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Full text of "Philo area centennial, 1875-1975"

177.366 



PHILO AREA CENTENNIAL 




1875-1975 



ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY 



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Dedication 

We dedicate this book to the pioneers whose yearning for 
something better led them from their safe homes to this unknown 
territory which made possible our good life here today. 

Their motto might have been the same as the famous words of 
William Allen White. 

"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and 

I love today ' '. 

— William Allen White 



The Pioneer 

I do not even know his name 
I only know he bravely came 
And with him all he had he brought 
And with his lowly tools he wrought 
To build a cabin low and plain, 
A shelter from the wind and rain; 
And round his cabin rough and rude 
A bit of virgin land subdued. 

I only know he gave his toil 

To rocks and trees that claimed the soil, 

Til on that precious bit of loam 

He founded what to him was home, 

A home his own he viewed with pride 

Til in the after years he died, 

No trumpet blare to sound his fame; 

No marble shaft to bear his name. 

And where he wrought with toiling hands 
Are fertile fields and yielding lands, 
And modern homes where children play, 
And church and school to light the way, 
And railroads through the country side, 
And bridges o'er the rivers wide, 
And modern highways far and near, 
All monuments to the pioneer. 

written by E. Erb 



c 

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TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILO AREA: 

The idea of having a Centennial was born among the trustees of the 
Village Board. They contacted the Rogers Company to send a representative 
to meet with the Village Board. The Rogers Company then made a proposal 
to a group of citizens which were representatives from each church and 
organization of Philo. The proposal was accepted and a contract signed with 
the Rogers Company. 

The Philo Area Centennial Corporation was then formed. The officers of 
the Corporation selected an Executive Committee to manage the Centennial. 
The Rogers Company supplied a director six weeks prior to our Centennial. 

Due to the combined efforts of the people of the area, the donation stock 
drive exceeded expectations by a considerable amount. 

Many people participated in making the Centennial a success. To those 
people the members of the Executive Committee extend their heartfelt 
"Thanks" for a job well done. 

Events were held prior to the Centennial such as a style show, forming of 
the Brothers of the Brush, Centennial Belles, promenades, and caravans. The 
Centennial Store was opened April 19 to sell donation shares of stock, plates, 
coffee mugs, beer mugs, ash trays, buttons, all type of Centennial clothing. 
Commemorative Coins, and a Historical Booklet. 

We wish to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the members 
of the Executive Committee who helped establish, conduct and stage the 
entire Philo Area Centennial Corporation. 

Richard E. Jones, General Chairman 
William E. Godsell, Co-Chairman 



STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PHILO AREA CENTENNIAL CORPORATION 



In Memory 

Mr. Frank Ordel 

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cain, Sr. 

Frank Cain, Jr. 

William A. Cain 

Joe McFall 



Allerton Supply Co. 

Central Propane 

Champaign County Grain Association 

Champaign Co. Power Equipment Company 

Champaign County Seed Company 

Chesnut Quarter Horses 

Roger Cook Grading and Excavating 

Eastern Illinois Telephone Company 

Fertilizer Dealer Supply Inc. 

Gene Christian's Tree Cutting and Stump Removal 

Bob Giesler (Moorman Feed) 

Glenn's Restaurant 

John T. Godsell Trucking 

H. and H. Equipment Co. 

Don and Anne Hewing Corner Store 

Hoods Pharmacy 

Howard's Tavern 

Illini Trails Apartments — Richard Jones 

Illinois Foundation Seed 

Illini F.S. Inc. 

Irenes Holiday House LTD 

Lafenhagen Angus Farms 

Leo's Pub, Villa Grove 

Lewis Insurance Agency 

Locust Grove Cemetery Association 

Lotus Warehouses 

Lowell Johnson (DeKalb Seed and Moorman Feed) 

M & M Engravers — Thelma Melohn 

Marty's Tool Sales 

McCoy Insurance Agency 

Francis McMahan 

Modern Electric Company of Illinois 

Monicals Pizza — Kenneth Wood 

Owens Funeral Home 

Philo Arcade 

Philo Barber Shop 

Philo Booster Club 

Philo Coin Cleaners 

Philo Eisner Agency Store 

Philo Exchange Bank 

Philo F.S. — Bob and Ann Roberts 

Philo Volunteer Fire Department 

Philo Youth Football 

Pierce Fertilizer 

Roberts Garage 



Savoy Grain Corporation 

St. Thomas Altar Society 

Donald M. Smith Backhoe Service 

Tolono Ag. 4H Club 

Zion Lutheran Church Women 



Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Althaus 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Anders 

Mrs. Emma Andrews 

Jess N. Ash 

Mr. and Mrs. C.K. Asklund 

Ellen Asklund 

Neal Asklund 

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Baldwin 

Bob Bales 

Dave Bales 

Donna Bales 

Joanna Bales 

Thersa Bales 

Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Bales 

Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Barenthin 

John and Rosalie Barnett 

Eddie and Doris Bates 

Solon and Marge Bialeschki 

Edward and Cathy Billman 

Bishop Family 

Paul A. and Mrs. Lona Boatman 

Gernon and Harriett Boles 

Cathy Bolger 

John Bolger 

Bill and Edith Bolger 

Jim Bolger 

Patricia Bolger 

Sue Bolger 

The Neal Bollman Family 

Polly Bonnell 

Richard Bonnell 

Dean Bonnell and Family 

Don and Pat Boudreau 

Edward and Mary Bowers 

Mr. and Mrs. Irven Brand 

Mrs. Ruth Brazelton 

Olive C. Brennan 

Joseph and Juanita Brewer 

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Briscoe 

Phillip and Pamela Brown 

Howard W. Brulin 

Grace Buddie and Richard Bland 

Mrs. Melba Buddie 

C.F. Buhnerkemper 

Lloyd and Dixie Burgener 

Billy D. and Mrs. D.D. Burr 

Mr. and Mrs. John H. Burr 



Mr. and Mrs. Paul Burr 

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Burr 

Thomas Burr 

Catherine Cain 

Christine Cain 

Dan Cain 

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Cain 

Gregory Eugene Cain 

John Cain Family 

John L. Cain III 

Leo and Nellie Cain 

Mary Cain 

Mary E. Cain 

Naomi Cain 

Paul Cain 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cain 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cain 

Mr. and Mrs. James E. Calhoun 

Bobby Jay Cecil 

Brenda Jo Cecil 

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Charleston 

Don and Ellie Cheatum 

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cheatum and Family 

Darren Christian 

Gene and Pat Christian 

Jim and Carol Christian 

Karen Christian 

Marcia Christian 

Ron Christian 

Donald and Carol Clark 

Howard and Anita Clark 

Jeffrey and Christine Clark 

John D. and Katherine E. Clark 

Robert and Helen Clark 

Wilson Clem 

Bill Clennon 

Howard and Esther Clennon 

Jim Clennon 

John and Mary Rita Clennon 

Katherine V. Clennon 

Leo and Marie Clennon 

Madonna Clennon 

Martin J. Clennon 

Mike Clennon 

Rita Clennon 

Thomas and Barbara Clennon 

Mike and Ann Cler 

Shane. Michelle and Heidi Cler 

Charles F. Cole 

Lucille Cole 

Lawrence and Stella Collins 

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cook 

Edwin Cooper and Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Cooper 

Ricky and Rolanna Cooper 

Earl and Lorraine Cox 



Jess Cox 

Fred and Juanita Craven 

Richard Crump and Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Dalton 

Cathy Daly 

Joe and Maxine Daly 

Leo F. Daly and Family 

Margaret M. Daly 

Alvin and Ethel Decker 

Charles Decker 

Loretta Decker 

Walter and Mary C. Decker 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Drews 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Duffy 

Herman and Francis Duggins 

Thomas Dosey 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eaton 

Delbert and Florence Edmison 

John L. Edwards 

Dennis and Sue Elkins 

Mr. and Mrs. Byron Elkins 

Carl Erb Family 

Amelia Etter 

Irene Evans 

Minnie Fehrenbacher 

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Flynn 

Kenneth Flynn 

Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Foltz 

Mr. and Mrs. James Fox 

Richard E. Franks 

Bonnie B. Franks 

David L. Franks 

Fred Franks 

Gary L. Franks 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Franks 

Larry R. Franks 

Liza Jo Franks 

Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Franks 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Franks 

Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Franks 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Freeland 

Mrs. Mary Frances Fyffe 

Weldon and Alice Garrelts 

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Gentry 

Mr. and Mrs. Alexy George 

Mary Gerhart 

The Reverend Charles E. Glidden 

Debbie Godsell 

John Godsell, Sr. 

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Godsell 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Godsell 

Steve and Jeff Godsell 

Mr. and Mrs. William Godsell 

Becky Gorman 

Dean n a Gorman 

Gena Gorman 



Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gorman 

Marty Gorman 

Anne Grady 

John and Therese Grady 

Matt Grady 

Maureen Grady 

Tom Grady 

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Graf 

Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Green 

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Gregory 

Mr. and Mrs. James Griffith 

Betty J. Grove 

Kenneth W. Grove 

Kerrelton D. Grove 

Kristina J. Grove 

Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Grove 

Robert W. Grove and Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Guiney 

Sharon and Teri Guiney 

Charles Gvey 

Jim and Kathy Hamilton 

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Harnsberger 

Cathilyn and Richard A. Harris II 

Larry and Dorothy Harris and Family 

Richard and Jacquelyn Harris 

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald R. Hart and Family 

Christine Hasler 

Donald E. and Mia Hasler 

Spencer Hasler 

George Hawkins and Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hays 

Miss Grace Hazen 

The Reverend John C. Hecht 

Don Heil 

Mr. and Mrs. James Helregel 

Bridget Hettinger 

Leo and Aileen Hettinger 

Mark and Eunice Hettinger 

Matthew D. Hettinger 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hettinger 

Peg and Teri Hewing 

Tim and Dan Hewing 

Mr. and Mrs. LaRue Highsmith 

Linda Alice Hilligoss 

Don and Judy Hinners 

Dorothea Hinners 

Ivan and Vera Hinners 

Walter and Wilma Hinners 

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hite 

Janice Hoke and Children 

Charles B. and Marie E. Hughes 

Oney Hughes 

William L. Innes 

Mrs. Frances Jackson 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Jacobs 



Carl and Bonnie Johnson 

Carl and Mary Johnson 

Roy, Joyce and Angel Johnson 

Bill and Cindy Jones 

David E. Jones 

Donna M. Jones 

Joan M. Jones 

Roy Jones 

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Jordan 

William and Madelyn Kahn 

Dick Kamerer and Family 

Dean and Mary Keith 

Russell and Kay Kelley 

Mrs. John Keeler 

Gregory M. Khachaturian 

Jon E. Khachaturian 

Mary D. Khachaturian 

Mr. and Mrs. Narbey Khachaturian 

Steven J. Khachaturian 

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Kirby and Family 

Dale Kirby 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Kirby 

Chester and Mildred Klockenbrink 

Lyle Klockenbrink 

Carolyn Koenig 

Beth A. Lafenhagen 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Lafenhagen 

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Lafenhagen 

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Lavenhagen and Family 

Bill and Frances Leach 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Licht 

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Lincicome and Family 

H. Paul and L. June Lincicome 

Jack and Maudie Livesay 

J.E. Lookingbill and Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Love 

Dennis and Cathy Lowary 

Kimberly Ann Lowary 

William Edward Lowary 

Bill and Lucille Lowry 

Cy and Ruth Madigan 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Malee 

Janet, Julie and Jeanne Manuel 

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Manuel 

Royce L. and Lou E. Marble 

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Martin 

Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Matthews, Sr. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mark McCloskey 

Mark, Karen and Pam McCloskey 

Bud and Jean McCormick 

Charles McCormick and Family 

Wesley and Marcia McCoy 

Maurice A. and Linda R. McCoy 

A.M.F. McDonald 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold McHenry 

Mr. and Mrs. Mike McHenry 



Mr. and Mrs. R.D. McQueen 

Jesse D. Meharry 

Margaret Meharry 

Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Meharry 

Donald Melohn 

Thelma Melohn 

Joe and Doris Miceli 

Chriss Middleton 

David and Martha Middleton 

Bob and Beverly Miebach 

Gene and Mary Marget Miebach and Family 

B.J. Miller and Family 

Earl and Patricia B. Miller 

LeRoy and Mildred Miller 

Mr. and Mrs. Orville Miller 

Robert J. Miller 

William and Favthe Miller 

Bob Mitsdarfer 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mitsdarfer 

Ed and Ann Mitsdarfer 

Vic Mitsdarfer 

Debra L. Moore 

Jerry and Carol Moore 

Lee and JoAnne Moore 

Melinda, Stephanie and Susan Moore 

Sharon D. Moore 

Mrs. Frances M. Morgan 

Aldora Mumm 

Bobby Mumm 

Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. Mumm 

Ebert Mumm 

Harry Mumm 

Howard E. Mumm 

Jeffrey Mumm 

Jill Mumm 

Julie Ann Mumm 

Lillian Mumm 

Luther and Opal Mumm 

Michael J. Mumm 

Ron and Stephanie Mumm 

Mr. and Mrs. David P. Munger 

Lola Myers 

Lewis O. Myler 

Ruth Narbone 

Betty E. Newton 

Don and Doris Newman 

Dawn and Shannon Newman 

John and Jo Ellen Newman 

Robert J. Nussbaum 

Steve O'Connor Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Wayne O'Neal 

Albert and Betty O'Neill 

Danny O'Neill ' 

Dennis O'Neill 

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene O'Neill 



Gregory O'Neill 

Javlee O'Neill 

John D. O'Neill, II 

John D. and Karen O'Neill 

Julie O'Neill 

Kevin O'Neill 

Lee H. and Jane M. O'Neill 

Mike O'Neill 

Paul and Mildred O'Neill 

T.M. O'Neill 

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy O'Neill 

William and Rena O'Neill 

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Painter 

Clifford Paul 

Gladys M. Parry 

Linnetta M. Parry 

Mr. and Mrs. James R. Payne 

Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Perry 

Pastor and Mrs. Paul D. Pfeffer 

Mr. and Mrs. John B. Pierce 

Vern M. Pierce 

Arthur and Vareta Plotner 

Charles L. Plotner 

Clarence and Mary Plotner 

Judith H. Plotner 

Matilda R. Plotner 

Mike and Linda Plotner 

Randall W. Plotner 

Wilbert and Helen Plotner 

Ronald Pratt Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Jack D. and Kerrie Lynn Price 
J. and Jack Quinlan 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rahn 

Lisa Rahn 

Mark Rahn 

Russell and Judy Rahn 

Teresa Rahn 

Virgil and Norma Rash 

Cindy Reed 

Mr. and Mrs. Danny Reed and Family 

Dwight and Dorothy Reed 

Mary S. Reed 

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Reinhart 

Charles Reinhart Family 

Gregory and Susan Reinhart 

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Reis 

Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Rennels 

Frank A. Revell and Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Clif Rexroad 

Jim Rhodes 

Carolyn Rice 

Darrel Rice 

Dick and Marge Rice 

Dirk Rice 

Don and Betty Rice 

Katharine G. Rice 



Kathelene Rice 

Karen Rice 

Melanie Rice 

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Rice 

Robert Rice 

David and Phyllis Richter 

Betty Jo Richards 

Janet Richards 

Mr. and Mrs. Rowe Richards 

Sandra Richards 

Richard and Linda Rippey 

Christopher Deon and Debra Sue Roberts 

Melvin and Wilma Rockwell 

Mr. and Mrs. James Rose 

James Rose, Jr. 

Jeri Rose 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Rubenacker 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ruffher 

Ted and Linda Rund 

Maurice and Cora Sandwell 

Ted E. Sandwell 

Glenn and Helen Sappenfield 

Dr. and Mrs. James V. Scott 

James V. Scott, II 

Roger Selle 

Ralph and Georgia Clark Sensenbrenner 

Vincent and Mary Sergent 

Andrew Serio 

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Serio 

Josephine Serio 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Shirley 

Aric, Ted and Dale Silver 

Duane and Shirley Silver 

Frank and Mable Silver 

Greg Silver 

Robert and Barbara Silver 

Walter Silver 

Mr. and Mrs. Dean Skaggs 

Bob and Ruth Sloman 

Frank Smith 

Geraldine Somers 

Mrs. John Somers 

Oswin Spitz Family 

Mr. and Mrs. George Stahl 

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Stahl 



Dr. and Mrs. H.C. Stansel 

Mike Stenger 

Florence E. Stewart 

Pauline Stone 

Mr. and Mrs. William Storm 

Clifford and Helen Sudkamp 

Mary F. Sutton 

Allan Swanson 

Shawn Swanson 

Sue Swanson 

Tammy Swanson 

Floy and Bert Taylor 

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Terven and Family 

Leonard and Mary Thinnes 

Harold and Elizabeth Thomas 

Coleman and Mabel Trumbull 

Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Vanzele and Diane 

Joe B., David G., and Charles A. Vermillion 

Mary G., Virginia M., and Barbara L. Vermillion 

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Walden 

B.R. Walding Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Walker 

Mr. and Mrs. Neil Walker 

Robert and Shirley Walters 

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Warfel 

Mr. and Mrs. John Warren 

George Weasel 

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Weiss 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wetmore 

Tom Whitt 

James P. and Vera C. Wiley 

Roy C. Williams 

Art Wilson 

Gladys Wilson 

Wilber and Sandra Wilson 

Mrs. Lelah Wimmer 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Winings 

The Witherbee Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Victor Lee Wood 

Gary Woods 

Jean Woods 

Todd Woods 

Troy Woods 

Ron and Brenda Woodworth and Family 

E. Carl and Mary J. Woolsey 

Gene and Kay Wubben 



If we have inadvertently left anyone off this list it was an oversight and we are truly sorry. 



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

I would like to acknowledge the willing assistance of the many people who contributed articles, his- 
tories, general information, pictures, clippings, newspapers, and the many good ideas used in the 
making of this book. 

Time did not allow the thorough checking of all material presented and please consider the idea that 
the history of Philo may be a mixture of fact, fiction, poetic license and family tradition. 

I would especially like to thank my historical book committee for the many hours they spent gathering 
information for the book. 

My thanks to — 

Olive Brennan 
Howard Eaton 
Frances Jackson 
Ruth Madigan 
Ann Mitsdarfer 
Matilda Plotner 
Floy Taylor 

General Chairman of the 
Commemorative Book, 

Dennis Lincicome 




COMMEMORATIVE COIN 



Grand Prairie of the West 

The village of Philo and the surrounding area, 
located in Champaign County. Illinois, in cele- 
brating its Centennial year, looks back upon its 
history, its first settlers and the many who over 
the years, through hard work and perseverance, 
have made this county one of the richest and 
most progressive in the state, also looks forward 
to greater challenges and opportunities in the 
future. 

Champaign County is a part of what the early 
French explorers called the Grand Prairie of the 
West, which they described as extending from 
the headwaters of the Mississippi to the Wabash 
River. 

In the beginning the pioneer generally stayed 
close to a wooded area, along the course of a 
stream. There they would have wood to build a 
home, for fires to keep warm and for cooking, 
and plenty of water. As a result of this the more 
fertile, easily cultivated prairie stretches were 
long neglected. 

Localities Designated By Groves 

Before the county was divided into townships, 
many of the localities outside of the villages were 
designated by groves and fords and other natural 
features. "The Big Grove" was the large grove of 
natural timber just north of the city of Urbana, 
partly in Township 19 and partly in Township 
20. The Salt Fork was a general term which 
designated the land covered by timber along that 
stream and the neighboring farms. Homer and 
Sidney are villages along this stream. The Sanga- 
mon included the neighborhood along both sides 
of the river from its headwaters to the Piatt 
County line. Others were the Okaw and Ambraw 
settlements, the Middle Fork (of Salt Fork) was 
understood to mean the timber, sometimes called 
Sugar Grove, in the northeast part of the county. 
Sadorus Grove was the name of the isolated 
grove of timber at the head of the Kaskaskia 
River, where Henry Sadorus and his family set- 
tled in the spring of 1824, when they came to this 
county. 

Nearer Philo were Bowse's Grove which refer- 
red to a small grove of natural timber on the east 
side of the Embarrass River. This was later 
called Shaeffer's Grove and is in Crittenden 
Township, which is just south of Philo Township. 



Lynn Grove, generally spelled Linn Grove in the 
oldest records, was the name attached to a beau- 
tiful eminence which was crowned with trees of 
Nature's planting in the southwest corner of 
Sidney Township. There were other small groves 
in Champaign County. 

The Tow-Head 

About one mile north of the village of Philo, in 
the early days there was a tuft or small patch of 
timber and brush along the margin of a small 
pond, which protected it from the annual prairie 
fires, less than one acre, which from the earliest 
settlement of the country, was a noted landmark 
for travelers and which was known far and wide 
as the Tow-Head. It was called the Tow-Head 
because of its resemblance of a human head, due 
to the clump of trees situated on a high knoll. Its 
position upon a very high piece of prairie made it 
visible for miles around. 

Tradition has it that many years ago before 
the settlement of the prairies, a band of regula- 
tors from an Indiana settlement, having found 
the trail of a horse thief, who had successfully 
come with the stolen animal as far as the Tow- 
Head, found him fast asleep in the shade of this 
little grove and, without even the form of a trial, 
hung him on one of the trees. (Note: For this rea- 
son this little clump of trees was also known as 
"Dead Man's Grove.") The Tow-Head was near 
the road which led from the Salt Fork timber 
westward to Sadorus Grove and the Okaw. The 
Tow-Head has long since yielded to the march of 
improvement and the pond is no more and now 
yields each year either a fine crop of corn or soy- 
beans. 

A Distinct Watershed Divide 

There is a distinct watershed which divides the 
Wabash system from that of the Illinois and Mis- 
sissippi Rivers. The Kaskaskia empties into the 
Mississippi and the Sangamon, flowing into the 
Illinois River, are a part of the system of the 
"Father of Waters" which drains the western 
third of the county. The Salt Fork of the Vermil- 
ion, the Middle Fork of that stream and the 
Little Vermilion, and the Embarrass are portions 
of the Wabash system and drain the remainder 
of the county. Generally speaking the Sangamon 
River and its branches drain Mahomet, Condit, 



This Page sponsored by: 

PHILO EXCHANGE BANK, Serving Philo since 1883 



East Bend and Brown Townships and the Kas- 
kaskia, with its tributaries drain Scott, Cham- 
paign, Tolono, Colfax, Sadorus and Pesotum 
Townships. 

The Embarrass rises south of Urbana, on the 
University of Illinois farms and drains the south- 
western part of Urbana Township, and Philo, 
Crittenden, Raymond and Ayers Townships. 
North of the Embarrass the Vermilion system 
spreads over the eastern townships of South 
Homer, Sidney, St. Joseph, Ogden, Stanton, 
Comprimise, Rantoul, Kerr and Harwood Town- 
ships. 

The Effect of Ice-sheets and Glaciers 

No other single agent has been so effective in 
the modification of the surface of the earth as 
have glaciers and ice-sheets. These ice-sheets or 
glaciers were hundreds and possibly thousands of 
feet thick, and hundreds of miles in width and 
length. The debris which they brought from the 
Laurential mountains of Canada was distributed 
over Illinois, generally; much to the enrichment 
of the soil. Much of it was pushed along in front 
of the ice-sheet, so that when the forward move- 
ment began to be retarded, this material was left 
scattered along the edges of the advancing body. 
Much material was carried along under the ice- 
sheet and was ground and distributed over the 
glacial area. The material which these glaciers 
brought into the State of Illinois, as the basis of 
her vast material wealth, goes under the general 
name of Drift. The Illinois ice-sheet is believed to 
have covered almost all the State of Illinois. 

These great ice-sheets moving down from the 
north, scouring off the land, its successive 
onward stages are indicated by ridges or, geolo- 
gically speaking, moraines, which rise above the 
surface of the surrounding country to heights 
varying from twenty to a hundred feet. These 
ridges or moraines were formed by a mass of 
rocks, dirt, etc., which was deposited at the side 
of the glacier as it moved from the northwest to 
the southeast of the county. 

Neighborhoods 

There were neighborhoods in the county which 
for some peculiarity or other in their early set- 
tlement took upon themselves some peculiar 
names, many of which are now forgotten or are 
no longer used. One of these settlements was 
located in Philo Township, along the ridge which 
divides the waters of the Salt Fork from those 
flowing into the Embarrass (Ambraw), which, 
about 1853 to 1856 and for several years later, 



became the home of a colony from Massachu- 
setts and other Eastern states. Some of the group 
were E.W. Parker and his brother, G.W. Parker, 
who brought the first piano to this area; David, 
Lucius and T.C. Eaton; Asa Gooding; Dennis 
Chapin and J. P. Whitmore and others who gave 
the neighborhood the name of Yankee Ridge, 
which it bears to this day. It was named for the 
place they came from and for the ridge which 
was on higher ground and had better drainage 
for that day. 

The Black Prairie Soil 

At one time almost the entire valley of the 
Mississippi and its tributaries was covered with 
water, which gradually receded to the present 
water courses, and left the prairie in the condi- 
tion of alternate wet and dry places, with a 
black, mucky soil. The prairies later became 
drier and was adapted to the wants of men and 

animals. 

The black, friable mold of which the prairie 
soil is composed, is due to the growth and decay 
of successive seasons of the coarse swamp grasses 
which covered a great part of this area. The grass 
would start growing in the spring, grow luxur- 
iantly during the summer and fall and decay 
during the winter, to be added to the annual ac- 
cumulation, which over the years became from 
one to as much as five feet in thickness. 



Drainage Necessary 

For years the swamps and lowlands were con- 
sidered to be worthless. There was a great deal of 
sickness from malaria and other diseases. The 
great work of drainage was begun during the 
1850's. In 1878 the State Constitution was 
amended by the addition of the drainage section, 
which authorized the formation of drainage com- 
panies, the digging and tiling of ditches and for 
reasons of regulation and systematic work it di- 
vided the submerged lands into districts, with 
supervising officials. The tile factories came into 
being and many a rod of tile was laid. The lands 
reclaimed are now some of the most productive 
and valuable in the county. 

Native Wildlife and Vegetation 

When the first explorers came to Illinois they 
mention many animals that they saw as they 
traveled, among them deer, moose, all sorts of 
fish, turkeys, wild cattle and small game. In 
Champaign County toward the end of the nine- 
teenth century and even later, prairie chickens, 



quails, squirrels, rabbits and other small game 
were plentiful. 

There were many flowers native to Illinois to 
be found among the tall grass and along the 
streams and among the trees. 

One man writing about his first sight of the 
Grand Prairie said, "The grass waving in the 
beautiful sunlight of June and all the wild 
flowers indigenous to the prairies bowing their 
heads to the breeze, presented a sight that I 
thought the most beautiful I had ever beheld, the 
remembrance of which, notwithstanding seventy 
years have passed and gone since then, is still as 
vivid to my mind it seems, as the day when I first 
viewed the beauties of the grand old prairies of 
Illinois." 

Quotation from William A. Conker who settled at Homer 
in 1843. read a paper before the Champaign Historical 
Society, describing the 1000-mile journey of his family 
from Massachusetts to their new home in Edgar County. 
Illinois. 



STATE OF ILLINOIS UNDER FOUR FLAGS 
Under Spain, England and France 

The State of Illinois has been under four flags. 
The whole western hemisphere was under Spain 
after Columbus' Discovery in 1492. The Con- 
tinent of America was under England with 
Cabots' Discovery in 1498. 

The North America south of the Great Lakes 
and the region on the Mississippi River and its 
boundaries was again under Spain with De 
Leon's Discovery of Florida in 1513 and De 
Soto's landing on the Mississippi in 1541. 

By a charter in 1603 all North America was 
under the French flag. By the Patent for Virginia 
in 1606 and 1609, the Massachusetts' Bay char- 
ter in 1629 and the Connecticut Colony Rights a 
large part of the country was under the English 
flag. 

By the Canadians and Indians of the West 
Treaty in 1671, the Discovery of Illinois, etc., by 
Marquette in 1673, and the La Salle ceremony at 
the mouth of the Mississippi in 1682 and the 
Crozat Patent in 1712 this region was again 
under France. 

By the Treaty of Paris in 1763 England owned 
all of the French possession east of the Missis- 
sippi except New Orleans. 



Captured by Clark 1778 

Virginia by the capture of Clark in 1778 
claimed all the land northwest of the Ohio River. 

The United States 

The United States with the cession from Vir- 
ginia in 1784 claimed the country northwest of 
the Ohio River; and from the cession from Mas- 
sachusetts in 1785 claimed west of New York to 
the Mississippi River; and from the cession from 
Connecticut in 1786 claimed all west of Pennsyl- 
vania to the Mississippi River; the Northwest 
Territory, by the Ordinance of 1787 claimed the 
country northwest of the Ohio River; the Indiana 
Territory, by Act of Congress, 1800, included 
Indiana, Illinois, etc.; the Illinois Territory, by 
act of Congress 1809. included Illinois, Wiscon- 
sin, etc.; Illinois Territory, Second Grade was the 
same and the Indian cessions by various tribes. 

Northwest Territory Divided 

In the session of Congress in the winter of 
1899-1900 there was a proposition to divide the 
Northwest Territory into two territories. The wes- 
tern part was to be known as Indiana Territory, 
with its capital at Vincennes and the governor 
was William Henry Harrison. The eastern 
division was called the Northwest Territory. Illi- 
nois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan now be- 
came the Indiana Territory. 

Illinois Territory 

Illinois Territory came into existence in 1809. 
On December 3, 1818, the State of Illinois was 
admitted to the Federal Union, with its first 
capital at Kaskaskia. Two years later the capital 
was moved to Vandalia. On February 25, 1837, 
the Illinois Assembly passed a bill providing that 
the Capital be nearer the center of the State and 
three days later Springfield was chosen as the 
new Capital City. Abraham Lincoln was influ- 
ential in obtaining Springfield as the capital. 

The Illinois Indians 

The Illinois Indians meaning "men of people" 
formed a loose confederacy of about a half dozen 
tribes, mainly the Metchigamis, the Kaskaskias, 
the Peorias. the Cahokias and the Tamaroas. 

The Metchigamis were found along the Mis- 
sissippi River and also lived in the vicinity of 
Lake Michigan, to which they gave their name. 
They were allies of Pontiac in the War of 1764 



and some perished with other members of the 
Illinois Confederacy on Starved Rock in 1769. 

The Kaskaskias were originally along the 
upper Illinois River and moved to the mouth of 
the Kaskaskia in 1700 and founded the old city 
of Kaskaskia, which became the center of French 
life in the interior of the continent. During the 
next century the Kaskaskias lived at that region 
and after nearly being exterminated by the 
Shawnees in 1802, the Kaskaskias moved to a 
reservation on the Mississippi and eventually 
went to Indian Territory. The Cahokia and 
Tamaroa tribes merged with the Kaskaskias 
under one chief. 

The Potawatomi and Kickapoo 

The Potawatomi and the Miamis were familiar 
with the early settlers, not so much that they 
were settled here but rather that they made their 
appearance here as warriors or hunters. 

The Kickapoos were associated with the two 
above named tribes in Indian campaigns in other 
regions and especially at the battle of Tippe- 
canoe. They were scattered throughout the Illi- 
nois country and for fifty years before the 
Edwardsville treaty of 1819 held strong sway over 
the eastern part of the State of Illinois and were 
here in the late '20's and early '30's, when the 
first white settlers were arriving in Champaign 
County. 

The Potawatomi, "People of the place of fire," 
and the Kickapoos, "he moves about," had mi- 
grated south into the land vacated by the Illinois 
Indians beginning about 1765. The battle fought 
in 1811 was to remind the Indians of the wisdom 
of peace. In 1812 William Henry Harrison was 
victorious. The Indians of the northwest sup- 
ported the British in the war of 1812 and some 
were led by the great Indian leader, Tecumseh. 

Edwardsville Treaty of 1819 

At Edwardsville, Illinois, the Kickapoos signed 
a series of treaties on July 30, 1819 and ceded 
their grounds along the Sangamon which means 
"plenty to eat." They honorably observed their 
contacts and moved to western lands, although 
weak remnants of their tribe lingered until the 
early '30's on several of their camping grounds. 

The Black Hawk War was to clear the State of 
Illinois from the Potawatomi and the Kickapoos 
who sought land in the west. 

Remnants of Indiana tribes migrated west- 
ward as late as 1832-1833. 

Champaign County was a favorite region for 
the Kickapoos and the more migratory Potawa- 



tomi as it abounded in game, the climate was 
less rigorous than the northern sections and the 
soil yielded plentiful of cereals and vegetables. 
Favorite camping places were near Urbana, and 
in the wooded areas along the Okaw, the Sanga- 
mon and the Salt Fork and wooded areas. 

Corn-hills of the Indians 

Judge Cunningham wrote "But a few years 
since, and plainly to be seen until the white 
man's plow had turned up the sod and effaced 
the evidences of their occupation, were many 
Indian trails across the prairies; and it is well 
within memory of many now living, as well as at- 
tested by the well remembered statements heard 
from early settlers, that the corn-hills of the In- 
dian occupants were found not far from the site 
of the Public Square in Urbana, as late as 1832." 

Shemanger 

Shemanger, a friendly Potawatomi chief, also 
known as "Old Soldier," was known by many of 
the first white settlers. Shemanger often visited 
the site of Urbana after the whites came and for 
several years after 1824. He claimed it as his 
birthplace and told many of the early settlers the 
family home of his birth was near a large hickory 
tree near a spot north of Main Street and a few 
rods west of Market Street. 

It is remembered that Shemanger would some- 
times come in company with a large group of his 
tribe and sometimes with his family only, when 
he would remain for months in camp at points 
along the creeks. 

Shemanger told early settlers of a very heavy 
fall of snow, the depth of which he indicated by 
holding a ramrod horizontally above his head 
and said that many wild beasts, elk, deer and 
buffalo and other animals perished under the 
snow. This was, no doubt, the great snow that 
fell in 1830-1831. 

Shemanger was remembered as a very large, 
bony man, always kind and helpful to the early 
settlers. He attended the cabin raising of the 
early settlers and assisted them in the completion 
of their homes. It is also known that he helped 
Mr. Sadorus at his barn raising. 

In 1830 Shemanger was about 75 years of age. 
The Kankakee Valley was the home of the chief 
during his last years in Illinois, and he was seen 
by many who made trips to Chicago to sell their 
grain and obtain supplies. 

Following the Black Hawk war his tribe, or 
what remained of it east of the Mississippi River, 
went west and then were seen no more. 



Told to "Puck-a-Chee" 

In the summer of 1832 before the organization 
of the county, a large number of Indians came 
and camped near a spring. It caused some ap- 
prehension among the early settlers and a com- 
mittee was formed, composed of Stephen Boyd, 
Jacob Smith, Gabe Rice and Elias Stamey, to 
talk to the red men. The committee went to the 
camp and told them they must "Puck-a-chee," 
which they understood meant "to git." The In- 
dians gathered their ponies, papooses and 
squaws and left, greatly to the relief of the 
settlers. 

Indian Legends 

Near Salt Fork, Sidney, in 1828, one of the 
Indian chiefs died just as they were about to 
move west and the other Indians asked William 
Nox and Mr. Hendricks to manufacture a white 
man's coffin for him. They did and the Indians 
gave them a nicely tanned buckskin. The Indians 
took the coffined body with them on their trip 
west. 

Isham Cook, who probably was the first white 
man to die in this area, came in 1830, bought out 
a squatter and built a home and then returned to 
Kentucky for his family. In the dead of winter, 
on their way back to their new home, upon ar- 
riving at Lynn Grove, Mr. Cook sickened and 
died, leaving a widow and four children who 
were grief stricken and bewildered. Joseph Davis 
took the remains to Big Grove, where Mr. Cook 
had erected his home and dumped the body on 
the ground, and returned to his home. Indians 
heard the family's crying and came to help. The 
deceased was rolled in a wide strip of bark, their 
tribal custom, and they buried him according to 
the white man's custom. 

The Kickapoos of the Vermilion were the last 
of the Illinois Indians to leave. In 1833 the last of 
them joined the main body of the tribe in their 
reservation west of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 
and were soon afterward moved to Indian Terri- 
tory. 

In 1832-1833 remnants of the Indiana tribes 
migrated westward. 



IV. EARLY SETTLERS 

Champaign County Early Settlers 

The first white men who were here were prob- 
ably hunters and trappers. 



Surveyors divided the country into townships 
in the summer of 1821. Townships 17, 18, 19, 20 
and 21, range 9, including the town of Critten- 
den, Philo, Urbana, Somers, and part of Rantoul 
were surveyed in 1821 by deputy surveyor Benja- 
min Franklin Messinger. 

It is generally believed that Runnel Fielder, in 
1822, was the first white man to build a house 
and break sod in Champagin County. William 
Thompkins was a close second. Between 1826 
and 1832 there were about two dozen families at 
Big Grove, most of them from Kentucky. 
William Sadorus had settled at the head of the 
Kaskaskia in the spring of 1824. William Nox 
was an early settler of Sidney and Mathew Busey 
settled there in 1842. 

Philo Named for Philo Hale 

Philo Hale, an eastern land speculator, bought 
the first land in Philo Township in 1837, in Sec- 
tion 15, Township 18, Range 9 from squatters 
Gilliland and bought other land later from Van- 
deveer, expecting the railroad to cross near Yan- 
kee Ridge. The proposed "Northern Cross Rail- 
road" which was to be built from Danville to 
Springfield failed to materialize. 

He also bought the west one-half of Section 23 
in Philo Township, which contains virtually all 
the present village from the United States 
Government, by Patent, dated October 13, 1838, 
and signed by President Martin Van Buren, by 
M. Van Buren, Jr., Secretary H.M. Garland, Re- 
corder of the General Land Office. 

He also by certified copy of Patent, dated 
November 1. 1839. obtained E Vi SW of Section 
14, containing 80 acres. 

Mr. Hale, at the time of his death, owned 1360 
acres in this area. He died October 29, 1847, at 
Decatur, in Macon County. 

Early Settlers in Philo and Surrounding Area 

The first person to build a home in the Philo 
area was Giles F. McGee, in 1853, having before 
then entered the northeast quarter of Section 1. 
Another early settler was William M. Hooper, 
who erected a small residence on the northwest 
quarter of Section 3, lived there a year or two, 
went to Urbana for a while and from there to 
Minnesota. 

Lucius Eaton and his family and David Eaton 
and his family were early settlers, coming in 1854 
from the east and settling in Sections 9 and 10. 

