto  Glass 

Radiator  Repairs 

221-223     First    Avenue  Telephone     186 

Hoopeston,    Illinois 


Harris  Bottling  Co. 

"Our  Beverages  Will  Always  Satisfy" 

Hoopeston  Illinois 

Phone  792 


Stokely-Van    Camp,   Inc. 


General     Of-fices: 

Stokelys 
Finest  Foods 


Indianapolis     6,     Indiana 

Van    Camps 
Beans 


Hoopeston,    Illinois 


PIZZA  KING 

■HAVE    PIZZA  -  WILL   TRAVEL" 


109   E.    Main  Street 


Hoopeston 


Illinois 


tributed  liberally  and  on  the  day  of 
dedication  the  entire  amount  was  over- 
subscribed by  $1300.00. 

The  building  was  very  new  in  archi- 
tectural style,  decorated  most  beauti- 
fully, and  fitted  with  furniture  of  equal 
beauty  and  elegance.  It  supplied  ade- 
quate room  for  the  needs  of  that  day, 
and  was  an  accomplishment  which  gave 
satisfaction  and  pride  to  the  congrega- 
tion and  to  the  community  as  a  whole. 

In  1915  Philip  Cadle  presented  the 
fine  Austin  pipe  organ,  which  has  add- 
ed much  to  the  services  through  the 
years.  Though  not  a  large  organ,  it  is 
classed  among  the  very  best  to  be  hr,d. 
In  1947  Mrs.  George  Merritt,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  Co-Workers  Class  and 
other  individuals,  presented  the  am- 
plifying system  by  which  music  is 
broadcast  through  loud  speakers  on  the 
outside  of  the  church.  This  part  of  the 
program  brings  church  services  much 
closer  to  the  aged  and  sick  who  are  shut 
in. 

Growing  membership  and  increasing 
church  activities  gave  the  officials  con- 
cern and  our  lack  of  space  was  a  matter 
of  discusison  for  many  years  but  with- 
out positive  action  until  early  in  1948 
the  will  to  meet  the  need  took  hold,  and 
a  general  meeting  resulted  in  a  decision 
to  proceed  with  plans,  and  a  committee 
was  appointed,  with  Rev.  J.  Henry  Cox 
and  Wayne  Pruitt  as  chairmen;  F.  C. 
Reinbold,  Treasurer;  Charles  Mason; 
Sidney  Adams;  Delmar  James;  Richard 
Schlecht;  Clarence  Morgan;  and  Her- 
man Starr.  Architect  Harvey  Skadden 
was  contacted,  and  he  submitted  a  plan 
which  contained  all  the  features  we  de- 
sired and  matched  perfectly  vrith  the 
original  building.  It  was  approved  and 
put  up  for  bids,  and  contract  let  to 
Dahlquist  &  Sons,  of  Milford,  for  $16,- 
000.00.  Earth  was  turned  August  9th, 
and  work  moved  steadily  to  completion 
in  early  spring,  with  dedication  May 
14,  1949.  The  addition  was  named 
"FELLOWSHIP  HALL",  and  the  ad- 
dress was  by  Dr.  Thomas  Bransford 
Lugg,  son  of  a  former  pastor,  and  now 
Executive  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of 
the  Board  of  Missions  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  on  the  subject,  "FOR  CHRIST 
AND  HIS  CHURCH". 

With  the  extra  interior  equipment, 
lighting,  new  heating  system,  etc.,  the 
total  of  this  project  reached  $30,000.00 
which  was  readily  met  by  the  generous 
giving  of  our  members  and  friends,  by 


the  Women's  Society  of  Christian  Ser- 
vice, and  special  gifts. 

The  Church  is  fully  organized  and  ac- 
tive in  every  department,  education, 
evangelism,  missions,  and  supporting 
the  work  of  Benevolences,  World  Ser- 
vice, Colleges,  Seminaries,  Hospitals, 
Orphan  Homes,  etc,  etc,.  Membership 
is  404,  and  Sunday  School  enrollment, 
260. 

Though  this  was  organized  as  a 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH,  with  the  unification  of  sev- 
eral Methodist  bodies  in  1939  it  became 
a  part  of  that  large  worldwide  organi- 
zation now  known  as  THE  METHOD- 
IST CHURCH. 

Probably  the  first  Methodist  minis- 
ters to  visit  this  community  were  Rev. 
Hiram  Buck  and  Rev.  W.  H.  W^ebster. 
Both  came  as  circuit  riders,  but  after- 
ward became  Presiding  elders.  Pastors 
serving  Rossville  have  been:  — 

1868-70  J.  A.  Kumler,  1871  D.  D. 
Alkire,  1871-72  B.  F.  Hyde,  1873-75 
James  Miller,  1876-78  James  Shaw, 
1879-81  Robert  Stephens,  1882-84  Job 
Ingram,  1885  M.  M.  Davidson, 
1886-90  W.  T.  Beadles,  1891-93  J.  Win- 
terbottom.  1894-97  M.  Auer,  1898-00 
W.  S.  Phillips,  1900  J.  M.  Morton,  1901- 
02  E.  A.  Hamilton,  1903-05  T.  L.  Han- 
cock, 1906-13  E.  H.  Lugg,  1914,  M.  M. 
Want,  1915-19  J.  F.  Wohlfarth,  1920- 
22  J.  A.  Biddle,  1923-24  J.  S.  Tharpe, 
1925  O  H.  Meyers,  1926  J.  A.  Betcher, 
1927-29  J.  E.  Reynolds,  1930-34  P.  P. 
Carson.  1935-39  A.  H.  Flagge,  1940-45 
E.  A.  Houldridge,  1946-49  J.  Henry  Cox, 
1950  James  H.  Puzey,  1951-52  Elmer  M. 
Ditch,  1953-56  F.  C.  Stelzreide,  1957- 
Arthur  J.  Scott. 

Dr.  W.  W.  Wohlfarth,  present  Dis- 
trict Superintendent,  is  a  grandson  of 
our  former  pastor. 

This  Church  was  the  recipient  of 
a  most  generous  gift  in  1956  when  Mrs. 
Marcia  Brackin  gave  it  a  bea  utiful 
modern  dwelling  at  216  E.  Maple  St., 
for  a  parsonage,  and  later,  funds  to  en- 
large and  make  it  adequate  to  the  needs 
of  the  average  parsonage  family. 


Among  our  rural  neighbors  there  are 
many  farms  which  have  been  in  one 
family  for  more  than  a  hundred  years. 
Since  our  list  is  far  from  complete,  we 
will  not  include  it,  but  we  congratulate 
all  who  have  attained  this  distinction 
and  wish  them  continued  success  and 
progress. 


Best  Wishes  For  A  Successful  Centennial 

DARR  SCOTT  INC. 

317  N.  Vermilion  St. 
DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 

YOUR 

MERCURY  —  EDSEL  —  LINCOLN  DEALER 

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HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  ROSSVILLE 


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Phone  350 

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Lewis  R.  Hott 

C.  E.  Hott 

Harry  L  Hott 


THE  ROSSVILLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


In  its  beginnings  the  Rossville  Pres- 
byterian Church  was  interwoven  with 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Dan- 
ville. Solomon  Gilbert  and  his  brother 
iivere  Danville  pioneers.  He  became  a 
charter  member  of  that  church  in  1829. 
He  was  largely  responsible  for  bringing 
""Father"  Enoch  Kingsbury  there  in 
1831.  His  nephew  Alvan  moved  to 
North  Fork  in  the  early  1830s,  and 
helped  organize  the 
byterian  Church  in 
helped  move  the 
The  I.O.O.F.  Hall 


Fork  Pres- 
and     later 
church  to  Rossville. 
became   its  meeting 


North 
1850, 


place,  along  with  other  religious  and 
community  groups.  A  union  Sunday 
School  was  held  there  for  several  years, 
before  there  were  any  church  buildings 
in  Rossville. 

"Father"  Kingsbury,  first  pastor  of 
the  Danville  church  (1831-52,  and 
stated  supply  1861-68) ,  Avas  the  organ- 
izer and  first  pastor  of  the  Rossville 
church,  serving  from  1850  until  his 
death  in  1868.  He  paved  the  way  for  the 
first  building  of  the  Rossville  church, 
but  did  not  live  to  see  his  dream  con- 
summated. On  June  23,  1867  he  presid- 


ed at  a  sacramental  service  dedicating 
a  communion  set  donated  by  the  Olivet 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Chicago.  This 
gift  was  thankfully  received,  as  evi- 
dence "that  we  should  go  for- 
ward and  build  a  house,  where  these 
may  be  safely  deposited,  and  God  be 
honorably  worshipped,  not  only  by  us, 
but  by  oncoming  generations." 

The  first  sanctuary  was  "a  neat  frame 
building",  32  by  54  feet,  and  costing 
$3000,  with  $1060  for  furnishings,  and 
$600  for  the  manse,  built  next  door.  The 
dedication  service  was  held  in  October 
of  1870.  The  building  committee  was: 
Alvan  Gilbert,  Thomas  Armstrong, 
Abram  Gernand,  E.  S.  Townsend.  The 
pastor,  Rev.  W.  N.  Steele,  organized  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Hoopeston  in 
1872,  and  became  its  pastor. 

Until  about  1900  there  was  no  Park 
Place,  or  West  Maple  Street.  With  its 
opening  the  present  manse  was  built, 
and  soon  after,  the  present  church 
building.  Its  corner-stone  was  laid  July 
3,  1902,  and  the  building  dedicated  April 
26,  1903.  One  account  reads:  "The 
Church     cost     $11,500,     including     all 


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Danville, 
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furnishings,  and  is  a  marvel  of  beauty 
and  wise  planning  for  that  amount  of 
money."  Rev.  Adam  Schafer  was  pastor. 
The  building  committee  was:  A.  H. 
Gernand,  J.  R.  Barnes,  J.  W.  Fagner, 
Ed  Putnam,  George  Maury. 

The  Church  was  organized  on  Octo- 
ber 12.  1850,  in  the  North  Fork  School, 
with  six  charter  members:  Jesse  Harris, 
Mrs.  Millie  Bicknell,  Mrs.  Eliza  Kings- 
bury, David  and  Elizabeth  Strean,  Mrs. 
Nancy  Gilbert.  Mrs.  Bicknell  was  the 
only  charter  member  having  descend- 
ants now  in  the  church.  Sue,  with  her 
husband  George,  operated  Bicknell  Inn 
until  their  death  in  1857.  Mrs.  Mary 
Thomas  Fetters  is  her  granddaughter. 
Her  great-granddaughter.  Miss  Mabel 
Fetters,  is  Sunday  School  Superintend- 
ent. John  A.  Maury  is  church  treasurer 
and  custodian.  The  elders  are:  George 
Gernand.  Fred  Dodrill,  John  Junkens, 
Dr.  A.  K.  Bush,  Mrs.  Burns  Lund,  Mrs. 
J.  W.  Ashbrook.  The  trustees  are: 
Harold  Gernand.  Gerald  Carlson, 
Harold  Smock.  Rev.  Roger  C.  Brown 
is  the  pastor. 