Others from the east were George and E.W. 
Parker in 1856; Asa Goodwin, a grain dealer 
from Vermont; Dennis Chapman, W.P. Whit- 



more and in 1859, C.R. Griggs also located on 
the ridge now known as Yankee Ridge. 

David Silver came in June 1854 and brought 
the rest of his family, including his son Wallace 
Silver, arriving in Champaign County, October 
23, 1854, coming overland from Warren, Ohio, 
bringing household goods and cattle. He located 
in Philo Township and in 1855, bought eighty 
acres of land in Section 3. 

Thomas Ennis also located in Philo Township, 
coming here in 1855, and the next year bought 
land in Section 4. 

"Lynn Grove was first settled in 1828 by Mr. 
Hedges from Kentucky. The house stood on the 
east side of the grove." This was stated by John 
M. Love in a booklet on landmarks. "The first 
settler in Crittenden Township was William 
Bowse in 1830 and his cabin stood where Mrs. 
Postlewaite lived." There was also the squatter 
Straley, in 1828 at Lynn Grove and Samuel 
Groundyke at Bowses Grove. As mentioned else- 
where, Isham Cook died at Lynn Grove in 1830. 
It is also mentioned that James Johnson who 
came from Warren County, Ohio in 1855 or 
1856, laid out roads in Philo township. 

Samuel Love and family, including John M. 
Love, came to this area in 1852 and on April 20, 

1853, moved to a house on the farm they still 
own in Section 19, in Sidney Township. They 
came from Coshocton, Ohio. 

Nathan Hazen came to the Philo area in 1857 
from Massachusetts. He purchased eighty acres 
in Sidney Township, Section 19, from the Illinois 
Central Railroad and plowed the virgin soil with 
oxen. 

In 1865, Jesse and William Meharry came and 
settled on land, bought by their father, Thomas 
Meharry, in 1855. 

John J. Mumm of Sidney Township, Howard 
H. (Pete) Mumm's great grandfather, emigrated 
from Holstein, Germany, to this country, in 

1854, with a cash capital of $5. He made his way 
to Cook County, where he worked on farms and 
in 1856, came to Sidney Township. In 1866 his 
parents and other relatives also came. 



The First Children 

The first boy born was William McGee, son of 
Mr. and Mrs. William McGee, in 1853. The first 
little girl to be born in Philo Township was Ada 
Eaton Allen. 

Miss Emeline Keeble, who taught school in the 
Yankee Ridge area, was married to a Mr. Collor 
in 1857 or near that time. 



Courage of the Pioneers 

The first pioneers came from the New England 
states, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana and 
Ohio and other places. At first they built a cabin, 
cleared some land in the wooded areas 
and broke the sod so that they could plant. They 
had to be self-sufficient, hunters, carpenters, 
blacksmiths, farmers and had many other occu- 
pations. 

It must have taken a great deal of courage to 
come, with a fear, at first, of the Indians, with 
much sickness, many times bad weather, snakes 
and other things to contend with. 

It is said that as many as forty rattlesnakes 
were killed in one day. And later a resident, Will 
Thrash, increased his sparrow record to 1322 in 
two and a half days, with a $26 bounty, and, it is 
said, he killed fifty-five at one shot. 

Not much has been said about the courage 
and fortitude of the ladies, who came with their 
families, not knowing much about the country 
they were coming to and having to cope with the 
barest essentials. Nor is there much of anything 
ever written about their part in settling this raw 
land; how many buckets of water they must have 
carried, often a great distance, for drinking, 
cooking and washing; nor of their immense help 
and courage and faith that helped the men build 
homes, farms and businesses for the betterment 
of all. 

One of the greatest trials was, no doubt, the 
sickness, ague and fever, caused by the swamps 
and undrained land. It is said that every summer 
and early fall there was much sickness. There 
was malaria, at times cholera and many other 
diseases also. 

When we think of the productive farms, the 
abundant life we have today, and the progress 
the men and women have made over the years, 
we again thank the pioneer. 

On April 25, 1841, Mr. Hale gave a mortgage 
for $1,000 to Eunice Buckingham of Muskingum 
County, Ohio on 1360 acres he owned in Philo 
Township, including that tract later to become 
the Village. 

Mr. Hale wrote his will on July 23, 1847 at De- 
catur, Illinois and died October 29, 1847, leaving 
his property equally to his two children, Edwin 
B. Hale and Caroline E. Hale. Edwin B. Hale, 
Executor, repaid his father's mortgage on July 
25, 1849. 

On December 21, 1853 Caroline Hale deeded 
her one-half undivided interest in all their lands 
in Philo Township to Edwin B. Hale, her 
brother. 



Next in 1862 Edwin B. Hale platted the ori- 
ginal town of Philo which that 40 acre area 
bounded by Adams Street on the east. Van 
Buren Street on the south, Lincoln Street on the 
west, and Washington Street on the north, and 
recorded his new town at the Court House on 
September 3. 1862, the day it was certified by 
L.T. Eads, County Surveyor. His new town strad- 
dled Yankee Ridge at crossing with the Railroad 
consisted of nine full size blocks and three small 
lots that were adjacent to the Great Western 
Railroad, and there were 105 lots in total. The 
official designation was "Village of Philo." The 
surveyor set stones to mark lot corners. 

On March 24, 1869, Edwin B. Hale filed at the 
Court House a 40 acre subdivision which he 
called Hale's First Addition to the Village of 
Philo, after it had been certified the day previous 
by Charles H. Van Vleck. Deputy County Sur- 
veyor. This tract now known as "the North Side" 
was also 40 acres situated immediately across the 
railroad (now called the T.W. and W. Railway) 
from the original town. There were 105 lots in 11 
blocks, and additionally, Mr. Hale dedicated all 
streets and alleys in both the original town and 
his new subdivision to the public. 

In 1888, Mr. Edwin B. Hale engaged Thomas 
B. Kyle, County Surveyor, to survey and out his 
third 40 acre area, and called it Hale's 2nd Addi- 
tion to Philo. It consisted of 95 lots in 12 blocks 
bounded by Washington Street on the north, 
Cleveland Street on the east. Van Buren Street 
on the south and bounded the Original Town on 
the west at Adams Street. They recorded this 
subdivision on April 24, 1888. 

Mr. Edwin B. Hale died July 9. 1891 at Cleve- 
land. Ohio, leaving his wife Susan C. Hale, four 
daughters and three sons. Many of his unsold 
lots were taken as part of his share of inheritance 
by son Edwin Victor Hale, also of Cleveland, who 
sold them to settlers and other purchasers as 
time passed by. 

Following the death of her father Edwin B. 
Hale, Helen Hale Bolton, a widow of Cleveland, 
Ohio became owner of a strip of land one-half 
mile long from east to west and one-eighth mile 
wide from north to south lying immediately 
south of Van Buren Street. Mrs. Bolton sold it to 
Julia B. Mowry June 7, 1900. Mrs. Mowry and 
her husband platted the east half of this tract on 
November 7, 1901, and it was certified by 
Newton Wimmer. Village Clerk of Philo, 



November 7. 1901 and recorded at the Court 
House November 2, 1901. It was 20 acres, 
bounded by Van Buren Street on the north, 
Cleveland Street on the east, Hazen Park on the 
south, and Adams Street on the west, and con- 
sisted of 45 lots, and was called Mowry First 
Addition, which Mrs. Mowry sold as homesites 
as purchasers came along. Mrs. Mowry died No- 
vember 10. 1909. 

In her will, Mrs. Mowry bequeathed 20 acres 
south of Van Buren and between Lincoln and 
Adams Streets to her son Lyman D. Mowry of 
Sturgeon Bay. Wisconsin. On August 24, 1910 
Mr. Mowry platted Mowry's Second Addition of 
one square block where ihe Zion Lutheran 
Church now stands, which was certified by Vil- 
lage Clerk Richard M. Franks on November 4, 
1910. The north half of this one block subdivi- 
sion was platted as one large lot with dimensions 
of 160' x 289' where Zion Lutheran Church and 
parsonage were then built, and four normal size 
lots. 

The remainder of Lyman Mowry's 20 acres 
went first to Eli and Katy Grove and then it was 
divided between John H. Plotner and Jerry Plot- 
ner. This area is now completely subdivided and 
built up. the subdividers being Richard E. 
Franks, Harold E. Plotner, and James 
Rubenacker. 

That 120 acres situated south of Hazen Park 
and north of Roosevelt Road began passing out 
of the Hale family soon after the death of Philo 
Hale, being broken down in 5 and 10 acre tracts 
by Edwin B. Hale, who sold to a number of dif- 
ferent persons, and most of these properties have 
exchanged hands several times in the period over 
more than 100 years. The east part of the area 
evolved into the Knolls subdivision beginning in 
1959, and most recently the Hewing subdivision 
in 1974. The west part consisting of 60 acres now 
consists of seven tracts from 5 acres on up, much 
of which continues to be farmed. 

The Rubenacker's Subdivision was developed 
in three tracts, the first beginning June 7, 1961, 
with 22 lots. The Rubenacker Second Subdivi- 
sion was May 8, 1969 and the Third Subdivision 
was August 2. 1972. 

The Hales Estates First Subdivision, developed 
on McCoy land, began on June 4. 1969 with 10 
lots. 

The Hewings Subdivision began on June 6, 
1973, with 13 lots. 



This Page sponsored by: 

UNITY LANES 

SHIPLEY REAL ESTATE/WAUSHA HOMES 



V. TOWNSHIP, COUNTY AND VILLAGE 

Judge J.O. Cunningham said of the work of 
the government surveyors who marked the line 
that now divides our townships, even before the 
white settlers came to Champaign County: "It 
will thus be seen that shortly following the treaty 
with the Indians which extinguished forever their 
claim upon the territory now known as 
Champaign County, came the United States sur- 
veyors, those pioneers of civilization whose work 
was to last through all time and be law to all 
future dwellers. The lines as then fixed and 
marked by these surveyors are the lines which 
now divide the townships school districts and 
farms of the county, and which determine its 
boundaries and the locations of most of its pub- 
lic roads." Surely there are few people today who 
give these early surveyors the credit they deserve. 
These townships were six miles square, sub- 
divided in thirty-six sections of 640 acres each. 

Champaign County was a part of Vermilion 
County, which was created in 1826 and included 
Iroquois, Ford, Champaign and, of course, Ver- 
milion. The first post office was on the farm of 
Mathias Rhinehart, near Big Grove. It was called 
Van Buren, after Martin Van Buren, who was 
then vice-president of the United States. 

Champaign County was established in 1833. 
John W. Vance, who was elected to the Illinois 
State Legislature in 1832, introduced a bill for 
the creation of Champaign County. It was to be 
named after his home county in Ohio. The 
County seat was called Urbana, also named after 
the county seat in Champaign County, Ohio. 
This was approved on February 20, 1833 by the 
legislature. Champaign County as we know it 
came into existence. 

The first court house was erected in Urbana in 
1836. In 1860 the fourth court house was built 
and forty years later another one was built. 

One of the greatest improvements that led to 
settling this area was the building of the rail- 
roads. In 1854 the Illinois Central, running north 
and south, was built through Champaign, two 
miles west of Urbana. The settlement around 
this railroad begun in 1855 was first called West 
Urbana. Later it was called Champaign and was 
incorporated in 1860. 

Hale Township Changed to Philo 

Up until 1859, Champaign County was 
governed by a County Court. In the year 1859 the 
township plan was adopted. Original townships 
were East Bend, Hale, Middletown, Middle 
Fork. Newcomb, Pleasant Hill, Peru. Rantoul, 



St. Joseph, Sidney, South Homer. Sadorus, 
Tolono, Urbana and West Urbana. 

In 1861 changes were made. Middle Fork was 
changed to Kerr, Hale township was changed to 
Philo, Pleasant Hill to Somer and West Urbana 
to Champaign. Some of the others were changed 
later, in 1868 Peru was changed to Ludlow; in 
1871 Middletown changed to Mahomet. 

In February 1861, President-elect Abraham 
Lincoln made his last speech to the people of Illi- 
nois and became president a month later. That 
brief address was given in Tolono, where a 
boulder marks the spot. 

The Land Grant of 1862 made it possible to 
have the State Agricultural College in Urbana. 
Jonathan B. Turner was the man who was influ- 
ential in making the plans for the Illinois Indus- 
trial University. In 1867, Urbana offered the 
most and the state granted a charter for this uni- 
versity. It opened in 1868. 

The struggle for the location of the University 
at Urbana was a long one, but was greatly influ- 
enced by the election of Clark R. Griggs, of that 
place, as a representative in the lower house of 
the Legislature and an enthusiastic contender for 
the Champaign County location. Mr. Griggs was 
a Massachusetts boot and shoe manufacturer, 
who came in the spring of 1859, purchased a 
farm on Yankee Ridge, but on an account of an 
accident had to quit farming. He had his right 
hand crushed in a corn sheller. He then moved to 
Urbana, became a merchant and land dealer, 
and was elected to the Legislature in the late 
'60's. 

The Morrow Plots, the oldest experiment fields 
in America, located in Champaign, were laid out 
by the University in 1876. In 1885 during Pea- 
body's regency the Urbana State Institution was 
changed to the University of Illinois. 

Village of Philo 

The Village of Philo was laid out by the son of 
Philo Hale, E.B. Hale, in 1864 and included 80 
acres. The Wabash Railroad in Illinois was 
based on the Old Northern Cross Railroad, as a 
part of the Internal Improvement scheme in 
1837. The first section was operated for a time by 
mules, but it was abandoned as an enterprize 
ahead of the times and was unprofitable. 

In 1847 the line sold and the Sangamon and 
Morgan Railroad reconstructed the part of the 
road, which opened for business in 1849. 

It wasn't until 1856, when several Ohio and 
Indiana companies were consolidated as the 
Toledo, Wabash and Western Railroad, that the 
railroad was built through southern Champaign 



County. Philo, midway between Sidney and To- 
lono, was originally called the Summit by the 
railroad, because of the elevation; it sometimes 
took two engines to pull the train. In 1858, Philo 
settlers petitioned that the railroad station stop 
be called Philo. 

At the Philo Township election of 1859 or 
1860. which was held at "Hale Bowses Grove, it 
was decided to hold future meetings at the Philo 
Station on the Great Western. 

In 1860, the village is called Philo in records. 
Also in 1860, J.D. Johnson was elected the first 
Supervisor and the township was still called 
Hale. In 1861, the township was changed to 
Philo Township. 

In 1889, the Great Western became the Wa- 
bash, famous for songs and cannon balls. The 
"Cannon Ball" would stop in Philo for passen- 
gers, originating at or going to St. Louis or De- 
troit. 

During the early years, before the automobile, 
passengers could travel from Philo to Champaign 
(via Sidney and the branch line) three times each 
day, morning, noon and evening. 

This railroad is now called the Norfolk and 
Western. 

The last passenger train to stop in Philo was in 
1957. 

Some of the writers of this book can remember 
going to Tolono and riding the Illinois Central to 
Champaign to shop and returning that evening. 

The village of Philo was incorporated April 19, 
1875. The certificate of Incorporation was issued 
July 10, 1875. Members of the first town council 
were president T.H. Metheny in 1870 and J. 
Barnes was clerk in 1871. 

Elam Elithrop built the first house in Philo, 
which stood where the home of John Cain now 
stands. Wright, the station agent, built the 
second house, the only one between Route 130 
and the depot. The oldest house in Philo, now 
occupied by the Floyd Cross family, on the 
corner of Washington and Jackson Street was 
built and occupied by Michael Walsh, when 
there were only three houses on the present site 
of Philo. 

The Mr. Wright mentioned above was the first 
agent for the Toledo, Wabash and Western Rail- 
road. The house which he built was used for a 
depot and passenger house. Elithrop's first house 
was later used for a harness shop. 

From Lathrop's Champaign County Directory 
we read that in 1870 Philo had "a fine school 
house, two churches, one mill, eight stores, three 
blacksmith shops, two hotels, two grain dealers 
with warehouses, and one lumber yard." It also 



reports that Philo's citizens are energetic, go 
ahead and thriving people. 

To 1875 

It is said that after the railroads went through, 
and especially after the Civil War, that many 
people came to this region, taking up 40 or 80 
acres, working it for a while, and sometimes, 
then selling it and going elsewhere, some to the 
Gold Rush in California in 1949. But many 
stayed and gradually added to their land, culti- 
vating and improving it as much as possible. 

In the beginning their small cabins had been 
made from unhewn logs. Then Joe Smith, who 
had come with Mr. Sadorus, erected his cabin, 
which, as quoted from Judge Cunningham in 
Stewart's History of Champaign County, "was 
built of split linn logs, sixteen by sixteen feet, 
covered by split oaken boards, with linn punch- 
eons for a floor." In the fall the cabins were 
daubed, that is, the logs were filled with clinks, 
clay and mud to keep the cold out. A single sash 
window bought in Eugene, Indiana, several years 
later, gave the Sadorus family one glass window, 
the first in Champaign County. Later the settlers 
drove, often taking several days, to Indiana, 
where they purchased materials for their homes. 
Samuel Love in 1853 purchased poplar weather 
boarding from a sawmill in Covington, Indiana, 
for their first home. 

The pioneers began with little patches of corn 
which they took care of during the summer, and 
had gardens to supply their needs. On some 
farms they only planted the high ground at first. 
It is said that some early settlers even grew flax 
and cotton, so they could make their clothing, 
which did not prove practical later when goods 
could be bought. They also hunted, and had 
hogs, cattle and chickens. Their nearest trading 
post was Eugene, Indiana, sixty miles away. We 
read that when they had a surplus of wheat, oats 
or corn, or when their animals were ready for 
market, they either made a trip to Indiana or to 
the trading post on Lake Michigan-Chicago. 
They would then return with needed supplies 
such as salt, coffee, sugar and other articles. At 
an early date it was said Mr. Sadorus and others 
got fifty cents a bushel for oats in Chicago. But 
in 1862. a Mr. Leigh of St. Joseph, said that 
during the winter they hauled corn to 
Champaign and got nine cents a bushel for it. 

There was a great deal of cattle herding in the 
early days. Jesse Meharry herded cattle three 
years from Mattoon to Rantoul before he took 
up residence in 1865, on land entered by his fa- 



ther. The Love family drove or herded their cat- 
tle to Indiana before the railroads came. When 
the railroads came through, the Wabash in 1856, 
there was a great change. Cattle were still driven 
from the farms to the railroad until trucks came 
into use. Every town had a stockyard, for cattle 
and hogs, where they were kept until loaded on 
the train. 

We have already mentioned the early settlers 
in the Philo area during the '50's. Besides those 
mentioned in an earlier chapter, Horace Arnold 
also came in the '50's, in 1857; as well as Samuel 
Brown, in Crittenden Township, in 1858, he later 
moved to Philo township; and there were also the 
J.C. Fords, Hoovers, W.G. Carson, and a Wil- 
liam Martin Ellars, who was later postmaster in 
Philo. And there were probably more. 

During the next two decades and in the early 
'80's there were many who came to this area. We 
hesitate to mention any of them, because we 
know we cannot name all of them. 

Among these settlers, especially the ones who 
have descendents living here now (we also name 
some who were born here during this period) 
were the following families. Besides the ones 
already mentioned in this book, some of the early 
settlers were E.B. Hazen; John Locke; John C. 
Parry; C.F. Cole; David H. Jessie; the R.A. Fran- 
cisco's; the Wingfields; John W. Mumm, Sidney 
Township; The Facklers; P.D. Everitt; William 
and Jesse Meharry; Dr. B.C. Morris; Edwin G. 
Rice; John Edwards and James Louis Edwards; 
George Mumm; J.H. Clark; Marshall Burr; Cap- 
tain John Wimmer; Wallace and Davis Silver; 
B.J. Nash, who introduced the drainage system; 
Samuel Porterfield; Morris Cole; Oliver and Wil- 
liam Wood; the Faberts; Captain Joseph David- 
son, Tolono Township; B.G. Tabler, later village 
clerk; the Brewers; Charles A. Daly; Thomas 
McCormick; J.R. Hoover; Van Vlecks; Consoers; 
Helms; Patrick Quinn; the Rush family; James 
M. Bartholow; Samuel Van Brunt; the Collins 
family; John Trost; Peter Hartz; Abraham 
Ordel; Michael Lowry; Livingfoss family; Ryan; 
Penny; John Krumm; L.C. Porterfield; 
Whitmore; Robert Penman; John Thrash; 
Patrick Madigan; Cyrus Arnold; William Stock- 
yard; Brelsford; Jerry Gorman; Eli Trost; Wil- 
liams; Thomas and W.M. Gordy; Truman Cord; 
Wimmer family; William Clennon; Paris Robin- 
son; Charles S. Oderbrecht; Jesse Newton 
Dick; Martin Clennon; W. E. Rickey; Charles 
W. Reed; Elijah Plotner; Richards; Franks; 
Lafenhagen family; Samuel Grove; Charles 
E. Lowry; Roger Frank Little; Woodcock; 
Burr family; Service family; Bocock family; 
C. Doss; Noble family; C. V. Cottrell; 



Michael Kearns; Dilley family; Godsell; Snyder 
family; Buddie; G.C. Stewart; Cranford; Thomas 
Ruckman; D.R. and J. A. Maddox; Anders 
family; and Melohns, plus many others we 
should name. 

Dr. B.C. Morris who came to Philo in 1865 is, 
according to the records, the first doctor in Philo 
Township and was the first to sell goods and 
drugs. He was followed by Dr. Hall who was here 
until 1869, a Dr. Jones followed and Dr. J.M. 
Bartholow was in Philo until 1895. Dr. Calvin E. 
Parker, instead of following his profession, 
started a bank and had other business enter- 
prises. Other doctors were Dr. J.D. Mandeville, 
Dr. Tinsley and Dr. R.L. Jessie. They were fol- 
lowed by Dr. Charles Ryan, who lived where 
Dwight Reed now lives, and Dr. John Gernon, 
who later lived there. Dr. Joseph Scheurich prac- 
ticed many years in Philo. He was followed by 
Dr. Brennan and Dr. Horde and Dr. Huff, who 
were here a short time. Dr. Magdalena Stoll is 
the first lady doctor to serve in Philo. 

Philo has had many professions represented 
here. In the early days we read that S. Fee was a 
lawyer here. Timothy Madigan, son of the late 
D.M. and Mrs. Madigan, follows the same pro- 
fession. 

And there were many carpenters. One, Lewis 
Crawford, is said to have built sixteen houses 
during the early growth of the town. 

Because of the swamps and poor drainage 
there was a need for tiling. When clay tiles be- 
came available and with the organization of the 
Drainage Districts, the work of draining the land 
was much improved. The dredge boats that 
cleared and made the streams and rivers wider 
and deeper also helped. George W. Burton, who 
had come to Urbana in 1852, helped saw the ties 
for the Illinois Central Railroad and then for a 
time was in the bakery and grocery business at 
the corner of Main and Market Streets. 

He and James Johnson did the first ditching in 
the county. He also invented the first open ditch- 
ing machine and did much to put farming land 
in good tillable condition. Two of his sons, Allen 
and Charles Burton, were in the tile manufac- 
turing business in Philo, being known as the 
Burton Bros. It is said B.J. Nash of Section 9, in 
Philo Township, was the first to introduce drain- 
age in Philo. And John Stipes had a tile factory, 
just east of the Howard Eaton's. 

It is also said that there was a brickyard in 
Section 27, Philo Township. It was operated by 
Blind Man Wood, otherwise known as Oliver 
Wood, who before he was twenty years old had 
the "California Gold Fever" and he and Abra- 
ham Ordel, then a young man, went as far as St. 



Joseph, Missouri, but because of a dispute with 
leaders of the company, turned back to Cham- 
paign County. Mr. Wood went later and, while 
working as a laborer in the mines, lost his eye- 
sight in an explosion. After returning home he 
married Mrs. Mary (Winn) Hubbell, whose hus- 
band and four of their six children had died of 
cholera. The son of this union was William 
Wood, who later lived on the same farm, which 
was said to have had the largest apple orchard of 
any in the county. And if the brickyard wasn't 
there, at least Mr. Blind Man Wood worked in a 
brickyard. 

There were several blacksmiths, one run by 
Minnie Hinner's father, Mr. Hwyer, in what is 
now Howard E. Mumm's yard; Ott Wingfield's 
at the northwest corner of the Grade School 
schoolyard; and Griff Dickason's, where Bounds 
now live. Georgianna Collins' husband, when 
they came to Philo in 1870, was a blacksmith, 
and Mr. Foltz also was a blacksmith. 

There were several wells in Philo, one of them 
may be seen on one of the early views of Philo. 
Well digging was one of the many occupations of 
the early settler. One of the town wells was lo- 
cated on the north side of Washington Street, 
approximately in front of the west part of the 
Central Propane Building; another one was lo- 
cated on the south side of Washington Street, 
about 50 feet east of Harrison Street; and ano- 
ther is said to have been somewhere near the pre- 
sent water works, or on the red corner. There 
was also one in front of the Richard Kamerer 
home. And there were probably many more. 

There were hotels, also, the first one erected by 
Dr. B.C. Morris. Mr. Lannon operated a hotel at 
one time where the Charles Fyffe lot is. It was 
also run by a family named Tate at one time. 
And there was a hotel where Dr. Stoll's office is 
now, but not in the same building, which once 
was run by Mrs. Cranford. 

Philo had a buggy shop, which was next to a 
blacksmith shop and operated by Mr. Towner, 
who repaired and made wheels even after cars 
were being used. There was a bicycle shop on the 
north side of the street, operated by Frank 
Ordel. This shop was next to a poultry house. 

There were many other businesses, a cobbler 
shop, livery stables, groceries and others. 

Yankee Ridge school held classes in 1857 or 
1858, with Miss Emeline Keebler the teacher, 
with twenty pupils attending. This school was lo- 
cated near the Eaton farm. 

The post office was established April 17, 1860. 
Coleman P. Wright was appointed postmaster. It 
was discontinued on December 6, 1860. And it 



was reestablished on August 13, 1861, with 
Martin H. Bennett postmaster. 

The Civil War began April 6, 1861, and ended 
April 9, 1865. Abraham Lincoln, who has been 
one of our greatest presidents, was assassinated 
on April 14. 1865. We do not have an accurate 
list of the men from this area who took part. 
Among them we believe were Noah Carson, Dave 
Walsh, George Gilgees, Sam Wingfield, John J. 
Fackler, Filander Love, F.M. Fagaly, Mr. 
Farmer and the Hon. Clark R. Griggs. Some of 
the men were in Col. Sam Busey's Regiment. 

In 1870, the Philo Herald was published with 
John S. Harper editor and publisher. It was 
printed in the office of the Homer Journal. It was 
not listed after 1870. There was no newspaper 
published again until 1889. 

In 1870, Philo had 71 dwellings, 69 families, 
and a population of 291. 

The Chicago Fire was on October 8-9, 1871. 

The old settlers of Philo Township organized 
and held annual meetings beginning in 1873. 
Their thirteenth annual meeting was held at 
Rankee Ridge schoolhouse on June 12, 1886, and 
was well attended. They were later held at Hale 
Park, the lovely park which had been given to 
the village by the Hale family. The Old Settlers 
Society of Champaign County began in 1970. 

Most of the settlers planted fruit trees and 
forest trees by their homes, the latter for protec- 
tion from the wind. Mr. Mathias L. Dunlap had 
the first nursery and fruit farm, which was car- 
ried on by his sons, Hon. H.M. Dunlap and H.J. 
Dunlap. 

In S.S. "Judd" Love's diary, written in 1873, it 
says "bought new planter 65.00," and on June 
11, 1873 it says, "Mr. Walsh shelling corn at Wi 
cents per bu.," and also in 1873, "plow trial at 
Mr. J.B. Porterfields Crossley Plow made at 
Apple River." On September 29, 1873, we quote 
"commenced threshing-Mr. Trust and Ordel are 
threshing for us" and on September 23, 1874, 
"threshed with steam thresher." 

Many remember the threshing rings and the 
bountiful dinners in the first part of this century. 
After the threshing season was over, "the thresh- 
ing ring" gathered at a home for a social evening 
and ice cream and cake. 

There were recreations before 1875 also. 
Family picnics and reunions, square dancing, 
box socials, church and school affairs, quilting 
bees and many others. On Sundays, after church 
families would be together for dinner and had 
time for visiting. And there were celebrations, 
such as the Fourth of July. B.F. Harris had 
written "the people were glad to celebrate the 
Fourth of July with jolifycation." 



ORIGINAL TOWN OF PHILO 



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PhiJo HLston 1?"5-1900 

In 1 * " 5 in election was held in Phik>. whh a 
vote of 56 to 13. in favor of incorporating as a 
village. The charter, dated Jul • " ; was signed 
by B. Tabler. village clerk, who was also super- 
visor of the township for several terms. The very 
early records of the town council meetings were 
burned in a fire. 

The r.r>: :: :'r.t ---.-. :'.i >;- ers r ;- ;-s ;s 
held in 1 8 " 5 The picnics always took place on 
the third Saturday in June whh foot races, bi- 
cycle races. Gater) and usually a guest speaker. 

. . isionally. Senator Dunlap was the speaker 
"under Philo's spreading trees". Groves in 
various locations of the county were the meeting 



place until the settlement's population i tm ease d. 
Records show that early settler. Mr. Sadoras. of 

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cultural HaH. formers were impressed br a 
s:e-r.-r err; ---;-- : - -__. --_- .:_.-_ 
thresh and dean from 800 to IjOOO bushels of 
wheat per day. Honsewnes maneOed at a new 
floor covering, a waterproof, washable suil ac e 
that could last a dozen vears or more: it was 
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CHAMPAIGN COUNTY GRAIN 
FERTILIZER DEALER SUPPLY 



Philo. LUiru > 
INC.PhLlo. Ill 




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Early Farm Scene. 



On September 25, 1877, Calvin E. Parker be- 
:ame Philo's postmaster, following Sylvanus Fee. 

According to Mr. Howard Love the corn 
iVosted and almost froze in August during the 
I880's. The corn was still green and turned 
'sour." The "stink" was reported as "terrible." 

The town records say that the first brick side- 
valk in Philo was laid in 1880. 

In 1881 Alice Chapel, a Methodist Church, 
was built southeast of Philo directly across the 
road from Lynn Grove Cemetery. 

The Philo Exchange Bank, originally housed 
on the site of the Hazen and Franks Lumber 
Yard office, was founded by Calvin Parker in 
1883. 

A popular recreation of this Victorian Age was 
joy riding in a rented rig (horse and buggy) at 
James Wand's Livery Stable, east of Howard 
Eaton's present home; a rig cost $2.00 for 5 
hours or $4.00 for all day Saturday. 

Fred Hess became Philo's postmaster Decem- 
ber 29, 1884, succeeded by Mark Ellars Septem- 
ber 2, 1885. 



Newspaper notes reveal that in 1887 "Tom 
Mattox laid his own tile" to drain his farm land. 
Previously only the high land, the so-called 
ridges, had been tilled. "The scourge of the pio- 
neers, the diseases caused by undrained sloughs 
and swamp land, largely disappeared with syste- 
matic and greater care as to public sanitation." 
(Time-Life Books) 

Large planks were used for Philo's first side- 
walks. Hale's Second Addition, plotted April 16, 
1888, included all land east of Adams Street and 
south to Van Buren. It was south of the railroad 
tracks. 

In the late 1880's Philo had its first rural 
"telephone of sorts," built at the expense and by 
the ingenuity of individuals. Mr. Howard Love 
reminisces that three households. Rices, Loves, 
and Kearns, strung a line through the field con- 
necting the three parties, and since the 
apparatus had no bell to signal with, one talked 
and listened through the same instrument at a 
pre-arranged time. Finally, in 1929, the Philo 
"hook-up" brought a line out to Love's home. 




Caiuioiiball. 




Philo Depot. 



In 1889 the Great Western Railroad through 
Philo became the Wabash Railroad, famous for 
the song, "The Wabash Cannonball." The town 
dray, pulled by two horses, hauled freight from 
the depot to its destination. 

"In 1890 the United States had 63 million 
people, and 11 million of its 12 million families 
lived on an average income of $380 a year." 
(Butterfield, The American Post) What did they 
do for entertainment? Parties were held in the 
home with games like "Wink'Em" and "Skip to 
my Lou." Stereoscopic viewing and "flicks," 
which were projected slides, took the place of 
television. Quilting "bees" for the ladies were 
talk and sew "Matches." Some of the popular 
patterns for quilts were the Log Cabin, Double 



Tulip, Garden Wreath, Rob Peter Pay Paul, and 
Joseph's Coat. The piano in the parlor was a 
popular gathering place for family and friends. 
Musical ability was highly valued. The "Gibson 
girls" of the Gay Nineties read Godey's Ladies 
Book for styles and the Delineator was also 
popular. 

A note from the local paper of 1891 informs 
that the "Tile Factory will be ready May 1." This 
was Charles Burton's Tile Factory. From 1875 to 
1895 Stipes' Tile Factory was located at the site 
of the village lots on Washington Street across 
from Wm. McCormick's home. The depressions, 
from which the clay was removed, are still 
visible. 




Banting raising at the George Mumm Farm 



Martin Clennon remembers that in 1892 a 
barn was raised on the farm where Lawrence 
Clennon now lives. Carpenter Lannon from 
Longview was in charge and put the sides 
together on the ground. Horses and a wagon 
brought 8x8 timbers, nails and hinges from the 
lumber yard at Tolono. Six-year-old Martin 
Clennon rode by horseback to summon neigh- 
bors on the day of raising the sides. Twenty-five 
or thirty neighbors arrived to help and by noon 




the barn was mostly up. Neighbor ladies helped 
to prepare the noon meal. Sometimes square 
dances were held in new barns. 

In 1892 Philo voted to build, at the cost of 
$1,500. a town hall; the Masons would own the 
top half. 

After the invention of the safety bike, with two 
equal wheels, bicycling became a pleasing past- 
time. 




"BUILT UKE A WATCH? 
IMPERIAL CYCLES. 

Go Lightly Kind. 



Repair shop fitted to do al' kind «f 


I.AT1IK work, VULCANIZING, BRAZ- 


ING, BAKE KXAMKLLNG and THl'K- 


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Philo had a population of 491 in 1893. It had 
two newspapers, tile manufacturing, milling and 
other businesses. The Budget newspaper, estab- 
lished in 1889 by Ida and Mont Robinson, pub- 
lished 4 pages each Saturday for $1.00 per year. 

The Sidney By Way reports that Will Thrash 
shot 1,322 sparrows in two and one half days. He 
killed 55 in one shot. A bounty of $26.00 was 
paid to him for his efforts in eradicating the 
pests. 



Michael Lowry became postmaster in 1893. 
On February 10, after a sleet storm, Scott Fisher 
had 9 hogs slide down the slope of the Salt Fork 
River. Four lodged on the bank, but five went 
over into the Salt Fork and were drowned. 

In 1895 Father McKinnery built the St. 
Thomas Church. The Philo Weekly Budget of 
October 17, 1896 reports that Frank Brewer is 
selling "All kinds of steaks, roast, and bologna, 
at 10 cents a pound or 3 pounds for 25 cents." 




Time to rest on the farm. 



The Budget also says, "The misses Belle Wim- 
mer and Gertrude Lovingfoss had their buggy 
upset while coming home from the rally Monday 
eve. The horse was raised a Democrat, and when 
the young ladies shouted for McKinley he got 
mad and tilted over the vehicle." 

The Philo Business Directory of 1898 
included: 

F.C. Hess & Bros. — General Merchandise 
Lyman E. Hazen — Lumber, Lime, etc. 
Samuel Wingfield — Groceries, Provisions, etc. 
Wm. M. Parkman — Philo Exchange Bank 
R. Bauman — Wagon work and Blacksmithing 
Paris Robinson — Stoves, Hardware & Tinware 



J.C. Mandeville, M.D. — Physician & Surgeon 

G.E. & R. Stewart — Grain, Feed, Meal, Bran 
Coal & Oils of all kinds 

F.C. Hess & Bros. — Drugs, Wallpaper, fancy 
goods, paints, glass, etc. 

A.S. Trim — Wagon maker and general re- 
pairer in the line & various branches 

E.B. Hazen — Grain, coal, flour, salt, also 
agricultural implements 

Van Vleck & Son — Grain, coal, flour, salt 
agricultural implements 

Otto Grothe — Dealer in boots and shoes; 
repairing, and new made to order. 



also 



also 




Otto Grothe' s Shop 







Interior of Philo Exchange Bank in (or circa) 1911. Lyman E. Hazen 
in teller's window. Presbyterian minister. The Reverend Lewis F. 
Cooper, and son James as customers. 



The Wabash Trunk Line had 4 east bound 
trains stopping in Philo daily (except Sunday) 
and 3 west bound trains. Four of these trains 
dropped mail and four carried passengers. "The 
Wabash offers very low rates for Sunday travel" 
(The Budget). 

Meshech S. Brewer became postmaster in 1897 
and remained until Charles Lowry took his place 
in 1914. 

In 1898 Jess Wimmer went to serve in the 
Spanish-American War. 



By the end of the nineteenth century "The 
United States had established itself as the indus- 
trial giant of the world" (Butterfield) and Philo 
was prospering, with the railroad to haul the far- 
mers' produce to market and many businesses 
supplying services to the farmers. Philo inhabi- 
tants would have been surprised indeed if they 
could have seen the technological improvements 
of the coming twentieth century. 




I ODC.E LIFE LOOKF.D 'SF.RIOUS.' II . t dw„d D.llfy. I - 

■ ' • ('rimy. unKicfitifif ! 

t \n,,. km ll»m Otdr 

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U Ih in ■ • '• >'«* 




Standing: L to R, Chester Guard. Carl Licht, Mable Thompson, Katie Godsell teacher. Louise Grishaw, Mary 
Grishaw. — Thompson, and — Grishaw. Seated: L to R. Fay Harnsbarger. — Grove. Ethel Craig. — Guard. — 
Lawhead. Carol Guard, and — Joe Guard. 



Philo's Oldest Business Still in Operation 

Philo Exchange Bank was founded by a Philo 
physician. Dr. Calvin Parker in 1883, and was 
managed by his nephew for the first three years. 

In 1886, Dr. Parker sold his private bank to 
Elisha B. Hazen, who was owner and manager of 
the Philo grain elevator in that early day. Mr. 
Hazen was concerned about the large amounts of 
cash he needed to keep on hand to buy grain 
from farmers, and decided to buy the bank to 
facilitate his elevator business. 

His nephew, Wirt Mandeville Hazen, joined 
him in the bank's operation sometime in the 
1890's. Wirt's brother, Lyman E. Hazen, who 
first taught at a country school known as Camp- 
bell School about 3Vi miles southeast of Philo, 
and next went into the lumber business in Philo, 
then exchanged places with his brother, joining 
the bank about 1900. 

Also, about 1900, the original frame building 
on North Harrison Street just behind the present 
building became inadequate, so the east half of 
the present bank building was built facing 
Washington Street which had been then evolved 
as the principal business street of the village. 

Elisha B. Hazen eventually moved to Cham- 



paign, but commuted to Philo about 3 days a 
week to supervise his bank. Usually he made the 
trip by Wabash Railroad train which provided 
excellent service in those days. The passenger 
train made 3 round trips daily, first going to 
Sidney, then through Urbana to Champaign, and 
the fare was 35 cents. On good days, Mr. Hazen 
would travel by horse and buggy, and drove a 
beautiful black horse named Nimbus. 

Upon Mr. Elisha B. Hazen's death in 1914, his 
wife Helen inherited his interest in the bank, and 
his nephew Lyman E. Hazen succeeded him as 
the principal person in the bank. 

An entry found in the records of February 2, 
1917 reads: "Bank burglarized 2 A.M. Feb. 2, 
1917, by torch burning." Fortunately for the 
bank the burglars cut into the wrong part of the 
safe and were unable to reach any money. At this 
point Mr. Lyman E. Hazen decided to improve 
bank security, and the bank's first vault 
complete with steel door and time locks was in- 
stalled at the approximate cost of $5,000.00. 

Effective January 2, 1921, Philo Exchange 
Bank converted from a private bank to a state 
bank, upon authority to incorporate from the 
State of Illinois. Capital stock was issued for 
$40,000.00, represented by 400 shares. Original 



stockholders were listed as Lyman E. Hazen, 
Helen Hazen, J. Howard Smith, Anna B. Hazen, 
Marshall Burr, and Eugene C. Burr. Original 
directors were Lyman E. Hazen, his wife Anna B. 
Hazen, and J. Howard Smith. First officers were 
Lyman E. Hazen, President; Anna B. Hazen, 
Vice President; J. Howard Smith. Cashier; and 
Kathryn Ida Trost, Ass't. Cashier. 

The bank had assets of $337,013.57 on incor- 
poration day in 1921, but by March of 1933 
following over 3 years of depression, this had de- 
clined some 33% to $213,790.92. On March 3, 
1933, along with all other U.S. Banks, the bank 
was closed during President Roosevelt's "bank 
moratorium." Reopening day was March 20 and 
confidence apparently existed because deposits 
exceeded withdrawals by $4,700.00 to $1,700.00. 
Then on March 23, 1933, Philo Exchange Bank 
acquired the assets and liabilities of the Philo 
State Bank, thereby increasing assets to 
$254,644.07. 

Lyman E. Hazen died in 1952 following over 
50 years service to the bank, and his nephew, 
Nathan L. Rice, succeeded as President. Mr. 
Rice continues to serve as President at this time, 
and completed 50 years of service in 1974. 



In 1956, the 55 year old brick building was 
completely remodeled. Then in 1966 the former 
Mattix Garage Building next door west was pur- 
chased, razed, and a new addition built which 
more than doubled banking space, and together 
with the former building, provides the present 
modern banking quarters. In an average day the 
bank's staff now processes 1,402 checks and 146 
deposits. 

Present officers of the bank are: Nathan L. 
Rice. President; Robert B. Rice, Vice President; 
Juanita M. Brewer, Cashier; and Mary Grace 
Vermillion, Ass't. Cashier. Marilyn E. Warren. 
Anita R. Althaus, and Rita R. Godsell combine 
duties as Tellers and Bookkeepers. Directors are 
Alda C. Rice, Donald H. Rice, Katharine G. 
Rice, Nathan L. Rice, and Robert B. Rice. 

Following are statements of the bank on 
various dates. January 2, 1901 is the oldest state- 
ment still retained in bank files. December 31, 
1920 is the last day as private bank status, and 
March 3, 1933 is at the depth of the great 
depression. The dates of December 31, 1953 and 
December 31, 1974 were chosen both to fill in 
and to illustrate growth and inflation of the past 
40 years. 





Jan 2 


Dec 31 


Mar 3 


Dec 31 


Dec 31 


Assets 


1901 


1920 


1933 


1953 


1974 


Cash & Due from Banks 


17.048.26 


62.416.61 


36,394.51 


344.343.55 


753,269.37 


Bonds & Investments 




38,000.00 


53.500.00 


1 .477,000.00 


3.339,379.24 


Loans and Discounts 


83,342.05 


229,897.35 


115,600.97 


326.956.65 


2.940.536.96 


Overdrafts 


8,841.64 


699.61 


61.51 


56.83 


1,445.49 


Bank Building & Fixtures 


1.200.00 


6.000.00 


7,500.00 


1.002.00 


2.00 




110.431.95 


337,013.57 


213,056.99 


2,149.359.03 


7,034.633.06 


Liabilities 












Checking Accounts 


90.394.15 


189,149.75 


104.835.26 


2.008.820.60 


3,722.664.26 


Savings Accounts 




3.653.75 


6.700.68 




1 .006.884.58 


CDs & Time Deposits 




103,719.93 


43.267.65 




1 .803,934.87 


Capital 


20.000.00 


40.000.00 


40,000.00 


40,000.00 


100.000.00 


Surplus 






4,100.00 


40,000.00 


200.000.00 


Undivided Profits A: Reserves 


37.80 


490.14 


14.153.40 


60.538.43 


201.149.35 




110.431.95 


337.013.57 


213.056.99 


2.149,359.03 


7,034,633.06 



This Page sponsored by: 

CITIZENS BANK OF TOLONO, Tolono, Illinois 

REICHARD PLUMBING AND HEATING CO., Urbana, Illinois 



ORIGINAL TOWN OF PHILO 




Threshing — 1898-1899 



For the rural community the turn of the cen- 
tury found no immediate change of its life style. 
Oats and rye were raised in addition to wheat 
and corn. Some wheat was saved from the crop 
and carried to the miller for flour. Seed for the 
next year's corn crop was saved from the harvest 
and on occasion some ears of corn were ex- 
changed with another farmer in hopes of improv- 
ing the strain of seed corn. 

Rural mail delivery began about 1903. Until 
then the mail was held at the post office until the 
patron "went to town". Any packages arrived at 
the railroad express office. Some of the early 
rural mail carriers were: James Bocock, Vernon 
Penny, Charles Stewart and Abbott Duell. 

The Budget newspaper was being printed in 
Philo every Friday for approximately 400 
patrons. It was a four-page 13x20 paper, sub- 
scriptions were $1.20 a year and Mont Robinson 
was editor and publisher. 

The first telephone exchange in town was lo- 
cated in Father Barry's home about 1902. His 
housekeeper acted as operator for the service be- 
tween the rectory and the families of the 
Bongard parish. Soon after, Mr. J.B. Carson had 
a telephone exchange service, operated until it 



was taken over by the Eastern Illinois Telephone 
Corporation. 

The Commercial Bank was established in 
1902, with Isaac Raymond as president. 

When some of our older citizens were asked to 
recall the first automobile they saw and what 
makes they were we received quite a list of 
names. The earliest cars in Philo were: "Win- 
ston", owned by Mr. Weaver; "Buick" owned by 
Dr. Scheurich; and "Thomas Flyer" owned by 
Frank Cain. Mr. Martin Clennon remembers 
how he admired the new car owned by Jerry Hor- 
gan, store keeper in Philo. Jerry demonstrated 
the car to Mr. Clennon, allowing him to drive it 
around in a pasture. He took him to Champaign 
where Mr. Clennon bought a "Haynes" and 
drove it home. Most early cars were not driven in 
the winter because of the muddy roads and anti- 
freeze had not been put into use. They "jacked" 
the cars up in the winter and left them in the 
garage. The operator's manual wasn't quite spe- 
cific enough for some of the cars and it took in- 
genuity for the owners to realize that horses 
could pull it to get it started or sometimes pull it 
through a section of bad roads. 










An Early Farm Scene 




John Lafenhgen 's Car — 1913 Rambler 



The year 1904 saw the celebration of the 
World's Fair in St. Louis. The Budget carried 
the following ad: 

Take the Wabash to St. Louis 

the only line 

to 

The World's Fair 



The first plank sidewalks in the village were 
laid in 1906. A new newspaper the "Philo Grit" 
was founded. 

At a village board meeting in 1908, the village 
appropriated $950. for the year's current ex- 
penses. 

The "Philo Budget" changed its name to 
"Pilot" in 1909 with a new editor and publisher, 
Mr. H.F. Gutneck. 




front of First Presbyterian Church. 









Interior ofHorgan 



Grocery 5: . r ^ — 7907 



Independence Day in 1909 was celebrated at 
Lynn Grove. Music was furnished by the Sidney 
band. Tim Sullivan lined up the "Longview In- 
vincibles" to play a baseball game against the 
"Philo Never Sweats". Some of the other amuse- 
ments arranged and the prizes given were: 

.- ; " ' - ' race, box of cigars: Young men's 50 

yd. dash, box of cigars: Young ladies race, box of 

stationery: Sack race-young boys. SI. 00: Fat 

woman's race, parosol: Girls under 12 race, 

.0. 

Five dollars was offered by John Daly for the 
:~\- i'-.'.-.rzr.t-i :ar 

bfike Lowry offered S2.00 cash for the largest 
family present. 



On Wednesday night August 17. 1909. there 
was a fire on the north side of Main Street in 
Philo. Here is a summary of the story of the 
tragic event and damages as reported in the 
newspaper. Fire was seen in the Rickey Office 
about eleven o'clock. 

John Grothe and others ran about town giving 
the alarm. Soon all church bells were ringing and 
the town was thoroughly aroused. When flames 
reached the telephone exchange, connections 
with the outside world were broken for Agent 
Dixon was at Sidney and no telegraph service 
could be had. W.H. and Ed Rickey were at a 
banquet in Sidney and the building had not been 
occupied since 1 p.m. Wednesday 'same day). 



fichener was struck on the bead I 
bucket falling from the Reed Building arc 
cetved a bad cut. Many others received injuries- 

The businesses that burned were: Rickey Fur- 
niture Store. Melohn Poultry House. Grothe 

Building. Reec '(arket. Stearns Ice House 

and Warehouse. - z r ------- 



BtefeJu td Barber Shop. 

-.' 

John WinBer rescued afl of his eooc 
exception c :r: :f stock 

The Grothe shoe stock was saved 
tools and futu r es in the Biefannd Barber 














— t-t y . ~ *» . ' . J -.: -. -a T .* ^ 



The Commercial Bank became a private bank 
in 1910, with C.A. Daly as president. 

Sometime around 1910 two trains were stalled 
during a severe snow storm and blizzard. One 
was a short distance west of town "in the cut" 



and the other was about one half mile east of 
town. Lowry's restaurant provided coffee and 
sandwiches for the passengers and the food was 
taken out to the trains by volunteers for the two 
days the trains were stalled. 







West of Penmans — About 1910 
This train was stuck in a snow drift for a length of time. Georgia Scheurich remembers her dad taking a bas- 
ket of food from home for the passengers, etc. Most of the townspeople did the same. 



m 



To VILLAGE OF PHILO, Dr. 



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Bricks — $8.50 per thousand in 1906 



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Home Improvement Society — 1907 




Early 1900 s 



This Page sponsored bv: 

THE COUNTRY COMPANIES, Bloomington, Illinois 

WOODWORTH & SONS, INC., Tolono, Illinois 










team engine and Steel Separator for $880 

6 H. P. Engine IS Brake H. P. , $500. 




Late 1890 's or early 1900 's 




CYrca /900 



According to the "Philo Pilot" July 14, 
1911. "The Village council turned down the ap- 
plication of Harve Baker of Tolono for a license 
to conduct a poolroom. 

A committee of three aldermen was appointed 
to investigate the proposition of purchasing 10 
gasoline street lights". 



The town had not yet purchased the street 
lights in August when the "Pilot" reminded 
them that Sidney had had lights for over one 
year. 




Horgan and Cain Grocery- Store delivery- truck with Frank 
Cain in front — 1907. 




Inside Main St. Stare 








Philo Jail 




tCU,"£'i kit ^ ■ 



Harrison Street in 1910 




Corn Shelling 




The town football team played in Penman's 
pasture and the town baseball team also used the 
pasture from 1912 to about 1917. 

For the cultural improvement of the village the 
Chautauqua arrived in town for a week and the 
meetings were held on the school grounds in 
1915. 

The Prairie Farmer Reliable Directory of 1917 
listed only one farmer who owned a tractor. His 



name was Chas. L. Plotner and the tractor was a 
"Moline Universal". 

A demonstration of a tractor pulling a plow 
was attended by many farmers and their families 
with honest doubts on their minds that one 
tractor and plow could replace six horses to 
plow. They were astonished to see it accomplish 
such an unheard of task. 



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Picture of Yesteryear's Sketches from "The 
Courier". Identification of businesses from left to 
right in picture dated 1917. 

(1) FF Gilgee Restaurant & Confectionery 
shop. Modern Woodman of America Lodge up- 
stairs site also occupied at one time by Young Ed 
Rickey who had a funeral parlor. (West end of 
building) and Ray Tarrent who had a restaurant. 
(2) J. P. Soward "Jim". Drug store (part of 2 story 
building). (3) Ed Bahr-Pool Hall (1st building 
with an awning, later run by John Melohn). (4) 
Otto Grothe-Boots & shoes cobbler (2nd store 
with awning). (5) G.M. Brelsford Barber Shop. 
(6) Sherman Woodcock Barber Shop. (7) J.W. 
"Spike" Wimmer Grocery (3rd store with 
awning). (8) G.R. Fagaly Butcher Shop. (9) Lowry 
Bros. Grocery (also had confectionery store & 
restaurant at same time). (10) Philo Garage- 
Brewer and Van Vleck-site of livery stable until 
1913. (11) Empty lot at one time between garage 
and bank at the end of the block. Horse shoe 



pitching was a pasttime of the guys on this lot. 
(12) Philo Exchange Bank. KC Hall above bank- 
square dances were held regularly-also a dentist 
office upstairs Boudeau. (13) Red Corner Bldg. 
site of Red Cross meetings, etc. during WWI. 
Eli Trost and Elijah Doss had a hardware store 
in Red Corner Bldg. at one time; also called Red 
Front Bldg. (14) Windmill for town pump. Horse 
tank and hitching rack were located across the 
street. (Water tower & Fire Department area). 

(15) Grocery store east of old bank building (not 
visible in picture) was operated by J. Horgan and 
Frank H. Cain. Later it was operated by Frank 
Cain; Cain Bros.; Vincent Cain; then Ray 
Tarrant, who sold it to James P. Madigan. This 
store was where the laundromat is now located. 

(16) Philo Commercial Bank (Conical tower 
Bldg.) also known at one time as Philo State 
Bank. Ed O'Neill and Chas. Daly-Pres. & Vice 
Pres. J.B. Carson operated the switchboard for 
the Philo Telephone Co. upstairs at the bank 



before taken over by General Telephone 
Exchange. (17) Ed Hesselschwerdt-Hardware & 
Plumbing (site of present tavern); Wm, Malone- 
Harness shop. This shop was torn down about 
the time Hesselschwerdt built his building. (18) 
"Newt" Wimmer-Groeery; this store had electric 
lights from a "Delco" plant before most of the 
homes in Philo had electricity. The opera house 
was located above the store and later the IOOF 
Lodge used the hall upstairs. Fred Hess ran the 
store before Newt Wimmer. (19) Isaac 
"Birdman" Hess-Dry Goods Store. (20) Located 
somewhere in the group of wooden front 
buildings were the following: H.W. "Biddie" 
Trost-Restaurant-later sold to Fred Selmeyer; 
W.H. Rickey-Furniture Store; Post Office; Mr. 
Towner had a buggy shop next door to the 
blacksmith shop run by Ma Foltz-Foltz later sold 
his corner blacksmith shop to Ott Winfield; 
M.O. "Mag" Malone-Millinery shop located 
around the corner and south of blacksmith shop. 

Other businesses located in Philo in 1917 ac- 
cording to Prairie Farmer Reliable Directory of 
1917 includes: 

Brazelton-Melohn Well Drilling; Dr. C. F. 
Davis, Dentist; Griffith Dickason, Blacksmith, 
located Vi block north of RR track; south of 
Dickason at one time was a livery stable; H.W. 
Fiscus, Painter, decorator; Hazen & Franks 
Lumber and building material, just north of Ex- 



change Bank; Dr. R.L. Jessee, Physician; J.F. 
Lannon, Contractor and Prop, of Elm Tree 
Hotel, located one block east of old bank bldg.; 
Lowry & McCormick, Real Estate; H.H. Mast 
Cement & Brick; Herman Mount Produce 
(unable to locate store but he lived where "Chet" 
Klockenbrink lives); O'Neill & Plotner, Grain & 
Implements (elevator operator); Robert Penman, 
Real Estate; Dr. Chas. F. Ryan, Physician; J.E. 
Simmers, Dray & Transfer; W.B. Smith, Painter; 
A.R. Thickson, Painter & Decorator; J.C. Trost 
& Co. Grain & Implement (south of elevator); 
"Jim" Wand used old wooden school building 
for livery stable barn. 

After Philo recovered from the fire on the 
north side of Main Street, fire struck on the 
south side in 1917. Four frame buildings, the 
post office, meat market, confectionery and ano- 
ther small shop were razed. 

The first electricity in Philo was run by a gaso- 
line generator. It was operated this way for ten 
years. 

Between 1914 and 1918 bond rallies were held 
and Red Cross classes met in the "Red Front" 
building. Miss Sue Ennis, a tireless worker was 
in charge and Philo was justly proud of its Red 
Cross record. 






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P. E2 Starkey, Principal. 




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Disking 










797/ — Hitching rack across from Horgan and Cain Grocery. Left to Right: Dr. Chas. Ryan, unknown. Frank H. 
Cain. 



This Page sponsored by: 

SUNNYCREST IGA, Philo Road, Urbana 

RALPH WILSON, EDWARD ANDERSON, GEORGE ANDERSON 

THE CRADLE, Philo Road, Urbana 

BREWER CHEVROLET CO.. Homer. Illinois 







THE PHILO GARAGE CO. JJZXL I 






PHILO, ILLINOIS 

AUTO LIVERY, ACCESSORIES, REPAIRING 
STORAGE, GASOLINE AND OILS 

U. S. L. Service Station 

Electrical Work and Battery Recharging 

Tubes and Casing Vulcanizing 



i 

§ 



iminiimimimimifflWW 



CLARK'S CANNING FACTORY 

Clark's canning factory, owned and operated 
by Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Clark, came into 
existence in 1916. It was located in the now 
empty lots south of Hazen Park on Adams 
Street. With equipment which consisted of one 
wash boiler, a soldering iron and a gasoline torch 
to seal the cans, they were able to peel, pack and 
can 300 quarts of tomatoes a day. 

The plant was later enlarged to a four-room 
building with a scalding room, peeling room, 
cooking room and ware room, where the filled 
cans were labeled and stored. 

Mr. Clark raised his own tomatoes from seed 
drilled with a corn planter. One year from 35 
acres, 135,000 cans were produced. 

At the peak of the canning season thirty 
people were employed. 

—News-Gazette Jan. 25, 1942 



RURAL SCHOOLS 

The rural schools played an important role in 
the educational system of the Philo Community. 
Yankee Ridge, the first school in Philo Township 
was built in 1857, one half mile north of the still - 
standing but empty Yankee Ridge building. 
With Miss Emeline Keeble, who later married 
Mr. Callor, as teacher the first school opened 



February 7, 1857, with twenty pupils enrolled, 
aged six to nineteen. Two of the first directors 
were Lucius Eaton and Mr. Chapin. 

In Crittenden Township as soon as a sufficient 
number of children justified their doing so, a 
teacher was engaged and a subscription school 
opened in a cabin in Bouse Grove. Abadiah 
Johnson, who was the first teacher, taught the 
first term in 1852-53. After a school house was 
erected in 1857 on Section 14, Martha Chapin 
was employed to teach. Martin Clennon, Philo's 
oldest male citizen, remembers his first teacher 
was Mr. John Burns. 

It is recalled a school known as Swamp Col- 
lege was located one mile east of Philo (at the 
corner west of Calvary Cemetery). The school 
having been closed before the turn of the cen- 
tury, Mr. Clarence Rice purchased the building, 
which was moved to his farm and used as a gran- 
ary. 

Black Slough, a school one mile west of Philo, 
(corner west of Leo Cain's home) not remem- 
bered by many Philo residents, was moved to 
Philo and remodeled into a dwelling now occu- 
pied by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ruffner. 

Since rural schools were built every two miles 
no child had more than two miles to walk to 
school. The Philo Townships schools were: 
Locke, Union, Brick, Riley, Yankee Ridge. Pell 
and Maple Grove. The Crittenden Township 
schools were: Pleasant View, Center, College 





!!! r «! 

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*M*tc*~ 





l 'nion School District 106 







Yankee Ridge School as it looks today. The last of our one 
room school houses. 



Corner, Jesse, Williams, Belle Prairie, Noble, 
Spencer, Smith and St. Mary's Parochial School. 

The rural schools were also important in the 
social life of the community. One form of local 
entertainment and means of raising money was 
the box social. The ladies and young girls spent 
many hours at home elaborately decorating 
boxes with colored crepe paper and preparing 
their special delicacies to fill the boxes. After 
some entertainment, the boxes were sold at auc- 
tion to the highest bidder without mentioning the 
name of the owner. The purchaser had the privi- 
lege of eating the contents with the young lady, 
often his best girl. This generated quite a bit of 
rivalry between the bidders who either knew or 
thought they knew the owner of the box being 
sold. On these occasions a box often brought as 
much as twenty-five dollars. 

Christmas programs were presented for the 
parents and neighbors. The teacher and pupils 
spent many hours in preparation and excitement 
was high on the day of the program. 

In case of a snow storm the teacher had no 
worries about having a place to stay overnight for 
the homes were always open and "the welcome 
mat was out". 

In cold weather one of the older boys usually 
took over the task of getting the building warm 
in the morning, for the fire was "banked" at 
night. 

In most rural schools the "hot lunch" was a 
glass jar of something brought in the lunch pail 
and placed in a pan of hot water on the back of 
the stove. 

An examination day was at the end of the 
month when examination questions were sent to 
the teacher from the county superintendent's of- 
fice. Near the close of the school year seventh 
and eighth grade students went into town to 



Since the school term was only eight months 
long, the last day of school was the latter part of 
April. Even if they had no children in school all 
the families in the district came with well-filled 
baskets. After a bountiful dinner, games and 
much visiting and joking were enjoyed. 

Due to small student enrollment some of the 
rural schools had closed prior to the organization 
of Community Unit Seven. When Unit Seven was 
organized in 1949 all remaining area rural 
schools were closed except Maple Grove, which 
remained an attendance center of Unit Seven for 
one year. At this time a bus system was estab- 
lished to accommodate all of the children of the 
community. 

Philo School 

The first school in the town of Philo was a two 
story frame structure, which stood where the pre- 
sent school stands. Moved to a site on the north 
side of Washington Street, the school building 
was then converted into a livery stable. Later it 
was used as a barn until it burned in 1966. The 
first recorded graduating class from this school 
consisted of four members: Belle Van Vleck, Eli- 
zabeth Davis. David Godfrey, and Frank Van 
Vleck. 

At an election held in May 1898, the proposi- 
tion to build the present two story brick school 
received 92 votes "For" and 4 "Against". The 
proposition to locate the school house upon the 
site occupied by the old building received 88 
votes "For" and 9 votes "Against". The propo- 
sition to issue bonds to the amount of four thou- 
sand dollars received 93 votes "For" and 3 
"Against". The directors of the Board of Educa- 
tion at this time were: F.C. Hess, Dr. R.L. Jessee 
and E.B. Hazen. 




Bell Prairie School — 1904 
L to R — Teacher: Edna Collins, Grace Anders, Florence Anders, Emma Anders. Grace Hughlett, Augusta 
Mumm, Ada Mumm, Harvey Anders, Andrew Bleichner, Edith Mapes. 2nd Row — Nellie Anders, Ross 
Bleichner, Pearle Anders, Martha Mumm, Charles Comer, Paul Butler. Frank Anders, Joseph Bleichner. 
Sitting — Walter Anders, Robert Mapes. Samuel Anders. Gladys McClintock. Martha Anders, Earl Mumm, 
Franklin Burr. 



Mr. Charles H. Watts was employed as high 
school teacher and principal of the new school at 
a salary of eighty dollars a month. Miss Gina 
Leming was grammar room teacher at fifty dol- 
lars a month. Miss Kate Wright taught inter- 
mediate grades at forty dollars a month, and 
Miss Susie Reddick was primary teacher at fifty 



dollars a month. Newton Garritson, the janitor, 
received fourteen dollars a month. The five mem- 
bers of the graduating class of 1898 were Edna 
Collins, Grace Trost, William Snyder, Edith 
Brelsford and Pearl Dick. 

A contract was awarded Hoover, Van Vleck 
and Hoover to construct the gymnasium which 




"tsh Ub 




Union School — 1920-1921 
Bottom Row: L to R. Gladys Spencer. Grace Plotner, Helen Plotner, Chester Klockcnbrink, Clifford Brand. Helen 
Odebrecht, Fern Klockenbrink, Irven Brand, Melba Odebrecht, unknown, Lola Spencer, Wilbert Plotner. Back Row: 
Matilda Plotner, Irene Taylor — teacher, Orson Spencer, Fred Brand. 




Philo Grade School — Earlv 1900s 



was completed in 1927, at a cost of $27,000. Ed 
Hesselschwerdt was the plumbing contractor for 
the building. 

1936-37 was the last year Philo functioned as a 
three year high school. The members of the last 
class to graduate from the three year high were: 
Edward Bowers, Joseph Brewer, Robert Loving- 
foss, Wanda Miller, Mildred Ruffner, James 
Smith and Velma Trowbridge. 

When Philo became a four year accredited 
high school in 1937 an addition was built on the 
north side and some remodeling was done. Voca- 
tional agriculture, home economics and com- 
merce were added to the curriculum. Agriculture 
and home economics classes were held in the 
upper rooms of the gymnasium, now used as a 
music room and a library. The classes in Com- 
mercial subjects were taught in what is now room 
nine. 

A small fire occurred in 1937, which caused a 
great deal of excitement, but there was no exten- 
sive damage done to the building. 

Defeating Mahomet 32 to 22, Philo became 
the Champaign County basketball champions in 
1938. The team members were: Wayne Ray. 
manager, Roy McCloskey, Raymond Wingfield, 
Bert Ward, Wesley Goodnight. Henry Wilson, 
James Wilson, Clarence Patton, Jo Smith, 
Charles Reese and Donald Melohn. Mr. Francis 
C. Hall was the coach and Mr. Gerald Y. 
Trimble was principal. 

The Industrial Arts Class of 1937 constructed 
a shop where the portable classroom now stands 
which was used as their classroom until high 
school was moved from Philo. This building was 
purchased by Mr. Orville Miller and moved to its 



present location at the corner of Madison and 
Lincoln Street. 

In 1948-49 Community Unit Seven was formed 
consisting of Sidney, Philo, Tolono. Pesotum. 
Sadorus, Colfax and part of Crittenden town- 
ship. The Board of Education was composed of 
one member elected from each township: A.S. 
Hartman, Pesotum; Clifton Cekander, Sadorus; 
Verne Shepherd, Crittenden; Wm. Hadden, Col- 
fax; Melvin Henderson, Tolono; Richard Franks, 
Philo; and Lawrence Mumm, Sidney. Mr. J.C. 
Honn was employed as the first superintendent 
of the unit. 

During 1948-49, the last year Philo High 
existed, Mr. J.L. Landes resigned as principal 
and was replaced by Mrs. Lelah Wimmer. The 
ten members of the last graduating class of Philo 
High School were: James Bray. William Ellars, 
Caroline Ellis, Earl Hammer, Donald Hinners, 
Richard Rice, Marlene Riggs, Vernon Shepherd, 
Rex Mahannah and Yvonne Johnson. 

In the years 1949 thru 1958 the seventh, eighth 
and ninth grades attended school at East Unity 
Junior High in Sidney. The tenth, eleventh, and 
twelfth grades went to Tolono. With the passage 
of the bond issue to build Unity High School and 
the addition to Philo Grade School, the seventh 
and eighth grades returned to Philo. 

The new addition to the gymnasium, com- 
pleted in 1958, consisted of five classrooms and 
modern restrooms. At the same time the cafe- 
teria in the old building was completely re- 
modeled. Grades four thru eight were taught in 
the new addition and kindergarten thru three in 
the old building. All of the high school students 
went to Unity High School. 



In 1971 a portable classroom was placed east 
of the new addition to house social studies 
classes. The kindergarten class was moved to the 
portable classroom in 1974-75. 

In the summer of 1974 the office was moved 
from third floor to the first floor in a completely 
remodeled room formerly used as the custodian's 



workroom and a new building was erected for 
the custodian's use. 

As the 1974-75 school year comes to a close 
with an enrollment of 186 students. Miss Thelma 
Melohn is principal of Philo Grade School and 
Mr. William McNealy is superintendent of Unit 
Seven. 




Today 




Philo School Addition 



St. Thomas School 

St. Thomas in Philo is one of the two Catholic 
parochial schools maintained in Champaign 
County outside of Champaign-Urbana. 

St. Joseph's Academy was built in 1905. It was 
a three story stone building where grades one 
through twelve were taught. There was also a 
chapel and the living quarters of the teaching 
Dominican Sisters. Sister Agatha was the fust 
principal and the first graduates of St. Joseph's 
were: Agnes Clennon and Agnes Wegeng in 
1906. 

It opened as a boarding school around 1907. 
The girls roomed on third floor in the dormitory 
and ate with the sisters on the lower level. The 
boys roomed and boarded in a brick building 
constructed west of the school known as the 
"Frat House". 

The "Frat House" was closed and the boys 
then roomed across the street on the second floor 



o\' the rectory. A lire occurred in the rectory in 
1937 and as a result the boarding school was dis- 
continued. 

St. Joseph's high school closed in 1938. 

The name was changed to St. Thomas Grade 
School and the Dominican Sisters continued to 
teach grades one through eight. 

The decision was made in 1966 to construct a 
new school. The old building was demolished 
and on almost the same site as the original 
school a new one story brick building was con- 
structed. Wayne Bonnell was the contractor. The 
new building consists of four classrooms, a li- 
brary, office, gym. multipurpose room and a 
kitchen. Nearby a new convent was built at the 
same time. 

St. Thomas now has shared time in science 
and music with Philo Grade School. The 1974-75 
enrollment is 108 and the school is staffed by two 
Dominican Sisters and two lay teachers. Sister 
Mary Esther is the principal. 




■**«u 



- — 



St. Joseph's Academy — 1918 




MMh 



St. Thomas School — Today 




Dominican Convent — Today 



The History of the Philo Women's Club 

The Philo Women's Club was organized in 
1900 with twenty-four charter members. It seems 
fitting to begin this history with the first history 
as written by Mrs. Henry Love (Presbyterian 
minister's wife) in 1908. Following is the verba- 
tim account taken from this first history: 

"Thinking that a brief history of the "Philo 
Improvement Society" would be of interest to its 
members Ye editor has endeavored to gather a 
few facts. At a meeting of the Champaign 
County Farmer's Institute, held at Philo on Jan. 
22, 1900, Mrs. E.B. Hazen was elected president 
of the County Domestic Science Association. By 
a notice in the Philo Budget Mrs. Hazen invited 
the ladies of the vicinity to meet in her home on 
February 1, 1900, to organize a local "Domestic 
Society". It was well attended and organized 
with the following officers: president, Mrs. E.B. 
Hazen; vice-president, Mrs. Paris Robinson; 
Sec.-Treas., Mrs. Floy Hess. Mrs. Julia Mowry 
suggested the name "Philo Improvement So- 
ciety" and this name was adopted. There were 
twenty four charter members." 

Mrs. Love goes on to record: "We can boast of 
being the pioneer Domestic Science Society in 
the county and at present time there are seven 
societies in the county. During the past seven 
years a total of seventy six names have graced 
our rolls; a membership of fifty three having 
been the highest at any one time. Each summer 
we hold a picnic, to which we take our families 
for we must have a day with our children, and 
each fall we have a banquet to which husbands 
and friends are invited. The first picnic was held 
at the home of Mrs. Isaac Raymond in 1900 and 
the first banquet with Mrs. Emma Penman. Suc- 
ceeding banquets were held at the Philo Opera 
House. No less than 100 persons attended these 
picnics and banquets. Truly, they were the 
"highlights" of the year!" 

I shall divide the history of the Philo Women's 
Club into three sections — one for each twenty 
five years. So, for the first Twenty Five years: 

As you note, the original Women's Club was 
really a domestic science club at the beginning. 
At one time there was an effort to combine with 
the Home Bureau and it wasn't until 1927 that 
the name was changed to The Philo Women's 



Club from The Philo Improvement Society. All 
the first programs were on domestic science 
subjects some of which, now in 1975, seem a 
little hilarious and not pertaining to Women's 
Club work at all. There were many talks on 
foods, management of children, furnishing the 
boy's room, the girl's room, "a thoughtful paper 
on the cigarette", the need of individual drinking 
cups, demonstration of the carpet sweeper 
(proving that the cleaner can get dirt where there 
wasn't dirt before) and what must have been the 
most illuminating program of all in 1911, at the 
home of Mrs. M.L. Brewer, "when the lady of 
the house talked on the care of the basement and 
showed us her plan of doing the laundry — she 
having water, a gasoline stove, clothes lines and 
everything pertaining to the wash in the 
basement, which no doubt is quite a saving of 
labor and strength, but we without basements 
and water in the house do the best we can with- 
out these modern conveniences." 

There were also several debates which could 
still be resolved in modern times: 
1) Over-activity in club life is pernicious and 
scatters a woman's energy; 2) Debate on 
Women's Suffrage: "the condition of the country 
is simply disgraceful"; 3) Resolved that higher 
education unfits a woman for homemaking; 4) 
Resolved that reading fiction is not profitable. 

The Philo Women's Club was active also in 
World War I work: In addition to selling Red 
Cross Seals, donating $15.00 to the Red Cross, 
sending candy, cookies, small gifts and writing 
letters to the soldier boys, reading Hoover's food 
conservation articles and Wilson's acclamations, 
demonstrating "War Breads", buying a service 
flag to be hung in the post office (later given to 
the Am. Legion) the club made a Red Cross quilt 
on which blocks of names were sold for 25 cents 
each making $75.00 at the final auction, con- 
ducted a "Community Sing", and the planting of 
Memorial Trees in Hale Park with a name plate 
on each in an "impressive and appropriate serv- 
ice" when the Armistice was signed. 

There was also much cooperation with the 
school and village boards: Fire escapes for the 
school were suggested; twenty members went to 
the school to present a big picture of Oliver 
Wendell Holmes (cost $2.00) noting the 100th 
year of his birth. 



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In 1907 the village board was asked to erect an 
iron gate at the south entrance of the park bear- 
ing the name Hale Park in honor of the donor; 
tables and benches were bought for $2.50 and 
placed in the park and first used by the ladies in 
one of their big picnics. Years later, it was re- 
ported to the village board that some of these 
tables and benches were found reposing in some 
private yards; would they take action? And 
another interesting request of these first twenty- 
five years of the Women's Club was the request, 
in 1908, for street signs. This was refused and it 
was not until 1950 that the club members were 
granted their foresighted wish. 



The Second Twenty-Five Years 1925-1950 

In the second 25 years of the Philo Women's 
Club the members were still involved in the prob- 
lems of the changing status of women, in school 
problems and again in another war. 

First, it had been voted to change the name of 
The Philo Women's Club as we were no longer 
interested only in domestic problems; no longer 
were "the refreshments" demonstrations put on 
by club members and the problems on home and 
family. Now, there were programs on: Why a 
Woman Should Vote — What Becomes of our 
Taxes — What a Woman Should Know About 
Law — Challenge of a Democracy by Mrs. Guy 
Tawney of Urbana — The Inheritance of the 
Modern Woman by Judge Springer, Urbana — 
The Lost Arts — Conservation, Recreation and 
Self-Entertainment by Mrs. C.C. Wiley, Urbana; 
and Movies — Women May Compel Clean 
Films; we read The Kellogg Pact and sent a copy 
to the school; we signed a petition for the U.S. to 
join The World Court; we signed a resolution in 
1930 urging a law requiring a driver's license and 
we stressed that a library was as close as your 
mailbox. 

In these years we were always being asked by 
the teachers and the school board to assist them 
in some way. In 1938 principal Gerald Trimble 
sent us a letter in regard to the C.W.E. Educa- 
tional Project. "Would the Women's Club accept 
the responsibility for organizing the classes in the 
special effort to give employment to unemployed 
teachers?" In 1945 there began rumors and 
private meetings that there was a "Need for more 
uniform schools and standards must rise if 
democracy is to succeed"; Jack Landis, H.S. 
principal, talked on "Reorganization of Schools" 
and Mr. Wiley, grade principal discussed "What 
is a Good Education?" 



The Club decided to buy a new piano for the 
new gym, paying for it by putting on a "home- 
talent play" but after talking it over with the 
school directors learned that a stage curtain was 
much preferred; the play brought in $217.10. 
Another request to put on a "community social" 
with the schools to raise funds for equipment for 
the new "gym" sold 257 tickets at 25 cents each, 
totaling $66.15. 

In March, 1927, we were asked by the school 
board directors to cooperate in "stirring up the 
community and the parents to take definite ac- 
tion to combat the spread of diphtheria among 
our school children". In 1930, it was suggested 
that we put on a community Christmas program 
at the gym which we did until 1935 when it was 
realized that we were interfering with the 
church's observance of this important event. We 
also did some landscaping around the gym. 
Another home-talent play with an all-male cast 
put on The Follies to finance this project. 

Again, in the 1940's we were involved in 
another war; Pearl Harbor had been bombed! 
Many socks, sweaters, and beanies were knitted 
and many layettes were made by the ladies of the 
town under the direction of the Women's Club 
sponsored by the Red Cross. One meeting a year 
was donated to making bandages plus all the 
weekly sessions in basements and churches. As 
late as 1943 fifty five knitted articles were made 
with 1040 hours credit. 

From 1928 to the late 1960's the annual 
mother and daughter's banquet took place with 
huge crowds attending every year. 