A  roster  has  been  prepared  of  the  651 
members  who  have  been  received  into 
the  church  in  the  past  109  years.  Re- 
pairs and  improvements  to  the  building 
are  under  way.  Donors  to  the  Memorial 
F'und.  which  is  for  this  purpose,  may 
have  the  names  of  loved  ones  who  have 
passed  away  inscribed  on  a  Book  of  Re- 
membrance. The  names  and  dates  of 
the  pastors  who  have  served  this  church 
are  as  follows: 

Enoch  Kingsbury  1850-68,  W.  N. 
Steele  1868-74,  John  H.  Dillingham 
1874-80.  W.  C.  Magner  1880-85,  William 
McGaughey  1886-89,  J.  A.  Smvth 
1889-90.  J.  W.  Mann  1890-85,  Robert 
Carson  1897-98,  R.  S.  Weinland  1899-01, 
Adam  Schafer  1901-07.  Albert  Day 
1907-11,  W.  J.  Caldwell  1911-15,  Spen- 
cer Baker  1915-18.  Frank  A.  Campbell 
1919-20.  George  M.  Jordan  1921-23.  C. 
H.  Heller  1924-28.  Bert  Baker  1929-30, 
Norris  C.  Dickey  1935-38,  C.  H.  Bryan 
1940-42,  Claude  Shaver  1942-44,  Walter 
Baker  1947-49.  Lawrence  Marshburn 
1950-51,  Sheridan  Robbins  1951-53, 
Roger  C.  Brown  1953-. 


MANN'S  CHAPEL   NEAR   ROSSVILLE 


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E.U.B.  CHURCH 


The  Rossville  United  Brethren 
Church  was  organized  in  1874  by  Rev. 
J.  W.  Nye.  For  some  time  services  were 
held  in  the  homes  of  the  members,  until 
December  1875  a  frame  church  building 
on  North  Church  St.  was  purchased 
from  the  "Christian  Church  of  Ross- 
ville". (Christian  Church  of  Rossville 
purchased  two  lots  July  13,  1873,  and 
sold  them  after  having  constructed  a 
church  building  Dec.  11,  1875  to  the 
Rossville  United  Brethren  Church.) 
This  building  served  the  congregation 
through  many  busy  years  until  it  was 
replaced  in  1913  by  a  modern  brick 
veneered  structure,  which  was  dedicat- 
ed in  February  1914  by  Bishop  Font  of 
Indianapolis.  The  trustees  were  J.  M. 
Albright;  Charles  Dawson;  R.  T.  Phil- 
lips; Dudley  Huffman;  and  Mrs.  James 
Poyner;  and  these  with  Odom  Coake 
and  Thomas  Hushaw  constituted  the 
Building  Committee.  The  pastor  was  D. 
O.   Griffin. 

Pastors  who  served  Rossville  Circuit 
before  1913  were  the  Reverends  Jones, 
Sherrill,  Coffman,  Ballon,  Brown,  Al- 
berts,   Johns;    E.    E.    Johnson,    Phelps 


Warren,  Fowler,  Miller,  Byrd,  Black- 
well,  and  Tuggle. 

In   the   early  years  Rossville   Circuit 

included  "Bethel"  Church  north  of  Al- 
vin.  and  Centennial  (school)  west  of 
Alvin.  Both  were  flourishing  congrega- 
tions for  many  years,  but  the  advance 
of  modern  times  and  transportation 
caused  them  to  be  discontinued  many 
years  ago.  In  recent  years  Rossville  has 
been  included  in  a  Circuit  with  the 
Potomac  Church. 

Pastors  who  have  served  the  charge 
since  the  erection  of  the  new  building 
are  Reverends  Griffin,  E.  E.  Johnson, 
Pellum,  Watts,  Barr,  Kok,  Belden, 
Fowler,  Taylor,  Ade,  Mumaw,  Benner, 
Turner,  Lathrop,  Paine,  Harry  Johnson, 
Wortman,  Ping,  Ruhburg,  Menton, 
Wilkinson. 

In  1949  the  EVANGELICAL 
CHURCH  and  the  UNITED  BRETH- 
REN CHURCH  united  and  became  one 
body  known  as  the  Evangelical  United 
Brethren  Church.  The  Rossville  Con- 
gregation, though  not  large,  is  active 
and  faithful,  and  cooperate  in  all  united 
Christian  effort  in  the  community. 


Compliments  of 

FRANK  P.   MEYER 

Exclusive  Shoes 

19    North    Vermilion    Street 

Danville.   III. 


Phone  Hickory  6-8517 

Loyal  Nimrick  Auto  Sales 

USED  CARS 
"Not  the  MOST  —  Only  The  BEST" 
1300    E.    Main    St.  Danville.    III. 


Compliments  of 

MERLE  NORMAN 
COSMETIC  STUDIO 

41    N.   Vermilion   St. 


Danville.  III. 


Phone  Hic-2-7666 


COMPLIMENTS 

OF 

A 

FRIEND 


Compliments  of 

SPRITZ  JEWELERS 

51   North  Vermilion  St. 
Danville.  Illinois 


THE  CARD  COTTAGE 

Greeting  Cards  -  Candles 

Stationery  -  Party  Accessories 

Monogramming 

V^edding    Invitations 

and  Accessories 

53    North    Vermilion    Street 

Danville.    Illinois 


Compliments  of 

ROBERTS  BERG 
VAULT  CO. 

Danville.    Illinois 


LINCOLN  LANES 


FOR   BOWLING 


20   LANES    AUTOMATIC 


■4 


ROSSVILLE  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST 


The  present  site  of  the  Rossville 
Church  of  Christ  once  was  a  blackberry 

patch  owned  by  U.  P.  Stiifflebeam,  and 
west  of  Perry  Buckners  (201  Park 
Place)  was  a  grove.  Here  a  meeting 
was  held  in  a  tent  by  Evangelist  S.  H. 
Creighton,  and  a  Mr.  Swartz  of  Dan- 
ville was  the  singer.  On  August  7.  1894 
a  meeting  was  called  by  Evangelist 
Creighton  to  form  an  organization  of 
the  Church  of  Christ  in  Rossville. 

The  elders  appointed  were  R.  M. 
Bentley,  J.  T.  Combs,  Johnathan 
Prather  and  deacons  were  Hiram  Arm- 
antrout,  T.  A.  Bratton,  W.  F.  Cunning- 
ham and  Silas  Bennett.  Church  services 
were  held  in  the  old  "hay  market" 
(opera  house)  at  106  S.  Chicago  St, 
and  later  in  the  hall  above  110  S.  Chi- 
cago St.  On  September  19,  1894  work 
was  begun  on  the  building  and  it  was 
completed  and  dedicated  May  12,  1895. 

Charter  members  living  here  now 
(1950)  are  Mrs.  Will  Christy,  Mrs.  Al 
Christy,  Orth  Prather  and  Mrs.  Axie 
Smith.  Mrs.  Smith,  then  Axie  Bentley 
was  the  first  to  make  confession  and 
was  baptized  July  9,  1894  in  the  creek 


north  of  Rossville. 

Ministers  through  the  years  have 
been:  A.  W.  Conner,  A.  W.  Jackman, 
E.  E.  St.  John,  A.  H.  Hale,  J.  P  Givens, 
twice,  William  Grant  Smith,  R.  W. 
Nelson,  Frank  Shane,  Mr.  Davis,  C.  M. 
Wright.  Charles  Adams,  Harold  Eakin, 
H.  E.  Oldaker,  R.  Bristol,  Lafe  Hoff, 
D.  D.  Dick,  Roy  King,  Winfield  Rich- 
ards, Paul  Magnuson,  Paul  W.  Boyer, 
Ottis  E.  Piatt,  twice.  Dale  Baker,  R.  G. 
Mundhenk. 

Several  years  after  the  dedication,  the 
church  was  remodeled,  making  an  en- 
trance to  Sunday  School  rooms  and  put- 
ting a  basement  under  all  the  building, 
making  a  kitchen  and  dining  room, 
which  are  also  used  for  Sunday  School 
rooms.  Mrs.  Alma  Prillaman  had  a  new 
baptistry  installed  in  memory  of  her 
husband,  Glenn  Prillaman.  The  scenery 
was  painted  by  Odella  VanNault  of 
Montpelier,  Ohio.  A  few  years  ago  a 
new  furnace,  stoker  and  blower  were 
purchased.  The  Home  Builders  class, 
Cecil  Green  teacher,  bought  new  hymn 
books,  and  center  light  for  auditorium 
and  tiling  for  the  vestibule.  Mr.     and 


AUTOTRON  INC. 

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3629  North  Vermilion  St. 

Danville,  Illinois 


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Danville,  Illinois 


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Danville,     Illinois 
Over   100  patterns  to  choose  from  tor  cushom  made 
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Danville,    Illinois 

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LADIES   READY   TO   WEAR 
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ED  LANDREY 
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5-7    E.    North   Street 
Danville,  Illinois 


Mrs.  Orth  Prather  gave  the  Steinway 
piano  that  belonged  to  his  parents,  in 
their  memory.  We  now  have  a  Ham- 
mond organ,  new  pews,  communion  and 
pulpit  furniture,  new  carpet,  new  lights, 
and  the  church  has  been  redecorated 
this  past  year,  the  work  being  done  by 
the  men  of  the  church. 

This  church  supports  the  work  of  the 
Vermilion  County  Society  of  Churches 
of  Christ,  which  established  and  helps 
maintain  the  North  Side  Church  of 
Christ  in  Danville.  While  the  church 
often  works  jointly  in  various  enter- 
prises with  other  Churches  of  Christ,  it 
is  yet  a  self-governing  body,  free  in 
Christ  from  all  organizations  as  to  gov- 
ernment. 

Recent  years  have  brought  an  a- 
wakening  in  missionary  giving  from 
this  church.  We  have  preaching  Sunday 
morning  and  evening,  prayer  meeting  on 
Wednesday  evenings,  also  choir  prac- 
tice and  young  people's  meeting  on 
Sunday  evenings.  A  large  group  of 
young  people,  whose  work  is  directed  by 
Mrs.  Cecil  Thomas,  comprise  an  active 
group  in  the  church,  often  providing 
special  music  at  Sunday  evening 
services.  Every  Summer  several  of  our 
young  people  attend  Christian  ser- 
vice camps.  Two  from  this  congre- 
gation have  gone  into  the  ministry, 
Frank  Stipp  and  James  Deck.  James 
Deck  is  now  a  student  at  Lincoln  Bible 


Institute,  Lincoln,  111.  Thirty-two  new 
members  have  been  added  to  the 
church  during  the  past  year.  (The  pre- 
ceding was  compiled  and  written  in  1950 
by  Mrs.  Axie  Bentley  Smith,  who  was 
church  clerk  for  many  years.) 