In 1935 the Club sponsored a birthday 
banquet for 91 -year-old Mattix Twins, Dave and 
Joe, the nation's oldest male twins. More than 
300 came to honor "the boys." 

In 1940 the Philo Women's Club celebrated 
their 40th anniversary with 115 guests present. 
Three of our charter members, Mrs. Henry Love, 
Taylorville, Mrs. Charles Watts, Urbana, and 
Mrs. Catherine Brewer, Ridgefarm, and Grace 
Raymond, the daughter-in-law of Mrs. Isaac 
Raymond, charter member, came to reminisce 
about their part in the organization of The Home 
Improvement Society in 1940. 

1950-1975 

During its last twenty-five years The Philo 
Women's Club was as active as during the pre- 
ceding fifty years. By this time our club was the 
third oldest in the county. We were still involved 
in the annual Christmas party for the children at 
the gym (at least 100 of the small fry came to see 
films and to receive their candy and apple); a 



small group went to the Danville Veteran's 
Home periodically to give a little entertainment 
and to take paperbacks, playing cards, shorts, 
ties, and sport jackets; we sent a delegate to the 
organizational meetings of the Champaign 
County Historical Society in 1958; in December 
1955 we served lunch at the Reynar farm sale, 
nearly freezing in the extremely cold, bitter 
weather but making the magnificent sum of 
$79.19 for all our hard work. On March 3. 1960. 
we celebrated our 60th anniversary with a well- 
planned, appropriate program but a raging bliz- 
zard prevented all but the few in the immediate 
neighborhood from attending. 

However, our most important activities during 
this last 25 years were the establishment of a fine 
Philo Township Library; the organization of the 
Philo Junior Women's Club, the appointment of 
a committee from our Women's Club to serve on 
a Park Commission to beautify our two parks; 
and participation in a big project assisting 
principal Wiley in reorganizing the grade school 
library after our junior high came back from 
Sidney with all the Philo Junior High library 
books that had traveled along with them. 

Now, in June 1975, The Philo Women's Club 
reaches the end of its seventy-five years. With 
appropriate program, costuming of members as 
in days of old, table decorations and favors, the 
occasion was celebrated with a big party at the 
Urbana Country Club. With many nostalgic 
memories of such happy days of the past we now 
look forward to the future and whatever it will 
bring knowing that more changes will take place 
in the next ten years than have occurred in all 
these past 75 years. The changing status of 
women in our complicated society will determine 
whether Women's Clubs will live in the future. 
We have hopes of more pleasant associations and 
of being of use in our community in the times to 
come. 

Home Economics Extension Service 

Extension work in Champaign County was or- 
ganized for a Home Improvement Association in 
September 1917, by Florence E. McConnell. By 
January 31, 1918, five hundred women signed 
cards pledging support to the new organization, 
that would bring higher development to the 
home and community. 

Thus Champaign County Home Bureau was 
incorporated as Champaign County Home Im- 
provement Association, May 15, 1918. The first 
outstanding organizer was Mrs. H.M. Dunlap, 
county chairman for eight years. The first Home 
Adviser was Marv E. Bronson. 



There were no units, at first, merely a county 
group divided according to townships. Philo was 
organized as a unit in 1918. 

During 1917-1922 the purpose of the organiza- 
tion was to conserve food due to World War I. 
From 1922 to 1930 women became interested in 
improvement of their homes and the health of 
their family. In 1924, a rural electrification pro- 
ject was started in one community. Running 
water, in every home, became the slogan. 

In 1932, during the depression period, lessons 
were given on low cost foods for an adequate 
diet. Women learned to make over old clothes. 
From 1933-1939 we found women becoming 
more county conscious and surveys were made to 
find the needs of the county and planned educa- 
tion extension courses. 

The World War II period from 1940-1943, 
Victory Gardens were planted and were patriotic. 

The 25th Anniversary of the organization was 
honored by a Pageant and the 50th Anniversary 
was held in 1968. 

The Spanish influenza epidemic took its toll. 
It struck savagely and showed no preference for 
the young or the old in 1918 and 1919. It was re- 
ported that more service men of World War I 
died of the flu than of war casualties. Mr. John 
Smith, a service man in France, died of the flu 
and a huge funeral service was held in Philo for 
him. 

November 11, 1918 marked the end of World 
War I. While there was much celebrating in the 
streets of Champaign the feelings of the people 
of Philo were mostly relief and gratitude. They 
were eagerly waiting for all the boys to get home 
and take off their uniforms. It was on November 
29, 1919, on Thanksgiving Day, that the town 
held its homecoming for the World War I veter- 
ans. The News-Gazette reported that, promptly 
at 5 P.M. Thanksgiving Day, returned soldiers 
and sailors marched from the Hesselschwerdt 
Store to Ennis Hall for Philo's homecoming for 
World War I veterans. Mr. Farmer, sole survivor 
of the Civil War, led the march. Township Red 
Cross workers, who stood behind the soldiers in 
battle, were lined up in a double file between 
their especially prepared table. There were 60 
guests. The pathetic side of it was manifest in a 
small table reserved for gold star mothers: Mrs. 
Robert Penman, Mrs. Hibben Lovingfoss and 
Mrs. Wm. Smith. A turkey dinner was served by 
Red Cross workers. After a few remarks from the 
veterans the group adjourned to the town hall for 
the evening's program. Reverend Leach was the 
toastmaster. 




1917 
Back Row: L to R, Cora Doss — Teacher; unknown, Paul Burr, unknown, Esther Ray. unknown, unknown, 
Mildred Dickison. Francis Walters. 2nd Row: Harold Clark, Grace Edwards. Robert Sen'is. unknown. Mar- 
jorie Carson. Dale Dilley, Harold Plotner. 1st Row: Clarence Mast, Joe Hesselswerdt, Nellie Groves, Kenneth 
Mast, Sommers. Lou Myler, Georgia Brelsford. 




Binder 




Resting on Main Street 





Main Street. Philo, 111., One of Champaign County's Wide Awake Towns 

1917 




- < 






Threshing 



Philo Township World War I Honor Roll 

Fred C. Amsden, Frank B. Anders, Sam 
Anders, Herbert Barnhart, Andy Boars, Ira 

B. Bergfield, Luther S. Bicker, Walter Bocock, 
John T. Brazelton, Vincent C. Cain, Eugene J. 
Churchill, Jesse H. Cochran, George Cooley, Wil- 
liam Cunnegan-gold star, John J. Daly, Alfred J. 
Decker, Herman N. Decker, Bert Dickason, 
Perry Dickason, Charles F. Dilley, George Dilley, 
Paul Doss, Everitte Edwards, Roy V. Edwards, 
Eugene Fisher, Ray Fisher, Lawrence P Flynn, 
Everett L. Goodwin, John Grabbe, John W. 
Grein, Paul O. Grothe, Charles Harper, Fred L. 
Hinners, Vernon House, John Johnson, Olet 
Johnson, Fred Lovingfoss, Kenneth B. Loving- 
foss, Howard Lovingfoss, Phillip Lovingfoss, 
Walter A. Lowry, John Luhring, Arthur May, 
Charles May, Harry H. May, Thomas P. Mc- 
Cormick, Clarence McCoy, Stanley McGuire, 
Henry McKeon, Rodger McKeon, Jr., Thomas 
McKeon, Paul F. Meharry, Henry J. Melohn, 
Raymond O. Merritt, Charles E. Miller, Grover 

C. Miller, Robert Miller, John Mitchell, Henry J. 
Moran, Daley Morgan, Charles J. Mullins, Char- 
ence W. Ordel, Gus Penman-Gold Star, Guy E. 
Penny, Vernon Penny, Ezra E. Percival, Harry B. 
Percival, Fred V. Percival, Charles L. Plotner, 
Ralph J. Reed, Nathan L. Rice, Walter R. 
Roberts, Charles F. Ryan, William Ryan, Vernon 



T. Shepherd, Elias W. Silvers, Wallace Silver, 
Harry F. Simmers, John C. Smith-Gold Star, 
Lowell W. Smith, Daniel Spannagel, Louis G. 
Spannagel, Albert L. Starkey, Fred W. Stearns, 
William E. Steele, Charles Stewart, William 
Shubbs, Glen S. Stunkard, Tony Swich, Ray- 
mond Tarrant, Benjamine Thompson, Herbert J. 
Trost, Howard Trost, Glen M. Vinson, Guy M. 
Walker, Earl J. Walter, Phillip Westendorf, 
Homer Wilcox, Roy Williams, Arthur Wilson, 
Omer Wimmer. 

History of the American Legion, Philo, Illinois 

An American Legion Post No. 394 was origi- 
nally chartered in Philo following World War I, 
and was known as the Vernon R. Penny Post. 
This charter now hangs in the Legion Hall and 
was signed by the Department of Illinois on June 
15, 1923. However, this became inactive in the 
following years and many of the Philo veterans 
joined the Sidney American Legion Post which 
continues active at this time. 

After the end of World War II, the veterans of 
that war, along with some of the World War I 
veterans, established the present American 
Legion Post. The Post was an outgrowth of a 
discussion at a meeting of the Philo Booster 
Club, a civic organization, in 1948. The Booster 
Club was planning some type of function similar 



to an "old settler's picnic" which had been held 
off and on in prior years. Finally it was decided 
to have a "Fourth of July Celebration" in Hale 
Park. Then came the question of how to obtain 
sufficient manpower. The suggestion was made 
that other organizations such as the Volunteer 
Firemen might help and if we only had a 
veterans organization in Philo. there would be 
another source of help. That discussion resulted 
in a committee being appointed to investigate the 
formation of an American Legion Post since 
more veterans could meet the eligibility require- 
ments than a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. 

The committee of Howard W. Trost. Donald 
F. Melohn and Francis H. Cain. Jr., was ap- 
pointed to investigate formation of an American 
Legion Post. The County Commander. Mr. Rus- 
sell Willard, was contacted, since many members 
of Sidney Post were from Philo and indicated 
they would join a Philo Post if established. Mr. 
Willard was directed by the Department Com- 
mander to determine if Philo would be a 
"grievance" Post. He found, however, that Sid- 
ney members were not against it, but in fact 
wholeheartedly supported a Philo Post. There- 
upon, it was necessary to obtain a minimum of 
fifteen members and file an application for a 
charter. 

The present Post was issued its first temporary 
charter by National Headquarters, American Le- 
gion, and designated Philo Post No. 1171, dated 
June 17, 1948. There were 22 charter members, 
as follows: 

Robert Joseph Brennan, Francis H. Hall, 
Robert B. Lovingfoss, Donald G. Miller, Donald 
F. Melohn, Clarence E. Moody, Thomas P. Mc- 
Cormick, Harold F. Ordel, Robert D. Ray, 
Franklin J. Ray, Emil G. Rigg. Richard W. 
Stearns, Gernon F. Boles, John R. Burr, John L. 
Cain, Jr., John J. Daly, James J. Rubenacher, 
James S. Manion, Earl V. Miller, Thomas D. 
Miner, Robert J. Dennis, Raymond O. Wing- 
field. 

The first Commander was Dr. Robert J. Bren- 
nan, the present Commander is Robert J. Silver. 

The Post met in the Philo Township Hall, but 
started to explore means of getting their own 
Legion Hall. Howard W. Trost, Francis H. Cain, 
Jr. and Donald F. Melohn met with Mr. John 
Schreiber, an attorney who lived in St. Joseph 
with offices in Urbana, who had set up building 
corporations for Urbana and St. Joseph Posts. 
He advised the formation of a not-for-profit 
corporation so that in the future if the American 
Legion Post became inactive or dissolved the 
building would remain in control of the com- 
munity and not become the property of the Na- 



tional Headquarters. He volunteered on a no-fee 
basis to do the legal work required. Thereupon, 
the American Legion Post elected five directors 
to apply for a charter from the Secretary of State 
of Illinois to be known as the "Philo Veterans 
Association." These directors were: Francis H. 
Cain, Jr., Charles E. Bowen, Leo J. Clennon, 
Donald F. Melohn and Francis C. Hall. The Ar- 
ticles of Incorporation were signed and filed on 
June 27, 1951. 

At the first meeting of the Board of Directors 
held at the fire house (now Philo Village Hall) on 
July 6, 1951, it was voted to enter into an agree- 
ment to purchase the north one-half of Lot 3. 
Block 6, original town of Philo, from H.W. Trost 
for $450.00. Also, certificates of membership or 
shares were voted to be printed and sold for 
$50.00 per share, to terminate in ten years, with 
interest at four percent. Several American Legion 
members bought shares, which were never pre- 
sented for payment and stated at the time that 
they were donating the money and would keep 
the certificates as souvenirs. 

No formal architect drawings were ever made. 
The only design was sketches of plan and eleva- 
tion views drawn on brown wrapping paper by 
Donald F. Melohn. Excavation for basement and 
footings was started in July 1951. August 
1951 — Voted to build basement walls of a 
building 32 feet by 60 feet of ten-inch concrete 
block. October 1951 — three bids taken for laying 
of walls and awarded to Edward J. Bialeschki for 
sum of $400.00. Material purchased from Hazen 
& Franks, Inc. January 1952 — Awarded contract 
to Mr. Bialeschki to install center posts, sup- 
ports, beams and floor joists for $235.00. March 
1952 — Plans for volunteer labor to apply sub- 
floor sheeting and temporary roofing to make the 
basement usable. June 1952 — Voted to recruit a 
large crew of Legionnaires to pour a concrete 
floor in the basement. August 1952 — The Board 
of Directors of Philo Veterans Association met 
for the first time in the basement and decided to 
continue construction of the first floor. Septem- 
ber 1952 — Mr. D.C. Baker given contract to lay 
blocks for first floor for $450.00. October 1952— 
Decided to obtain "rilco" rafters, sheeting and 
felt for installing the roof of the Legion Hall. 
These were put in place by several sessions of 
volunteer labor by Legion members. June 1953 — 
Voted to buy shingles to put on a permanent roof 
and these were finally installed on Labor Day 
weekend, September 1953. In November 1953, 
voted to purchase a furnace for $875.00. 

Up to this point financing was by an initial 
amount from the Legion treasury, sale of shares, 
short term loans from Philo Exchange Bank paid 



back by profits from the "Philo Annual Celebra- 
tions." A complete building now existed with a 
usable basement, but an unfinished interior first 
floor. A special meeting of Philo Veterans Asso- 
ciation was called on June 11, 1954, for the pur- 
pose of negotiating a loan from Philo Exchange 
Bank for $4,000 estimated to complete the 
interior. Through much more diligent volunteer 
labor by American Legion members, as well as 
some interested citizen non-members, the first 
floor was made usable by about November 1954. 
There were always unfinished odds and ends and 
no formal dedication ceremonies were ever held. 

In the years that followed, all shares plus in- 
terest which were presented for payment were 
paid on schedule and all bank loans plus interest 
were paid. The American Legion Post pays no 
fixed rental to the Philo Veterans Association, 
but transfers funds as necessary for taxes, in- 
surance, utilities and operational expenses. It 
also pays for remodeling or renovation, to obtain 
exemption from Federal taxes it was necessary in 
1956 to amend the by-laws of Philo Veterans As- 
sociation, so that in the event of corporation dis- 
solution, the assets would be divided in equal 
shares to the four churches in Philo. 

The Legion Hall not only has served as a meet- 
ing place for the Post and its auxiliary, along 
with their other functions, but has served other 
community organizations and citizens with or 
without a nominal rental fee depending upon the 
purpose for which it is used. 

The present Board of Directors of the Philo 
Veterans Association are: John T. Godsell, Leo J. 
Clennon, Donald F. Melohn, A.J. O'Neill and 
Charles E. Sollers. 

Philo Post No. 1171, American Legion has al- 
ways remained near the top in honors for mem- 
bership, and with only few exceptions, has main- 
tained 100% of the previous year's members and 
in some cases reached "all time high" member- 
ship. Some of our charter members are now de- 
ceased, others have moved away from the area. 
The returning veterans of the Korean Conflict 
were welcomed. Now, more veterans of the 
Vietnam War are eligible to join. 

Throughout the years of its existence from 
June 1948, the American Legion has participated 
in many activities regularly. "Philo Annual Cele- 
bration"- 1948 through 1974, but voted to be dis- 
continued. This has been a major financial sus- 
taining source. "Boys State"-with a few excep- 
tions, one and later two delegates sent. "Ameri- 
can Legion Baseball"-sponsored a team for 
several years. Other baseball programs, such as 
"Little League", "Junior League", "Pony 
Teapne" have been eiven financial aid at various 



times. "Summer Swimming"-paid for bus trans- 
portation to and from pool for Philo area child- 
ren. "Stags"-particularly on election days and 
for "Early Bird" members; "Bingo"-to raise 
funds to support building expenses and other 
programs. 

Contributions have been made to various dis- 
trict, state and national organization fund drives 
for work among veterans, and their dependents. 

"Memorial Day Services"-to honor our dead; 
flags are placed on all known veterans' graves in 
Locust Grove, Calvary and Bongard cemeteries. 
"Military Funeral Services"-for our deceased 
members, or any veteran, if family requests it. 
The Post annually in conjunction with the 
Volunteer Firemen, give all children a sack of 
candy and an orange at Christmas time. 

Philo Post No. 1171, American Legion has 
tried to fulfill the purposes set forth in the Pre- 
amble to its Constitution and provide service to 
its community, state and nation. 



The American Legion Auxiliary 

The Auxiliary to the Vernon R. Penny Post 
No. 394, The American Legion, was organized in 
April, 1923, with 19 members. The officers were 
president, Mrs. Mary Penny; first vice-president, 
Miss Hazel Silver; second vice-president, Mrs. 
Arthur Wilson; secretary. Miss Agnes Clennon; 
treasurer, Mrs. Francis Foote; chaplain, Mrs. 
Sarah Trost; and "publicity woman," Mrs. Ed 
Dilley. 

Meetings were held monthly in the members' 
homes during the next three years until the final 
meeting on February 8, 1926. 

The Philo American Legion Auxiliary to Post 
No. 1171 held its first meeting on March 9, 1950. 
There were 35 charter members. The officers 
were president, Thelma Melohn; first vice-presi- 
dent, Patricia McCormick; second vice-presi- 
dent, Ilene Fehrenbacher; secretary. Penny 
Trost; treasurer, Betty Lovingfoss; sergeant-at- 
arms, Harriett Boles; historian, Grace Bowen 
and chaplain, Mary Rita Cain. 

The meetings were held in the town hall, Philo 
Grade School lunch room, and various homes of 
members previous to the time the present Legion 
Home was built. 

During the past 25 years several hundred 
dollars have been contributed to aid Veterans 
and their vamilies, through donations to Veter- 
ans Hospitals, the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors 
Childrens School at Normal, Illinois, and various 
scholarship funds, to name a few. Aid has also 
been given to many families in the Philo com- 



m unity. Veterans and non-Veterans alike, in 
times of hardship caused by fire, sickness and 
death. These have been both monetary and 
tangible contributions. 

One of the purposes of the American Legion 
Auxiliary is to participate in and contribute to 
the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of 
The American Legion. This, the organization has 
always done. 

The present membership is 59. 49 senior and 
10 junior members. Fifteen of the charter 
members have had continuous membership. 

1920-1945 

In the 1920's there were a lot of changes going 
on in Philo as well as throughout Illinois. By 
1927 there were 12,216 miles of railroad within 
the borders of Illinois and there were 2,629 rural 
mail routes serving 383,843 families. 

In the state of Illinois there were 200,000 auto- 
mobiles and 24,000 motor trucks. By 1929, 
26,000 farms had running water, 23,000 had gas 
or electricity and nearly 70% of all families had 
telephones. 



In the 1920's the stage of Town Hall was at the 
east end and was used for graduation exercises 
and medicine shows. High school plays and 
music recitals also were held there. 

An association was formed in the 20's for test- 
ing germination and disease of corn used for 
seed. For a small capital investment the farmers 
could get their seed tested each year and others 
who were not members were charged for the 
service. The association later moved to Broad- 
lands. 

Before it was formed if a farmer ran out of 
seed he would go to the barn and pick out some 
nice ears to plant with the chance they might not 
germinate or spread some disease. 

In the 1920's there was a smallpox epidemic; 
vaccination caused violent reactions and some 
were sick for a week following inoculation. 

Women finally won the right to vote in the 
United States in 1920. 

In the spring of '21 farmers who could afford 
one were buying tractors. 

In an era called the "Roaring 20's" the styles 
were short dresses, bobbed hair . colored hose 
and the Charleston dance was popular. 




Henry Licht in Hupmobile 



This Puge sponsored by: 

BUSH BROS., INC., Champaign 

VIRGINIA'S KLIP & KURL, Philo 



GERNON ROBERTS GARAGE, Philo 

MAY TRUE VALUE HARDWARE, INC., Urbana 



Americans felt light-hearted after the war. 

Henry Ford put America on wheels with the 
Model T Ford. 

America started spending more money on 
roads as travel and vacations became more popu- 
lar and more affordable for many. 

At this time Americans were doing more and 
going more, jazz bands and sports cars were in, 
with the first ready-made clothes made available 
and canned goods and some household ap- 
pliances were now on the scene. 

The free use of cosmetics was very evident and 
cigarettes were growing in popularity. 

In 1923, Vernon R. Penny Post of American 
Legion sold poppies, with the money from the 
sales used to decorate the graves of American 
soldiers buried in France. 

A parade was formed in Philo at the town hall 
on May 30 at 2 p.m. and marched to the 
cemetery with the band leading ex-servicemen in 
uniform and Ladies Auxiliary and all other in- 
terested persons marched also. 

Speakers were Rev. Robert Scott and Rev. J.C. 
McMahon. 

Songs were sung by the Presbyterian and 
Methodist Congregations and also the com- 
munity at large. 




Newt Wimmer, Tom Brelsford - 1920 



Baseball in Philo Area 

Baseball has been a popular activity in the 
Philo area. First accounts were pickup games at 
picnics and family gatherings. After the turn of 
the century the local team played in Penman's 
pasture west of town. Ralph Reed, Gus Penman, 
Otto Wingfield and others played. 



In the thirties softball was popular and Philo 
had a town team in the Urbana League. Ed 
Harnsbarger, Walter Fiscus, Ed Dilley and Col- 
lins Dilley played. In the later thirties Philo had 
a team in the Old Cornbelt League. The games 
were played at Leo Cain's west of Philo. Some of 
the players were Walter Fiscus, Gene Cain, 
Howard Eaton, Fred Werts and Don Silver. 

In the forties Bert Taylor and Herbert Barn- 
hart had a teen-age team playing at Wallace 
Silver's place. Players were Bob Taylor, Duane 
Silver, Ellars brothers, Harry Barnhart, and 
others. 

In 1951 the Volunteer Firemen purchased the 
old Lovingfoss place and built a permanent ball 
park for Philo. In 1952 Russell Graham started 
the Little League. It is still going strong with a 
town team and in addition a complete town 
league of boys. In 1955 H.E. Anthony started the 
Pony League team for older boys. In 1967 
Howard Eaton and Richard Kamerer, the Legion 
Commander, organized the American Legion 
Post 1171 team. 

Hundreds of youngsters have enjoyed playing 
baseball which has been supported by the Fire- 
men, Legion and Booster Club. 



A new American Legion Post was organized at 
Paul Grothe's barber shop. There were 15 new 
members with the following men in positions of 
authority: 

Charles Stewart, Commander; Ralph Reed, 
Vice-Commander; Nathan Rice- Adjutant; 
Robert Miller-Treasurer; Herbert Trost, Ser- 
geant-at-Arms; and Willis Wilson, Chaplain. 

In 1924 Main Street was first paved 18 feet 
wide at the cost of $2,400.00. 



CAR JOVIAL 




Crdif.catt of PiafoBrcd LJccoae No. I26S7 



• CAR JOVIAL, (he P«Rn«ror, SuIUn - r«oroW b, 
t tli" Pcfrhrrwi Society of AmtwA and lint hi* p ■ 

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I May 24. 19J0; «™ ( hi 2.000. 

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J 

HENRY LICHT 

OWNER AND KEEPER 



All Early Advertisement 




Mens Bible Class of Methodist Church 



In 1925 Philo Electric Light and Power was in 
service but before that Carson's D.C. Plant was 
located behind Mattix Garage. 

But even before the D.C. Plant people used 
Delco Batteries. 

Philo School gym was started being built in 
1926 and finished in 1927 and the north addition 
to gym was built in 1958. 

In 1926 there was another smallpox epidemic. 

In 1929 Philo had two banks. In 1933 when all 
banks were closed and then reopened, one bank 
did not reopen, the Philo State Bank, formerly 
known by the name Philo Commercial Bank. 
The bank's officers were Ed O'Neill, Charlie 
Daly and David Godfrey. All of the Philo State 
Bank's accounts were absorbed by the Philo Ex- 
change Bank and no one lost a cent in the trans- 
fer and closing of the bank. 

Finally in 1929 after all of Philo had electricity 
hookups, they started putting lines into the coun- 
try. Before that all the folks in the country had 
was battery operated service. 

After electricity was put in people started 
thinking of appliances. The first was usually a 
refrigerator and the second was a motor to put 
on their previously gas motor operated washing 
machine. 

By 1930 corn pickers were being bought and 
let out for hire. Mr. G. Maxwell from Savoy had 
one with six mules to pull it. 

Henry Licht also had one he hired out and 
when complaints were made that it was leaving 
some corn in the field, he replied. "My Lord, 



you're getting 50 bushel per acre! What are you 
complaining about?" 

In the early '30's, the weather was very warm. 

Some of the trains traveling through Philo 
were short some coal upon reaching the other 
side of town. A young man would jump on the 



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May 1°2S — Butterick Fashions 




Newt Wimmer Grocery Store 
L to R: Lynn Wimmer, Newt Wimmer, Salesman, Gladys Wilson, Nora Snyder. 



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Bert Taylor at Wayne O'Neal's farm planting corn - 1930 



coal car and throw off as much as he could to be 
picked up later, by a train from the opposite di- 
rection, from the ground. 

In the '30's, money was becoming more scarce 
than usual and the finest houses were being sold 
for $2,500 to settle estates. 

The people had a bad time during the depres- 
sion years. Corn sold for 10 cents a bushel and 
some people burned corn for fuel. The town also 
felt the financial problems. 

An implement store from Tolono demon- 
strated the Ford Tractor and Plow on the Jake 
Thinnes farm. 

Some of the first tractors and their owners 
were J. Plotner, who owned a Teton Tractor, and 
R. Ordel had a 1921 Ford and the "Hart Par." 

In 1930 the Cafe and Modern Woodman 
Lodge Hall burned and the town records burned 
in the office of Ray Tarrant, village clerk. 



Free movies at the "Aridome" (between coin 
cleaners and Library). 

The first Boy Scout Pack, formed in 1933, was 
Pack #80 whose leader was C.B. Snider. 

In 1934 the area had a chinch bug attack, 
thought to have been caused by wheat being 
planted two years in a row. 

Furrows were plowed around the farmer's field 
and then a log was dragged to make the dirt fine. 
The bugs couldn't go up the incline. Creosote 
was also used in the streams to kill the bugs. 

The train wreck in 1935 tore down the depot 
and eleven cars were derailed. One of the cars 
was a gasoline car and it upset near the elevator 
and started to burn. The Philo Fire Wagon put 
the fire out before the Urbana-Champaign fire 
department arrived. The Champaign department 
brought their ladders but they were not needed. 

The depot was later rebuilt. 




1930's Wreck 
WABASH FREIGHT WRE< K> STATION AT PHILO 




Onr --ii*l 

Has 1 1 






4-H Clubs 

Many dedicated people have helped guide our 
young people through a variety of learning ex- 
periences in their young lives in the 4-H Clubs. 

Miss Katherine Rice was our first leader of the 
Home Economics Club in the early '30's. With 
Miss McKey from the University of Illinois in 
charge, sewing was taught to about 25 girls. 
Whenever she needed help other women volun- 
teered. 

Home Room Furnishing was added to the pro- 
jects and soon after cooking was also taught. 

From these has sprung a great variety of 
projects: 

Beef, dairy, goats, horses, poultry, sheep, 
swine, weaving, printing, leathercraft, ceramics, 
clothing, room improvement, painting, elec- 
tricity, dog obedience, tractor operator, vege- 
tables, entomology, mosaics, metal, woodwork, 
photography, share-the-fun, demonstrations, 
public speaking, stitchery, crocheting, knitting, 
macrame, carving & casting, food demonstra- 
tion, dress revue, flower arranging. 

Mrs. Donald Sheppelman is the leader of the 
only Home Ec 4-H Club active at the present 
time. She is teaching cooking to 12 girls and 2 
boys and began this group in January 1975. 

The agriculture field of 4-H Club had its early 
beginnings in 1930 with a group which was 
called "Philo Baby Beef Calf Club." The leaders 
were Leslie Carr, Franklin Burr, and Ed Cran- 
ford. 

In 1939 L.R. Mitchell was the leader of 20 
charter members of the "Philo 4-H Agriculture 
Club." It continued for about 20 years until 
1958, its last year, a group of 19 members were 
led by Irven Brand and John Burr. 

In 1961 the Philo Agr. Club was without a 
leader of their own and the members joined with 
the Tolono Agr. Club whose leaders were Glen 
Brewer, Howard Bretzlaff and John Smith. These 
first combined meetings were held at the elevator 
at Tolono and then at the old shop building at 
the school. In 1970 Mrs. Jack Kirwan started a 
club in Philo. 

At the present Leo Lafenhagen and Mrs. 
Karen Smith are the leaders of approximately 25 
members from Philo and Tolono area. Their 
meetings are held at the Masonic Lodge building 
at Tolono each month. 



Boy Scouts of America 

On February 15, 1933 Boy Scout Troop #80 
was organized in Philo under the leadership of 



C.B. Snider, Scoutmaster. This troop was active 
until 1955. 

In 1960 John "Dave" O'Neill reorganized the 
group into a new troop #60. It was an active 
troop until about 1970, when they were without a 
leader or troop for two years. 

Under Jack Kirwan's direction scouting was 
again reorganized in 1972. Our present Boy 
Scout leaders are Jack Kirwan and Gene Hasler. 

The earliest Cub Scout Pack #60 records show 
John Grady, our first Cub Scout Master in 1971. 

Russell Rahn began as assistant to Cub Mas- 
ter John Warren and has been Cub Master of 
Pack #60 since 1973. 

Pack #60 has been sponsored by the Philo 
Recreational Board since 1971. The present 
leaders of Den #3 are Betty Thomas and Mary 
Terven; Marilyn Harvey and Alice Garrelts are 
Den Mothers of Den #4. 

Donna Reed and Theresa Schumacher are 
Den Mothers of Den #6. 

The Webelo Leaders are Bob Harvey and Vir- 
gil Rash. 



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Early Document 




Enjoying a School Picnic in the 40s 



Team That Wouldn't Be Beaten Philo HiqIi School 




Philo, the re«m that 
1 ■ i ight, l)«ck re 

Melnhn. *nfi i iai h I i i 

WiUon. 



jldn'l be beaten, t Mil) basket- 

Recnc J«"- ">. Don 

ikey, Ray Wingnt Id, B> i Henry 



About 1935 corn pickers were available and 
picking corn by hand was no longer required. 

Part of the ground for the Locust Grove Ceme- 
tery was purchased in 1896. This was the 
southernmost part of the grounds. The center 
section was purchased next. In 1936 the Locust 
Grove Cemetery Association was formed and a 
fund was raised to purchase it from the Village. 
In 1937 Mrs. Anna Penman donated 2 acres and 
1 acre was purchased to add to the grounds. A 
subsequent gift from the Lyman Hazen estate of 
76 acres of land and cash added to the endow- 
ment fund. Additional land to the north was pur- 
chased at a later date. 



Philo's first Ford pumper truck was purchased 
from Central Fire Apparatus in St. Louis, Mo. in 
1938. 

Mr. Grover Mattix got to drive it back from 
St. Louis. 

The truck had a 200 gallon carrying tank 
which would make fighting fires a much easier 
job. 

The Maddox Twin Brothers celebrated their 
94th birthday in 1938. The Maddox Twins were 
said to be the oldest living male twins in the sec- 
tion of the country. They were retired farmers 
and each year the residents of Philo and those in 
the near vicinity gathered at a public celebration 
to congratulate them on the birth anniversary. 




Mattix Garage — 1938 
L to R: Flora, Grover, Chester Mattix, Robert Dennis, Gene Rigg. Emit Rigg. 




!**< 






PHIIOVS PROTECTOR. THE FIRF. TRUr* 




Ethel Selmeyer — teacher. Back Row: L to R — Bill Ellars, Jerry Brazelton, unknown. 
Phillip Trimble, unknown. Bob Taylor, unknown. Dave Scheurich. Bob Rice, unknown, 
unknown, unknown. Gene Ellars. 2nd Row: unknown. Barbara Dennis. Patty Burr. 
unknown. Peggy Walker, unknown, unknown, unknown. Sara Zinn. Collins Dillman. 




Presbyterian Ladies Circle — 1938 





Dave and Joe Maddox — Oldest twins in U.S. on occasion of 94th birthday. A community 
celebration was held in the school gymnasium — 1938. 



This Page sponsored bv: 

HUBER & SLOAN, JOHN DEERE DEALER, Tuscola 




Joe and Charlie Lowry Bros. Confectionery — 1938 




Baling 



On Nov. 29, 1938 the Methodist Church 
burned. It was rebuilt and dedicated in 1939 by 
Pastor D.O. McRoberts. 

In 1939 the fire volunteers were organized and 
10 firemen were instructed by the Champaign 
Fire Chief. 

By 1941 the volunteers had 14 members. On 
December 1939 the Women's Club sponsored a 
benefit dance to raise money to buy the firemen 
uniforms to go with the new truck. 



The WPA (Works-Progress Administration) 
started to install a water system in Philo that 
would take a few months to install. 

In 1939 Germany invaded Poland, starting 
World War II. 

We did not become actively involved in the 
war at this time. We were made aware of the war 
by requests of the American Red Cross for dif- 
ferent types of aid for the European nations. 




1940 



The war seemed closer when in October of 
1940 all young men between the ages of 21 and 
36 were to register for Military training. 

But it was December 7, 1941, when the Japa- 
nese attacked Pearl Harbor and inflicted over 
3.000 casualties on the United States armies and 
civilians living on the islands. Congress declared 
war on Japan almost immediately. 

Red Cross work was done by the Women's 
Club in Philo as well as all the surrounding area. 

There were many projects, making dressings, 
knitting to keep our boys warm on the war front, 
planting victory gardens, sewing or conserving in 
many other ways. 

Marie Edens was President of the Women's 
Club at this time. 

On September 27, 1944 the News-Gazette had 
a Coyson Calendar Items rationed: 



Sugar-Stamp #40 in book good till Feb. '45 for 
5# sugar to be used for canning; meat; food; 
gasoline; fuel oil; shoes. 

Red Cross surgical dressing from Champaign 
County was received and a thank you sent from a 
hospital in England. It relieved the shortage and 
"put their minds at ease." 

The war in Europe ended May 7, 1945, and 
President Truman at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday May 8, 
1945, officially announced V.E. Day. 

World War II — December 7, 1941 -Septem- 
ber 2, 1945 — casualties were: 

Paul V. Jackson, Kenneth J. Clark, Ernest E. 
Boles-Pacific campaign; William D. Byrd, Wil- 
bert E. Wall. 











lyomeH'sC/iii- 7942 







Philo Volunteer Fire Department 

Years ago fire fighting in Philo was done with 
a bucket. The pioneer style bucket-brigade was 
replaced early with a hose cart carrying a tank 
with a glass container of chemicals. The cart was 
either drawn by hand or pulled behind a car. 

In 1938 the Village Board purchased a fire 
truck and appointed Jewell Dillman, fire chief, 
and John Wimmer, assistant chief; assisted by 
several volunteer firemen. 

In 1940 Roy W. Alsip, Secretary of the Illinois 
Firemen's Association, assisted in organizing the 
first Philo Volunteer Fire Department, and the 
following officers were named: Roy Jones, presi- 



dent; Frank Cain, vice-president; Joe Brewer, 
secretary-treasurer. 

Firemen were Jewell Dillman, chief; John 
Wimmer, assistant chief; Kenneth Jones, Owen 
Dilley and Henry Wilson, hosemen; Richard 
Franks, Fred Ordel and Harold Plotner, ladder- 
men; William Clennon, William Doss and David 
Scheurich, nozzlemen; and Edward Doss, plug- 
man. Rural firemen included Edward Harns- 
berger, Charles Cole, Frank J. Miller, and 
Harold Hinners. 

Upon organization, to provide funds for equip- 
ment and regulation firemen's clothing, the de- 
partment accepted donations from area resi- 
dents, held dances and assisted with the annual 




1944-1945 
Back Row. L to R: John Clennon. Dunne Silver, Ken Licfit, Chuck Daly. Ted Burr. Dick Stearns. Fred 
Wilson. Howard Mumm, Gene Rigg. Boh Taylor. 2nd Row: Rick Warfield. Gene Plotner. Wayne Phelps, 
unknown. Harry Barnhart. Dave Scheurich. unknown. Kenny Williams. Frank Silver. 1st Row: Patty 
Stevens. Gem- Barnhart. Bob Silver. Billv J. Miller. Gavlord Cekander. Rozella Downs, Marre Stahl. 







~ / 



FFA High School — 1944 



Philo reunion. They became a member of the 
Illinois Firemen's Association and were to be 
called the Philo Volunteer Fire Department. 

In 1948 the Philo Fire Protection District was 
organized to include an area of sixty square 
miles with trustees; Francis C. Hall, George F. 
Meharry and Edward Harnsberger. 

Several additions to the department's equip- 
ment including a siren purchased in 1948 by the 
department and the Philo Booster Club; a 
second fire truck in 1951; a resuscitator in 1953; 
and a new tank truck in 1954. 

The Philo Volunteer Firemen have maintained 
the ball park as a public service, in addition to 
providing fire protection for the area. The park, 
owned by Philo Volunteer Firemen, was pur- 
chased in 1951 from the J.A. Boles Estate. The 
fire department and the Philo Booster Club in- 
stalled lights in 1952 in the former pasture used 
by Hibbon Lovingfoss. 

Present trustees are Leo J. Clennon, Joe 
Brewer and Howard H. Mumm. 

Officers of the Philo firemen are John T. God- 
sell, president; Denny Lowary, vice-president; 
Frank Moore, secretary; and Donald F. Melohn, 
treasurer. 