In  1955  an  addition  was  made  to  the 
front  of  the  building  giving  four  addi- 
tional class  rooms  and  a  needed  over- 
flow to  the  auditorium.  In  1956  the 
auditorium  was  completely  rewired,  re- 
plastered  and  decorated.  Then  in  1957 
two  new  class  rooms  were  created  and 
two  rest  rooms  added.  Rewiring  of  the 
entire  building  along  with  replastering 
of  the  basement  was  completed  in  1958. 
The  entire  outside  walls  have  been 
tuckpointed,  a  new  roof  applied,  a  new 
gas  heating  plant  installed  and  new 
office  equipment  and  public  address 
system  added. 

The  Missionary  and  Benevolent  giv- 
ing of  the  church  runs  around  $5,000.00 
per  year  and  the  annual  budget  a- 
mounts  to  over  $31,000.00.  Attendance 
is  currently  averaging  over  200. 

Ottis  E.  Piatt,  the  present  minister, 
is  in  the  tenth  year  of  his  second  min- 
istry with  the  Rossville  Church. 

James  Deck  is  now  ministering  to  the 
Huron.  S.  Dakota  church,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  faculty  of  Dakota  Bible 
College.  Francis  Keith  Jackson  is  a  stu- 
dent at  Central  Bible  College,  Moberly, 
Mo.  preparing  for  the  ministry. 


LOOKING  NORTH  ON  SOUTH  CHICAGO  STREET 


ORGANIZED 


Vermilion  County  Farm  Bureau 
Vermilion  County  Livestock  Marketing-  Assoc. 
Vermilion  Service  Company 
Vermilion  County  Health  Improvement  Assoc. 
Vermilion  County  Extension  Service 
Producers   Dairy   Co. 
Rankin   Grain   Co. 
Jamacia  Farmers  Elevator 
Production  Credit  Assoc. 

National  Farm  Loan  Association 


V  AAG 


CHURCH  OF  THE  NAZARENE 


CHURCH  OF  THE  NAZARENE 


MISSIONARY  BAPTIST  CHURCH 


The  Rossville  Church  of  the  Naza- 
rene  was  begun  in  May,  1932,  in  a  rent- 
ed store  room  as  a  Mission  under  the 
Board  of  the  Hoopeston  Church  of  the 
Nazarene.  The  members  were  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  James  R.  Campbell,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Chester  Ervin,  Mrs.  Ora  Shumaker, 
Seals,  Eugene  Shumaker,  Miss  Wilma 
Atwood,  and  Mrs.  Ethel  Henderson. 

The  local  church  was  organized  Jan- 
uary 24,  1933,  with  Rev.  Bertha  Hum- 

*  

ble  as  the  pastor.  The  small  congrega- 
tion was  very  faithful  and  practiced 
generous  sacrificial  giving.  Their  num- 
ber increased  and  their  desire  for  a 
church  home  of  their  own  was  fulfilled 
in  1948,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  A. 
L.  Taylor,  when  they  purchased  a  lot 
at  202  Stewart  St.  and  a   rural   school 


placed  at  this  loca- 

into  a  very  attrac- 

Church,  of    which 


building  which  was 
tion  and  improved 
tive  and  adequate 
they  may  be  justly  proud. 

Other  pastors  who  have  served  the 
congregation  are  Elmer  Swisher,  John 
Leih,  Rudy  Ketterman,  Don  Scarlett, 
Fred  Vaught,  C.  W.  Brockmuller,  A.  L. 
Beard,  Everett  Rothman,  Hanson  Coin, 
A.  L.  Taylor,  Walter  Frakes,  Walter 
Miracle,  and    J.  M.  Thomason. 


The  Rossville  Missionary  Baptist 
Church  was  organized  May  21,  1955, 
with  eight  charter  members  who  trans- 
ferred from  the  Baptist  Church  of 
Somerset,  Kentuckv.  Rev.  Claude 
Brooks  was  the  pastor,  and  James  Bur- 
ton, Harrison  Hunley  and  Merrell  Red- 
mon  the  deacons. 

They  have  worked  steadily  and  faith- 
fully, with  good  attendance  at  the  regu- 
lar Sunday  School,  Church,  and  Special 
services.  The  membership  has  grown  to 
36,  and  they  are  now  served  by  Rev. 
Hollis  Atnip,  formerly  of  Lafayette, 
Tenn.  as  pastor,  and  James  Burton  is 
clerk. 


Abraham  Mann  Jr.  came  from  Eng- 
land as  a  child  in  1835,  the  family  pur- 
chasing large  tracts  of  land  in  Ross 
township.  His  mother  died  in  1840.  his 
father  (Abraham  Sr.)  in  1865,  and  his 
brother  John  in  1873.  Mr.  Mann  was  a 
large  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  the 
mansion  which  he  built  in  1874  was  the 
finest  in  the  County.  He  was  public 
spirited  and  very  liberal  to  worthy  ob- 
jects of  charity,  to  schools  and  churches. 


HERB  BOYD 

Precision    Wheel    Balancing  -  Motor    Tune 

Up  -  Road  Service  -  Automatic  Car  Wash 

Tire   Sales  and   Service 

Pick  Up  and  Delivery 

MARATHON  SERVICE 

Open   24    Hours   —   "We    Never    Close" 

821   North  Vermilion    St. 

Danville,  Illinois  Phone  6925 


Enjoy 

Meadow 

Gold 

Products 

DANVILLE,    ILL 


Compliments 
of 


WHOLESALE 
HARDWARE 


309    East    VanBuren    Street 


DANVILLE,  ILLINOIS 


CONGRATULATIONS 


TO 


ROSSVILLE 

On  Its  100th  Anniversary 

INLAND  SUPPLY  COMPANY 


DANVILLE,  ILLINOIS 


Wholesalers  of 


PLUMBING   &    HEATING    SUPPLIES 


^  ■>*t,<W!S»«jA^*v'' " 


ANTIOCH  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST 


The  hardy  settlers  who  had  made 
their  homes  in  the  district  northeast  of 
Rossville  strongly  felt  the  need  of  spirit- 
ual teaching  and  fellowship,  and  one 
man,  John  Ross,  started  a  Sunday 
School  which  was  conducted  in  the 
1860s  in  a  school  house.  A  minister, 
James  A.  Conner,  from  Attica,  held  a 
meeting  and  a  Church  of  Christ  con- 
gregation resulted,  and  services  were 
held  monthly  at  the  school.  A  few  of  the 
families  were:  —  Thomas  Butt,  William 
Moore,  Noah  Brown,  Wilson  Abbott, 
William  Brillhart,  Aaron  Fitzwater, 
Sam  Smith,  and  Watt  Duley. 

They  prospered  and  in  1869  an  acre 
of  ground  was  donated  by  Hugh 
Heaton  and  his  wife,  and  a  frame 
church  house  was  built.  Lumber  was 
hauled  from  Attica,  Ind.  by  Cassius 
Youngblood,  I.  N.  Heaton,  John  Ross 
and  others,  and  the  building  was  com- 
pleted in  1870,  and  fully  paid  for  in 
1871,  the  total  cost  being  $1,638.30. 
It  was  named  the  ANTIOCH  UNION 
CHURCH  and  was  for  all  denomina- 
tions to  use.  Ministers  of  the  Christian, 
Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churches 
from  Attica,  Hoopeston  and  Rossville 
preached  on  Sundays,  but  in  time  only 
the  Church  of  Christ  minister  con- 
tinued  to   serve   them.     The  congrega- 


tion was  faithful  and  grew  and  in  1910 
they  erected  a  commodious  and  well 
equipped  brick  building  at  a  cost  of 
$13,375.00,  which  was  dedicated  "THE 
ANTIOCH  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST" 
May  21,  1911. 

Antioch  has  continued  to  serve  with 
zeal  and  enthusiasm  with  effective  ef- 
forts in  community  leadership.  It  has 
grown  in  strength,  power  and  numbers, 
and  in  1954,  in  order  to  meet  the 
needs  of  the  large  school  and  church 
attendance  they  constructed  a  three- 
story  annex,  containing  class  rooms, 
study  and  office,  halls,  auditorium  over- 
flow and  rest  rooms,  with  furnishings, 
at  a  cost  of  $40,000.00.  This  is  one 
of  the  finest  rural  church  plants  any- 
where. 

During  the  ninety  one  years  only 
twenty-two  Church  of  Christ  minis- 
ters have  served  this  congregation, 
Ralph  M.  Small,  the  only  resident  min- 
ister has  served  here  for  the  last  twen- 
ty years.  Since  founding,  over  one 
thousand  members  have  been  received 
into  the  membership.  At  present  there 
are  about  225  resident  members,  and 
average   attendance    is   260. 

The  church  is  strong  in  its  mission- 
ary work,  and  supports  missions  in- 
dependently  and     directly.       It   gives 


Congratulations 

on  your 

100th  Year . . . 

Meis  Bros. 

and 
MEIS  FURNITURE  CO. 

Danville,  Illinois 

Serving    the    Entire    Family 

for  over  61  years     .     .     . 


Congratulations 

From 

Mayor 

& 

Commissioners 

Of 

Danville 


CONGRATULATIONS 

BREDEHOFT 

AND 
BALL  INC. 

WHOLESALE    FRUITS 
AND   VEGETABLES 

Danville,     Illinois 


BLACK  &  COMPANY 

HARDWARE  •  PAINTS 

Industrial      Supplies     -     Sporting      Goods 

Compliments 

31  North  Hazel  Street 

DANVILLE,    ILLINOIS 

of 

WEBSTER 

SPENCER 

Insurance  Agency 

GROCER  CO. 

Protection    for    Preferred    Risks 
at  Lower  Cost 

DANVILLE,    ILLINOIS 

425  N.  VERMILION  ST. 

DANVILLE,    ILLINOIS 

For    Protection   •    Service   •   Lower    Cost 

support  to  ministerial  training  schools 
— the  Cincinnati  Bible  Seminary  (of 
which  Brother  Ralph  Small  is  a  grad- 
uate) and  the  Lincoln  Bible  Institute; 
welfare  institutions  —  the  Children's, 
Old  Folks  Home  and  Christian  Hos- 
pital in  St.  Louis,  and  many  independ- 
ent mission  stations  both  at  home  and 
abroad.  Mr.  Samuel  J.  Miller  was  the 
missionary  treasurer  for  twenty-five 
years. 

The  annual  Thanksgiving  reunion  or 
homecoming,  an  all  day  service,  was 
held  the  first  time  in  1915.  and  has  be- 
come an  annual  affair  to  which  all  look 
forward    with    pleasure    and    anticipa- 


tion.    It  is  a  day  of  worship,  breaking 
bread,    and    reminiscing. 

Ministers  who  have  served  since  1878: 
James  A.  Conner,  M.  J.  Hobson,  A. 
W.  Conner,  Eugene  Martin,  A.  Chap- 
man, Clarence  McFadden,  A.  G.  Hub- 
bard, Mr.  Castle,  A.  W.  Jackman,  P.  J. 
Lough,  Mr.  Shaw,  T.  L.  Stipp,  Harvey 
McBroom,  Mr.  Caudle,  Lew  D.  Hill,  H. 
E.  Oldaker.  Luke  Warren,  W.  H.  Kerr, 
A.  L.  Crim,  Lewis  Hotelling,  Thomas 
Wilson,  and  Ralph  Small,  1939  to  date. 
(Lack  of  space  forces  brevity.  A  fine 
complete  history  compiled  by  Eunice 
Spears  Fitzwater  was  published  in  1954, 
and  copies  are  still  available.) 


FIRST  ANTIOCH    UNION   CHURCH,    1870 


STREET  SCENE   IN   ROSSVILLE 


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ROSSVILLE  LODGE  #527 
ANCIENT  FREE  AND  ACCEPTED  MASONS 


In  response  to  the  petition  of  several 
brethren  of  the  community,  the  Grand 
Master  of  Illinois  Ancient  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons  issued  a  Dispensation 
authorizing  the  organization  of  a  Lodge 
in  Rossville,  and  the  first  meeting  was 
held  November  23,  1866,  with  Henry 
C.  Ellis,  Worshipful  Master;  John  Ridge- 
way,  Senior  Warden;  N.  Griff ing.  Junior 
Warden  Pro  Tern;  E.  S.  Pope,  Secretary 
Pro  Tem;  R.  Potter,  Senior  Deacon  Pro 
Tem;  J.  V.  Blackburn,  Junior  Deacon 
Pro  Tem;  Jacob  Haas,  Tyler  Pro  Tem. 
(Many  details  are  lacking  as  the  first 
secretary's  record  is  missing.) 

Rossville  Lodge  #527  was  chartered 
October  1,  1867,  the  Charter  being  sign- 
ed by  Jerome  R.  Gorin,  Grand  Master, 
and  H.  G.  Reynolds,  Grand  Secretary 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois.  Charter 
members  were;  John  Ridgeway,  S.  D. 
Lewis,  Henry  C.  Ellis,  E.  S.  Townsend, 
Daniel  P.  Haas,  John  R.  Jerauld,  H.  D. 
Campbell,  A.  M.  Davis,  William  York, 
J.  D.  Bingham,  and  Jacob  Haas.  First 
meeting  was  October  19,  1867. 

The  Lodge  was  duly  organized  with 
Hohn  Ridgeway,  W.M.,  Henry  C.  Ellis, 
S.W.,  and  James  D.  Bingham,  J.W.  as 
the  leaders  in  establishing  the  Lodge 
in  the  young  and  growing  community. 

The  first  meeting  place  was  in  the 
Odd  Fellows  Hall,  which  was  the  second 
story  of  the  frame  mercantile  building 
which  stood  at  102  S.  Chicago  Street. 
This  building  was  built  about  1857,  and 
the  hall  served  as  the  meeting  place  for 
public  meetings.  Lodges,  and  religious 
meetings.  The  secretary's  book  records 
that  "meeting  was  held  in  Freeman's 
Hall".  This  was  the  meeting  place  until 
about  1883,  when  they  rented  a  hall  in 
the  J.  S.  Crane  building  at  124-126  E. 
Attica  St.  (The  building  was  a  store 
and  stood  north  and  south  then.  Later 
turned  and  made  into  apartments.  The 
rent  for  this  hall  was  $15.  per  month, 
whereas  they  had  paid  $40.  per  year  to 
the  Odd  Fellows,  whose  hall  was  used 
by  many  others.)  But  the  Lodge  was 
not  too  satisfied  and  kept  wishing  for 
better  quarters,  and  in  1885  took  action 
to  build  the  second  story  on  a  store 
building  which  (Bro.)  George  Depler 
was  building  at  106  S.  Chicago  St.  The 
work  was  completed    and     Mr.  Depler 


gave  the  Lodge  a  deed  to  the  second 
floor.  Jan.  13,  1886.  In  1891  the  Lodge 
purchased  the  entire  building.  The  low- 
er floor  was  a  public  hall  and  Opera 
House,  and  at  one  time  a  Hay  Market. 

Rossville  Lodge  was  very  active  and 
had  many  devoted  members,  and  en- 
thusiasm led  them  to  dream  of  a  better 
home,  and  just  after  the  turn  of  the 
century,  1904,  they  built  the  Masonic 
Temple  and  Opera  House  at  108  North 
Chicago  Street.  This  was  a  decided  ad- 
dition to  Rossville,  and  the  Hall  and 
Opera  House  were  described  as  the  fin- 
est in  the  County.  This  was  the  Lodge 
home  until  1947,  when  it  moved  to  108 
S.  Chicago  St.,  where  they  have  more 
convenient  and  adequate  quarters. 

Rossville  Lodge  has  always  been  ac- 
tive and  held  an  important  place  in  the 
community.  Many  business  and  pro- 
fessional men  and  leaders  in  religious, 
educational  and  community  enterprises 
have  been  members  of  the  order  and 
took  active  part  in  the  work  of  the 
craft.  Membership  has  been  variable 
with  times  and  conditions,  with  a  to- 
tal of  458  who  have  been  recorded, 
and  167  present  listed. 

Growth  and  success  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge  naturally  led  to  the  institution 
of  Morris  Chapter  #216,  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  and  Rossville  Chapter  #386 
Order  of  Eastern  Star,  and  the  three 
orders  have  united  in  harmonious  ef- 
forts for  more  than  fifty  years. 

Masters  of  Rossville  Lodge 

#527  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 

First  Meeting.  U.D.  Nov.  13,  1866. 

First  Meeting,  Under  Charter, 

Oct.  19,  1867. 

1867  Henry  Ellis,  1868,  John  Ridge- 
way, 1869,  S.  D.  Lewis,  1874,  A.  M. 
Davis,  1875,  S.  D.  Lewis,  1877,  E.  F. 
Birch,  1878,  W.  W.  Phillips,  1880,  Harry 
Shannon,  1883,  John  R.  Livingood,  1893, 
H.  H.  Depler,  1894,  Charles  A.  Shumate, 
1896,  H.  H.  Depler,  1897,  Thomas  A. 
Habel,  1898,  H.  H.  Depler,  1903, 
Charles  Reiff,  1904,  J.  S.  Christman, 
1908,  F.  C.  Shannon,  1909,  J.  S.  Christ- 
man,  1914,  John  Maurv,  1915,  Sam  Q. 
Smith,  1916,  Thomas  C.  Stifler  1917, 
Theodore  Habel,  1918,  C.  Albert  Miller, 
1919,  Edwin  Smith,  1920,  H.  H.  Depler, 


E.  H.  DUBEA 


CAL  SLOAN 


DUBEA  AND  SLOAN 


Pence,  Indiana 


TRUCKS 


IMPLEMENTS 


TRACTORS 


Hardware  -  Appliances 


Sales  -  Service  -  Genuine  Parts 


PHONE  -  STEWART 


YUKON  -  6-2060 


Compliments   of 

HANDELL 

Lumber  —  Electric 

Plumbing  &  Heating 

Bismarck,    Illinois 


Compliments  of 

FARM  SUPPLY  STORE 

BISMARCK  -  ILLINOIS 


FRIGIDAIRE 


KEWANEE 


Feed; 


Seed  %   Fertilizers 


Compliments   of 

BISMARCK  GRAIN  CO. 

Grain  -  Feed  -  Seed  -  Fertilizer 
Oliver  B.  Suttle,  Mgr. 


Donaldson  Ford  Sales 


Service    Is    Our    Motto!  ! 


Buy    With    Assurance 


Plione   RI    -    8-2601 


109    W.    Attica 


Rossville,    III. 


Compliments  of 

HENNING 
GRAIN  COMPANY 

Hennlng,    Illinois 


Compliments   of 

BECK  AND  SON 

Steel  Power  Mowers 

Deico  Batteries 

Repairs  And  Welding 

Hennlng,    Illinois 


1922,  Thomas  E.  Maury,  1923,  J.  Wil- 
liam Christy,  1925,  Leo  C.  Smith,  1927, 
J.   William   Christy,   1928,   Clarence  H. 
Carter  1930,  J.  William  Christy,   1932, 
Elmer  A.  Peterson,  1934,  John  C.  Cul- 
bert,  1935,  F.  C.  Reinbold,  1937,  Henry 
A.    Mayhue,    1938,    Francis    J.    Christ- 
man.  1939,  E.  H.  Cosat,  1940.  Don  L. 
Prillaman,  1943,  Walter    T.     Schriever, 
1944.  John  H.  Junkins,   1945,  Cecil  G. 
Green,  1946,  Fritz  Schriever,  1947.  Ver- 
non  Kelley,   1948,   Don   E.   Ellis,    1949, 
Raymond     Jones,     1950,      Sidney     W. 
Adams,    1951,     Richard     Kelley,*^  1952, 
Vernon  Kelley,   1953,  Robert  L.  Lnsk, 
1954,  P.  Y..  Warf,     1955,     Harold     L. 
Smock,   1956,  H.  Leland  Allison,   1957, 
W.    R.    Waschick,    1958,    Harrison    M. 
Seals,  1959,  Dale  L.  Cronkhite. 


1959  OFFICERS 

W.M.  Dale  I.  Cronkhite;  S.W.  Wil- 
liam King,  Jr.;  J.W.  Stanley  Lithgow; 
Treas.  Foy  C.  Reinbold;  Secy.  Sidney 
W.  Adams;  S.D,  Harold  Gernand;  J.D. 
Howard  J.  Bray;  S.S.  Raymond  Jones; 
J.S.  Claude  R.  Kelley,  Mar.  Arthur  J. 
Slavin;  Chap.  William  E.  Pettice;  Ty- 
ler C.  Albert  Miller. 


MORRIS  CHAPTER  #216 
ROYAL  ARCH  MASONS 

This  Chapter  was  chartered  October 
31,  1902,  and  has  a  record  of  continuous 
activity.  The  charter  members  were: 

Fred  Albright,  Charles  Albright,  Har- 
vey L.  Bracken,  J.  William  Christy,  Jo- 
seph H.  Christman,  Byron  E.  Cronk- 
hite, Thomas  Dengler,  Charles  T.  Flem- 
ing Adam  Hoover,  Benjamin  J.  Habel, 
W.  H.  James,  Henry  Johns,  Charles  W. 
Meneley,  John  Maury,  Frank  M.  Ma- 
son, Joseph  Mackin.  W.  M.  Prillaman, 
James  W.  Prather,  E.  J.  Phelps,  J.  Wil- 
liam Reed,  Mark  Ruth,  Charles  Reiff, 
Frank  Reinbold,  George  S.  Smith, 
Charles  A.  Shumate,  Frank  C.  Shannon, 

Frank  L.  Stewart,  J.  W.  Veatch,  Alva 

W.  Weingand,  Henry  Conley,  Hugh  H. 

Depler. 