Operating officers are Joe Franks, firechief; 
John V. Clennon, assistant chief; Donald F. Me- 
lohn, captain; and Ronald Mumm, lieutenant. 

A visit to the schools each Christmas by Santa 
on the fire truck with well filled packs of candy is 
most welcome to all Philo Grade School children. 

The department has a Class A+ rating. 

1946 to 1960 

Every "old timer" remembers what he was 
doing on April 12, 1945, when he heard the news 
of President Roosevelt's sudden death from a 
cerebral hemorrhage. Victory in Europe had 
come on May 7, 1945, and Harry Truman's de- 
cision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima 
ended World War II; Japan also surrendered. 
That was a great day in the history of Philo. A 
public homecoming was held at the public school 
gym for Father Tom Cain who had been a 
prisoner of war. 

The end of World War II brought a welcome 
headline in the News-Gazette June 13, 1947, 
which was "Halt Public Sugar Rationing". 
Shortages were beginning to disappear. 

We soon stumbled into a war in Korea with 
Philo represented there. 

In 1949, J. P. Madigan sold his grocery store, 
which was located at the site of the present laun- 
dromat, to Lynn Wimmer who transferred the 
stock to his store. This ended the era of more 
than one grocery store in Philo. 



The polio epidemic hit in 1949, the first 
summer of several following bad summers for 
this terrible, crippling disease. All the measures 
to limit the gathering of large groups of people 
did not seem to slow down the occurrence of this 
disease and many patients were sick only four 
days before they died. Patients were cared for in 
the isolation ward at the county hospital. It was 
not until the polio Salk vaccine was pronounced 
safe in 1955, and given in each community to' 
every resident, that we were able to say this dis- 
ease was controlled. With the organization and 
cooperation between the county nurse office and 
volunteer doctors and nurses, the Philo area resi- 
dents received their vaccine on a sugar cube at 
the grade school gym about 1962. 




16 Cylinder Stuts 
Thelma Weasel sitting 

In 1950 the water tower was erected. The 
water was furnished from the pressure tank, and 
residents were charged a flat rate for water used. 

With the WCIA television station beginning 
operation in 1953, soon many families, who pre- 
viously had not considered owning a TV, could 
enjoy the programs offered on CBS. All seemed 
especially gratified to be able to see the news and 
hear the Bruce Foote family sing, and since the 
news was at mealtime, dinner in front of the TV 
may have begun during these early TV years. 
With coverage from three networks and satel- 
lites, we have been able to see in our own homes 
worldwide events as they happen. 

All of our children were not watching TV con- 
stantly, for Little League was organized in 1953 
by Russell Graham. 

The telephone switchboard was closed when 
the village changed over to "dial" in December 
1954. Another service by people was replaced by 
machines. Our last telephone office operators 




1950S 



and the manager, who kept the books when the 
people came in to pay their bills, were Mrs. 
Grace Moore, Mrs. Opal Mumm, and Mrs. 
Howard Trost. They were honored in November, 
1954 by the telephone company in appreciation 
for their long and dependable service. The line- 
men were also guests at the dinner. The six 
minute cut-off-time was no problem for most 
customers who had the new dial system. They 
simply called right back after being "cut off'. 
The direct distance dialing did not begin until 

1958, but it was in service in Philo before Chi- 
cago residents had it. 

The proposed $1,095,000 school building pro- 
gram for Unit 7, which was turned down in 1954 
was voted upon again in November, 1955. A new 
school addition north of the gym was built in 
1958. 

The memorable ice storm hit January 20, 

1959, when Wi inches of rain fell at 28-degree 
temperature. It was the worst storm since Feb- 
ruary 1909. The electric power failure began 
Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. and power was returned 
for only 2 hours on Thursday. Friday found Philo 
still without electricity and a great many of the 
residents had "camped in" with their friends and 
neighbors who were fortunate enough to have a 
gas cooking stove and a fireplace or handfired 
coal furnace for heat. Most of these guests 



brought their hosts quantities of perishables 
which were beginning to thaw from their non- 
operating electric freezers. It was reported by 
some that they "never ate so good in all our 
lives." Meats were better to be cooked and 
shared with neighbors than thawed, spoiled, and 
wasted. In some homes the gas stoves were busy 
in shifts as different ladies cooked their soup or 
chili and took it to their family at home. The ice 
was so thick on the oiled roads one could skate 
on it. Since the gas pumps at the service stations 
were not operating some people were handi- 
capped in driving even to obtain water for their 
home use. There was much damage to the trees 
for the weight of the ice on the limbs caused 
them to snap just as the power lines had. It took 
about three weeks for the clean-up crew to clear 
away all the brush and damage caused by the 
storm. 



Philo Girl Scouts 

For some 20 years, the Girl Scouts of America 
has played an important role for many Philo 
girls. The Philo Junior Women's Club has spon- 
sored a troop for the last 13 years. 

Some of the projects of the Philo troops have 
been: tree planting in Hale Park and Hazen 





Ice Storni — Jamiarv 1967 




In February, 1966, fire destroyed Philo 's first grade 
school, constructed in 1864. 



In August 1962, the new Philo Post Office was 
dedicated and Howard H. Mumm was postmas- 
ter. 

Twenty-two cars of a 112 freight, piled up, as a 
result of a broken wheel. One freight car tore a 
hole in the side of the new concrete elevator. 

Part of Main Street was resurfaced. 

Mrs. Alda Rice completed the Civil Defense 
Survey. 

In 1963 due to the shortage of boxcars ob- 
tainable for the Philo elevator to ship grain out 
at harvest time, approximately 50,000 bushels of 
corn was unloaded onto plastic sheets and 
covered with plastic until they were able to ship 
it out. Many of the farmers were upset by this 
emergency type of storage but to their great relief 
all their grain was able to be accepted by the 
elevator when they harvested it. Less than 25 
bushels was lost in the process. 



Toll-free area service went into effect Decem- 
ber 6, 1964 for many communities in East Cen- 
tral telephone area. 

March 1965 rated as the 4th coldest March 
since local records began in 1888. Records of 
snowfall, low temperatures and high winds were 
set. 

In April 1966 Gernon Roberts moved into his 
new garage and filling station in the northwest 
part of Philo. 

In January of 1967, the Fertilizer Dealer Sup- 
ply, Inc., with John Grady, owner, opened for 
business in the old Lumber Yard Office building, 
formerly used by Hazen & Franks. 

Philo and surrounding areas had the worst ice 
storm in 58 years, in January 1967. 

On May 13, 1968 Army Staff Sgt. Harold A. 
Stone gave his life for his country. A member of 
the Green Beret "A" team, a mess steward, he 



was in charge of feeding troops stationed at out- 
post positions, this "hill" was bombed. On 
Christmas, troops at that isolated outpost were 
treated to turkey and all the trimmings. 

The Booster Club was first started to boost the 
Philo Basketball Team. 

On May 5th, 1969, the "Iron Horse" thrilled 
crowds from towns and countryside watchers, all 
along the Norfolk and Western tracks in East 
Central Illinois, as a huge steam locomotive. No. 
759, pulling a 13-car train was headed for Pro- 
montory Point, Utah. This huge locomotive, with 
churning steel bars pushing at 6 ft. tall wheels, 
billowing smoke, cinders flying, whistle blowing, 
made its appearance with splendor and dignity. 
On May 10th, this steam-driven train would 
reach its destination, to help commemorate the 
100th anniversary of the driving of the Golden 
Spike, which first linked the coasts of America 
with iron rails, on May 10th, 1869. The colorful 
blue coaches marked "American Railroads", its 
passengers wearing clown noses and faces, 
seemed a treat for the fleeting glance one got as 
the train hurried on its way. It was a thrill that 
will live long in the memory of young and old. 

The Senior Citizens of Philo was organized by 
Mrs. Marlene Evans and Mrs. Doris Glidden in 
1970. 

The Wabash now has no more passenger serv- 
ice. The "Cannon Ball" ceremonial last run was 
April 29, 1971. Train service, passengers, had 
been on a special arrangement with Tolono, for 
some time. 

A modular room has been added to the Philo 
Grade School. 

The Philo Booster Newspaper, first established 
in 1963, first listed in 1965, is published and 
edited by Jeffery Holmes of Villa Grove. Philo's 
population in 1972 was 1022. 

The Southern Champaign County Today is 
now in circulation in Philo with the rate being 
$5.00 a year. 

In August of 1972 John Grady moved into a 
new building, in the northwest part of Philo. 
With a larger facility, he was able to distribute 
fertilizer equipment to states of Illinois, Indiana 
and the Midwest. Fourteen people are employed 
by the company. 

On October 15, 1973, Irene's Holiday House 
Ltd., a ceramic building, was opened for busi- 
ness. A retail and wholesale ceramic studio, 
teaching and producing what it sells. 

The Philo Booster Club has reorganized and is 
beneficial to many clubs in Philo. 

During these many years, several of our be- 
loved citizens have celebrated 100th birthdays. 



Among them are Miss Grace Hazen, Mrs. Elva 
Trost. and Mr. Alvah Bocock. 

Philo will be 100 years old on July 13th, 1975. 
The Centennial Celebration will be held the week 
of July 13th-19th. 

To whom it may concern: 

We are proud of our little village 

and look forward 

to the 

Centennial Celebration 



Philo Senior Citizens 

The Senior Citizens of Philo have found a way 
to pursue common interests during recent years. 
The organization began in December of 1970 
after the Presbyterian Church Session deter- 
mined that the community Senior Citizens were 
in need of an organization. The Senior Citizens 
club was designed to serve all senior citizens of 
the community. Coordinators of the group were 
Doris Glidden and Marlene Evans. The first 
planning committee also included Hazel Mumm, 
Matilda Plotner and Amelia Etter. In September 
of 1971 the first board was elected to serve for a 
one-year term. Members of that board were Na- 
than and Alda Rice, Floy Taylor and Matilda 
Plotner. The club meets once or twice a month. 
Activities have included potluck dinners with 
programs on dolls, travelogues, movies, sing- 
alongs, card games, Christmas plays, "The 
Country Gentleman" hat contest, magic show 
and a hobby show. Many people of the com- 
munity have provided musical selections with the 
school children performing on several occasions. 
Educational programs have been on Social Se- 
curity, Medicare, arthritis, Champaign County 
history, Telecare, Office on Aging and fraud of 
senior citizens. Tours have been taken locally to 
the Philo schools, locksmith, Eisner bakery. The 
Anderson's, Champaign County Nursing Home, 
WILL-TV, County Fair, Krannert Center, Philo 
Booster office, and Sangamon Valley Railway. 
Out of town tours were taken to Rockome, Bache 
Memorial Chapel, Arthur, Covered Bridge Fes- 
tival, Sullivan Little Theater, Allerton Park, 
Lake of the Woods Museum and Chanute AFB. 
A total of 58 people have participated in the 
group's activities. 

The History of the Philo Township Library 

The possibility of a library for Philo was dis- 
cussed during the summer of 1961 by the pro- 




Hale Park 




Hazen Park 




i 



■ -■ -»'w 




HHH 




Main Street — Todav 




j.'OTEfi 



gram committee of the Philo Women's Club; 
comments being favorable, it was decided to 
propose this at the September meeting. Conse- 
quently at this meeting after much discussion, 
pro and con, it was voted unanimously by all the 
members present to initiate the proper proceed- 
ings for establishing a Philo Township Library. 
The president, Mrs. Nathan L. Rice, then ap- 
pointed a committee for this purpose consisting 
of Mrs. Raymond Stearns, Mrs. Narbey Khacha- 
turian and one officio member, Mrs. Rice. 

At the October meeting this committee re- 
ported that the empty building next to the post 
office belonging to Richard Franks was available 
for fifteen dollars ($15) a month rent; also, a 
state library service would lend us 350 books for 
three months without charge, except postage 
back, and with the option of a three months' re- 
newal. 

We were now ready for donations! Many gifts 
of used books were offered and accepted. At 
first, we were not at all discriminating but later 
on as attics and storerooms were being emptied, 
we had to be more selective. The first donation 
came from Mrs. Thomas Shedd, Urbana — 250 
excellent, outstanding books. 

The Philo Booster's Club came up with 150 
feet of metal shelving which Dr. A.D. Smith, 
Mark McCloskey and Chet Klockenbrink in- 
stalled for us; Leonard Thinnes had an old oil 
stove; the Philo Exchange Bank offered Lyman 
Hazen's now unused library table and chair for 
our first desk; Ally O'Neill's Tavern had two 
round tables which would do for reading tables; 
the eight best straight chairs were secured from 
the town hall and two "showcases" from Doc 
Fehrenbacher's IGA comprised our "furniture". 
To add "class" to our new set-up we had three 
pictures of great historical interest acquired from 
Roy Walters in the Mahomet area and a very 
fine new picture, given by Lyle Franks, of a Red- 
wood Tree depicting the history of man in the 
life of one long-lived tree. 

The first four months of rent were donated by 
Miss Katharine Rice, Richard Franks, Mr. 
Bunche (father of Mrs. Stearns) and Mrs. 
Nathan Rice. 

With much fanfare on January 27, 1962, we 
were ready for business. One hundred and six- 
teen "patrons" came in to view our facilities and 
register for cards. This registration increased to 
345 in a few weeks. 

By June of the same year we had already out- 
grown our facilities and at the June meeting the 
Philo Women's Club voted to extend our small 
quarters, with the consent of the owner of the 
building, by taking out a petition at a cost of 



$338.00 with the library paying half and the 
owner half of the costs with the rent being raised 
to $25.00. Also, a new gas stove was to be fur- 
nished by the owner. 

By November 1962, the library project was so 
successful and the expenses becoming so burden- 
some for our small Women's Club — supported 
entirely by bazaars, style shows, bake sales and 
by private donations — that it was decided to 
have a special election voting whether or not to 
have a tax-supported library governed by six 
elected directors who would serve without pay. 
The directors selected as the first governing body 
were Mrs. Ruth Madigan, Mrs. Raymond 
Stearns, Mrs. Nathan L. Rice, Dr. Franz Hohn, 
Miss Thelma Melohn and Mr. Leonard Thinnes, 
The election carried overwhelmingly! At the first 
official meeting of the new Board of Directors of 
The Philo Township Library Mrs. Raymond 
Stearns was elected president; Mr. Leonard 
Thinnes, vice-president; Miss Thelma Melohn, 
secretary, and Dr. Hohn as treasurer. 

The first budget totaled $1500 and was pre 
sented to the town meeting in April, 1963. This 
was granted but was raised to $2000. But, of 
course, the library had to be supported the next 
year on tax warrants as the tax grant had not 
been collected. The first item of expenditure was 
$850.00 for much-needed new books, mainly for 
the children. The library was still staffed by 
volunteers who were slowly learning to "run 
library. Many small items were still being do 
nated — curtains, shelving, memorial books, big 
Catholic and Protestant Bibles by the Fehren- 
bachers, encyclopedia sets, janitor service, etc 

The library grew and grew until by April, 
1966, the records listed 5405 books, and 375 
paperbacks; by this time we were able to discard 
many completely outdated and worn-out books. 
Circulation report for this year showed 5983 
books checked out. 

In April, 1966, it was realized by the Board 
that professional help was essential to run th 
library; the long list of volunteers had dwindlec 
to only a few and the library should be kept open 
more hours in the week; 15 hours is the mini 
mum. Also, more money should be allocated for 
book purchase; consequently a bigger budget! 









Accordingly, a much increased budget was 
proposed for the year 1966-67 as follows: 
Salary for librarian $2500.00 

For purchase of new books 1 750.00 

For purchase of equipment 400.00 

For rent 600.00 

For fuel & electricity 500.00 

For janitor 150.00 

For insurance 50.00 

For supplies 200.00 

For contingencies 200.00 

6450.00 
an increase of $4350.00 

The action of the town board was favorable 
and the request granted. 

Consequently, the board proceeded to hire 
Mrs. Lothar Pietz as head librarian. She had just 
graduated from Library School and we felt lucky 
to get her at such a minimum salary. The library 
was opened every afternoon from 2:00-5:00 p.m. 
Virginia Creasey and Alda Rice were the new as- 
sistants without salary. The library was exten- 
sively remodeled that summer at the expense of 
the owner. The rent was raised to $50.00 a 
month. 

In February 1967 it was decided to become a 
part of the Lincoln Trails System No. 16. We 
were the first to join after the Champaign Li- 
brary and consequently our board president, 
Mrs. Stearns, was on the first committee to set 
up the bylaws and regulations of the new organi- 
; zation. $125,000 came from the state to finance 
the new system. The services of the new system 
are very beneficial to our small library. 

During the past ten years there have been 
many changes in the library. First was the move 
across the street to Gerald Fehrenbacher's build- 
ing. Mrs. Pietz was replaced by Virginia Creasey 
who had had some library training in college. 
Next, Mrs. June Highsmith, with her masters in 
library science, replaced Mrs. Creasey and Ruth 
Madigan became her assistant. No longer do we 
have volunteers and unpaid workers in the 
library. 

The Philo Library now has a registry of 725 
patrons and the 1975 circulation was 10,582. The 
library also has 127 records, 55 magazine sub- 
scriptions, a vertical file, an excellent reference 
library which includes World Book, Compton's 
Pictured Encyclopedia and a new set of Britan- 
nica. Each summer the two librarians conduct a 
six weeks reading program of stories, films and 
puppet shows for pre-school children up to sixth 
grade. 

Talking books are available and books with 
large print are provided for the visually handi- 



capped. Films can be selected on any subject 
from a large collection owned by the Lincoln 
Trails System along with a projector. Philo Li- 
brary has its own projector. Paintings and pic- 
tures can be requested from the System's large 
collection. 

Through the inter-library loan facilities of 
Lincoln Trails the entire resources of all the pub- 
lic libraries in the System are available to Philo 
patrons. 

The present officers and directors of the Philo 
Township Library are Dr. James Evans, Dr. 
Richard Bishop, Miss Thelma Melohn, Mrs. 
Anita Althaus. Mrs. Lelah Wimmer and Mrs. 
Esther Clennon. Dr. Evans is president in 1975, 
Mrs. Althaus is vice-president. Miss Melohn is 
treasurer and Dr. Bishop is secretary. 




Alice Chapel 

Alice Chapel, built around 1882, and named 
for Mrs. Alice Babb Helm, was built directly 
across the road south of Lynn Grove Cemetery, 
one of the highest spots of Champaign County. 
The acre of ground on which it stood was given 
by Isaac Cole to the Illinois Conference as long 
as it was used for church purposes. Alice Chapel 



vas built by subscription and served by the Philo 
Methodist Episcopal resident pastor. 

The membership was small but generous aid 
vas given from all the surrounding countryside, 
some of the Sunday School superintendents were 
vlrs. George Stuart, Mrs. Edith Raymond, 
^emuel Porterfield, and Jay Churchill. 

Revivals during the winter, Sunday School 
lonventions in the summer, Children's Day pro- 
grams, Christmas entertainments, oyster 
;uppers, ice cream and strawberry festivals, and 
o\e and box suppers contributed to the country 
social and religious life. 

As interest flagged in "the little white church 
3n the hill", except for an occasional funeral 
with burial in the Lynn Grove Cemetery, the 
:hapel was sold to Dr. Lawson of Sidney for the 
lumber he could get out of it. 

From memories of Mrs. Wm. Hanson 
News-Gazette. January 25, 1942 

St. Thomas Parish, Philo 

Founded: 1869 

Pioneer Catholic settlers came to the Philo and 
Bongard areas about 1858. Priests from Tolono 
who attended these people were Fathers A.J. 
Wagner, 1869 to 1888; Jeremiah F. Donavan, 
May to November, 1888; Thomas Devaney, 1888 
to 1890; Joseph Lizie, April and May, 1890; and 
Thomas K. McKinnery, 1890 to 1898. 

For thirty years Bongard Parish had a larger 
congregation than Philo, and it is older than 
Philo. Father Wagner built the first church at 



Bongard in 1880, 14 years before Father McKin- 
nery built a frame church at Philo in 1894. The 
altar and pews for the Catholic Church were 
built in Chicago, and were expected with anti- 
cipation. The altar alone cost $300. 

A thing of beauty — the new Catholic Church. 
Last Sunday being a fine day, hundreds of 
people came to see it, many of them driving from 
the neighboring towns. 

In addition to the memorial windows in the 
Catholic Church, mentioned last week, there is 
one to Rev. Father Charles O'Brien, of Ivesdale, 
and one to Rev. Father Thorn. McKinnery, of 
this parish. There are also two others not hereto- 
fore mentioned, viz: one donated by the married 
ladies of the parish, and one by the young 
ladies." (From "The Philo Weekly Budget" — 
Saturday, November 9, 1895). 

When the Rev. John P. Barry took charge of 
Philo and Bongard in 1897, he enlarged the 
Philo church and built a frame house, a combi- 
nation school, convent, and chapel, and a boys' 
dormitory there. 

The Rev. D.K. Harrington became pastor in 
1914 and organized St. Joseph's Academy, which 
was later discontinued. Father Harrington also 
moved the original rectory and built a new one. 
He was succeeded in 1928 by the Rev. Thomas 
Cleary, later Monsignor. 

Toward the end of Father Cleary's pastorate in 
1936, the rectory was destroyed by fire; and after 
Father Cleary left the parish in 1937, a number 
of priests administered St. Thomas' temporarily 
for the next year. Among them were Fathers 




V 



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-■ 







ff*l 



_-=-=---— ill Hi 





St Thnmas Catholic Church and Recton' — 1900 




St. Thomas Catholic Church — 1975 



A. O'Connor and Nicholas Hunold, O.M.I. 

The Rev. George A. Dzuryo became pastor in 
938 and soon restored the rectory. Father 
)zuryo was succeeded in May, 1946, by the Rev. 
)aniel F. Monaghan. 

Father Emmett Schleich was pastor from 1952 
1957. Father John C. Hecht, the present pas- 
3r, was named in 1957. 



Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 

Members of the Lutheran faith came to this 
rea, especially after the Civil War, and took up 
arm land around the village of Philo. They came 
rom Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and from Ger- 
many. The early records include the family 
names of Trost, Doss, Wollenzien, Anders, 
Lavenhagen, Krumm. Licht, Mumm, Guth, Kle- 
inick, Odebrecht, Buddie, Grischow, Priefert, 
Leff, Schultz. Grothe, Etter, Melohn, Plotner, 
3ickel. Consoer and Franks. 

The congregation of Zion was organized in 
■4879. The first baptism recorded was in June, 
1 874, which indicates the members were meeting 
For worship as early as that date. Since they had 
io church, they gathered at the Black Slough 
fechool house, one mile west of town. They were 



supplied with Pastors from Champaign and Sa- 
dorus. Rev. E. Martens of Sadorus had charge 
from August 1876 to January 1879. He moved to 
Danville, and Pastor Baumann, a senior student 
at the seminary at Springfield supplied the con- 
gregation. When Pastor Baumann graduated, 
the Philo congregation, with the congregation at 
Broadlands, issued a call for him to become their 
pastor. He was installed in the newly formed 
parish on August 10, 1879, at Broadlands in the 
forenoon and at Philo in the afternoon. 

Zion congregation continued to worship in the 
school house west of town until the newly built 
church was dedicated on the first Sunday of Ad- 
vent, 1879. This church was located on the north 
edge of Philo. The church, complete with furni- 
ture, cost $715.00. 

During the following year a parsonage, the 
home now of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Taylor, was 
built at a cost of $525.00. In December 1880. 
Pastor and Mrs. Baumann took up residence 
there. They had been living in Broadlands. At 
that time there were 21 families in the congre- 
gation. 

The next pastor, Rev. C. Mueller, served the 
parish two years, but when the parish was di- 
vided, he accepted the call from the Broadlands 
congregation. 



fhis Page sponsored by: 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS LIGHT COMPANY, Tuscola 

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY BANK AND TRUST CO., Urbana 

0WENS FUNERAL HOME, Champaign 

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY TENT AND AWNING, Champaign-Urbana 




Lutheran Church and Parsonage — 1910 




Zion Lutheran Church — 1975 



The next pastors were O. Doederlein, F. 
Schultz and J.L. Laufmann, each serving two 
years. 

At a congregational meeting held on May 6, 
1888, it was decided to call a pastor out of the 
Ohio Synod. There were 14 votes for the Ohio 
Synod and 6 for the Missouri Synod. 

Pastor J. Allwardt was the next pastor. While 
he was here the church and parsonage were re- 
modeled. The church was enlarged and new 
pews, an altar and lectern were installed. 



He was succeeded by Pastor Harry P. Long. 
Plans for a new church were made and funds for 
it gathered during his years at Philo. 

Pastor A.J. Klintworth followed Pastor Long. 
Under him the beautiful brick church and the 
present parsonage were built and dedicated. The 
cost of the church was $11467.90 and the parson- 
age cost $2528.63. 

The pastorates of Rev. Allwardt (1893-1902), 
Rev. Long (1902-1911) and Rev. Klintworth 



1911-1923) marked the period of the greatest 
;rowth of the congregation. 

The next pastors serving Zion were Rev. C.J. 
Pettier, 5 years; Rev. C. Pohlman. 2 years; Rev. 
iV.H. Ruth. 4 years; Rev. Herbert Hafermann, 
>ver 4 years; Rev. O.L. Proehl, IVi years; Rev. 
-.C. Lutz, 2 years; and Rev. August Rettberg. 
ibout 8 years. 

During the fall of 1929 the church was deco- 
ated and in 1974 it was redecorated and a new 
'urnace installed in the parsonage and a 
•estroom in the church basement. In 1947 the 
>arn was taken down and the lumber was used 
br a two-car garage. During September. 1949, a 
Wicks Pipe Organ was installed and dedicated 
he same month. In the fall of 1949 the Church 
•urnace was changed to an oil furnace and a 
itoker was added to the parsonage furnace. 

Pastor William Volkmann served the congre- 
gation from 1959 to 1963. Pastor Otto Dieter was 
Interim Pastor at different times, sometimes for 
several months, and served the congregation 
faithfully whenever called to do so. Pastor Lothar 
Pietz came in 1963 and was here until the 
summer of 1967. 

Pastor August Blobaum came here in June 
1967 and served here until January 1, 1970, when 
le retired to their farm in Stanton Township. He 
served as Interim Pastor through 1970 until the 
summer of 1971, when our present pastor Rev. 
Paul Pfeffer came in August. 

At a special meeting on October 12, 1969, it 
ivas decided to purchase three forced air gas fur- 



naces for the church. The labor was done by the 
men of the congregation. A new roof was put on 
the church. In 1974 a lift was installed and the 
steps and walk of the west entrance were im- 
proved. 

Philo United Methodist Church 

The first Philo Methodist Church was organ- 
ized as part of a circuit in 1865. Rev. Anderson 
Orr organized a class of 18 in 1866 and the Illi- 
nois Conference organized the Philo Mission at 
the annual session in Bloomington in 1866. 

Rev. B.F. Hyde, the first pastor served Philo, 
Yankee Ridge, Crafts and Reddick. Philo 
services were held in the school house until the 
first church was built and dedicated June 24, 
1871. 

The plans were started in the summer of 1868, 
under the supervision of Rev. D. Brewer. Failing 
health compelled Rev. Brewer to retire. Rev. 
Benjamin Bartholow was appointed minister, 
took up the work and proceeded to complete the 
church, plastering the walls with his own hands. 

On Sunday evening, August 1, 1897, the 
church was consumed by fire caused by the 
breaking of a large chandelier of kerosene lamps 
as the janitor was lighting them. The chain broke 
and the chandelier and fourteen of the lamps 
were shattered, scattering burning oil. Nothing 
was saved. 

The second church was built in 1897 and dedi- 
cated January 16, 1898 and served the Philo 




Methodist Church — 1907 




Philo Methodist Church burned Nov. 27, 1938 



Methodists 40 years, when another fire of un- 
known origin destroyed the church on Sunday 
morning, November 29, 1938. Rev. D.O. Mc- 
Roberts was the minister at this time and the 
present church was built and dedicated on Sun- 
day, September 10, 1939. Rev. C.C. Kerr came to 
this church in 1942 and he had the opportunity 
of helping celebrate the 75th anniversary, on 
Sunday, November 14, 1943. 

Very early in the history of the church. Mis- 
sionary Societies were formed. In 1940, the 
Home and Foreign Missionary Societies were 
merged into one organization, the Women's So- 
ciety of Christian Service. Young people were or- 
ganized as the Epworth League and now are 
known as Methodist Youth Fellowship, or MYF. 
Philo, a single charge until 1935 was joined by 
other churches; Bondville, Carley Chapel, Grace 
Methodist, Mayview, Savoy and Sidney. During 
Rev. Gene Priest's pastorate, the 90th anniver- 
sary was observed with an all day service and a 
dinner at noon, Sunday, November 9, 1958. 

Rev. Floyd Brewer was minister in 1965, living 
in Sidney and the church was a Philo-Sidney 
charge. In April 1968, the Methodist Church 
merged with Evangelical United Brethren 
Church at a meeting in Dallas, Texas. The 
Church is now the United Methodist Church. 
The church held its Centennial Celebration in 
1968, marked by a series of events, starting on 
Wednesday, November 13, with a Hymn Festival. 
Wednesday was the Historical Pageant, Sunday 
Worship, November 17 and Centennial Sunday 
November 24th. 

The minister at the present is Rev. D.D. Follis. 

Future plan for the Philo-Sidney Methodist 

church is to build a new church and parsonage, 

in the country, between the two towns, serving 

the Philo-Sidney area. 

List of Ministers 1866-1975: 1866 B.F. Hyde; 
1867 David Brewer; 1868-69 B. Bartholow; 1870 



J.H. Kabrick; 1871 W.C. Avey; 1872 L.F. 
Walden; 1873-75 P.L. Turner; 1876-77 T.D. 
Weems; 1878-80 J.B. Martin; 1881 B.F. Hyde; 
1882-84 R. Stephens; 1885-86 G.W. Bates; 1887- 
88 G.B. Goldsmith; 1889 T.O. Baty; 1890 H.C. 
Adams; 1891-82 J.R. Reasoner; 1893-94 W.M. 
Goodling; 1895 H.C. Turner; 1896-97 W.A. 
Boyd; 1898-99 D.D. Kensil; 1900-04 H.C. 
Augustus; 1905 C.N. Cain; 1906-07 J.L. Minney; 
1908-10 H.M. Derby; 1911 L.C. Moore, 1912 J.C. 
Enninger. 

1913 CM. Buck; 1914-16 D.L. Jeffers; 1917- 
18 A.S. Maxey; 1919 Howard Leach; 1920 B.L. 
Rudd; 1921-22 J.C. McMahon; 1923 Laren 
Spear; 1924 Wayne Furman; 1925-26 Harmon 
Kelly; 1927-29 E.H. Duling; 1930-32 C.B. 
Snider, 1933-34 P.H. Lotz; 1935-36 H.W. Hart- 
man; 1937-41 D.O. McRoberts; 1942-46 C.C. 
Keur; 1947-49 Glenn Gothard; 1950-51 A.E. 
Johannes; 1952-53 Clarence Bigler; 1954-55 T.K. 
Shubert; 1957-59 E.L. Priest; 1960-61 J.E. Fries- 
ner; 1962-63 W.D. Root; 1964 J.R. Bogart; 1965- 
68 Floyd E. Brewer; 1969-71 Arthur Scott; 1972- 
73 Donald Morton; 1974-present D. Dean Follis. 



V 






i 




Methodist Church — 1975 




History of Philo Presbyterian Church 

Among the early settlers and pioneers in the 
'hilo community, some of them originally coni- 
ng from the Berkshire Hills of Western Massa- 
husetts, others from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ken- 
ucky and other parts of the country, were a 
;roup who had already been members of Pres- 
tyterian churches in their previous homes or 
saned toward the Presbyterian faith. Early in 
868 many of these people began to feel it de- 
irable to organize a Presbvterian Church in 
>hilo. 

Their thoughts and discussions culminated in 
he filing of a petition dated May 16, 1868, to the 
Jloomington Presbytery of the Presbyterian 
Church asking for the establishment of the local 
:hurch in Philo. This petition was signed by the 
ollowing individuals: George C. Stewart, Eliza- 
)eth Stewart, Deborah Love, J. P. Moore. Mrs. 
vl.A. Moore, Helen Harnensworth and Betty 
3radshaw. Also attached to the petition, 
ilthough not actually signing the document, was 
i list of eighteen "friends and supporters" of the 
novement. While many of the names on this list 
lave been lost to time we do find names such as 
iazen. Love, Burr and Cole which are still some- 
what familiar in the community. 

Even prior to the filing of the petition or per- 
laps concurrent with it, the group had made ar- 
rangements for securing a minister and in May 
)f 1868 employed Reverend Thomas K. Chestnut 



of Cincinnati, Ohio, to serve the group on a half- 
time basis at a salary of $300.00 per year, pay- 
able quarterly. 

The petition filed for the new church received 
favorable action by the Bloom ington Presbytery 
and on July 12. 1868. the new church was 
formally organized and installed by Reverend 
Robert H. Lilly acting for the Presbytery and 
Elder Alfred A. Barnard from the First Presby- 
terian Church of Champaign. At this meeting the 
first five signers of the petition, together with 
Elisha B. and Helen Hazen. became the charter 
members. Also at this time the first officers of 
record, James P. Moore as ruling Elder and G.C. 
Stewart as Deacon, were installed. 

The first meetings of the congregation were 
held in the Philo School building, a two story 
frame structure which at that time stood on the 
site of the present Philo School. It was lost by 
fire several years ago. Later, when the Philo 
School building was no longer available the con- 
gregation met for several years in a country 
school about a mile from Philo. The church re- 
cords indicate that at one of the early meetings 
of the congregation the officers were authorized 
to buy the country school for $325.00 with the 
plan of using it temporarily as a church building 
and later moving it into Philo to convert to a 
dwelling and use for a manse. Apparently these 
plans never materialized. 

The first communion of the congregation was 
held on September 20, 1868, at which time the 



other two original signers of the petition together 
with many of the individuals listed as "friends" 
were received into membership. It is interesting 
to note that the descendants of a number of this 
original membership, now in the third and 
fourth generation, are still active in the church. 

During the years 1870-1871 a new church 
building was erected at 105 East Jefferson St. 
and this original building, with additions and 
modifications is still in use today. It is believed 
that some of the lumber used in its construction 
was hauled from as far away as Indiana and the 
first church bell installed in the building is still 
in use today. The building was largely financed 
by the contributions of its own members al- 
though a loan of $500.00 from the General As- 
sembly of the Presbyterian Church was secured 
in 1871 to help with its completion. 

In 1884-85 a manse was built on the corner lot 
east of the Church at a cost of $2000.00 and was 
first occupied by Reverend Jacquess, the pastor 
at that time. This building continued in use as a 
manse until 1960 when a new dwelling was con- 
structed on the same site. The old manse was 
sold and moved to 310 East Van Buren Street 
and is now occupied as the residence of the Mun- 
ger family. 

In 1905 the Church building was remodeled, 
the entrance moved from the north center of the 
building to the northeast corner, an alcove added 
on the west side as a choir loft, and the south 
section divided into two rooms to provide better 
facilities for church activities. New pews and 
other furniture were also added. 

In 1950, in order to provide better Sunday 
School facilities and a kitchen, an addition was 
built on the south side, thus adding a basement 
and dining room space. Much donated labor 
went into this construction under the supervision 
and direction of Mr. Frank Ray, a local con- 
tractor. The cost of approximately $18,000.00 
was financed by donations and contributions of 
members over a period of several years. 

Again in 1965, with the growth of the village 
and constantly increasing enrollment in the Sun- 
day School it became imperative that additional 
space be added. So a second addition was built 
to the south, the kitchen moved from the base- 
ment to the first floor and remodeled and the 
lower floor divided into rooms for classes. This 
new construction was under the planning and 
supervision of Charles K. Asklund and again a 
large amount of donated labor by members was 
available and used. The cost of approximately 
$12,000. was financed over a period of three 
years entirely by contributions of members. 



On Sunday, July 14 1968, the Church appro-l 
priately observed the 100th anniversary of its J 
founding by an all-day meeting under the able 
direction of Dr. A.D. Smith, the pastor at that 
time. The honored guest speaker was Rev. Man- 
ley L. Mace of Wood River, Illinois, a former 
pastor. A noon dinner was efficiently supervised 
by Dorothy E. Burr and the occasion further fea- 1 
tured by the presentation of memorial plates 
worked out by Betty L. Rice. 

In 1974, by virtue of a bequest from Luella 
Gulick, who was a descendant of the Love family 
so active in the early days, the sanctuary was 
completely redecorated, new lighting fixtures in-j 
stalled, new pews (replacing those in use since 
1905) provided and new wall to wall carpets 
added. 




Pltilo Presbyterian Church — 1975 



From the Philo area the following men and 
women have gone into the clergy, ministry, and 
religious teaching or nursing: 

Priests — Father Thomas Cain, Father John 
Daly, Father Edmund O'Neill (deceased), and 
Brother Gerald Decker. 

Sisters Mary Matthew (Grace Cain), Leo Marie 
(Marie Daly), Mary M. Richard (Mary Godsell, 
deceased), M. Lois (Lois Clennon), M. Agatha 
(Edith Clennon), M. Patricia (Ann Clennon), Eli- 
zabeth Marie (Beth Clennon), Agnes Regina 
(Edith Daly), M. Florentine (Mary Daly, de- 
ceased), M. Bonaventure (Catherine Keeler, de- 
ceased), Alice Marie (Agnes Sarringhouse), 
Immaculate Conception -Bongard, Rt. Reverend 
William Sloan (Deceased), Sisters M. Acquin 
(Pearl Wegeng), M. Cletus (Martha Mooney), 
Martha Mary (Martha Mary Waldo), M. Martin 



(Josephine Gorman), M. Ethna (Ruth Gorman, 
deceased), M. Eunice (Gertrude Gorman, de- 
ceased). 

Reverend Gary Lee Roberts, Apostolic 
Church; Reverend David Franks. Zion Lutheran; 
Reverend Michael Law, Apostolic; and James 
Reed. Christian Church. 




The ABC Triplets 

Anita, Becky and Cathy are the triplet daugh- 
ters of Mr. and Mrs. H. Paul Lincicome. They 
were born October 5, 1947 in Champaign. They 
moved to Philo when they were IV2 years old. 
They have two brothers (Dennis and Fred) and 
one sister (Christy). 

From the time the triplets were able to sit up, 
they were in the public eye. The girls modeled 
from the age of 3 months for the Jack and Jill 
Shop on Neil St. in Champaign. They were so 
identical, for many years that very few people 
could tell them apart. 

During the years of modeling for Jack and Jill, 
the owner Mr. Stoddard, kept an advertising 
scrap book using pictures entirely of the triplets 
modeling. He entered the book in an advertising 
contest and won first prize which was a trip to 
New York. The triplets went along to accept the 
award. They were 10 years old at that time. The 
girls had been singing together for some time 
and while in New York were asked to sing at the 
Waldorf Astoria on the same program with Pat 
Boone and other notables. 



A short time later, the girls were asked back to 
New York by a recording company and they re- 
corded two records. 

They also sang on the Johnny Carson Show 
"Who Do You Trust," sang for Ed Sullivan on a 
benefit show in Chicago and performed on The 
Red Foley Show in Missouri. They also were on 
Ted Mack Amateur Hour and many others. 

They sang and toured for the U.S.O. and tra- 
veled to Tuley Air Force Base in Greenland and 
entertained for a week. 

The singing careers went by the wayside when 
all three girls got married. They are now Mrs. 
Barry (Anita) Gardner, Mrs. Robert (Becky) 
Gilbert with one boy, and Mrs. Steven (Cathy) 
Martin. 




Aunt Minnie 

"Hello, folks, this is Aunt Minnie!" This 
greeting familiar to thousands of farm women 
came from Mrs. Minnie G. Stearns over WLS 
radio around the 1930 period. She wrote her own 
scripts and talked each week day morning on a 
variety of timely and interesting subjects. Her 
philosophy was to tell it in her own way . . . her 
very own way. And that is just what she did! 

The mother of six children, little did Aunt 
Minnie think as she worked so hard on the farm 
in Philo (Champaign County), Illinois, that some 
day she would talk to thousands of farm women 



through a metal disc called a microphone. Twice 
each day Aunt Minnie gave advice on what to do 
with the farm, the poultry, the animals and the 
children; for there was no part of farm work she 
had not handled herself. 

Minnie Stearns drew from life-experiences for 
her WLS programs by relating homespun hap- 
penings gleaned from life as an instructor, 
housekeeper, mother and farm woman. Hers 
were human interest programs that commanded 
vast numbers of listeners. She deeply appreciated 
the help given her by those on the WLS staff, es- 
pecially Sam Gaurd, Fred Petty, Edgar Bill as 
well as Dr. John Holland and Burridge Butler. 

To understand how Aunt Minnie became a 
broadcaster, one must review her life. 

Minnie G. Stearns was born February 18, 1864 
at Monticello, Illinois, the daughter of Newton 
and Lucinda Garritson. She lived in the rural 
area, was a school teacher, and saw the very first 
buildings erected in the town of Philo. 

As a young farm wife, she left teaching in or- 
der to raise a family and fully accept the rigorous 
demands of living on a farm. She lived on a farm 
near Philo until her health failed, when she made 
her home in Broadlands with a daughter and 
son-in-law until her death at ninety years of age. 
She was a member of the Methodist Church and 
the Philo O.E.S. 

Early in her life as a farm woman, Mrs. 
Stearns became dissatisfied with scrubs and 
mongrels and bought one setting of pure bred 
eggs to begin an unusual breed of chickens. 

Through advertising in a national farm jour- 
nal she sold these chickens all over the United 
States and even shipped large consignments to 
South Africa. The journal interested in this en- 
terprising farm woman asked for a personal 
letter about her success through advertising and 
for a picture of herself. When this picture was 
published, Aunt Minnie was asked for articles on 
farming by farm papers all over the United 
States, and it was thus she broke into the edi- 
torial game. 

Another thing she was especially interested in 
on the farm was the horses. And no colt so wild, 
so spirited but she could conquer it, and it was a 
beautiful sight to see her riding or driving one of 
these mettlesome creatures. 

Self-educated, Aunt Minnie studied the books 
and good magazines she kept in her home and 
learned how to write in magazine and newspaper 
style. She had that thing called a "nose for 
news" and she had the feeling for a good story. 
All her writing during her busy life had been 
done at night. More than one night had found 
her writing until two in the morning. 



She also wrote articles for several outstanding 
farm magazines which included Prairie Farmer 
and Breeder's Digest. Her daily column in the 
Bloomington Pantagraph was based on ex- 
perience and information procured first hand 
from people who had spent their lives around 
her. Her editorial work attracted the attention of 
broadcasting officials and the offer to work came 
to her at a time when she was looking for some- 
thing new to do. However, her broadcasting 
never interfered with her writing. She continued 
to send out articles on all sorts of subjects. She 
was also an associate editor of a large Illinois 
newspaper. The Radio Digest, at that time the 
largest and best radio magazine, published ar- 
ticles and homespun philosophy that Aunt Min- 
nie loved to write. 

To Aunt Minnie broadcasting was the last 
word in editorial service. Instead of sending mes- 
sages via the written word, it was almost meeting 
her friends face to face, more than thousands of 
them. Life begins at any age when the fruit of the 
years are gathered, regardless of the number of 
years. 

As we approach the Bicentennial, it is fitting 
to pause a moment and reflect on one of Aunt 
Minnie's articles on the flag. "Our Flag, the one 
thing in all our history — in all our life that has 
no second. It represents a united people; one flag 
and one people for our country." Aunt Minnie, 
the mother of six children, reared her family on a 
farm in the Philo area. Three children, Willard 
of Philo, Fred and Raymond of Tucson, Arizona 
are deceased. The three living children are: Jessie 
Bergfield of Broadlands, Illinois; Maude Moore 
of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Earl Stearns of 
Tucson, Arizona. 




Sue Ennis, Pioneer Philo Artist 



Miss Susan Ennis, whose parents Mr. and 
Mrs. Thomas Ennis came from Philadelphia in 
1856, engraved and painted many pictures and 
china which are still in evidence in many Philo 

hr\rr\p<i 




*•*» A)eui» <M* *««* %*tf A*Ma Mm*/ 

The Anders Family 



The children of Henry and Fredricka Ben- 
schneider Anders, natives of Germany, settled in 
Canal Winchester, Ohio, in the 1850's. Their 
children John. Henry, Eli, Elijah and Minnie all 
moved to Philo area in the late 1880's. The 
youngest. Mary, remained in Ohio. 

John m. Mary Krumm; Henry m. Mary 
Bickel; Eli m. Susa Caroline Donaldson; Elijah 
m. Lavina Eavey; Minnie m. Joseph Snider. The 
Anders came to Philo in covered wagons. John 
settled north of Philo on a Silver farm, then 
moved to the Lynn Grove, the historical Halfway 
House Inn. He lived there for years before re- 
tiring north of Sidney. Henry moved on a farm 
south of Philo, later moved to Philo where he 
had an interest in a hardware store. Eli lived on 
Samual Wingfield's farm south of Philo, then 
later moved to Rockwell City, Iowa. Elijah came 
also to a Silver farm north of Locke School, then 
to the William Anson farm near Belle Prairie 
School. After his wife's death in 1912 he moved 
to Philo. Later he lived with a daughter in To- 
lono where he died, but he is buried in Philo. He 
was a member of the Lutheran Church and was 
very interested in music. He organized a family 
band which is the family feature picture. They 
played at many schools, churches. Lutheran Sun- 
day School picnics and Lichts Grove. They also 
gave concerts in Villa Grove and in the old Philo 
opera house. 

John Anders was instrumental in organizing 
and building the Philo Lutheran Church. The 
Anders Brothers were all farmers, tended well 
their crops and livestock. They built their own 
buildings and helped operate custom farm ma- 
chinery. They all had large families except 
Henry, and were noted for their large family ga- 
therings. A daughter of Elijah, Mrs. Pearle An- 
ders Eaton, still resides in Philo. 



Cyrus Arnold 

Cyrus Arnold and wife Caroline came to Philo 
Township in the fall of 1867 from Kendall Co., 
111., and purchased 200 acres of land in Section 
35. Besides his farming the land, Mr. Arnold 
also engaged in raising fine stock, horses, cattle 
and swine. 

He was born September 8. 1830, in Saratoga 
Co., New York, received his education there, 
then went to Jackson Co., Mich., where he mar- 
ried Caroline Francisco, February 2, 1853; she 
was born in Washtenaw Co., Mich.. August 14, 
1831. After their marriage, they lived one year in 
Grass Lake, Mich., then moved to McHenry Co.. 
111., then Kendall Co., and later Philo Township. 
They had six children, Mary Catherine (married 
John Locke), Emmett (who operated a stock 
ranch near Hot Springs, S. Dakota), Horace, 
Cora E. (married Henry Lovingfoss), and Clara 
and Henry, both of whom died in infancy. 

Mr. Arnold died at the age of 88 on June 20, 
1919, at the home of his daughter, Mary C. 
Locke. He was extremely active until his death, 
being ill only one day. Mrs. Arnold died Sept. 22, 
1909, and both are buried in Locust Grove 
Cemetery at Philo. 

Descendants of this family include Mary Ca- 
therine Keith, Frances Jean McCormick, Rena 
M. O'Neill, and Juanita M. Brewer, all living in 
the Philo area; Rev. A.M. Werts of near Urbana, 
and Wanda M. Whitton of Champaign. All are 
daughters of the late Frank J. Miller, who 
farmed in the Philo area for 45 years. He was a 
son of Mable Locke Miller and a great grandson 
of the Cyrus Arnolds. 



Reuben Baker 

Reuben Baker was born in Clark County. Ohio 
in 1819. He married Susan Kienborts who was 
born in 1931 in the same county in Ohio. About 
1868 they moved to Section 9, Philo Township 
with their seven children. Mary E. married Hart- 
ley Spradling; Martha A. m. Calvin E. Parker; 
Irvin A. m. Emma Parkman; Henry E. m. Emma 
Lovingfoss; Sarah C. m. Al Bowen; Grace Eva 
m. Herbert Eaton. 

Reuben Baker had the misfortune of being in- 
jured by a falling tree and eventually died from 
its effects February 1873. He is buried in Philo, 
Illinois. 




Philo where he died in 1892. They had a family 
of eight children including twin girls. Beulah 
died at 20 years of age; Minnie and Sahara mar- 
ried and moved to Bethany, Illinois; Ella married 
William Service and lived in Philo; Edith became 
Mrs. Frank Ordel and lived on a farm three 
miles south of Philo; William moved to Mendota 
where he ran a welding shop; George married 
Bell Wimmer, sister of Newton Wimmer, who 
owned and ran a grocery store in Philo for 35 
years. George owned and operated a barber shop 
on Main Street for many years. Edgar lived with 
his mother and ran a dray wagon, pulled with 
horses. He hauled coal for everyone in Philo and 
also delivered parcels that came in by train to the 
depot. He retired when trucks took over his job. 
He died in 1935. Mrs. Brelsford died in May 
1929 at 88 years of age. 



David Brewer 



Reuben Baker 



Soloman and Amy Bocock 

Soloman and Amy Bocock moved from 
Marian, Indiana to Crittenden Township in 
1864. He served four years in the Civil War. 

Originally the Bocock family had come from 
England and settled in Virginia. 

Soloman and Amy Bocock settled at Bouse's 
Grove five miles south of Tolono. The region was 
overgrown with timber at that time, although 
very little remains now. 

At that time there was only a freight house at 
what is now Urbana. 

It was the custom then to bring corn in sacks 
to Urbana to have it ground into corn meal. 
Corn when marketed was worth only 6 and 8 
cents per bushel. 

Land in the vicinity of what is now Champaign 
sold for 50 cents per acre. 

Children of Soloman and Amy Bocock were 
named James, Minnie (Mrs. William Ordel), 
Arthur, Alfred, and Ethel (Mrs. James Adair). 



William Brelsford 

Angeline Housher came to this country with 
her family by boat from England in 1875. She 
was married to William Brelsford and they lived 
on a farm two miles north of Philo, known now 
as the Wallace Silver farm. Mr. Brelsford had 
poor health and quit farming and moved into 



David Brewer and family moved to Philo in 
September, 1867, from Douglas Co., 111., Mr. 
Brewer, recently licensed to preach as a Metho- 
dist minister, having been assigned to the Philo 
circuit, which consisted of charges in seven dif- 
ferent locations. While serving here, a new 
church building was erected in 1868. However, 
after serving this circuit for only one year, he was 
forced to discontinue preaching for a time, be- 
cause of voice failure. 

Born October 19, 1826, in Pike Co., Ohio, Mr. 
Brewer was the seventh of nine children of 
Richard and Christina Roderick Brewer, who mi- 
grated to Vermilion Co., 111., in 1830. He was 
married to Maria Caroline Lynch (born Oct. 9, 
1826, in Harrison Co., Va.)on August 23, 1844. 

They had ten children with six surviving, 
namely: Richard Milton (1846-1886); Sarah (b. 
1848, m. Edward White, d. 1878); Meshech (b. 
1852, m. Harriett Locke, d. 1929); Isaac (b. 1857, 
m. Anna F. Derrough, d. 1938); Robert (b. 1860, 
m. Sade Gordy, date of death unknown); and 
Frank (b. 1866, m. Catherine Wise, d. 1960). 

The family moved from Vermilion Co., 111. to 
Douglas Co., 111., and thence to Philo. From 1869 
to 1874, the Rev. Mr. Brewer had various char- 
ges, but finally his voice failed him completely, 
and he and his wife moved back to Philo Town- 
ship, and lived on a 120-acre farm in Section 25. 
In 1888, he became a United Brethren affiliate, 
and continued in active work in the ministry 
until his death, which occurred in Woodland, 
Illinois, February 20, 1896, at age 69. Burial was 
in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. 



Isaac Brewer 



Frank H. Cain 



Isaac Brewer, born in a log cabin east of Dan- 
ville. Illinois, on October 5. 1857. the seventh of 
ten children born to David and Maria Lynch 
Brewer, came to Philo in 1867 from Douglas Co., 
111., when his father received his first appoint- 
ment as a minister in the Methodist Church with 
charges at Philo and several outlying points. 

Isaac was married to Anna Florence Derrough 
on December 1, 1880, with his father officiating 
at the ceremony. Anna was the daughter of 
Asher David Derrough. then in business at Philo, 
and Saloma J. (Hoover) Derrough. 

From the time of his marriage until 1910. 
Isaac engaged in farming in the vicinity of Philo, 
first on rented land and later on his own. In 
1897, Isaac and Anna purchased 120 acres of 
land just north of Philo in Section 14, from Alice 
M. Cowles, granddaughter of Philo Hale, and 
built a new home that still stands. They resided 
there until 1915. Isaac farmed this land and also 
operated steam-powered threshing and shelling 
equipment until 1910. when declining health 
forced him to retire and rent out the land. 

About 1912, Isaac and a partner established 
an automobile sales and service business in 
Philo, the first in the area. This business was 
housed in a new building built for it on the main 
street of Philo. In 1918 he sold out his interest to 
his partner, and Isaac and Anna purchased a 
home on the south side of Philo where they re- 
sided the remainder of their lives. 

Isaac and Anna had two sons, Orma Perl (b. 
10-4-1881. m. Emma Mumm, d. 3-3-1955), and 
Leon David (b. 6-17-1903, m. Gladys Bocock). 
Anna died July 3, 1923, after a long illness and 
was buried at Philo. Isaac was married to 
Blanche Williams in the spring of 1927, and she 
died in 1935. Isaac died Jan. 24, 1938, at the age 
of 80 years and was buried in Locust Grove 
Cemetery. 

Descendants of Isaac Brewer still living in the 
Philo area include Joseph Brewer, who still lives 
in the house built by Isaac and Anna and farms 
the Brewer land. Kenneth Brewer of Champaign, 
and Katherine (Mrs. John D. Clark) who resides 
on the Clark farm in Section 3 of Philo Town- 
ship. All are children of Perl and Emma Brewer. 
L. David Brewer resides in Villa Park, 111., now 
retired from Illinois Bell Telephone Co. He has 
two children, Shirley Brewer Taylor of St. Anne, 
111., and Glen Brewer, of Dallas, Texas. 



Frank H. Cain, born Jan. 6, 1884 on a farm 
near Ivesdale. Illinois, son of James T. Cain and 
Mary Carroll Cain, and Sarah Ann Clennon, 
born March 8, 1885 on a farm in Crittenden 
Township, daughter of William F. Clennon and 
Delia Moran Clennon, were married Oct. 2. 1907 
in St. Thomas Church, Philo, Illinois. They were 
the parents of one son and 3 daughters; Frank 
H. Cain, Jr. (deceased) was married to Naomi R. 
Gorman and their three daughters are Mrs. 
Douglas (Karen) McCormick, Mrs. John (Sue) 
Doolen and Mrs. Douglas (Marcia) Statzer. 

Miss Mary Agnes Cain. 

Mrs. Ralph (Loretta) Widney who has one 
daughter Mrs. Philip (Sue) Dechovv. Mrs. Joseph 
(Elizabeth Jane) Graham and they have three 
sons and three daughters, Frank, mary Jane, 
John, JoAnne, James and Amy. 

Frank H. Cain was co-owner of Horgan and 
Cain Grocery from 1906 to 1913. Sole owner 
until 1917 when Vincent Cain became a partner 
in the business. Frank H. Cain sold his interest 
in the business in 1923 to Vincent Cain, and 
went in the Battery and Tire business in Cham- 
paign, Illinois. 

Frank H. Cain passed away in 1957, and Mrs. 
Sarah A. Cain resided at the same address in 
Philo from 1907 to 1969. 



John Caldwell Reed Family 

John Caldwell Reed was born in 1822 in Ohio 
County, W. Va. and died in 1899 in Philo, 111. He 
was married to Mary B. Bell of W. Va. They 
came to Philo in a covered wagon when their son 
Charles was very young. They had four other 
children, Henry List, Mary Bell, called Bell, John 
C. and James B. 

John's parents John and Louisa Caldwell Reed 
had earlier settled in French Grove, Peoria Co., 
111. Three or four of John's sisters and brothers 
settled in and around French Grove. Another sis- 
ter Jane Ghaston lived in Ford County. 

John and Mary B. acquired 400 acres of farm- 
land near Philo. 160 acres of it is still in the 
family belonging to Ralph J. Reed Estate. 

Charles Reed married Abbie J. Huhn from 
Maryland and had one son Ralph J. He died at 
76, Jan. 1, 1972. He married Mary Silver of 
Philo. They had four daughters, Marjorie. Mrs. 



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DENNY'S PROFESSIONAL CLEANERS & LAUNDERERS 



Ted Shaw of River Forest, 111. -2 sons Reed and 
Winston; Patricia, Mrs. Jim Warner of 
Thomasboro, 111. -2 sons, Dave and Jim; Barbara, 
Mrs. Tom Bosch of Villa Grove-2 daughters, 1 
son, Kathy, Joann and Steve and Mary Beth. 
Mrs. Loren McMurray-2 sons David and Steven, 
of Calif. Ralph was in France in World War I. 

List was married and had one daughter Mary- 
list, Mrs. Glenn Lewis of Excelsior Springs, Mo. 

Bell married Herb Wells of Philo. They had 
four children. Reed Wells who had several child- 
ren; Edna, who had several children; Helen Ball 
who had one son Dick (they are in Iowa), and 
Frances Tucker-five children. 

John C. was married to Grace Trost of Philo. 
They had four children, Mary Jones, John, 
Harold and Walter who had a son and daughter 
and four grandchildren. 

James was married and divorced to an actress 
and had one stepson. 

Charles and Abbie lived on the 160 acre farm 
in Philo all of their lives except for a year when 
he worked in Denver, Colo, and for a time when 
their house burned down. The farm is now 
rented to Mary's nephew Duane Silver. She now 
lives in an apartment next to her daughter Pat in 
Thomasboro where she and Ralph had once lived 
for twenty years. 

Lafayette Churchill 

Lafayette Churchill was born in 1846 in a 
family of eight brothers and five sisters in New 
York State, was married to Eliza Pratt (born in 
1849 in Cortland) in 1870. 

They moved to Raymond Township in 1880 
and later to the edge of Philo in 1892. 

Eight children were born to them: Charles, 
Leslie, Catharine (Williams), Aline (Cole), Ruth, 
Melvin, Clinton and Helen (Hunt) all deceased. 

Lafayette Churchill died near Charlotte, Mich, 
in 1931 at the age of 85. 

Eliza Churchill died in 1941 at the home of 
her son Clinton near Charlotte, Mich, at the age 
of 92. 

Clark Family 

John Henry Clark, was the fifth child of Joshua 
Hedges Clark. He was born in Philo Township 
near Urbana, Champaign Co., 111. in 1869. John 
was raised on his father's farm and became a 
farmer. 

In 1896, at the age of 26, John Clark married 
Mary Emily O'Neal. Mary was the daughter of 
William Fletcher and Sarah Redden O'Neal, and 
had been born in Douglas County, 111. in 1871. 



Her father was a farmer and had settled earlier 
near Philo Township. 

John and Mary settled on a farm in Philo 
Township, near Urbana, Champaign Co., where 
all four of their children were born. 

John Clark was 66 years old when he died in 
1936 in Burnham Hospital following a week's ill- 
ness. 

Emma Clark died in 1960 at the age of 89 in 
Burnham Hospital. 

John Henry and Emma O'Neal Clark are 
buried at Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo 
Township, Champaign Co., 111. 

John and Emma had four children: Don Flet- 
cher Clark, was the first child of John Henry 
Clark. He was born on his father's farm near Ur- 
bana, in 1903. He married Bessie May Tucker 
who had been born in Hood, 111. in 1907. Don 
was a Warehouseman for Texaco, and they set- 
tled in Champaign. Don died in 1975 at the 
Carle Hospital following six years of lingering ill- 
ness. He is buried in Locust Grove Cemetery, 
Philo. They had no children. 

Luella Fern Clark, was John Henry's second 
child. She was born on the farm near Urbana in 
1905. Fern married Thomas Troy Brelsford, who 
had been born in the same county in 1904. Tom 
was a Division Manager for the Illinois Bell Tele- 
phone Company in Champaign where they set- 
tled. They had no children. Fern Clark Brelsford 
died in 1926, at the age of 21. She is buried at 
Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. 

Howard Bentley Clark was the third child of 
John Henry Clark. He was born on his father's 
farm near Urbana in 1909. He married Anita 
Ruth Myler, who had been born in Vermilion 
Co. in 1909. Like his father, Howard became a 
farmer, and worked on his father's farm. After 
his father's death, he continued to live on the 
farm where he was born, and where his two 
children, Terry and Stanley, were born. 

Terry Howard Clark was born in 1936. He 
married Beverly Jean Harris and they make their 
home in Champaign, 111. Terry is employed by 
Humko Corp. as Area Supervisor of the Hydro- 
gen Plant, Champaign. They have four children: 
Terry Lynn born in 1956; Rickie Gene born in 
1957; Gregory Scott born in 1960, and Kathryn 
Ann born in 1966. 

Stanley Edwin Clark was born in 1942. He 
lives in Champaign, 111. and is a men's hair sty- 
list employed by The Barbers Hair Styling for 
Men, Inc., in Champaign. 

Harold Lester Clark was the fourth and last 
child of John Henry Clark. He was born on his 
father's farm near Urbana in 1910. Harold mar- 
ried Ruth Ellen Hocker, who had been born in 



viacon County in 1915. Harold is employed as 
Assistant Manager of Cousin Fred's, Decatur, 
11. He and Ruth settled in Decatur, Macon Co., 
vhere their three children Larry, Donald and 
Man were born. 

Larry Dean Clark was born in 1937. He mar- 
ked Faye Gee Wright and in 1975 were living in 
Champaign. Larry is working as a Supervisor for 
:he Crane Potato Chip Co. They have two 
:hildren: Debra Lynne born in 1960, and Dena 
Marie born in 1963. 

Donald Gene Clark was born in 1940. He mar- 
ried Virginia Adelle Schniep and they make their 
home in Elwin, 111. Donald is employed by the 
Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Decatur. 111. They 
have one child, Rhonda Michele born in 1974. 

Alan Lynn Clark was born in 1946. He mar- 
ried Linda Gay Donaldson and they make their 
home in Macon, 111. Alan is an Accountant for 
I Firestone Rubber Co., Decatur. They have one 
child, Gwen Elizabeth, born in 1973. 



George W. Clark and Mary Z. Clark 

George Clark was the tenth child of Joshua 
Hedges Clark. He was born on his father's farm 
in Philo Township, near Urbana, Champaign 
County, 111. in 1878. George married Mary Zilz in 
January 1903. According to the family, Mary had 
been born in Osterda, near Berlin, Germany in 
1884, the daughter of Christopher and Louise 
Tromberk Zilz. Her parents died in Germany be- 
fore Mary came to America. Mary came to this 
country along with her sister, Minnie, and two 
brothers, Fred and Willie, when she was 13 years 
old. She arrived in Philo and lived with another 
sister who had been living in Philo for some time. 
Mary often told the story how the train went 
through Philo, but did not stop. They finally 
made the conductor understand they should have 
gotten off at the last town, so the train stopped at 
Tolono and they walked back to Philo. 

Mary was working at the hotel in Philo when 
she met George Clark, married him and became a 
farmer's wife. They settled on a farm on what is 
known as the "Ridge Road" in Philo Township 
near Urbana where all twelve of their children 
were born. Six boys and six girls. 

George Clark was one of the first farmers in his 
area to own a car. It has been said that one day a 
car went by the farm, the first one he had ever 
seen, and he and a neighbor climbed to the top of 
their windmill to watch it as far as they could see. 
His first car was an Overland which he took pride 
and joy in keeping spotless and shiny. 



Another new item was the Wallace Cub Trac- 
tor. Farmers came from miles around to see the 
tractor run and to make wagers that it probably 
wouldn't work in raising a good crop . . . just no- 
thing could take the place of a team of horses. 

Mary was quite surprised early one Christmas 
morning to see a team of horses and wagon drive 
in with her Christmas present, a "Player Piano". 
Many enjoyable evenings were spent with the 
neighbors coming in for popcorn, apples and lots 
of singing. The piano is still in the family. 

George Clark was a month short of his 49th 
birthday when he died in 1927. He is buried at 
Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana. After his death, 
Mary Zilz Clark continued to live on the farm 
with her children. She lived on the farm until Oc- 
tober 1971 when she became ill and has since 
been living in a nursing home. Mary will be 91 
years young on July 24, 1975. 

Mary has ten living children: Violet Gaschler, 
Urbana; Oliver Clark, Homer; George E. Clark, 
Urbana; Kermit Clark, Urbana; Arita Lovett, 
Ohio; John Clark, Urbana; Jean Brown, Toulon; 
Robert Clark, Philo; Georgia Sensenbrenner, Ur- 
bana; and Florence Drews, Urbana. The two de- 
ceased were: Kenneth Clark, Urbana and Edith 
Bakkemo, Urbana. 



William F. Clennon 

William F. Clennon, a native of Grundy Co., 
Illinois, was born on July 4, 1851 and settled on a 
farm in Crittenden Township, Champaign Co. in 
1878, after his marriage to Miss Adelia Moran. 

His parents, Martin and Mary Flynn Clennon, 
natives of Ireland, emigrated to the U.S. and 
settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they became 
acquainted and were married. Their first home 
was in Indiana until 1849, then they came to Illi- 
nois and settled on a farm near Peru, LaSalle Co. 
Later they moved to a farm in Grundy Co. Besides 
William, they were the parents of Lawrence, Mar- 
tin Andrew, Patrick, Katie, Mary (Mrs. William 
Moran) and Susan (Mrs. Charles Daly). 

William, after finishing his education in the 
Christian Brothers School of Peru, returned to the 
farm and worked with his father until his mar- 
riage on March 5, 1878, to Miss Moran. 

Mrs. Clennon was born in Michigan, the 
daughter of William and Sarah Moran, natives of 
Ireland and Canada respectively. The young 
couple were the parents of Mary. Martin. Francis, 
Sarah, Agatha, Kathrvn, Loretta, Lawrence and 
Raymond. After the death of Mr. Clennon on 
May 16, 1906, Mrs. Clennon remained on the 



farm with her children. Mrs. Clennon died on 
February 6, 1936. 

Two sons, Martin and Lawrence, and two 
daughters, Agatha Giblin and Loretta Clennon, 
grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and great - 
greatgrandchildren still live in the community. 



Cottrell Family at Philo 

Bradbury Cottrell, who was born in Windham 
County, Conn, on June 19, 1795, was the first of 
the Cottrell family to go west. He got no further 
than Franklin Co. in southern Indiana. There he 
married Molly Douglas in 1820 and they raised a 
family of six daughters and three sons. One of the 
sons was James Douglas Cottrell I, born in 1829. 
He did not like the hilly Indiana country. As he 
often said, you could look up the fireplace chim- 
ney and watch the cows coming down to be 
milked. So he asked his father, Bradbury Cot- 
trell, to go with him to the flat, prairie country of 
Illinois to look for a new home. (The diary of 
Bradburry Cottrell tells of this trip.) They se- 
lected land near Philo and James D. Cottrell and 
his wife Clara Peterson, and 4 children moved in 
1869 to a home one mile south of Philo to wait 
until they could get possession of a farm they 
had purchased northwest of Philo. On this farm 
they raised their family. 

Arthur, who as a young man went to Washing- 
ton, D.C. to cook in the Treasury Department, 
died in the first epidemic of Spanish influenza to 
strike the United States. 

Franklin, who sold his interest in the home 
farm to his brother and went to live near Wingate, 
Indiana. 

Belle, who married James Edward McKeown. 
They moved to the Harding farm just west of the 
Race Street Road. (Mrs. Harding who was the 
former Molly Cottrell, sister of J.D. Cottrell I, sold 
the farm to her niece, Belle, and husband when 
Mr. Harding died.) 

Clement V., who purchased the shares of his 
father's estate from his sister and brother, owned 
and operated the land east of the Race Street 
Road until his death in 1945. 



The Daly Family 

John and Mary Daly migrated from Ireland to 
Sombra, Canada, where their 10 children were 
born. While working on the canal out of Chicago, 
John Daly bought 80 acres of land south of Philo 
in 1868 from the governor. After building a one 
room house, he brought his wife and 5 of his 



children to Illinois. The others remained in Ma- 
rine City, Michigan, and came later. When Joht 
and Mary Daly came to Philo, the closest Catholic 
church was in Tolono, and the Daly family walkec 




John Daly 

across the prairie many times to attend Mass. The 
first John Daly died April 8, 1885, and his wife 
Mary died January 10, 1893. The farm is now 
owned by John Daly and Mrs. Leo Daly. 

The children who came with the Dalys were Eli- 
zabeth, who married Joseph Donaldson and had 9 
children; Anna, who was called "Nance"; Ellen, 
who died at 16 from "inflammation of the 
bowels" which was probably appendicitis; John, 
who had 4 children, Mary, Agnes, Mark (all de- 
ceased), and Edith, who is Sister Agnes Regina; 
and Charles, who married Susan Clennon from 
Minooka. They had seven children, of whom the 
oldest died in infancy. The others were Margaret, 
307 E. Eashington, Philo; John J., who married 
Stella Cain; Ellen; Albert who married Kitty Dil- 
lon; Marie (Sister Leo Marie), Springfield, and 
Leo. 

John J. and Stella Cain Daly have three 
children; J. Joseph Daly, 103 Jefferson St., Philo; 
Charles, who lives east of Mira Station; and Grace 
Marie Shissler of Elmwood. J. Joseph Daly and 
Maxine Wacker Daly have four children: Cha- 
therine Anne, Donna McHenry, Robert and 
Philip, all of Philo. 

The six children of Ellen Daly and Vincent 
Cain are Eileen Kennedy, Anne Yocius, Agnes 
Redmond, Eleanor and James. 



The children of Leo Daly and Ellen Joyce Daly 
are Leo Daly, Jr. and Mary Agnes Rubenacker of 
Philo and Father Johnny Daly, Seoul, Korea. 
Going on to the next generation of the Leo Dalys, 
Leo Daly, Jr. (Bunt) and Joanne Finnegan Daly 
have 6 children: Debra White of Sidney, Timothy, 
Leo F. Ill, Pat, Hugh, and Sean of Philo. Joe and 
Mary Agnes Daly Rubenacker have 5 children: 
Joyce Cheatum, Danny, Colleen O'Neill, Peggy, 
and Mary Jo, all of Philo. 

The sixth generation of Philo area Dalys is rep- 
resented by Harol d McHenry, Holly McHenry, 
Shane Cheatum, and Kimberly Cheatum. 



^ 
** 




Lucius Eaton 

Lucius Eaton was born in Hancock, Vermont 
August 7, 1814. Years later in 1854 he was the 
first New England "Yankee" to settle on a ridge 
northwest of Philo. He was followed by his brother 
David and several other families of New England 
origin. This neighborhood became known as 
Yankee Ridge. Most histories credit him as the 
second permanent settler in Philo Township. 

He was very interested in social groups and 
education. He helped build the first school by his 
home and he was one of the first directors. This 
school was rightly named Yankee Ridge School. 
His interest in education has been carried on as 
evidenced by the many college graduates of his 
descendants. His occupation besides farming was 
as a blacksmith and Mechanical Engineer. He 
built and forged his own tools and that of his 



neighbors. He went from farm to farm making the 
necessities needed by pioneer life on the prairie. 

He married twice: first to Lucy Cleveland in 
New York City in 1848; secondly, to Catherine 
Plympton of Massachusetts in 1866. He had the 
following children who lived and grew up on the 
pioneer prairie near Philo. 

Herbert born in 1849 who came with his 
parents to Illinois in 1854. He married Grace 
Baker in Philo in 1882. In 1868 he enrolled with 
the first class of the Illinois Industrial University 
(University of Illinois) graduating in 1874. He 
farmed, had a printing and newspaper "The Sig- 
nal" in Champaign. He died in May 1930 in Ur- 
bana. 

Ernest born in 1851 came with his parents to 
Illinois and later married Josephine Gift in 1882. 
He also graduated from Illinois Industrial Uni- 
versity in 1875. He farmed and was a partner with 
his brother in the newspaper and printing busi- 
ness. In 1889 he was one of the settlers to make 
the run into Oklahoma territory where he was 
prominent in affairs organizing its statehood. 

Edith born in 1853, married Isaac Raymond in 
1875 in Philo. They both attended Illinois Indus- 
trial University. Mr. Raymond graduating with 
the first class in 1872. They lived in Raymond 
Township where he was a prominent pioneer 
landowner and civic leader. 

Ada born in Philo in 1856 married Ralph Allen, 
native of Tazewell Co. They also both attended 
University, he graduating in 1876. They pros- 
pered in farming there. He and their descendants 
are well known for their farm and civic affairs. 

Lucy born in Philo 1871 married William Han- 
son in 1897 who was a businessman in Sidney. 

Lucius Eaton lived a full and vigorous life and 
died in his home on Yankee Ridge March 10, 
1880. The above resume being contributed by his 
great grandson Howard Herbert Eaton who also 
resides in Philo. 



George Edwards 

George Edwards, born April 6, 1833, in Shrop- 
shire, England, was a leading farmer and stock- 
raiser in Philo Township. He came to the United 
States in about 1842 with his parents who located 
in Van Buren County, Iowa. 

After the death of his mother in 1845, young 
Edwards made his home with a family by the 
name of Slaughter, with whom he remained until 
sixteen years of age, and then set out to seek his 
fortune. Coming to Illinois he engaged as a farm 
laborer and saved what he could of his earnings. 
He married Miss Susie Endres May 2, 1854. Of 



this union were born ten children, of whom the 
record is as follows: Annie E.; John A. married 
Miss Cordelia Derrough; Ruth married Orville B. 
Lindley; Frank C. married Laura B. Wingfield; 
Nellie B. married John B. Elliott; James L., 
Minnie M., Albert H., Edward W., and George 
William. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, after their marriage, 
lived in Rosefield Township, Peoria County, Illi- 
nois, until 1865. He then sold his home there and 
purchased eighty acres on Section 18, in Philo 
Township. To this he added a like amount. This 
was original railroad land and had never been cul- 
tivated until Mr. Edwards took possession of it. 
He was highly respected by his fellow townsmen 
and occupied the various offices within their gift. 

A great grandson, John A. Edwards II, and his 
sister, Mrs. Dorothy Quinlan, own the original 
home place, which has continued to be held in the 
Edwards name. A great-great grandson, John A. 
Ill, is presently farming the original land. 

Richard Max Franks Family 

Richard Max Franks was born in Mittweida, 
Saxony, Germany February 1, 1868, the son of 
Frederick George Franks and Julia Weideman 
Franks. He came to America in 1882 via 
Hamburg, Germany, landing in Baltimore, Mary- 
land and coming directly to Philo. 

As a boy of 14, weighing 114 pounds, he was 
taken by his father to see Otto Grothe, a boot- 
maker. Since he had left Germany too young to 
learn a trade, his father thought he should learn 
the bootmaker's trade, but Mr. Grothe dis- 
couraged this, suggesting that, inasmuch as this 
was going to be a good farming area, Richard 
Max should be a farmer. 

Following Mr. Grothe's advice, he first hired 
out to the Morey family. In that he hadn't had any 
schooling in this country, the Morey's saw that he 
went to school that first fall and winter. He at- 
tended school at the Campbell School, where he 
made new friends, among whom was Lyman 
Hazen. These two young men later formed the 
partnership of Hazen and Franks which was to 
last forty years. 

The second job he had was clerking in a general 
store, operated by the same Morey family. The 
first year he worked on the farm, besides his 
board and room, he got a suit of clothes. The 
second year, he was given a trunk. 

By the time he was seventeen years old he was 
working for Eli Trost in the summer and was 
clerking in a store in the spring and winter in 
Longview. 



The Eli Trost farm was near Union school and, 
although he did not go to school there, he at- 
tended some of the activities and became ac- 
quainted with the John Trost family. A daughter, 
Alice, and he saw one another at box socials and 
picnics and went to the Lutheran Church on Sun- 
days. 

In 1898 they were married. To this union seven 
boys were born: Lyman, Royal, John, Lyle, 
Richard, Frederick and Wayne. 

He was now old enough and had enough ex- 
perience to farm for himself. He rented a piece of 
land owned by the Crawford family, bordering the 
Black Slough. This land was not drained (the 
Slough was not dredged until later) so for several 
years he "fought" slough grass and green-head 
flies. The slough grass was of little use except to 
cover a pole shed he built in which to keep his 
horses. The green-head fly was always a nuisance 
and it was never exterminated. It would set a good 
horse wild. 

After a few years he was able to rent the Elijah 
Doss farm and he was to make more of a success 
of farming. He liked cattle and raised some very 
good stock, which he sold at the time he left the 
farm. 