1959  OFFICERS 
E.H.P.   Donald   King;   King   Foy   C. 

Reinbold;     Scribe     Abram     Hackman; 

Secy.  Robert  L.  Lusk;  Treas.  Claude  R. 

Kelley;   Chap.   Vernon  Kelley;   Cap.  of 

H.  Wayne  Pruitt;  Prin.  Soj.  Sidney  W. 

Adams;    R.A.    Cap.    Arthur    J.    Slavin; 

M.  3rd  V.  W.  R.  Waschick  M.  2nd  V. 

E.  A.     Peterson;  M.  1st  V.     Raymond 

Jones;  Sent.  C.  Albert  Miller. 


CHRISTMAN  PARK 

A  tract  of  about  17  acres  of  land  was 
deeded  to  Rossville  in  January  1939  for 

park  purposes  by  Francis  J.  Christman. 
It  is  located  one  block  west  of  Chicago 
St.  and  north  of  the  Rossville  Cemetery 
property.  It  was  accepted  and  by  public 
vote   a  park   district  was  organized   to 


manager  and  have  control  of  its 
property  and  use.  Public  subscriptions 
provided  a  fine  shelter  house;  and  fire- 
places, city  water,  playground  equip- 
ment, tables,  bandstand,  etc,  were  in- 
stalled. It  is  well  kept  and  inviting,  and 
during  seasonable  weather  it  is  in  con- 
stant use  and  enjoyed  by  groups  and 
individuals  every  day,  and  most  fully 
appreciated  by  all. 


"For  Everything  in  Music" 
SEE 

KAMP  MUSIC  INC. 

149  N.  Vermilion 
Danville,  Illinois 

Instruments  —  Organs  — 

Pianos  —  Stereo  —  Phonos 

Guitars  —  Accordions  —  Records 


Phone  614 


"CLEVE"  ALEXANDER 

INCORPORATED 
Your  Specialists  In  Sports 


155  N.  Vermilion 


Danville, 


CONGRATULATIONS  —  ROSSVILLE 


DEPARTMENT  STORE  —  STORE  FOR  HOMES 
37  N.  VERMILION  ST.  —  23  W.  NORTH  ST. 


McBride  Construction  Co. 

Gordon    McBride  -  Owner 

308     East    Washington     St. 
Hoopeston,    Illinois 

Builder  -  Dealer  of  Inland  Homes 


Daniels  Furniture  Co. 

ME.  NORTH  STREET 

DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 

Since  1879 

Floors  of  Fine 

Furniture  -  Appliances 

Carpeting 


4 


FRED  FRAME 

JEWELER 

Diamonds  -  Watches 

China  -  Crystal  -  Silver 

We  repair  all  makes  electric 

Shavers  —  Same  Day  Service. 

15  N.  Vermilion 


ROSSVILLE  CHAPTER  #386  O.E.S. 


Charter  was  issued  for  ROSSVILLE 
CHAPTER  #386  Order  of  Eastern 
Star  October  5,  1898,  with  sixteen  char- 
ter members:  Sarah  M.  Yeoman,  Ber- 
tha Shumate,  Martha  E.  Habel,  Mary 
Reinbold,  Cynthia  Fleming,  May  Flem- 
ing, Mary  Kammeyer,  Florence  Depler, 
Lewis  K.  Yeoman,  Charles  A.  Shumate, 
Theodore  E.  Habel,  Joseph  S.  Christ- 
man,  Charles  Reinbold,  Charles  T.  Flem- 
ing, George  Kammeyer,  Ezra  Smock. 

The  Chapter  grew  rapidly,  and  was 
very  active  in  their  assistance  in  the 
furnishing  of  the  new  hall.  Through  the 
years  interest  has  been  maintained,  and 
many  projects  have  been  planned  and 
carried  out  successfully.  The  Chapter 
has  always  co-operated  with  the  local 
ordeTS  and  with  neighboring  Chapters, 
and  are  known  as  gracious  hosts,  and 
welcome  visitors. 

Worthy  Matrons  have  been:  Sarah 
Yeoman,  Flora  Depler,  Nannie  Logan, 
Ida  Layton,  Auta  Layton,  Lavina 
Christman,  Nettie  Satterwhite,  Effie 
Prillaman.  Bertha  Shumate,  Josephine 
Ray,  Jennie  Christman,  Laura  Shannon, 
Katherine  Mason,  Lydia  Thurber,  Jes- 
sie Fithian,  Lenora  Wilson,  Addie  Bor- 
ror,  Martha  Habel,  Pauline  Paulson, 
Julia  Stewart,  Oda  Eyestone,  Murrell 
Case,  Pearl  Ennis,  Ara  Smith,  Bessie 
Alison,  Ethel  Carter,  Cora  Grunwoldt, 
Irene  Bush,  Harriette  Edwards,  Mary 


Ashley,  Pearl  Applegate,  Nettie  Miller, 
Jsephine  Jackson,  Dorothea  Erxleben, 
Nancy  Jones,  Opal  Matthews,  Bertha 
Kelley,  Helen  Jones,  Tessa  Mayhue, 
Alberta  Lusk,  Kathleen  Schriever,  Isa- 
belle  Long,  Patricia  Norton,  Nellie 
Waschick,  Ruth  Grunwoldt,  Pearl  Kel- 
ley, Leola  Queen. 

Worthy  Patrons  have  been:  L.  K. 
Yeoman,  Hugh  H.  Depler,  Charels  Me- 
neley,  Frank  Reinbold,  Charles  B. 
Strickler,  William  Borror,  Albert  Miller, 
Frank  Borror,  Fritz  Schriever,  James 
Stewart,  Fred  Austin,  Walter  Ennis, 
Clarence  Carter,  Henry  Mayhue,  Red- 
ford  Edwards,  Albert  Miller,  Vernon 
Kelley,  Raymond  Jones,  Donald  Ellis, 
Walter  Schriever,  Robert  L.  Lusk,  W. 
R.  Waschick,  Sidney  Adams,  Claude 
Kelley,  J.  Edward  Gillis. 

1959  OFFICERS 

W.M.  Bonnie  Berglund;  W.P.  Delmar 
Berglund;  A.M.  Marguerite  Lund;  A.P. 
A.  Josh  Slavin;  Secy.  S.  W.  Adams, 
Treas.  Ruth  Grunwoldt;  Cond.  Florence 
Leaver;  A.C.  Waneta  Stickrod;  Chap. 
Bertha  Kelley;  Mar.  Leola  Queen;  Org. 
Vera  Mitchell;  Adah  Eula  Beckley; 
Ruth  Winifred  Kelley;  Esther  Maxine 
Miller;  Martha  Marilyn  Kinnett;  Elec- 
ta Edna  Hughes;  Warder  Helen  Jones; 
Sentinel  Arliss  Kinnett;  Color  Bearer 
Walter  Schriever. 


FIRST    METHODIST    CHURCH  —   BUILT     1870 


WEESE 

SPORTING  GOODS 


Phone  3400 


816  N.  Vermilion 


DANVILLE,  ILLINOIS 
"Everything    for   the    Sportsman" 


"Window  Wonderlands" 

Shades,  Venetian   .... 

Rods-Traverse,   Brass,  and  Oval 

Draperies,  Custom  Made  or  Yardage 

The  Window  Shop 

814  N.  Vermilion  St.       Danville,  III. 

H.  J.  Jenkins,  Owner 

Phone  Hickory  2-1674 

Carpeting  —  DuPont  Paints  — 

Gift  Shop 


Moore  and  Divan 


CONSTRUCTION 


Oakwood,   Illinois 


Oakwocd  2697 


Fi;hian  303 


DOSSEY  BROS. 

401  N.  Vermilion  Phone  1679 

MARVIN  NORLYN 

CONOCO  SERVICE 

Danville,  Illinois 

Lubrication  Washing 


CONGRATULATIONS 


CLUB  MANHATTAN 


18  West  Main 


Danville,  Illinois 


Compliments  of 

F.  &  S.  Poultry  Company 

623  S.  Gilbert  Street 

Danville,  Illinois 
Ph.  Hickory-  2-1213  -  2-1214 


DANVILLE  —  CHAMPAIGN 

FREY  TIRE  CO. 


WATSEKA 

HOOPESTON 
KANKAKEE 


Compliments  of 

Stella  Baking  Co. 

Phone  Main  885  Or  886 

II  l-l  15  South   Hazel  Street 

DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


operated  the  mill  and  seeing  the  need 
he  put  in  a  stock  of  merchandise,  and 
this  was  the  first  store  in  the  Town- 
ship. Mr.  Persons  became  the  owner  in 
1858,  and  operated  for  some  time.  At 
his  death  Sangster  and  Swazey  of  Cin- 
cinnati became  the  owners  and  they 
carried  on  the  business  until  they  sold 
to  John  Mains  in  1867. 

The  name  "Mains'  Mill"  will  be  well 
remembered  by  the  older  residents  of 
1959  we  are  sure,  the  next  younger  gen- 
erations will  recall  it  as  the  landmark 
at  Barlow  Park  and  picnic  grounds, 
where  the  pleasures  of  fishing,  swim- 
ming, boating  and  camping  were  en- 
joyed by  many  for  several  decades.  Bar- 
low Park  was  one  of  the  earliest  places 
which  had  cottages  to  rent  to  vaca- 
tioners, with  an  abundance  of  fishing, 
convenient  swimming  pool,  and  a  size- 
able launch  for  those  who  liked  boat- 
rides  in  style  and  also  plenty  of  small 
boats  for  those  who  preferred  their  own 
power.  Modern  ways  and  new  develop- 
ments doomed  the  old  mill  to  abandon- 
ment and  it  was  torn  down  in  April 
1939. 


It  was  natural  that  Ross'  Mill,  being 
the  only  store  in  the  Township,  would 
be  the  meeting  place  of  the  scattered 
residents  for  visitation  and  for  consid- 
eration of  matters  of  public  interest. 
And  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  Township  one  of  our  references 
states  that  there  was  a  strong  desire  on 
the  part  of  many  to  name  it  "NORTH 
FORK"  but  a  majority  swung  the  de- 
cision in  favor  of  "ROSS"  in  honor  of 
Jacob  T.  Ross  who  was  a  very  public 
spirited  citizen.  (One  reference  states  it 
was  first  named  North  Fork  and  later 
changed  to  Ross,  but  the  change  was 
apparently  made  when  the  organiza- 
tion changed  from  the  Precinct  to 
Township  form.) 