The friendship he had made with Lyman Hazen 
was to now take on the form of a partnership. In 
1904 the Hazen & Franks lumber business was 
opened. It was to be a summer business, only of- 
fering lumber — no nails, no paint, no patented 
roofing, no heating plant — just lumber, glass, 
and millwork. 

During the springs of the years following, the 
company was looking for extra business and it 
came in the sale of Model T Fords. This was an 
experience! Their friends wanted to buy automo- 
biles. Everybody had to learn to drive. So many a 
trip was made to the farm and to the customers' 
pastures. 

The sale of Fords was given up in 1918 and the 
business grew into a complete building material 
business. 

Mr. Franks was a very community-minded in- 
dividual, giving much of his time to the Village of 
Philo. The following excerpt is from a resolution 
passed by the Village Board of Philo on the se- 
cond day of February, 1939: 

"For more than twenty-five years, Richard M. 
Franks was a member of this Board, and had 
served as its Clerk and served as President con- 
tinuously since 1927. 

"Mr. Franks was always interested in the ad- 
vancement and improvement of his community. 
He worked tirelessly for the paving of certain of its 
streets; for the acquisition of an adequate Fire 



Department; for the construction of the high 
;chool gymnasium, which has served as a com- 
nunity center; and for the beautification and per- 
jetual care of the Village Cemetery. At the time of 
lis death he was laboring for the completion of 
:he water supply system of the Village, which he 
had hoped would provide a more healthful supply 
bf drinking water and better protection from the 
ravages of fire. 

"Perhaps none are better able to appraise and 
appreciate the sterling character and virtues of 
Mr. Franks then are the members of this Board. 
No member gave sounder or calmer counsel, nor 
labored more tirelessly for the advancement of his 
community. For this Board to fail, at this time, to 
recognize and reflect upon his valuable services to 
his community, would be a gross omission of duty 
on the part of the Board." 

Samuel Grove 

Samuel Grove was born in Cumberland 
County, Pennsylvania, Dec. 17, 1838. After serv- 
ing as a transportation master in the Army for 
about seventeen months he started for the west, 
locating in Naperville. 111. He clerked in a store for 
a year, then began farming on shares. He did this 
for five years, then purchased land in DuPage 
Co.. which he cultivated until 1883 when he sold 
and purchased 400 acres in Champaign Co. 

He married Miss Amanda Erb in Chicago, De- 
cember 21, 1865. Mrs. Grove was born in Lan- 
caster Co., Pennsylvania August 10, 1847, 
daughter of Joshua and Sarah (Yount) Erb, now 
residents of Naperville. Her father was a farmer. 
Both the Grove and Erb families were of German 
descent and possessed in a marked degree the re- 
liable and substantial traits of their forefathers. 

Samuel and Amanda Grove became the 
parents of five children — Hettie A.. Harrison, 
Eli, Evan and Ervan S. 

The father of Samuel Grove came from Hol- 
land and died in Naperville in 1861. 

Samuel and Amanda Grove traveled by oxen 
and covered wagon from Naperville to Yankee 
Ridge area, north of Philo. An open shoe and the 
brown jug with the wooden stopper which they 
used for a water jug is a cherished possession of 
Lyle Grove. 

Three sons — Harrison, Eli and Ervan — and 
only daughter Hattie lived in this area. Ervan set- 
tled near Walton, Indiana. The only survivor — 
daughter Hattie. who is now 105 years old, lives at 
Americana Health Care Center at Urbana. After 
she married Gus Townsend she lived in Sidney, 
111. Her only child, Mrs. Nellie Allen lives at Aller- 
ton. Illinois. 



-'* 




Ervan. Harry, and Eli Grove 



Evan and Ervan had*no children. Harrison had 
two daughters, both deceased. Two grandchildren 
live in the area. 

Two children of Eli Grove live in the area — 
daughter Vera Hinners and son Lyle Grove, who 
was the last member of the family to bear the 
Grove name until he had three sons. He married 
Gladys Licht (a former teacher of Yankee Ridge 
School). The sons are Robert. Lyle Bernard, and 
William E. Robert lives where Evan Grove lived. 
He married Betty Taylor and has four children - 
Kathy Dodd, Kenneth. Kristina and Kerrelton. A 
grandaughter, Kori Dodd (the fifth generation) 
lives in Sidney. 

Lyle and son Robert still live on the land pur- 
chased by Samuel Grove when he came to this 
area. 



Han/ Family 

Peter Hartz. one of the old settlers of Philo was 
born in Holstein, Germany in 1846. He came here 
when he was 24 years old. He was married to 
Caroline Foote and they had three children: Mrs. 
Josephine Krug. William and Peter. Mrs. Krug 
lived in El Paso, Illinois and is now deceased. 
Peter passed away in 1896 at the age of eighty. 
William married Ida Peters and they lived at the 
south edge of Philo, with the exception of three 
years when they lived north and west of Philo on 
a farm, until William passed away in 1954. 



They had three children: Dorothy, Mabel, and 
William. Mrs. Hartz and Dorothy moved to 
Champaign in 1962. Mrs. Hartz passed away in 
August 1974. 

Mabel Silver (Mrs. Frank) lives north of Philo 
on Route 130 and William lives at Meadow Lake 
near Mahomet. 

Hazen and Rice Family 

The first of these families to settle in the area 
was Nathan L. Hazen who came to the community 
in 1857. He was born in Worthington, Massachu- 
setts, in the heart of the Berkshire Hills and spent 
a year in the Princeton, Illinois, area before 
coming to Champaign County. Tradition tells 
that he was traveling south on the Illinois Central 
Railroad in search of suitable farm land on which 
to settle and the train conductor advised him that 
the best Illinois land was in Champaign Co. So he 
left the train at Champaign. 

He purchased 80 acres in Section 30 of Sidney 
Township from the Illinois Central, constructed a 
house and other buildings and first plowed the 
virgin soil with oxen. Until his house was com- 
pleted he lived at what was long known as the 
Lynn Grove farm in Crittenden Township, which 
at that time was sort of a stop-over on some of the 
stage coach routes from Champaign to the east. 

In November of 1960 he married a Sarah 
Moore whose family had also migrated from 
Goshen, Massachusetts by covered wagon and 
settled on a farm just north of Champaign on the 
Market Street Road. It is of interest that the two 
families lived only a few miles apart in western 
Massachusetts but never new each other until 
they came to Illinois. 

Six children were born to the Hazen family, 
only three of whom remained in the community. 
Lyman E. Hazen became interested in the lumber 
business in Philo with Richard M. Franks and 
later in the early part of the century joined the 
Philo Exchange Bank and continued his activity 
there until his death in 1952. Grace E. Hazen still 
lives in Philo (at the age of 103) with her niece 
Katharine G. Rice. Carrie B. Hazen married Clar- 
ence A. Rice and continued to live in the com- 
munity. The Hazen family moved to Philo in 1904 
and constructed the house now located at 201 E. 
Jefferson where they lived until their death. The 
reported cost of the house was $4,000.00. 

In 1882 Samuel D. Rice, who also had previous- 
ly lived and farmed in the Princeton, Illinois area, 
came to Champaign County and purchased 160 
acres in Section 24 of Philo Township at a 
reported price of $7,000.00. Shortly after purchas- 
ing the land he constructed the present house on 



the farm and later added additional land and 
buildings. 

He had one son, Clarence A. Rice, who married 
Carrie B. Hazen a few years later. They lived for a 
time in Crittenden Township and then on the 
north side of Section 24 where two children, 
Katharine G. Rice and Nathan L. Rice were born. 
In 1901 Samuel D. Rice retired from the farm, 
moved to Philo, and the Clarence Rice family 
moved to his house and continued to operate the 
land. It is recalled that the move was made in win- 
ter by horse drawn bobsled, simply traveling 
straight across the section. 

It is interesting to note that Richard T. Rice 
now lives on the original Hazen homestead and 
Donald H. Rice lives on the original Rice land and 
are the fourth generation of the two families to 
occupy and operate the land. 

In addition a second member of the Hazen 
family, Elisha B. Hazen and a brother of Nathan 
L. Hazen came to the community in July of 1871 
and started purchasing land in the Southwest 
Quarter of Section 24, eventually acquiring the 
entire quarter section which is now held by the 
Presbyterian Church. Records indicate the first 80 
acres were purchased for $12.00 per acre and that 
he gave relatives in Massachusetts a mortgage for 
$500.00 at 10% interest to make the first pay- 
ment. Elisha Hazen lived on the farm for some 20 
or 25 years, later moving to Philo where he was in- 
terested in the grain elevator and Philo Exchange 
Bank, and later moved to Champaign. As oppo- 
site to the present custom, he lived in Champaign 
and commuted to Philo every day either by horse 
and buggy or by train. 



Isaac E. Hess 

Isaac E. Hess was born at Parkville, in Sadorus 
Township, on September 3, 1871, the youngest 
son of George W. Erzilla Jane (Dodson) Hess. His 
father located there in 1858 and farmed until 
1975, when he moved to Philo and established a 
mercantile business. The father died in 1876 and 
the older sons carried on the business. Isaac 
graduated from Champaign High School in 1887, 
became a clerk in the store, and in 1898 bought 
out his brothers' interests. 

Mr. Isaac Hess, however, was better known for 
his work as an ornithologist, being known as 
"Philo's Bird Lover." He was a recognized 
authority on birds of central Illinois, often going 
through swamps and wooded areas, sometimes 
keeping silent for great lengths of time, watching 
his feathered friends' habits. He gathered data on 
104 different species of birds found in a ten mile 



radius near his home and published his work in 
1910. His articles appeared in many newspapers. 
iThe Decatur Herald said editorially: "No natural- 
ist, that we know anything about, makes his sub- 
jects of more gripping interest to the reader or 
clothes it in a finer philosophy than Isaac Hess of 
Philo. The Herald considers itself fortunate in 
being able to present to its readers Mr. Hess' 
series of bird articles." 

He collected eggs of 94 different species and 
kept his collection at the rear of his dry goods 
store. 

Mr. Hess married Florence Adams on May 23. 
1894. Their daughter. Edith Constance, was born 
March 8. 1912. 

Mr. Hess died in 1923 at the age of 52. His 
widow donated his collection of bird nests and 
bird eggs to the University of Illinois. In 1965 
these nests and eggs were still in the Natural His- 
tory Building. They are considered invaluable, for 
this painstaking work is not done anymore. 

Roy Jones Family 

Roy A. Jones was born to John and Rose Yount 
Jones at Salem, Indiana on February 6, 1888. He 
was the youngest of four children. He had a half- 
sister. Laura, still living at Scottsburg. Indiana. 
Roy attended school through sixth grade. His 
father had died, and Roy had to go to work. Roy 
first came to Philo to husk corn and went to work 
for Carl Odebrecht. This is the farm where Mr. 
and Mrs. Luther Mumm now live. He went back 
to Indiana and returned to Philo the next fall, and 
husked corn for Charles Buddie. It is now the 
farm of Mr. and Mrs. George Stahl. He then re- 
turned to Indiana and came back in the fall of 
191 1 to stay. He worked for several farmers in this 
area. He went to work for Mr. Ed O'Neill on a 
farm just at the east edge of Philo. He bought 
himself a high stepping black horse and a new 
black buggy. Roy was quite a dashing gay blade at 
that time. He met and courted Minnie Rosetta 
Harper. She was an Indiana girl who with her 
parents had moved into the house now occupied 
by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Walters. It is the first house 
north of Robert Roberts' garage, in the southwest 
part of town. 

He married Miss Harper on December 4, 1913. 
Rev. O.M. Buck, the Methodist minister, offi- 
ciated. Miss Elsie Ford and Miss Mae Rush were 
the attendants. The wedding took place at Miss 
Ford's home. It stood where the home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Howard Shirley is. A rather unique and won- 
derful occasion took place after the ceremony. A 
large crowd was on hand to walk the couple down 
to the Wabash Railroad Station to wish them a 



happy bon voyage. When the crowd reached Main 
Street, one block west of the Philo Exchange 
Bank, every business in town closed its doors and 
went to the depot to wait for the arrival and de- 
parture of the train. This had never happened 
before or since. When they returned from their 
honeymoon, they moved into a farm home and 
worked for Mr. Ed O'Neill, the local banker. To 
the couple in the next 17 years, five children were 
born — Kenneth, now living in Philo; Irene, re- 
siding at the Americana Nursing Home; Melvin. 
of Houston. Texas; James, of Tolono; and 
Richard, living in Philo. In 1916. Roy moved into 
town and went to work at the grain elevator. Joe 
Gilles was the owner and manager. Roy worked at 
the Grain Co. for 40 years. In 1923, Roy was 
elected mayor of Philo. He served for one term 
and was then elected to the villag e board. He 
served on the village board for forty years. In 
1938. Philo organized a volunteer fire department 
and bought a Ford truck with pumper, which Ma- 
homet, Illinois now has on display. Roy was the 
first fire chief. In 1955 he was named water com- 
missioner. He held that post until he retired. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jones celebrated their golden wedding 
anniversary on December 4, 1963. Mrs. Jones died 
in March 1966. Mr. Jones is now at the Cham- 
paign Co. Nursing Home. He is 87 years old and 
in good health. He has five living children, 14 
grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Roy re- 
cently said, "Philo has been good to me — I have 
a host of friends and I wish the Philo Centennial 
to be a huge success." 

John Fredrick Krumm 

John Fredrick Krumm was born August 29, 
1856, at Grossen Helle Mecklenburg Schwerin, 
Germany. He was baptized in infancy and con- 
firmed in the Lutheran Church at the customary 
age. He had a brother. Christian Krumm. 

John married Miss Friederike Hernriette Wol- 
lenzion (Ricky) she was born Nov. 27, 1850, in 
Gentzkow Micklenburg Strelitz, Germany. She 
was baptized in infancy and confirmed at the cus- 
tomary age. 

She came to the U.S. at fifteen years of age. Her 
mother became ill on the ship, died and wa s 
buried at sea. They wrapped her body in a flag, 
sang a hymn and prayed a prayer and placed her 
overboard, this being a very sad experience. 

A brother Charles and a sister Sophia also 
were on the ship coming to the U.S. 

John and Ricky were married in 1874 and set- 
tled around Jefferson, Ohio, they later came to 
Philo and were farmers living just north of town. 
In 191 4 they built a home in Philo and retired. 






To this union were born six children, all 
Lutherans, Emma, who was a school teacher died 
at the age of 22; Herbert Albert Krumm, who 
married Effie Sophia Odebrecht; they had two 
daughters, Mary Effie, who died at 10 years of 
age, and Opal Helena, who married R. Luther 
Mumm. William Krumm married Myrtle 
Porterfield; Eli, who died an infant; Minnie, who 
died an infant; John L. Krumm, who married 
Grace Roeff of Little Rock, Ark. He was states 
attorney at the time of his death. 

To R. Luther and Opal H. were born three 
children: Irene, Howard and Ronald. 

To Irene Marie was born a daughter, Mia Mae 
MuRee, who married Donald Eugene Hasler and 
has two children, Christine MuRee and Spencer 
Eugene; John Luther Holecz, who married Vicki 
Murray and has 2 children, Jennifer Lyn and 
Lance Thomas. 

Howard Eugene Mumm married Aldora 
Siddens and they have 3 children, Howard Ebert, 
Jeffrey Lynn a nd Jill Marie. Ronald Luther 
Mumm is married to Stephanie Dee Brown and 
they have one child, Julie Ann Mumm. 




3r '4vjfj 

The Lewis Lafenhagen Family — 1895 

Ludwig (Lewis) Lafenhagen 

Ludwig (Lewis) Lafenhagen born March 17, 
1845 and Theresa Williamine Mohr born April 
29, 1842 were married in the fall of 1868 in Mack- 
lenburg Stralitz Germany. Two years later they 
emigrated to Canal Winchester, Fairfield Co., 
Ohio. Two daughters Ida and Fene were born in 
Germany. Ida passed away soon after arriving 
here and was buried in Canal Winchester. Other 
children born in Canal Winchester were John 
Lewis born 1873, Lydia born 1876, William born 
1881. They moved to Illinois about 1887 and lived 



on a farm owned by Isaac Raymond, a prominent 
farmer and worked for him, south of Sidney. 
Later he bought 160 acres of land from Mr. 
Raymond and moved there in Raymond 
Township near Block Station. After several years 
he built a new 8-room house on the farm. After 
the last son, William, was married and would live 
on the farm they bought a lovely home from Mr. 
and Mrs. Wirt Hazen in Philo and moved there in 
1905. He passed away in 1923 and she in 1930. 
They were staunch members of the Zion Lutheran 
Church in Philo. 

Now about the families of the four children. 

Fena Lafenhagen (1870-1962) married 1983 
William Anders (1870-1945) were parents of 3 
children. Martha Minnie (1896-1924) married 
1920 to Dwight Stevens. 1 daughter, Esther born 
1922, married Walter Sinclair, had 2 daughters 
and two granddaughters. Theresa Mary born 
1900 married Kenneth Edwards, no children. 
Edward William born 1901 married Alice Mumm 
in 1967, no children. Edward and Alice now own 
and live in the home in Philo where grandfather 
and grandmother Lafenhagen moved when they 
retired from the farm. 

John Lewis Lafenhagen (1873-1933) married in 
1895 to Anna Belle Porterfield (1873-1962) and 
were parents of six children. Mary Theresa born 
May 8, 1896; Charles Lloyd born May 23, 1897; 
Louis Lemuel born March 1, 1900; Nellie Grace 
born April 4, 1902; Vareta Velma born April 14, 
1906; and Juanita Eva born Dec. 7, 1907. It's a 
large family and for further information see the 
Porterfield family history. 

Lydia Lafenhagen (1876-1971) married in 1896 
to William DeLong were parents of two children 
Edna born 1896 (is deceased) married Howard 
Brown. Parents of two sons (twins) Donald and 
Ronald Brown, both married and dates unknown. 

Kenneth DeLong born 1901 married 1929 to 
Mildred Christy parents of a son and daughter, 
Keith and Carol. 

William Lafenhagen (1881-1918) married in 
1904 to Millie Wollenzien (1879-1962) parents of 
two sons Paul born 1913 married (name un- 
known) and lives in California, no children. Wil- 
liam Wayne (1915-1960) married 1936 to Eva 
Cooke, parents of three children, Jerry Paul born 
1937 not married; William Wayne Jr. born 1942 
married Mary Jo Glennon, three children; and 
Mary Ann born 1944 married to J. Dan Stirwalt 
and have three children. 




Henry and Vie Licht on 50th Wedding Anniversary. 



Licht Family 

William and Wilhelmina Krumm emigrated 
from Mecklenburg, Schwerin Ludderhoff, 
Germany around 1838. They met and married in 
the United States and made their way to Fairfield 
County, Canal Winchester, Ohio. From there they 
joined other settlers to Champaign Co., 111., and 
arrived in the Philo area where they engaged in 
farming. They bought their own land on the 
Yankee Ridge Road in 1894. They were promi- 
nent in the Lutheran Church, which in the early 
years was combined with that in Broadlands, 111. 
Later when a church was built in Philo, they were 
among the first members. It was the custom for 
ministers and school teachers to be "boarded" 
among the farm families since hotels were scarce 
then. A story handed down was that the pastor 
was in residence at the Licht homestead at one 
time. Minnie, as she was called, had given up her 
bed to the honored guest. However, it became 
time for the fourth child, Henry, to be born and 
the pastor was asked to vacate his bed for an 
interval as Mrs. Licht was about to give birth. 
Minnie acted as a midwife and was instrumental 
in aiding in the births of many of the children in 
that vicinity. William was the Road Commis- 
sioner for some 25 years. They produced five 
children, William, Sarah, Ella, Henry and Carl. 
Henry stayed in the Philo area farming the home 
place. At age 25 he married Elvira Hunt at 
Covington, Indiana. 



Henry was interested in sports. He enjoyed 
hunting and was a good marksman. As a boy he 
trapped wild animals for their pelts. There was an 
abundance of mink, mustrat and game birds such 
as prairie chickens, pheasant, doves and wild 
ducks and geese. Elvira was a homemaker, a 
talented seamstress, and an excellent cook. Henry 
bought one of the first "Tin Lizzies" around Philo 
and "Vie" was one of the first woman drivers 
making the trip to Urbana to shop in half the time 
it took formery with horse and buggy. 

They had five children, Gladys Licht Grove, 
Mabel Licht Trumbull, Ethel Licht Earl, Lois 
Licht Seider and Kenneth Licht. Ethel, after mar- 
riage, moved to California and finally Tucson, 
Arizona where she died in 1968. The other 
siblings are still in the Philo vicinity except Lois 
who lives in Broadlands. 

Henry was also Road Commissioner of Philo 
Township for many years before his death in 
1962. His widow Elvira is still living in farly good 
health at age 92. 

The only son Kenneth Licht married Eileen 
Rosenberger in 1946. He farmed during his early 
years but later partially gave it up for work in 
Highway Construction. He and his wife are the 
parents of five daughters, Vicky Licht Budinger, 
Patty Licht Blair, Marjorie Licht Martinee, Nancy 
Licht Griffith and Kenna Licht Bowman. They 
have to date six grandchildren. 

John Locke 

John Locke came to Philo Township in March 
1861 with his parents, William and Hannah Joke 
Locke, from Canada, and settled on a farm in 
Section 36. Born on September 9, 1848, in St. 
Thomas, Ontario, Canada, John was the youngest 
in a family of nine children. His parents had emi- 
grated there from Devonshire. England. 

He was married March 14, 1874, to Miss Mary 
Catherine Arnold, daughter of Cyrus and Caro- 
line Arnold, at the bride's home in Philo. She was 
born January 5, 1858, in Kendall Co., Illinois. 

John and Mary had seven children, Mabel, 
Julia, Edna, Claude A. and Clara Belle. Carrie 
and Rhoda died in infancy. They resided on a 
farm in Section 36 until 1890 when they bought 
land near Staley and moved there. Their Philo 
farm of 400 acres was well stocked with fine 
grades of Durham cattle, thoroughbred horses, 
and Poland China swine. 



This Page sponsored by: 

MEADOW GOLD PRODUCTS, Champaign 



Quoting from "Biography and Portrait Album 
of champaign Co." published by Chapman Bros, 
in 1885: "Mr. Locke is yet a young man and has 
made good progress thus far, giving promise of 
becoming one of the most successful farmers of 
Champaign County. He is Republican in politics, 
and with his wife, a member in good standing of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church." 

John Locke died at his home near Staley on 
Feb. 14, 1906, at age 57, and his wife, Mary, died 
in January, 1942 age 84. Of this family, Claude A. 
Locke, born in Philo Township August 5, 1884, 
still survives, resides at R.R. #1, Champaign 
(Staley) and is 91 years of age this Centennial year. 

Several great granddaughters of the John 
Locke's still reside in Philo Township. They are 
daughters of the late Frank J. Miller (son of 
Mabel), who was a prominent farmer in the town- 
ship from 1919 until his death in 1963. 



The Love Family 

One of the earlier families of the community 
was that of Samuel Love, who came overland 
from Coshocton, Ohio in early April of 1853 and 
acquired a section of land on the west edge of 
Sidney Township and two miles east of Philo. 
Records indicate that he acquired this tract by a 
grant from the U.S. Government dated April 15, 
1853. He erected the family home in the north- 
west corner of the Section which is still occupied 
by a grandson, Clifford B. Love. 

The original pioneer Samuel Love and two 
brothers came from Ireland in about 1833. They 
all located in Ohio and Samuel was the only one 
that came to Illinois. 

Legend tells us that at the time of their coming 
there were only a few houses in Urbana, none in 
Champaign, no railroads and during the early 
years they drove directly across country to Ur- 
bana, avoiding swamps and mud holes; and that 
there was only one tree between home and Ur- 
bana. The pioneer Samuel Love died January 17, 
1873. 

Of the children of the original pioneer, one son 
Filander, was a Civil War veteran and was taken 
prisoner by the Confederacy and died after the 
Civil War at an early age and a daughter Eliza- 
beth who died about 1903. Another son, Joseph, 
left the community early and moved to Decatur 
where he owned and operated a mattress factory 
for many years. He had four daughters, one of 
whom, Florence Bedell still lives in Minneapolis 
and retains an interest in a portion of the land. 

Another son of Samuel Love, James, stayed 
with the land operation for several years, and 



married a Myra Silver of the Silver family 
who were pioneers living about one-half mile 
south of Myra Station, in the large brick house 
still standing on the east side of the highway. He 
acquired land about two miles north of Philo in 
Sections 11 and 2 which he farmed for many 
years, later moving to Urbana where he lived on 
west Green Street. He had one daughter, Myra 
Gabbert, who still lives in Washington, Pennsyl- 
vania and who still retains the interest in the 
land title. 

The fourth son of the original settler, Samuel 
Sharon Love (commonly known in the com- 
munity as "Judd" Love) never married and con- 
tinued to live in the home built in 1870 which re- 
placed the original home of the family, until his 
death on February 4, 1934. By this time, through 
family adjustments and transfers, Samuel S. 
Love had become the owner of the west half of 
the original section of land and his brother John 
M. Love the individual owner of the east half of 
the section. 

The remaining son, John M. Love, married a 
Mary E. Adams of Tolono on November 15, 
1882, and established his own home on the 
northeast corner of the section, a portion of 
which, remodeled and improved, still stands and 
is occupied by a son, Howard F. Love. John M. 
Love died June 2, 1910. 

Of the children of John M. Love, one daughter 
died in infancy and another daughter Clara mar- 
ried William Jordan of Tolono and spent the re- 
maining years of her life in that area. Two sons, 
Howard F. Love and Clifford S. Love are cur- 
rently living. 

Howard F. Love, after his father's death, con- 
tinued to live on and operate the east half of the 
original section and still lives in the family home 
where he was born. He married Agnes Hitt, who 
at the time was the Champaign Co. Home Exten- 
sion Advisor, in 1922. He was extremely active in 
local affairs, in the Champaign Co. Farm Bureau 
and its related facilities, in the Soil Conservation 
Association, the Federal Farm Loan Association 
and many other agricultural projects. 

Clifford S. Love, after graduating from the 
College of Agriculture of the University of Illi- 
nois in 1916 served in the Navy in World War I, 
and for many years was a County Farm Advisor 
in several different Illinois communities and 
spent the late years of this service in Taylorville, 
Illinois. He retired twenty years ago to the home 
built in 1870 which he extensively modernized 
and improved and still makes his principle resi- 
dence. He has one daughter, Betty Mason, who 
resides in the Chicago area and whose husband 



Ted is a civil engineer and assistant to the First 
Vice-President of the Sante Fe Railroad. 

The original pioneer of the family was one of 
the early sponsors and organizers of the Philo 
Presbyterian Church and the entire family, even 
after leaving the community, have retained a 
lasting interest in the church. It is also of interest 
to note that, with the exception of one quarter 
section, the Love family still retains the 
ownership of the original tract and that the two, 
Howard and Clifford, still live on and direct the 
operation of the land. 

Melohn Family 

George C. Melohn. his wife Hannah Seifert 
Melohn and their five children. William, Mary, 
Carrie, George, and John left Germany in 1861 
to come to America. They settled in Champaign 
County in the Philo area. George Melohn farmed 
land in Section 16 of Philo Township. Both 
George and his wife Hannah resided in Philo 
until their death. Hannah passing away in 1901 
and George in 1908. 

The children of George and Hannah Melohn 
did not all remain in the Philo area. Carrie and 
John remained in the Philo area while Mary was 
close by in Champaign. 

John Frederick Melohn was born in Germany 
on June 16, 1860 and came to America in 1861. 
On February 17. 1885 he married Alvena 
Cornelia Fabert. He was a farmer in Philo Town- 
ship until his retirement in 1899. Moving into 
Philo, John Melohn and Dave Brazelton formed 
a partnership for drilling wells. In the 1920's and 
until his death in 1931 he ran a pool hall at 122 
W. Washington St. in Philo. The pool hall was a 
joint venture with Mr. Edward Bahr of Tolono. 

Three children were born to John and Alvena 
Melohn. Frank, Henry, and Lillian. Frank Me- 
lohn left the Philo area, moving to California, 
where he resided until his death. Lillian Melohn 
married Phillip Lovingfoss and they resided in 
Philo until the late 1920's when they moved to 
Champaign. They had two children. Phyllis 
Lovingfoss Steward and Joseph Lovingfoss. At 
the present time Phyllis lives in Champaign and 
Joseph lives in Clinton, Illinois. 

Henry married Martha Augusta Good on May 
14, 1919. Henry spent his entire life in Philo with 
the exception of the time served in World War I. 
He was a lineman for the Champaign County 
Telephone Company, an electrician on the side, 
and at the time of his death in 1944 was care- 
taker of Locust Grove Cemetery. He served as a 
trustee on the Village Board of Philo. 



Henry and Martha Melohn had two children, 
Donald F. and Thelma J. Both Donald and 
Thelma still live in Philo. Donald is an electrical 
engineer receiving his B.S. degree in 1942 from 
the University of Illinois. He served five and one- 
half years in the Army and Air Force during 
World War 11. being discharged as a major in 
1947. Thelma received her B.S. degree in 1947, 
Masters' Degree in 1950, and Advanced Certifi- 
cate in Education in 1958. all from the Univer- 
sity of Illinois. She is presently principal of the 
Philo Elementary School. 

Donald and Thelma are at present both trus- 
tees on the Village Board of Philo. Thelma was 
the first woman to be elected to the Village 
Board of Philo. Donald has served on the Board 
for over 20 years. Both are involved in several 
civic organizations in the Village. 



The George Mumm Family 

William Mumm, born 1800. and Miss Ann 
Hinz, born 1797, were united in marriage in Ger- 
many. They were both born in Sleswick, Hol- 
stein, Germany, and lived there on a farm until 
1866, when they came to the United States and 
settled in Sidney Township. He died in 1883 and 
she died in 1879 and both are buried in the Sid- 
ney Cemetery. They had seven children, three of 
whom made their home in this region. They were 
William Jr.; Jacob John Mumm, Sidney; and 
Mrs. Becky Schillhorn. Broadlands. 

William, Jr., was born October 4, 1822, at 
Hemme, Sleswick, Holstein, Germany. In May 
1855 he was united in marriage with Anna Mar- 
garetha Schillhorn, who was born September 8, 
1829, at Schaafsteet, Sleswick. Holstein, Ger- 
many. On April 22, 1901, she passed away in this 
area. Rev. Allwardt had charge of her funeral 
services. William Mumm, Jr., died March 18, 
1898, where Anna Mumm Etter lived (where 
Arthur Plotner now lives). Both are buried in 
Locust Grove Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. William Mumm, Sr., and Mr. 
and Mrs. William Mumm. Jr.. and their two old- 
est children, George John Jacob Mumm and 
John W. Mumm, came to Sidney Township in 
1866. This John W. Mumm married Pauline 
Priefert and they made their home near Chester 
(or Hubbell). Nebraska, where their sons and 
families still live. 

The William Mumms, Jr., lived near the place 
of Luther Mumm, of Sidney, when they first 
came to Sidney Township. In the William 
Mumm, Jr., obituary it is stated that he left his 



widow, one brother, Jacob J. Mumm of Sidney, 
and a sister, Mrs. Becky Schillhorn, of Broad- 
lands; and his children, George J.J.; John; Mrs. 
Coonrod (Anna) Etter; Mrs. Frank (Elizabeth) 
Fabert; Mrs. Frank (Amelia) Mohr; and William 
D. Mumm, who married Sarah Licht. 

George J.J. Mumm and Augusta Wilhemina 
Priefert were married on February 2, 1882. 
George Mumm was born on July 23, 1856 and 
passed away October 1, 1922. Mrs. Mumm was 
born October 20, 1859 and died March 7, 1939. 
Mrs. Mumm was the daughter of Christian and 
Caroline Henning Priefert. 

Christian Priefert was born March 26, 1816, 
and died May 8, 1895. Mrs. Priefert was born 
March 9, 1825, and died December 19 (or 18), 
1906. Her brothers and sisters were John Prie- 
fert, Gone City, Kansas; Gustave Priefert, Rey- 
nolds, Nebraska; August Priefert, Nebraska; 
Fred Priefert, Nebraska; Mrs. Elijah (Bertha) 
Doss, Urbana; and Mrs. John (Pauline) Mumm, 
Chester, Nebraska. 

The children of George and Augusta Mumm 
are Mrs. Perl (Emma) Brewer, born January 31, 
1883 and died December 2, 1930; Mrs. Edwin 
(Minnie) Plotner, born March 3, 1884 and died 
June 25, 1967; Bertha Mumm, born December 7, 
1885 and died March 9, 1967; Adah Mumm, 
born September 10, 1887 and died September 
20, 1907; Mrs. William (Augusta) Klockenbrink 
born August 7, 1889 and died July, 1966; Mrs. 
Harry (Martha) Ickes, born April 21, 1891; 
George William, born Jan. 16, 1894 and died in 
May, 1895; Earl Mumm, born October 4, 1897, 
first married to Faye Miller, and now to Hazel 
Keller Cotter; Mrs. Edward (Alice) Anders, born 
May 18, 1900; and R. Luther Mumm, born 
March 7, 1903 and married to Opal Krumm 
Mumm. 



Noble Family 

The Noble family, Richard, John and Rachel, 
emigrated from England about 1855. They first 
settled in Ohio. 

Rachel married and remained in the Cleveland 
area where many of her descendants still live. 

John (1839-1909) who is pictured, came to 
Champaign County, Crittenden Township, early 
in the 1860's. He married Mary Duffin (1843- 
1888) in Tolono, 111. They were farmers. 

The original 80 acre farm was purchased in 
1870-1871 from the Illinois Central Railroad. 

Their descendants were John, Frank, Joseph, 
Anne and Margaret. Excepting Anne, who died 
at 16, all lived in this area until their deaths. 




Richard (1829-1907) followed his brother to 
Illinois. He had married while living in Ohio. 
During the 1860's he brought his wife Mary 
(1824-1899) and four children, Joseph, Jane, 
James and Charles to the Philo area. They were 
also engaged in farming. However, as the child- 
ren got older the boys operated threshing ma- 
chines and shellers for their neighbors. 

This farm, southwest of Philo, is still owned 
and farmed by descendants of Margaret Noble 
Thinnes. 



Odebrecht Family 

John Carl Frederick Odebrecht was born in 
Friederichshoff, Mecklinburg Strelitz, Germany 
November 4, 1849, one of twins. In early infancy 
he was brought to the Lord in holy baptism and 
later confirmed at the customary age. On Octo- 
ber 21, 1873, he married Sophia Carolina Roe- 
wer, who was born in Gentzkow, Mechlinburg- 
Strelitz, Germany February 23, 1848, who in in- 
fancy was baptized and confirmed at the age of 
14 years. Soon after their marriage they left their 
native land and came to this country landing at 
Baltimore, Maryland December 1, 1873, making 
their home in Fairfield County, Ohio. 

In 1876 they came to Philo, residing one year 
in Raymond Township, six years on the Hazen 
place and 20 years on their own farm. They re- 
tired in 1904. In June 12, 1907 they left Philo, 
sailed June 15th and landed June 26th to visit 



their native land and relatives. They left Ger- 
many September 11. 1907 and arrived home 
September 28. 1907. Mrs. Sophia Odebrecht 
died October 20. 1911. She died before the large 
home on their farm was completed, now occu- 
pied by their granddaughter Opal Krumm 
Mumm. Mr. died December 21. 1927. Three 
children were born. Effie Sophia Krumm. Feb. 
20, 1876 who died May 16th. 1953. Herbert 
Krumm, her husband, born June 8, 1878 and 
died May 29th, 1950. Carl Frederick died Febru- 
ary 2. 1927, married Edith Porterfield. deceased. 
Albert John Peter married Nancy Jane Bowles, 
he died December 10. 1951 and his wife is also 
deceased; they had no children. 

They had seven grandchildren. Marv Effie 
Krumm, July 3. 1904, to May 5, 1915; Mrs. Opal 
Helena Krumm Mumm. July 6, 1906; Mrs. Helen 
Catherine Odebrecht Plotner; Mrs. Melba 
Frances Buddie; Mrs. Mary Agnes Stotler; Wal- 
ter Odebrecht died age 2 years; and Lyman 
Charles, who died an infant. All the deceased 
members of Zion Lutheran Church, and buried 
in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. 




Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ordvl 



Abraham Ordel Family 



Abraham Ordel was born in Maryland, Janu- 
ary 8, 1831. He was married to Mary Jane 
Hoshor at Lockville, Ohio, March 30. 1854. 



They moved to Illinois in the fall of 1870 with 
their family of seven children in a covered wa- 
gon. They settled and built a home on a farm 
three miles south of Philo where they farmed. 
Two more boys were born to this union in Illi- 
nois: Charles, May 21, 1872 and Franklin, July 
31, 1875. They lost four of their children when 
they were young: Catherine 1855-1875; Charles 
1972-1881 ; Ida 1856-1888; Emma, 1863-1894. 
The other five boys all lived to a ripe old age and 
were all farmers, John, William, Samuel and 
Frank in the Philo community and George in In- 
diana. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Ordel celebrated 
their Golden Wedding Anniversary' March 30, 
1904. 

Mrs. Ordel died January 19, 1907, after a long 
illness. Mr. Ordel died as he drove home from 
getting the mail in Philo in his horse and buggy 
on a hot afternoon July 2, 1909. 

Frank Ordel the youngest of the family of nine 
children, married Edith Brelsford June 2. 1906. 
They bought the home place and farmed there 
the rest of their lives. To this union were born 
eight children, a daughter died in infancy and a 
son Benjamin died of appendicitis April 10, 
1931. All the rest of the family have continued to 
live in Philo area until Fred moved to Colorado 
in 1970. 

Mrs. Ordel died January 13, 1947 after a sud- 
den illness. Mr. Ordel lived to a ripe old age of 
94 years. He died April 6. 1969. He played the 
mandolin in the Philo Clodhopper Band; they 
played for dances and on the radio. 

In addition to farming when Mr. Ordel was a 
young man he had a bicycle shop on Main St. in 
Philo. He would ride his bicycle with large front 
wheel home three miles south of Philo each day. 
He also showed seed corn at county and state 
fairs for years. Mrs. Ordel was a schoolteacher in 
rural schools. Mr. Ordel was a 70-year Mason, 
the first to receive that honor in the Philo Lodge. 