The  first  officers  elected  for  Ross 
Township  in  1851,  (49  voters)  were:  — 
Supervisor,  John  Hoobler;  Assessor,  A. 

Gilbert;  Clerk,  R.  Brickwell;  Collector, 
James  Gilbert. 

In  1852  with  47  voters  they  chose: 
Supervisor,  Thomas  McKibben;  Asses- 
sor, A.  Gilbert;  Clerk,  R.  Brickwell; 
Collector,  James  Gilbert. 

By  1862  the  population  had  increased 


CITY  HALL  AND  TOWNSHIP   BUILDING 


Compliments  Of 
Trimble's 

BROWN    DERBY 

102    EAST    MAIN    STREET 
DANVILLE,    ILLINOIS 

Finest  Broiled  Steaks,  Chicken,  Sea  Foods 


WESTERIi  BRIOtC  COMPANY 

DIVISION   OF   ILLINOIS   BRICK   CO. 

FACE  BRICK 

CLAY  PRODUCTS  &  HAYDITE 

DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


Expecting  friends? 


then  buy  Coke 
by  the  carton, 

serve  cold  •  •  •  ice  cold 

COCA-COLA    BOTTLING    CO.,   DANVILLE,   ILL. 


COMPLIMENTS  FROM 

HILL  PACKING  COMPANY 

South  Griffin  &   Perrysville  Rd. 
Box  533  Danville,  Illinois  Phone  1338 

CUSTOM  KILLING  &  PROCESSING 
For  Home  Freezers 

THE       BEST       IN       ALL       MEAT  PRODUCTS 


change  to  individual  motor  drives  for 
machinery,  and  to  the  use  of  modern 
materials  handling  equipment  in  storing 
the  canned  product.  These  were  some  of 
the  technological  changes  going  on. 
There  were  also  some  changes  which 
caused  stress;  the  need  to  develope 
markets  — to  stand  on  one's  own  feet 
sales-wise,  to  develope  working  capital 
and  bank  credit  to  finance  the  new 
equipment  and  expanded  production 
demanded  by  more  recent  times.  How- 
ever, within  the  span  of  these  twelve 
years  there  was  consolation  in  knowing 
that  production  demands  of  the  war- 
years  were  filled,  that  a  clientele  of  good 
customers  was  developing  in  a  field  of 
diminishing  numbers,  and  that  the  Ro;ss- 
ville  plant  had  achieved  a  reputation 
for  efficiency  in  the  production  of  fancy 
canned   corn   and   asparagus. 

In  1947,  upon  the  return  from  the 
Armed  Services  of  L.  Eugene  and 
Richard  E.  Schlecht,  a  Co-partnership 


was  formed  with  these  sons;  in  1958 
ownership  was  transferred  by  Louis 
Schlecht  to  them.  Of  recent  years,  pro- 
duction of  the  Rossville  plant  has  been 
around  three  hundred  thousand  cases  of 
corn  and  twenty-five  thousand  cases  of 
asparagus.  Year-round  employees  num- 
ber twenty-five  to  thirty;  employment 
at  peak  production  is  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty.  Extensive  alterations 
and  improvements  are  now  in  progress 
to  expand  corn  production  and  to  pro- 
vide this  operation  with  the  latest 
equipment  in  the  field. 

Louis,  Eugene,  and  Richard  Schlecht 
want  to  take  this  opporunity  to  express 
our  hope  that  we  will  be  well  along  with 
corn  canning  during  the  Centennial 
Celebration  August  6,  7,  and  8,  and  that 
all  the  old-timers,  new-timers,  and 
guests  will  stop  by  at  the  "Cannery" 
at  that  time  to  make  a  short  "field-trip" 
and  to  visit  with  us. 


THE  ROSSVILLE  PRESS 


During  the  last  80  years  the  ROSS- 
VILLE PRESS  has  been  in  operation, 
sometimes  flourishing  and  at  other 
times  barely  existing,  but  always  pro- 
viding the  news  of  Rossville  to  its  read- 
ers. 

The  Press  was  founded  in  1879  by 
Frank  (Tony)  Pastor,  and  the  first 
issue  was  published  June  18th  of  that 
year.  It  was  published  in  the  rooms 
over  what  is  now  Gibson's,  (110  S.  Chi- 
cago St.) ,  and  was  moved  to  its  present 
location  about  1893. 

Prior  to  1879,  the  ROSSVILLE  OB- 
SERVER was  published  in  Blooming- 
ton,  111.,  by  Moore  &  Riley,  and  sent 
to  Oscar  G.  Crane  for  local  distribu- 
tion, and  about  1874  they  moved  to 
Rossville  and  had  their  shop  in  the  old 
First  National  Bank  building.  No  in- 
formation is  on  record  as  to  whether 
Mr.  Pastor  purchased  the  Observer,  or 
whether  they  "just  closed  their  doors". 
Old  timers  are  of  the  opinion  that  they 

just  quit.  At  any  rate  it  was  about  this 
time  that  the  PRESS  came  into  ex- 
istence. 

In  1894  the  Rossville  Enterprise  ran 
in  opposition  to  the  Press  and  was  pub- 
lished by  the  Dill  Brothers  in  the  base- 
ment of  the  Crane  Building,  107-9  E. 
Attica  St.    This  paper  existed  for  a  pe- 


riod of  6  or  7  years  and  then  went  the 
way  of  the  Observer. 

In  December  1905  the  PRESS  carried 
news  stories  concerning  the  beginning 
of  a  new  paper  in  Rossville  to  be  back- 
ed by  the  "wets"  of  the  town.  However, 
by  the  end  of  the  year  talk  had  sub- 
sided and  the  paper  never  appeared. 

The  PRESS  is  proud  that  it  has  in 
its  possession  a  copy  of  the  Rossville 
Observer,  Volume  1,  No,  20,  published 
Thursday   morning,    February    1,    1877; 

also  a  copy  of  the  PRESS  Volume  1, 
No.  15,  published  Wednesday,  Septem- 
ber 24,  1879.  In  this  issue  we  find  it 
was  an  eight  page  paper,  containing  5 
columns  of  its  present  day  width  (13 
ems)  and  one  column  length  of  17% 
inches.  An  ad  appears  on  page  5,  ad- 
vertising W.  J.  Henderson's  Dry  Goods 
&  Grocery  Store.  It  was  the  largest 
store  of  its  kind  here,  and  was  located 
in  the  building  now  occupied  by  Gray's 
Clothing,  at  106-108  S.  Chicago  St.  Wm. 
R.  Harker  carried  an  advertisement  for 
his  harness  business  located  in  the  site 
now  occupied  by  the  Village  Office. 

The  grist  mill  was  operated  by  Hen- 
derson and  Werner,  and  was  located 
where  the  ROSSVILLE  PACKING 
CO.  stands.  The  mill  was  one  of  the 
finest  in  Illinois,  The  Star  Hotel,  own- 


Compliments   of 

Hoopeston  Food  Locker 

210   East   Penn   St. 

Hoopeston,    Illinois 

Slaughtering  Wholesale  Meats 

Processing  Amana  Freezers 

Curing  Lockers 

Phone  275 


"MAKE  TRACKS 
TO  THE 

SHACK" 

728  W.  Penn 
Hoopeston,  Illinois 


FARIS  JEWELRY  COMPANY 


131  EAST  MAIN  STREET 


DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


HUGHES  BUILDING  SERVICE 

CONSTRUCTION  &  REPAIR 

ROSSVILLE,  ILLINOIS 

QUALITY  WORK  AT  A 

MODERATE  COST 


201  THOMPSON 
PHONE  Rl  8-381  I 
DALE 


315  THOMPSON 
PHONE  Rl  8-3832 
RICHARD 


ROSS  SONGER 

SUPPLIERS  OF 

SINCLAIR  PRODUCTS 

Hoopeston,    Illinois 


The  Rossville  Press 

ROSSVILLE,  ILLINOIS 

Albert  J.  Schroeder 

Marie  (Smock)  Schroeder 

Publishers 


ed  by  A.  Pauley,  was  located  west  of 
the  Township  Building,  and  advertised 
that   traveling   men   would   find   this   a 
pleasant    place   for   an    overnight   stop. 
A  popular  barber  shop  was  operated 
by  two  colored  men,  Morris  and  Hos- 
ten,  in  the  front     part     of  a  building 
which  stood  at  101  S.  Chicago  St.  (Lew- 
is &  Yeoman) .  There  were  two  rooms 
back  of  the  barber  shop,  one  used  as 
a  boxing  room,  the  other  as  a  Game- 
cock Fighting     room.     On  the     second 
floor  was  a  poker  hall  or  gamblers  den. 
Indian  Blood     herbs     and     Stomach 
Bitters  were  prominently  advertised  in 
those  days,  as  was  a  Chicago  Business 
Directory  for  visitors  to  the  windy  city. 
The    closing    Chicago    grain    prices    on 
Sept.   23,   1879     were:      Spring     wheat 
$1.03,    Winter   wheat    $1.07,    Corn     38c 
Oats  27,  Rye  59c,  Barley  78c;  Pork  $8.80. 
An   advertisement  told   of  the  open- 
ing  of   school    in   Rossville,    listing   the 
studies  available  with  High  School  tui- 
tion  $15.00,   Grade   School  $12.00,   and 
Primary  $10.00.  R.  D.  Barton  was  the 
Principal,  W.  W.  Phillips  President  of 
the  School  Board,  and  Milton  Lee,  Sec- 
retary. 

The  August  22,  1905  issue  carried  the 
story  of  the  First  Auto  Accident  in 
Rossville  as  follows:  Dr.  L.  C.  Messner 
from  Potomac     turned     south     at  the 


square  "at  a  high  rate  of  speed"  and 
collided  with  the  mule  team  and  car- 
riage of  Everette  Lynch,  who  with  his 
wife  and  four  children  were  thrown 
out,  the  team  ran  away  and  the  car- 
riage was  demolished.  "Miracle  no  one 
was  killed."  Dr.  Messner  agreed  to  pay 
all  damages. 

Thus  through  the  years  the  Press 
has  noted  the  comings  and  goings,  the 
joys  and  the  sorrows,  the  festivals  and 
the  work-a-day  activities,  the  news  off 
our  Churches  and  Schools,  Clubs  and 
Societies,  the  excitement  of  storms  and 
wrecks,  elections  and  athletic  contests, 
all  with  the  personal  and  homey  friend- 
ly touch  and  the  sympathetic  and  char- 
itable handling  of  the  editor  publishers. 
Veritably  it  has  become  an  "'INSTITU- 
TION".' 

The  roster  of  publishers  is  not  long, 
and  began  in  1879  Frank  J.  Pastor,  1885 
C.  A.  Stuck,  1886  Frank  Pinkerton  & 
W.  H..  Sowden,  1888  Chas.  F.  Over- 
acker,  then  Mr.  Gardiner,  then  Dill 
Brothers,  1890  F.  J.  Pastor,  1895  P.  M. 

Warner,  1897  J.  Gus  Lane,  1900  Joe 
Steen,  1901  Wm.  Bogart,  1901  E.  E. 
White,  1904  Bert  Pinkerton,  1912  Wal- 
ter Scott,  1920  George  F.  Harling,  1925 
F.  S.  Austin,  1931  George  A.  &  Roma 
Reinhardt,  1935  O.  J.  Schroeder  &  Wm. 
H.  Wright,  1936  A.  J.  Schroeder. 


ROSSVILLE    COMMUNITY     HIGH    SCHOOL 


TED'S  TAP 
KING  COLE  TAVERN 

"Where  Old   Friends  Meet" 

113  E.  Main  St. 

Hoopes+on,    Illinois 


Coast  To  Coast  Stores 

EVERYTHING  FOR 
FARM 

HOME 

CAR 
PHONE  218  Main  St. 

185  Hoopeston,  III. 


BEST  DEAL 
BEST  SERVICE 

Burton  Motor  Sales 

DODGE  —  PLYMOUTH 

CHRYSLER 

Hoopeston,    Illinois 


Hoopeston  Hardware  Co. 

I  14  East  Main  St.  -  Phone  277 

GENERAL  HARDWARE 
Dutch  Boy  Paints  -  Varnishes 
ELECTRICAL  APPLIANCES 


The  Lester  Drug  Store 

W.  S.  Carlson 

Wallpaper,  Paints,  Window  Glass 

220  East  Main  St.         Hoopeston  III 


S.  A.  SNIVELY  CO. 

AIR  CONDITIONING 

HOOPESTON,  ILLINOIS 

Sheet  Metal  Work 

Ventilation  -  Roofing 

112  W.  Main  Hoopeston, 

Phone  86 


107  W.  Main  Phone  793 

Hoopeston,  III. 

Haas  Radio  &  T.V. 
Repair  Service 

RADIO  —  HOME  &  AUTO 

TELEVISION 
ANTENNA   INSTALLATIONS 
90  Day  Warranty  On  Parts 
Robert  V.  Haas,  Owner 


Sheridan  Fixture  Co. 

101  E.  MAIN  STREET 

Hoopeston,    Illinois 

KELVINATOR 

HOFFMAN 


FIRST  SCHOOL  BUILDING— 1858 

THE  ROSSVILLE  SCHOOLS 


The  first  school  in  Rossville  was 
opened  in  the  Fall  of  1858,  in  the  Odd 
Fellows  Hall  at  104  S.  Chicago  St.,  and 
with  Horace  Wayne  as  teacher.  A 
small  frame  building  was  erected  and 
was  occupied  before  the  end  of  the 
school  term.  The  building  is  now  a  part 
of  the  Songer  residence  at  117  West 
Attica  St. 

The  school  continued  for  10  years  as 
an  ungraded  school  with  one  teacher 
and  a  five  or  six  months  term.  In  1867, 
by  consolidation  of  districts  a  union 
district  was  formed  and  in  the  spring  of 
1868  a  two  story  brick  building  was 
built  at  the  North  Chicago  St.  grade 
school  site.  Four  teachers  were  employ- 
ed and  the  course  of  study  extended, 
but  the  term  was  for  six  months,  with 
a  spring  term  if  the  patrons  voted  favor- 
ably. Teachers  changed  frequently.  Be- 
tween 1868  and  1876  principals  em- 
ployed were:  W.  H.  Bissell,  Miss  Olive 
Coffeen,  J.  F.  Heritage,  Miss  Harriett 
Wilson,  J.  B.  Hooper,  B.  F.  Cole  and 
H.  M.  Connelly, 


In  1875  a  two  room  addition  was 
made,  teachers  increased  to  six,  and  the 
course  of  study  further  extended.  In 
1878  the  Rossville  High  School  grad- 
uated its  first  class  of  seven  members. 
Dec.  9,  1879  the  building  was  burned, 
and  churches  were  used  as  temporary 
quarters  until  a  new  building  was  com- 
pleted. It  was  a  two  story,  eight  room 
brick,  costing  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

In  1882,  after  a  careful  examination, 
Rossville  High  School  was  by  vote  of 
the  faculty  of  the  U.  of  I.  placed  on 
their  list  of  accredited  High  Schools. 

November  27,  1888,  the  community 
again  suffered  the  loss  of  their  school  by 
fire,  and  again  they  continued  in 
churches  and  halls  of  the  town.  Plans 
were  promptly  made  to  rebuild,  and  on 
Sept.  16,  1889  school  opened  in  the  new 
building.  It  was  a  brick,  two  stories 
and  basement,  with  eight  class  rooms, 
library,  halls  etc,  and  the  basement  con- 
taining the  heating  apparatus  and 
recreation  rooms.  This  building  is  still 
serving    for    the  eight  classes  of  fifth  to 


With  Pride 
In  Our  Past 

ROSSVILLE 

For  Our  Future 
Continued  Progress 


INSURE  WITH  CONFIDENCE 

REINBOLD  INSURANCE 

F.  C.  REINBOLD 
Rossville,  Illinois 


CONGRATULATIONS  FROM 

PRUITT  DRUG  SUNDRIES 

120  S.  Chicago  Street  Rossville,  Illinois 

Phone   Rl   8-3102 

Here  to  serve  you  with  complete 
line  of  drug  sundries  and  fountain  service 


Phone  Rl  8-4881  Russell  Harris  -  Owner 

HARRIS  BUICK  SALES 

Rossville,   Illinois 

Authorized   BUICK  and  OPEL  Dealer 
Sales  &  Service  Your  home  town  dealer 

We  try  to  please  You  are  always  welcome 


HERE'S  TO  A  SUCCESSFUL  CENTENNIAL 


Mason   Williamson 


MACE'S  TAVERN 

125  South  Chicago  St. 
Rossville,  Illinois 


eighth  grade  pupils. 

Enrolhnent  grew  and  quarters  were 
inadequate,  and  in  1898  a  new  High 
School  building  was  erected  on  the  east 
end  of  the  campus.  It  contained  eight 
rooms,  laboratory,  library,  office,  halls, 
basement  etc.  It  served  well  until  Octo- 
ber 11,  1945  when  it  burned.  876  of 
R.H.S.  Alumni  were  graduated  from  the 
building,  and  about  100  others  spent  a 
part  of  their  time  in  it. 

Again  temporary  room  was  provided 
by  extending  the  gymnasium,  using  the 
Town  Hall  and  renting  mercantile 
buildings,  and  this  arrangement  served 
until  completion  of  the  new  modern 
High  School  located  on  the  west  side  of 
the  highway,  which  was  occupied  in 
January  1950. 

During  later  years  the  High  School 
District  was  enlarged  by  inclusion  of 
neighboring  non-high  school  territories, 
also  combining  with  Alvin  High  School 
District. 

Rossville  has  never  lagged  behind  in 
adopting  new  methods  or  improve- 
ments, in  any  line,  and  today  ranks  high 
among  the  best  Schools  of  the  State. 
Faculties  for  both  grade  and  high 
schools  are  well  chosen,  experienced  and 
capable  with  up-to-date  training,  grad- 
uates of  high  ranking  colleges  and  uni- 
versities. 


The  grade  school  enrollment,  increas- 
ed by  the  assimilation  of  adjoining  dis- 
tricts, outgrew  the  capacity  of  the 
building,  and  an  addition  of  eight  class 
rooms  with  assembly,  office,  halls,  heat- 
ing plant  etc,  and  of  a  modern  one  story 
style,  was  erected  north  and  east  of  the 
old  structure.  It  takes  care  of  the  first 
four  grades,  with  the  four  upper  grades 
filling  the  old  building  to  capacity.  This 
new  building  was  occupied  in  1954. 

A  welcome  modern  feature  is  the  cafe- 
teria which  began  operation  in  January 
1950.  It  is  under  competent  manage- 
ment, on  a  non-profit  set-up,  and  serves 
well  balanced  meals  at  very  moderate 
prices.  Presently  they  serve  an  average 
of  275  dinners  daily. 

Records  are  so  incomplete  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  list  all  teachers 
who  have  served  our  schools.  Super- 
intendents who  have  served  since  those 
listed  above,  are  W.  F.  Wilson,  W.  H. 
Chamberlin;  L.  Parton;  S.  B  Messer; 
H.  W.  Flanegin;  J.  S.  Ragsdale:  I.  A. 
Smothers  1897;  Ralston  Gray  1922;  R. 
H.  Poland  1924;  John  N.  Reid  1947; 
John  J.  Rush  1951;  Frank  Singer  1952; 
W.  R.  Pogue  1958. 

Enrollment  of  the  grade  school  is  377, 
high  school,  179,  with  18  grade  school 
teachers  and  13  high  school  teachers. 


ROSSVILLE    GRADE    SCHOOL 


LET'S  GO   BOWLING 
BULAN'S  BOWL 

1436  Warrington  Avenue 
DANVILLE.  ILLINOIS 


Danville 
Livestock   Commission  Co. 

HOGS  BOUGHT  DAILY 

SALE  MON.  &  TUES. 


Phone  4050 


Danville,  Illinois 


LUDDEN  FLOORS 

214  N.  Vernnilion 

"Danville  Floor  And  Wall  Store" 

When  We  Floor  U-U-Stay  Floored 


Wholesale 
Retail 


Phone 
Hickory 
6-8498 

Patsy's  Auto  Sales, 

Danville's  Largest  Used  Car  Dealer 

1035  E.  Main  Street 

Danville,  Illinois 


THE 


PRESCRIPTION 
SHOPS 


SERVICE  TO  THE  SICK 
DANVILLE,    ILL 


SIGNS  OF  ALL  KINDS 


Marsters   Sign   Co. 


O'BRIEN  PAINTS 


808  E.  Main  St. 


Danville, 


GLO  MOTEL 

State  Route  l-U.  S.  136 

1 1/2  Miles  North  Of  Danville,  Illinois 

T.Vs.  TELEPHONE 

AIR  CONDITIONERS 

IN  ROOMS. 


Montgomery  Realty  Co. 

904  N.  Vermilion  St. 

Danville,  Illinois 

Lloyd  H.  St.  John         Ted  Brinkman 

Hugh  Reid  Alice  Richards 

Betty  Burch  Florence  Strawser 


A  FEW  OF  THE  EARLY 
BUSINESS  MEN  OF  ROSSVILLE 


S.  Frazier  1856  Mdse 

Whitcomb  &  Upp  Mdse 

W.  R.  Gessie  Mds6 

Jonas  Sloat  Blacksmith 

Gideon  Davis  1859  Hotel 

W.  J.  Henderson  1862  Mdse 

Short  Brothers  Mdse 

Milton  Lee  Mdse 

W.  D.  Foulke,  Surveyor,  Notary  Public, 

Cattle  Buyer,  etc. 
James  Byrnes  Millei 

E.  H.  Grant  Drugs 

Elias  M.  Gilbert  Livery 

J.  C.  Gundy  Mdse 

J.  R.  Smith  Gen.  Store 

Wm.  York  Grain  and  Stock  buyer 

Joseph   Satterthwaite       Surveyor,   and 

Postmaster 
J.  B.  Werner  Drugs 

D.  C.  Deamude  Hardware,  Tinner, 

agricultural  implements,  grain 
W.  C.  Tuttle  Dry  goods 

A.  T.  Search  Justice  of  Peace 

Ezra  Werner  Miller 

Fred  R.  Makenthum  Brewer 

J.  V.  Anderson  Mdse 

E.  S.  Baldwin  Drugs 
Wm.  R.  Harker  Harness 
J.  F.  Meneley  Blacksmith — wagons 
M.  W.  Phillips  Lumber 
Washington  Watson  Banker 
Charles  Ross  Drugs 
Wm.  E.  Willis  &  Co.  Drugs 
D.  Suycott  Tailor 
Lefever  &  Cunningham  Mdse 
O.  G.  Crane  Mdse 
James  Cornell  Brewer 
J.  Stout  Drugs 
James  Round  Clothing 
About  1890 

Byron  Cronkhite  Wagon  factory 

Ed  Putnam  Elevator 

Ed  Loring  Livery 

Van  Haas  Butcher 

S.  McGuire  Photographer 

Joe  Steen  Drugs 

Daniel  Maury  Drugs 

Born,  Beaver  &  Dwiggins,  Dept.  Store 
W.  T.  Cunningham  Mdse 

Habel  Bros.  Tile  &  bricks 

Rossville  Shoe  Factory 
John  Ross  Bakery 

T.    W.    Whinyates  Furniture    & 

Undertaker 
Thomas  Campbell  Banker 

Westfall  &  Putman  Barbers 

Villars  Greenhouse 

James  Culbert  Greenhouse 


F.  B.  Laytons  Mdse 

B.  F.  Logan  Butcher 
George  Maury  Grocer 
J.  E.  McCarty      Bakery  &  Confections 

C.  A.  Shumate  Blacksmith 
Wilson  &  Umbarger  Mdse 
Adam  Hoover  Hdw. 
Daniel  Watson  Banker 
Samuel  Collison  &  George  Crays    Bank 

D.  C.  Williamson  Hotel 
Jess  &  Dick  Smith  Clothing 
Bert  Smith  Groceries 
Charles  Meneley  Drugs 
Elmer  Gernand  Drugs 
McConnell  &  Wilber  Mdse 

F.  C.  Shannon,  Furniture  &  Undertaker 

C.  F.  Davis  &  Son  Furniture  & 

Undertaker 

James  Blue  Dry  Goods 

J.  W.  Reed  Grocery 

Chas.  Johnson  Barber 

Mr.  Postlewait  Elevator 

George  Ray  Attorney 

W.  B.  Redden  Attorney 

W^m.  Prillaman  Elevator 

G.  L.  Merritt  Elevator 
H.  James  Drugs 
James  Coon  Livery 
Andy  Miller  Livery 
L.  K.  Yeoman  Livery 
J.  E.  Swift  Lumber 
O.  E.  Dwyer  Saloon 
Wm.  Payne  Blacksmith 
M.  Neves  Saloon 
J.   F.   Rutter                 Canning  Factory 

Manager 

George  Brown  Barber 

Wid  Brown  Barber 

Dan  Kelley  Laundry 

Matie  Cook  Millinery 

Miss  Guignon  Millinery 

Ella  Walker  Millinery 

Andrews  Bros.  Grain 

Jacob  Stephenson  Blacksmith 

N.  J.  Smith  Groc. 

T.  J.  Norton  Shoe  maker 

Oscar  Funk  Shoe  maker 

Maury   &   Shumate  Hardware 

Joe  Brooks  Cigar  Store 
John  Maury                  Electric  Lite  Co. 

Dudley  Huffman  Saloon 

George  Stamp  Groc. 

Grant  Williamson  Restaurant 

E.  J.  Davis  Harness 

D.  C.  Putman  Shoes 
J.  P.  Tubbs  Butcher 
Dale  &  House  Clothing 
Bedinger  &  Gass  Clothing 


Charles  Gephart 

Tailor 

C.  A.  Carter 

Cigar  Store 

Hathaway  &  Ewen 

Clothing 

F.  L.  Stewart           Sprin 

g  Lake  Ice  Co. 

Sam  Q.  Smith 

Tailor 

Fred  A.  Smith  Lumber 

Co. 

J.  W.  Veatch 

Jeweler 

J.  E.  Swift 

Hdw. 

George  Young 

Poultry 

Fish  Bros. 

Blacksmiths 

Lyons  &  Marko 

Poultry 

Homer  Perkins 

Blacksmith 

J.  M.  Bivans 

Meats 

IVIarv  German 

Laundry 

H.  L.  Brackin 

Grain 

0.  E.  Dwver 

Groc. 

Mielkc  Bros. 

Tailors 

Guthrie  &  Medlar 

Meats 

Byrne  &  Maury 

Hdw. 

D.  H.  Smith 

Clothing 

Evans  Hotel 

C.  B.  Strickler 

Transfer 

Windsor  Hotel 

Wm.  Bowlby 

Grace  Theatre 

Curtis   Redden 

Attorney 

A.  M.  Prather 

Plumbing 

Smock  &  Habel 

Plumbing 

Mrs.  J.  F.  Rutter 

Milliner 

O.  P.  Borders 

Drugs 

Gene  Smith 

Garage 

C.  E.  Ross 

Mdse 

S.  W.  Paulson               Hdw  &  Plumbing 

Robert  Braden 

Attorney 

Homer  Stephens 

Drugs 

C.  C.  Carter 

Grain  &  Coal 

Gene  Smith 

Bank 

Charles   Hazel 

Butcher 

Davidson   Bros. 

Ford  Dealers 

Miller  Bros. 

Bakery 

C.  F.  Gathard 

Groc. 

Prather  Bros. 

Conf. 

Ross    Krugg 

Barber 

Wiseman  Hotel 

Siewert  &  Smith 

Meats 

Jess   Young 

Attny 

F.  Mc:\Iains 

Bakery 

G.  W.  Williamson 

Rest. 

Alva  Cronkhite 

Garage 

A.  Rund 

Meats 

Homer  Ma  rx mi  Her 

Body  Shop 

.1B59- 

ROSSVniZ,  ILLINOIS. 

"Pioneers  coming  vest  and  north 

"settled  here  in  1829.  Daniel  Liggett 

chose  the  site  for  its  beauty,  location, 

^fine  soil,  timber,  and  abundance  of  wild-life 

'^or  food;  at  the  crossing-Hubbard  Trail  and  route 

''Attica  Iniu  to  Paxton  HU  Others  came,  settlement 

'became  knovs  as  "Liggett 'sOrove" -later  dubbed  "Hen- 

'peck".First  pubUc  building (lOUS.Chgo. St)  1857,  a  store 

('with  Hall  above.  1st  school  in  hall,  1858, 1st  school  bldg 

/occupie^l^n,  it  is  now  pert  of  dwelling,  117  W.Attica   St, 

'"ORIGINAL  TOWN"  platted  4  named  AOO. 6, 1859. Village  voted  to 

incorporate  JuOy  27, '72.  North  Fork  P.O.  estab.at  Mann's  Ch 

aple  1839,moved  here  1853,  and  name  changed  to  "RossviUe" 

1859.  CD.*  V.R.R.(C«EI)  camel871.  Telephone  Co.began  1897. 

Dixie  Highway  about  1920,  1st  brick  bldg,101B  Chgo  St  1872, 

Bank  4  store;  Henderson  bldg  106-8  S  Chgo, 1875?  Jonas  Sloat 

blacksmith '57, Gideon  Davis  built  hotel  109  N  Chgo  St.  1859 

Corns tock  Elevator  1873;Rossville  Mill  1875;lstBrickSch*ol 

NChgo  St.'68,bunjed'79,rebuilt-bumed«88,   present  old 

grade  bldg  Bttilt'89.  H.S.estab; First  class  graduated 

1878;Bicknell  House  2mi  north,1847;  Church  Buildings^ 

Methodist»70;ftresbyterian'70;Ifeited  Brethren  1875j 

^Ch  of  Christ »9'f;Newspapers-0bserver  *73;  Btater- 

prise'76;Press»79.EJ«  Div-1905-27. First  Yi^ 

^0ffs;Trtt8-R.B.PurviancetI.B.Wemer;W.C. 

sJutUe;W.Laidlow;W.F.Lefever;I.Greei; 

^.  Z.Dulagr,  Clk ;  J  .W.McTaggart^ 

PoUcj^gistrat 


Mrs.    Anna    Beckner,     Mrs.    Jessie     Fithian    and     Mrs.    Louise     Hathaway    dress    in    the    spirit    of    the 
Centennial. 


iim 


J^  !.■>.; 


Mrs.    Elva    Gagnon   and    Mrs.   Roy   Goin 


Mrs.    Dorothy    Donovan,     Mrs.    May    Stephenson, 

Mrs.    Leota    Deck,    Mrs.    Ruth    Barcus, 

Mrs.    Anna    Sheffield 


The  Centennial   Spirit  expressed    by  this  group   in   front  of   Mann's  Chapel. 


jy.vt.iijiS'i.uJ 


Mrs.   Waneta    Stickrod 


Mrs.    Nellie    Bivans 


^j^v7^^ 


^^r"i^ 


Rossville  Grain  Co. 


Grain  -  Coal  -  Seeds  -  Fertilizers 


Service  to  the  Rossville 


Community  since  1924 


We  are  proud  to  have  had  the  opportunity  to  share 
in  pai't  of  the  100  years  existence  of  the  town  of 
Rossvile. 


C.  C.  Carter 


C.  E.  Morgan 


Jay  R.  Priilaman 


Joan  of  An 


Set  Potato^ 


Fancy  Canned  Foods 


THE  FLAVOR  FAVORITE  SINCE  1878 


KAWNEER  STORE  FRONT  SPECIALIST 


Phone  Hickory  3270 


Ph.  Hickory  327 


JENNINGS  GLASS  CO. 


130  N.  Walnut  St. 


Danville,    III. 


Mfg.  of  Aluminum  Products, 


Combination  doors  and  windows 


Marquees  and  awnings 


Table  Tops 
Curved  Windshields 
Plate  Glass 


Glass  For  Any  Purpose 

Glass  Wall  Tile 

Mirrors  Made  To  Qrder 

Cathedral  Glass 


ROSS  ELECTRIC  CO. 

ELECTRICAL  CONTRACTING 
Since  1928 


IKE.  Attica  St. 
Rossville,  Illinois 


Phone  Rl  8-3161