Ebeneezer W. Parker 

E.W. Parker was born at Princeton, Massa- 
chusetts, October 28, 1813, and came to this 
county April 14, 1856. He settled on a farm in 
Section 10, now known as Yankee Ridge. He 
married Chloe Parmenter. She was highly edu- 
cated and had a well-stored mind. She had a 
literary turn of mind and was familiar with prin- 
cipal authors as well as the old world. 

Their children were: Dr. Calvin Ebeneezer Par- 
ker, born in Massachusetts; he organized the 
Philo Exchange Bank and was physician in Philo. 




Ebfnkezer Warren I'apkfi: 



He married Martha (Mattie) Baker, in Philo, and 
built and lived in the house just south of the 
Philo Legion Hall. Around the turn of the cen- 
tury, he sold his interests to E.B. Hazen and re- 
tired to California. His sister, Mary Adeline, 
married Paschal P. Parkman. 

Mr. Parker was a Presbyterian, old line Whig 
and slavery agitator, and joined the Republican 
party of Abraham Lincoln. He led a quiet life on 
his farm, and gave his children education that 
fitted them. When he settled on the wild prairie 
northwest of Philo there was only one house be- 
tween him and Urbana. 



Parry Family 

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Parry, with their two 
children (Mary Louise, 5) and (John, 2) came in a 
covered wagon to this area from North Carolina 
in 1861. They settled on the present Parry farm 
3 3 /4 miles west of Philo in Philo Township. 

Mr. Parry was a native of New York State 
where he attended the Manlius Military Aca- 
demy. After graduation, he became interested in 
surveying and went to North Carolina where he 
followed his vocation for at least six years. While 
there he met and married Miss Elizabeth Jane 
Craven of Raleigh. 

Rumors of war became numerous by 1860 so 
Grandfather took his family and another man 
named John Lofters and they started west to 
avoid the Civil War. This was in the spring of 
1861. 

They encountered many obstacles enroute to 
this area. They had to ford rivers since bridges 
were scarce and so were ferries. Grandfather had 
the wagon built with a water-tight bed so it 
would float while the horses swam and pulled it 



across rivers. Crossing the mountains was not 
easy, as there were few passes to be found. They 
saw quite a few Indians but were not bothered by 
them. 

The reason for my grandfather settling here 
was, he had given a man five hundred dollars in 
gold and the man promised faithfully that he 
would repay his debt after finding work in this 
area. 

He settled in Tolono. When the man heard that 
my grandparents were on their way to this vi- 
cinity, he left and was never heard from. That 
was a terrible setback for my grandparents be- 
cause they planned to use the money to buy land 
and get a small home built. 

However, Grandfather bought 40 acres from 
the Illinois Central Railroad and paid $1.25 an 
acre with the stipulation that the railroad could 
cross the land with a spur track should they so 
desire. This never happened, however. 

The next year, Grandfather purchased another 
40 acres, also from the I.C. Railroad. This land 
joined the first 40. On it was a 1-room house 
with an attic and a lean-to. The family made this 
their home for a few years. The big room was for 
cooking and eating, the lean-to was a bedroom 
and the children slept in the attic on straw mat- 
tresses. 

Aunt Mary, then 6, walked west across the 
prairie grass, which was two to three feet high 
over to the Brennan School which still stands on 
Route 45. There were wolves, coyotes, deer and 
snakes that often crossed her path. Many quail, 
prairie chickens and rabbits were plentiful, also. 
In fact, Grandfather paid for the first 40 acres 
with money received from the sale of rabbits and 
fowl which he hunted, packing them in wooden 
barrels and shipping them to St. Louis in winter. 

A few years later, a 4-room house was built, 2 
rooms down and two up. The family still used 
the old house, known as a summer kitchen, for 
cooking and eating in. 

In the space of 5 years, three more boys were 
born. Uncle George in 1870; my father, Joseph in 
1871; and Uncle Frank in 1874. 

By this time, Grandfather purchased another 
40 acres making 120 in all. All the land was 
bought from the Illinois Central Railroad. 

Soon, Grandfather had six more rooms built 
on to the present four making a ten-room struc- 
ture, six rooms down and four up. The house 
burned down in 1930. 

Grandfather and Grandmother worked dili- 
gently to establish a home and get tools with 
which to farm. He was fond of the Black Hawk 
Morgan stock of horses because they were 



spirited. He was reared on a farm in New York 
State, so farming was not new to him. 

He and his wife planted nearly 3 miles of 
hedge by hand around the farm for fences with 
several cross hedges, too. They also set out two 
large orchards and 41 black walnut trees down 
the lane. Those trees in a few years made won- 
derful shade for the horses and cows in the pas- 
ture as well as bushels of nuts. 

Other buildings had to be built so a large barn 
and a corn crib were constructed. The barn was 
struck by lightning in 1925 and burned. The crib 
was built in 1895. 

By the time the boys were old enough to go to 
school. Maple Grove School was built and they 
attended it. Aunt Mary was in high school at To- 
lono. She became a teacher and taught the home 
school for several years. I remember her telling 
me that the present hard road west of Philo was 
a buffalo trail when the family first came here. 

Every fall. Grandfather would take two teams 
of horses and two box wagons and drive to near 
Danville to the coal mine. He would leave early 
in the morning and drive the distance of about 
35 miles and get there in time to get his wagons 
loaded before dark. Then he stayed overnight 
and started home early the next morning with 
the coal. 

The family later purchased a base burner 
which used anthracite or hard coal. It came by 
rail through Tolon o from Pennsylvania. It was 
more expensive but provided constant heat. 

When Uncle John finished the grade school, 
he went to Champaign to learn the plumbers 
trade. He married a local girl after a few years. 
Then he and his family moved to Chicago where 
he continued his work. He and his wife had five 
children, three born in Chicago. He died in 1917. 

Uncle George, the second son of my grand- 
parents became a violinist and played in a 
Champaign band. He worked in a jewelry store 
for many years. At one time he was supervisor of 
Champaign. He married a girl from Mounds, 111. 
They had no children. He died in 1954. 

My father, Joseph was the third son. He at- 
tended Maple Grove School as did his brothers 
and sister. He then went to Tolono High School 
and graduated in 1889. After helping his father 
on the farm the next year, he entered the U. of I. 
where he graduated in 1894 with a B.A. degree. 
He gave the "Hatchet Oration" on Commence- 
ment Day. His subject was the "Great Glad- 
stone." In his early days after graduation from 



college, my father became a school teacher. He 
taught in the Ivesdale vicinity for 5 years. His 
only mode of transportation was a bicycle which 
he rode home on nice weekends. While Dad was 
teaching, a terrible tragedy befell the family. My 
Grandmother was picking up nails the carpen- 
ters dropped in building the crib when she acci- 
dentally stepped on a board with a nail in it. 
Hume remedies were used but to no avail. She 
developed lockjaw and died within a week at the 
age of 55. This was in 1895. 

Teachers' wages were $45.00 a month so at the 
end of five years. Dad decided he could make 
more money doing something else. He became a 
fireman on the Illinois Central RR. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Ida Zech of Champaign while work- 
ing on the railroad. He was promoted to engineer 
after 5 years. 

By this time. Grandfather was too old to farm 
so he insisted that Dad give up the railroad job 
and come home to farm. So in June 1905, we 
moved from Centralia to the farm. I was nearly 
three years old and Verne was born at the home 
in December 1905. Grandfather died of a stroke 
in 1911. 

Uncle Frank, Dad's youngest brother had 
polio when small and left crippled in one leg. 
That dampened his activities somewhat so he 
learned to be a telegraph operator. His work 
took him to the Danville vicinity. He married a 
Danville girl and they had a family of 4 children. 

In our immediate family, there were two child- 
ren, Verne and me. I was older than he. We both 
attended Maple Grove School for 8 years. Inci- 
dentally, I had the record of perfect attendance 
and no tardiness for the whole 8 years. 

I drove a horse and buggy to high school my 
freshman and sophomore years at Tolono. In the 
spring of 1916, we had a big snow. In our lane 
the drifts were two feet deep. The only way I 
could get to school was to drive over them. I did 
this for two weeks until they began to thaw. I 
finished my last two years at Champaign High 
where I graduated in 1920. After attending the 
U. of I. for 4 years, I graduated in 1924 with a 
B.A. Degree. I taught school in Philo for 9 years. 

Verne had a nice riding horse that took him 
back and forth to high school in Tolono. He 
graduated in 1923. He went to work as an oil 
station attendant in Champaign. After a few 
years he became agent for the Texaco Co. He 
married Miss Linnetta Hawkins, formerly from 
Terre Haute. She was a secretary at the U. of I. 



This Page sponsored by: 

M & M ENGRAVERS, Thelma Melohn, Philo, Illinois 



for 23 years. They have two children, Jim and 
Nancy. Jim graduated from Eastern 111. Univer- 
sity in 1960. He served two years in the army at 
El Paso, Tex. He has been an accountant with 
Anaconda Aluminium in Louisville, Ky. since he 
finished his army duty. He and Linda have three 
children and they live in Jeffersonville, Indiana, 
across the Ohio River from Louisville. Both he 
and Nancy graduated from high school in 
Tolono. 

Nancy (Mrs. Calvin Green) lives here in town 
with her husband and two daughters, Cheryl, a 
junior in Unity, and Jana, fourth grade here. 
Mike, her son, now lives with his father near Sid- 
ney, and attends Unity High. Nancy works at the 
county court house. 

Although my Grandparents and my parents 
never lived in Philo, both my father and his 
father took part in township politics. Each one 
served as "Tax Collector" and supervisor at dif- 
ferent times. 

I remember coming to the "Old Settlers' 
Picnic" at Hale Park. It was a yearly event. Poli- 
ticians and others would make speeches which 
interested the crowd, especially the men. 

Verne, Linnetta, Jim and Nancy moved to 
Philo in 1952 from the farm. He served as as- 
sessor for some time. He passed away in 1973. 

I moved here in 1968 from the farm. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fred Colter bought the house and a small 
acreage. They have two sons, Terry and Darin. 

This concludes the history of our family from 
my grandparents down to the present time. 




Mrs. Elijah Plotner 



Elijah Plotner 

Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Plotner and their three 
oldest sons, of Violet Township, Fairfield Co., 
Ohio, moved to Illinois in either January or Feb- 
ruary, 1881. Mr. Plotner had come to Illinois and 
purchased 120 acres, in Section 34, on Septem- 
ber 14, 1880, for $35 per acre. The family came 
by train, with their furniture and other posses- 
sions by boxcar. 

Mr. Plotner, born April 28, 1844, near Lock- 
ville, Ohio, was the son of Jacob and Mary 
(Moreheart) Plotner. He had two brothers, Jerry 
Plotner, born August 30, 1850, near Canal Win- 
chester, Ohio, who lived in Section 2, Crittenden 
Township, and was married to Hettie Porter, and 
they were the parents of five daughters, one de- 
ceased at an early age, Mrs. Joseph (Mary) 
Scheurich, Mrs. John (Nelia) Butler, Mrs. Wil- 
liam (Delia) Klemick, and Mrs. Bart (Inez) Sud- 
dith; and Henry Plotner, who lived in this area, 
was married to Mary Albright and moved to 
Gowrie, Iowa, and were the parents of eight sons, 
Edward, Charley (Ross), Oscar, Bill, Ralph, two 
in infancy, and Walter; and three sisters, Mrs. 
Oliver (Anna) Donaldson, Mrs. Catherine 
Delong, and Mrs. Charles (Lydia) Hummel, who 
later married Henry Root, all of Fairfield 
County, Ohio. 

Mrs. Elijah Plotner was Matilda Alice Grubbs, 
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Grubbs, born 
August 13, 1844, near Waterloo, Ohio. Her father 
died before she was five years old and her mo- 
ther before she was twelve. She was reared in 
the home of her Grandmother Grubbs, an 
invalid for nineteen years, and cared for by her 
aunts, especially her aunt Matilda (Tilde) for 
whom she was named, and by her uncle Aaron. 
She had two younger brothers, John D. Grubbs, 
a drummer boy in the Civil War at sixteen and 
was in Co. K 114th Reg't., at Morganza Bend, 
Louisiana; and Jacob Grubbs. Both brothers 
later worked on the railroad. 

In 1868 Elijah and Matilda were married. 
They resided in Violet Township, Ohio until they 
moved to Philo Township. They lived on the 
farm they first bought in 1889, when in Decem- 
ber, they moved to their new home they built (on 
the farm where Wilbert Plotner now lives). In 
March, 1911, they moved into Philo. 

Mr. Plotner died on January 20, 1914 at home 
after a brief illness. Mrs. Plotner passed away 
November 28, 1929, at her home from pneu- 
monia and heart trouble. To this union nine 
children were born, six sons and three daughters. 
Five children were born in Ohio, Jacob Francis, 
born September 1, 1869 and died September 23, 



1959; Elijah Clarence, born January 14. 1871 
and died April 19, 1912; Martha Louise, born 
May 22. 1873 and died June 8. 1953; and an in- 
fant son. born December 25, 1879. The children 
born in Illinois were Edwin Arthur, born Decem- 
ber 21, 1881 and died November 30, 1951; Mrs. 
James (Myrtle Almeda) Boles, born April 8, 1884 
and died March 13, 1911; Charles Leroy, born 
November 28, 1886 and died February, 1932; 
and Mrs. Elbert (Marv Ethel) Burr, born April 
19. 1890 and died August 14. 1963. 

Jacob and Mary E. Everitt were married in 
1895, and the parents of two daughters, Mrs. 
Roy (Frances Harriet) Brand, who passed away 
January 8, 1975; and Mrs. Louis (Edna Luverna) 
Stahl; and a son, Clarence Arthur Plotner, who 
married Vareta Velma Lafenhagen. 

Frances and Roy's daughter is Mrs. Richard 
(Virginia) Lovingfoss and she and her husband 
have two sons, Mark and John, both married and 
living in Houston, Texas. Mark married Lola 
Shaffer and their children are Cheryl, John, and 
Daniel. John is married and has a daughter, Bar- 
bara Ann. Frances and Roy's son is William 
Howard Brand, married to Marjorie Sims, of 
Villa Grove, and they have four sons, Kenneth 
who died in infancy; William, Jr.; Gary, de- 
ceased; and Richard. 

Edna and Louis have one daughter, Mrs. Paul 
(Marie) Mumma. Jr., and they have one son, 
John, and live near Sidney. 

Arthur and Vareta have three sons, Francis; 
Eugene, married to Mrs. Marjorie (Herriott) 
Martinie and they have three daughters, 
Michelle, married to Dennis Weiber, Micha and 
Melissa, and a son, Mark, and live near Sey- 
mour; Duane married Phyllis Whitt and they 
have two sons. Chuckie and Curtis; and a 
daughter, Mrs. Robert (Marilyn) Harmon, who 
have three sons, twins Mickey and Rickey, and 
Daniel, and live in Champaign. 

Elijah Plotner, Jr., was married in 1899 to 
Miss Minnie Wollenzien. They had no children. 
She later married Edward Wimmer. John and 
Ida Wollenzien Plotner were married in Iowa on 
February 5, 1903. They had two sons, Floyd 
Leroy, who married Opal Ray and who passed 
away January 15, 1966; and Harold Ersul, mar- 
ried to Mrs. Margarette Blakely Corgey and are 
living in Harlingen. Texas. Floyd and Opal are 
the parents of three children, Muriel Janet; Mrs. 
Duane (Marian Jean) Hanly. who have a son 
Douglas Keith and live in Champaign; and John 
Ray, married to Joyce Brethhorst. Paxton, who 
have a son, Mark Alan, and live in Decatur. 

Edwin and Minnie Mumm Plotner were mar- 
ried September 26, 1906, and are the parents of 



two daughters. Matilda Ruth Plotner and Mrs. 
George (Helen Lucille) Stahl, and two sons, Ran- 
dall Wilson, who married Jean Armstrong of Sid- 
ney and Clarence Edwin, who married Mary 
Robinson of Tolono. Helen and George are the 
parents of two sons, Robert, married to Judith 
Wood, who have a son Jeffrey Vernon, and live 
in Urbana; and John Edward who died in in- 
fancy. Randall and Jean have two daughters, 
Linda Lu and Randa Jean, and Linda has a son 
Todd Randall. Clarence and Mary have a son. 
Michael Edwin, married to Linda Little, of To- 
lono, and they have two sons, Brian Edwin and 
Christopher Jacob. 

Charley and Miss Nellie Gust, of Sidney, were 
married in January, 1909, and they had two 
children, Wilbert and Grace. Wilbert married 
Helen Odebrecht and they have three children. 
Mrs. Richard (Joan) Jones, Judith and Charles 
Plotner. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones are the pa- 
rents of two children, David Eugene and Donna 
Marie. Grace is married to Charles Grinkmeyer 
and now reside in Indianapolis, Indiana. They 
have four sons Charles, Kerry, Gerald, and 
Steven. 

Mary Ethel Plotner and Elbert Burr were 
united in marriage in 1909 and were the parents 
of four daughters. Mary, who died in infancy; 
Mrs. Lewis (Fern Estelle) Myler who died Febru- 
ary 11, 1950; Mrs. Vernon (Lois Jean) Myler. 
now of Sidney; Mrs. Eugene (Patricia Ann) 
Christian; and three sons, Paul Elmo, who mar- 
ried Betty Butler; John Russell, who was married 
to Mary Catherine Armstrong, John was killed in 
an automobile accident at Philo on June 10. 
1954; and Robert Dale who married Eileen 
Henry and are now living in Rantoul. 

Paul and Betty Burr have three children, Tom, 
Paula and John. Fern and Lewis Myler were the 
parents of one son, Donald, who married Sharon 
Dodd and they have two daughters, Kelly and 
Stephanie and live in Champaign. Lois and Ver- 
non Myler are the parents of one son, Bernie, 
who is married to Linda Nash and their three 
children are David, Kristin and Amy and live in 
Urbana; and three daughters. Mrs. Lester (Bar- 
bara) Loeschen of Mishawaka. Indiana, and they 
have two daughters, Michelle and Jeanne 
Gaiennie; their daughter Janet is united in mar- 
riage with Kenneth Peters of Sidney, and they 
have one son, Todd; and their daughter Jane is 
married to Lee O'Neill and they are the parents 
of Brent and Sonja. Robert and Eileen Burr have 
three children, Mrs. Larry (Janice Marie) Spicer 
who have a son, Scott Alan and a daughter. 
Connie Sue; Robert Dale is married to Pamela 



Ochs and they have a daughter, Maria Beth; and 
Diana Marie Burr. 




TheL.C. Porterfield Family taken between 1905-1909 



Porterfield Family 

In 1450 the members of the Porter family 
adopted the Porterfield surname and were resi- 
dents of the county of Lanarkshire, Scotland. 
With the exodus of Irish Scotch and English im- 
migrants from the old to the new world early in 
the 18th century came seven brothers and a sister 
from Donegal County, Ireland to Chester 
County, Pennsylvania, who goodly progeny is 
found in all parts of the United States. Lemuel 
C. Porterfield was a descendant of John Porter- 
field (1675-1739) who migrated from Scotland to 
Ireland and then to this country near Kittanning, 
Pennsylvania. 

Lemuel Campbell Porterfield (1839-1908) was 
born in Armstrong Co., Pa. and came to Illinois 
with his parents in 1867 and nine brothers and 
sisters and resided near Sidney. His parents were 
Robert Guthrie and Hannah Campbell Porter- 
field. Two brothers and one sister whom the 
second generation remember were Samuel 
Adams Porterfield born 1843 married Sarah Wil- 
liams, were parents of Robert Z. Porterfield 
(1873-1951) who lived in the Philo, Sidney area. 
Sarah passed away when Robert was 4 years old 
and Mary E. Porterfield born 1851 came to keep 
house for her brother Samuel and his son until 
the brother passed away in 1914. She then made 
her home with a relative in Homer, Illinois for 
several years and passed away in a United 
Brethren Home in Lebanon, Ohio in 1934. 
Robert Z. Porterfield married Anna Bantz 1897, 
a daughter Irene born (1900-1974) married Ray 
Erb 1920. Their daughter Wanda Irene born 



1926. married Richard E. Wienke and had two 
daughters. 

Robert Milton Porterfield (1847-1937) married 
Margaret Hunter in 1846. Parents of eight 
children: Ira B. Charley C, Frank, Zula, Paul, 
Stella, Eunice and Jimmie all of whom have 
passed away. They lived at Westfield, 111. and 
visited Philo and Sidney relatives often. 

Lemuel taught school for several years and he 
and his brother Samuel bought a large farm in 
Sidney township and after being here five years 
he went back to Pennsylvania in 1872 and mar- 
ried a long-time acquaintance, Mary Ann Toy 
(1841-1927), whose family had always lived in 
Pennsylvania and were known as Pennsylvania 
Dutch, and brought her to Illinois. They were 
parents of seven children, Anna Belle; Katy 
May; Laura Alice; Lulu Myrtle; Lemuel Burt; 
Nora Edith; Cora Ellen (twins). 

Anna Belle Porterfield (1873-1962) married 
John Lafenhagen 1895 (1873-1933) parents of six 
children 1. Mary Theresa born 1896 married 
Vernon R. Penny died 1920, married J. Howard 
Shirley 1933. no children. 2. Charles Lloyd, born 
1897 married Nellie May Williams born 1896. 
Three children Leo Francis born 1922; Grace 
Ellen born 1927; Glen Harold 1928. Leo married 
Mildred Loudy, parents of two children and two 
grandchildren. Grace married Quentin 
McCarrey have 2 sons. Glen married Mary Jean 
Bonnell have one daughter. 3. Louis Lemuel 
born 1900 married Nellie Clare Trees (1901-1961) 
divorced, parents, of 4 children, married Grace 
Basin, parents of two children. They are Nellie 
Wanda born 1922, married Charles Klein, 2 
daughters and 2 grandchildren; Louis Lloyd 
born 1924 married Leota Walden 2 sons; Betty 
Maxine, born 1926 married Merrill Stunkard 5 
children and 15 grandchildren; John Lee 1928 
married LaVern Dutton 2 daughters 1 son, Jerry, 
born 1944 married Donna, 1 son. Robert Dale 
born 1946 not married. 

4. Nellis Grace (1902-1970) married Carl Clay- 
ton Clark (1904-1973) parents of three children, 
Wilma Jean born 1927 not married. Wayne 
Eugene 1928 married Lola Titus 3 children, Carl 
William married Sue Gilbert 2 sons 2 daughters. 

5. Vareta Velma born 1906 married Clarence 
Arthur Plotner parents of 4 children, Arthur 
Francis born 1927 married Loraine Amedie, 
divorced; Paul Eugene, born 1929 married Mar- 
jorie Harriot 4 children; Marilyn Arita born 1934 
married Robert Harmon 3 sons; Charles Duane 
born 1938 married Phyllis Whitt, 2 sons. 

6. Juanita Eva born 1907 married Harlin A. 
Bickers, 2 children James Eldon born 1936 



married Judy Snodgrass, divorced, parents of 2 
sons; Janet Ann born 1940 married Larry 
Mackey, 3 children. 

Katy Mav Porterfield (1874-1960) married 
1896 Eli Grove (1873-1934) 2 children, 1. Vera 
Amanda born 1902 married Ivan Floyd Hinners, 
2 children Donald Ivan born 1931 married 
Judith E. Reymonds. 2 children, Mary Kathryn. 
born 1933 married Carl Johnson, 3 children. 

2. Lyle B. Grove born 1908 married Gladys 
Licht 3 children. Robert Wayne married Betty 
Taylor, 3 children; Lyle Bernard; William. 

Laura Alice Porterfield (1878-1951) married 
1902 Elijah J. Anders (1875-1949) parents of 2 
children, Mildred (1905-1924) and Clifford Burt 
(1909-1957) married Vivian Hudson, parents of 2 
children Anita Kay born 1938 married Danny 
Robinson (divorced) 1 daughter; Larry Gene 
born 1949 married Nancy Rohrscheib, 2 
children. 

Lulu Myrtle Porterfield (1880-1964) married 
1905 William Krumm (1880-1965) 2 foster child- 
ren, Thomas born 1916 married Ruby Phares 
(1918-1975) two children Sandra Marie born 
1943 married Gerald McCormick, have 2 
children and Gary William born 1947 married 
Susan Smalley. and Marie Krum born 1915 mar- 
ried Ralph Hibler. 

Lemuel Burt Porterfield (1881-1964), married 
1911 Nellie M. Burr, no children. 

Nora Edith Porterfield (1883-1960) (twin) mar- 
ried 1904 to Carl Frederick Odebrecht (1877- 
1927) parents of two sons deceased early and 3 
daughters, (1). Helen Kathryn born 1912 married 
1931 Wilbert Clarence Plotner, 3 children. Joan 
Marie born 1934 married Richard Jones, 2 
children, Judith Helen born 1943, not married; 
Charles Lyman born 1942 not married. 

(2) Melba Frances born 1913 married 
Frederick Buddie divorced, 1 daughter, Suzanne 
born 1940 married William Storm parents of a 
son and daughter. (3) Mary Agnes born 1917 
married Kenneth Stotler, 3 children, Edith Ann, 
Susan W. and Robert. 

Cora Ellen Porterfield (twin of Nora Edith) 
born May 6, 1883 is 92 years old and living in 
Greenbrier Manor and the only one who is living 
of the seven children of Lemuel C. and Mary Ann 
Porterfield, "Aunt Cora." 

Lemuel C, Grandfather Porterfield, had pros- 
pered and accumulated 480 acres of land in spite 
of the fact that he had been crippled since he 
was a child. He bought a lovely 7-room cottage 
from Dr. Tinsley a Philo physician and with 
grandmother, Burt and Cora moved from the 
farm to this home in Philo in 1905. He passed 
away in 1909 so only enjoyed his new home four 



years. Grandmother lived until 1927. They were 
faithful members of the Philo Methodist Church. 




David A. Silver 
1867-1958 

The Silver Family 

David Silver was born in New Jersey in 1798 
and moved to Ohio with his parents in 1801. He 
married Eliza Munger in 1823. He came to 
Champaign County in June 1854. His family 
joined him in October 1854. Their children were 
William, John, Wallace, Myra, and Perry. David 
was a member of the Friends Society and a 
Republican. Eliza died in 1863 and in 1867 
David returned to the homestead near Spring- 
boro, Ohio. He died in 1875. He was buried in 
Ohio, but later his remains were moved to Mt. 
Hope Cemetery in Urbana. 

Son William acquired land in Philo Township. 
He was married to Sarah Barnett in 1855. Wil- 
liam died in 1915 and Sarah in 1908. Their son 
and daughter, Joseph born in 1856 in Ohio and 
Anna born in 1961, spent most of their lives in 
Philo. Joseph farmed for several years, but died 
at 19. Anna taught school in the Philo area. She 
died in 1946. Another daughter, Sallie, married a 
Mr. Conkling and lived in Brownsville, Texas. 
Another daughter, Myra, was born in 1859 and 
was married to James Love in 1889. They had 
one daughter, Anna Myra, born in 1890. She is 
the widow of Prof. Mont Gabbert and presently 
resides in Washington, Pennsylvania. Their 
daughter, Eleanor, died at a young age. 

David and Eliza's second son, John acquired 
land in Philo Township and farmed here a few 
years before returning to the family homestead in 
Ohio. The youngest son, Perry, born in 1841 was 



married to Mary Heisler in 1864. They acquired 
land in Section 1 1 of Philo Township. Perry died 
in 1885. Their son Alfred and his wife Kitty were 
the parents of Harold and John A., who presently 
reside in Urbana. The daughter, Myra, was born 
in 1834 and died in 1903. 

Another son of David and Eliza was Wallace, 
born in Ohio in 1829. He acquired land in Sec- 
tion 3 of Philo Township in 1855. He married 
Rebecca Mullins who died in 1863. There were 
two sons born of this marriage. Then in 1866 he 
married Mary Karr. Their only child David A. 
was born in 1867. Wallace farmed in Philo 
Township and eventually acquired 400 acres. He 
retired in 1902 and moved to Urbana. He died in 
1914 and Mary in 1918, both are buried at 
Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana. They were 
members of the Urbana Baptist Church. Wallace 
had joined the Urbana Masonic Lodge in 1857. 

David A. attended Yankee Ridge School and 
Champaign Business College. He worked in his 
half-brother's store in Hobbs, Kansas for a short 
time, returning to Philo to farm with his father. 
He bought 80 acres in Section 10 in 1891. His 
son-in-law, Robert Miller, still resides there. He 
later purchased another 80 acres in Section 3. 
When his parents retired and moved to Urbana, 
David A. moved to their farm home. In 1893, he 
married Mae Wells, daughter of Frank and Cor- 
delia (Evans) Wells, a neighbor to the north. 
Both the Wells and Evans families were early 
landowners in Sections 2 and 3 of Philo Town- 
ship. In 1904, Frank Wells sold his land here 
and bought land near Blackwell, Oklahoma. 
Cordelia died in 1908 and Frank in 1927. David 
A. and Mae had five children. They retired and 
moved to Philo at the corner of Adams and 
Madison Streets in 1930. Mae died in 1937 and 
David A. in 1958. They are bot h buried in 
Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana. David A. be- 
longed to the Odd Fellows and was a 50-year 
member of the Masonic Lodge. He was very ac- 
tive in the Presbyterian Church, serving several 
years as Elder, Superintendent and Sunday 
School Teacher. He served five years as Philo 
Township Assessor and nineteen years on the 
Yankee Ridge School Board. He gave strong sup- 
port to the Republican Party. 

E. Wallace, now 79 and is living with his son 
Duane, on his farm in Section 11. He married 
Grace Yeazel in Ogden in 1922. She died in 
1971. Their son, Duane, is now the only de- 
scendant still actively farming in Philo 
Township. Duane and wife Shirley Helbling) 
Silver's oldest son Steven and wife, Ruth 
(Brewer) have a nine month old son Cory, who is 
seventh generation removed from the original 



settler, David Silver. Other children of Duane 
and Shirley still living at home are Gregory 20, 
20, Lisa 16, Michelle 13, and Jennifer 8. Other 
children of E. Wallace and Grace are John of 
Peoria and Mrs. June Gault of Kankakee. Wal- 
lace is a 50-year member of the Masons and the 
American Legion. 

Daughter, Hazel, was born in 1896 and was 
married to Robert Miller in 1925. Hazel died in 
childbirth in 1927. Daughter Eleanor, survived 
and was reared by her grandparents, David A. 
and Mae Silver. She married Charles Johnson of 
Albion and they presently reside in Columbus, 
Indiana. 

Daughter, Mary, now 76, recently moved from 
her home in Philo to live with a daughter, Mrs. 
Patty Warner near Thomasboro. She married 
Ralph Reed in 1924. He died in 1972. They have 
three other daughters, Mrs. Marjorie Shaw of 
River Forest, Mrs. Barbara Bosch of Villa Grove, 
and Mrs. Mary Beth McMurray of Orange, Cali- 
fornia. 

Frank W. now 75, is retired. He owns and lives 
on the original homestead in Section 3. He mar- 
ried Mabel Hartz in 1929 and had seven 
children. A daughter, Elizabeth, died in 1936, a 
son Donald died in 1953, and a daughter 
Carolyn died in 1966. A son Walter, resides at 
home, Frank Jr. resides in Urbana, Constance 
(Harrison) resides in Belevidere and Robert J. 
with wife, Barbara (Johnson) and children, Aric 
13, Ted 9, and Dale 4, reside in Philo. 

Robert, the youngest son was born in 1900 and 
died in 1910. " 

William Stockard 

William Stockard with his wife and four child- 
ren, Betty, Gurley, Ella and James came from 
Ohio to Philo in a prairie schooner in the 1860's 
and homesteaded a farm, which was known as 
the Penman farm in later years. I have often 
heard Ella tell how she as a girl helped set out 
hedge, for fences to divide the different fields. 
Then she had to carry pails and pails of water to 
keep it growing during the hot summer; it was 
an endless job. 

On December 9, 1869 Ella Jane Stockard and 
Eli R. (Bob) Farmer, from Bloomington, Ind. 
were united in marriage in Philo. They lived in 
Indiana for several years, returning to Philo in 
1883. 

Ella and Bob Farmer bought a house from 
James and Florence Barthlow, one block south of 
the railroad track, on Route 130. They had two 
children, Mary Elizabeth (Mamie) and Lottie Al- 
wilda. Ella and Bob lived in this same house un- 



il she died in January 1928. The house was sold 
o Orville Miller, who still owns it. 

Mamie Farmer and James C. Hodgson were 
united in marriage. They were the parents of two 
daughters. Francella and Burl L. Hodgson. 

Burl and H. Carl Foote, son of Mr. and Mrs. 
H.C. Foote of Philo, were united in marriage and 
are now living in Florida. 



John Trost 

John Trost, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Trost, 
was born in Mecklenburg, Strelitz, Germany 
June 9, 1842. 

When a boy nine years of age he emigrated to 
America in company with his grandfather, Fred- 
erick Anders. Nine weeks were spent in a sail 
boat in making the voyage across the Atlantic. In 
speaking about the trip and new country, he 
said. "The boat was very crowded. It seems like a 
large boat — it had three masts. My mother and 
father came from Germany later and joined us at 
Lockport, Ohio. 

"My father was crippled in one limb because 
of a sickness. He was a tailor, a trade he had 
learned in Germany. He had people come from 
as far as Jefferson, Ohio, to buy their clothes. He 
made my wedding suit." (The house in which 
John Trost, Sr. had his tailor shop is still stand- 
ing and is inhabited in Canal Winchester, Ohio.) 

"I started to work on the farms when I was 
eleven years old. Come the first of March, I 
always started to move by 'washing'. I generally 
worked two or three years at one place. I would 
'pick out' a colt and break him to ride. I loved 
horses. By the time I was homesick, I would have 
a colt trained and I would ride him home for my 
mother to see. 

"Mr. Weller, a Pennsylvania Dutch farmer in 
Jefferson. Ohio, taught me how to plow and, as 
he said, do it right. 

"I was often sent to a 'still', where I watched 
the men make whiskey. The still was run by a 
(Theodore) Edd Mittoff. I remember the smell of 
the ground corn mash. I would return from the 
still with two jugs of whiskey for Mr. Ziegler, for 
which he paid 35 cents a gallon. 

"Then there was apple butter, made every fall. 
Cider was cooked down in a large brass kettle, 
then apple cuttings were added and this often 
took up into the middle of the night. 

"Many a day I would bind wheat barefooted 
and then go to a dance at night. Do a hard day's 
work then walk 5 or 6 miles to a party. Get there 
when the party was half over, but that was my 
fun. 



"I cut rails (like Abe Lincoln). One winter I 
cut 4000. I was paid by the cord at 40 cents a 
cord. This work was also done for old man 
Ziegler. I brought to Illinois a pair of Morocco 
leather boots made in Canal Winchester. They 
cost me two cords of wood. 

"I 'broke' a horse that I sold to Mr. Ziegler for 
$200.00 — a big price, yes, but he was quite a 
horse. He was a dappled 'dun' color. I called him 
'Jim'. I was asked to drive him around the race 
track at Lancaster. I drove him to a sulky on the 
fair grounds. Even he knew he was a pretty horse 
and I was very proud of him. 

"I was about 25 years old when the draft (Civil 
War) was to take me, but my name coming near 
the end of the alphabet, the war was over before 
I was called up. Uncle Charles Anders, Mother's 
half-brother, was home from the war, hid in the 
bed during the day. All I know about him and 
the war was that he had his hat shot off. Maybe 
that scared him and he came home to hide." 

Mr. Trost was united in marriage with Miss 
Minnie Doss of Canal Winchester, Ohio, in the 
year 1869, Rev. George Mochel, pastor of the Lu- 
theran Church officiating. 

Three years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Trost with their two daughters, Mary and Alice, 
moved from Ohio and came to Champaign Co., 
Illinois, settling on a farm a short distance south 
of the village of Philo. Mr. Trost said, "We left 
Ohio, you know, because we wanted some day to 
have a home of our own. The land was too ex- 
pensive in Ohio, for the men who owned their 
farms had been there for some time and had be- 
come prosperous. 

"In those days we traveled over the 'pike' from 
Lancaster to the home and, after so many miles, 
had to pay a toll. We often went in the stage 
coach over this road, the coaches being painted 
in various light colors and drawn by four 
horses." 

Mr. Trost brought two horses from Ohio. (A 
Mr. Conn drove them through to Philo.) He 
bought a mare from Alspah. She was cream- 
colored and worth $150.00. He brought a single 
set of harness. They were good leather, with 
nickel-plated hardware. He traded them to the 
harness shop man in Philo (a Mr. Mahlone) for a 
double set. 

Elijah Plotner helped Mr. Trost on the farm 
until he was married. They built a crib 12 rails 
long and 12 feet wide. The roof was made of 
slough grass. 

Mr. Ordel. an Ohio neighbor who had come to 
Illinois before Mr. Trost. met Mr. Trost and his 
family at Tolono to take them to their new home. 



Mr. Ordel and Mr. Trost needed a cow and 
they bought themselves one each in Edgar 
County. This was their first purchase together. 
Mr. Trost 's cow turned out to be a long-horned 
wild one. He said, "She would come at me with 
her horns and I thought I could stop her with a 
pitchfork, but I couldn't. Uncle George Halber- 
stadt and his four girls came over and we all 
tried to put her in the stable, but she was too 
much for all of us. You can bet I sold her — very 
soon — to a George Burton. She was nice and fat 
and sold well. 

"When I first came from Ohio, I was sleeping 
on some money from my sale in Ohio (I had lived 
in the Ziegler farm(. I used part of the money 
when Mr. Ordel and I went to Terre Haute and 
bought some cows and calves. We made this trip 
on horseback. 

"Mother and I came to Illinois in March, 
1872. There was not much to be seen of Urbana 
then. I remember two buildings of the University 
at that time. There were no good roads then, but 
many bad mud holes. 

"On the eighty where we settled, we found 
only a shelter for our horses made with four 
poles in the ground and a thatched roof covered 
with straw. Our 'old house' was already there, 
built by Mr. Wright and in that Mother and I 
started housekeeping. Mollie and Alice was all of 
our family then. 

"The soil in those days was poor and I had to 
work the lower eighty three or four years before I 
could plant anything. 

"The old house was just boarded up on out- 
side. I weatherboarded it — plastered it — and 
made it more like a home. We had left a new 
house in Ohio built by Mr. George Ziegler for his 
son. 

"I brought two sacks of yellow seed corn from 
Ohio — 'Kinney' corn it was called — and we 
raised it for years in this vicinity. Mr. Copely 
called me 'The Buckeye' farmer — the farmer 
who had straight corn rows. I planted as I 
plowed — always in straight rows." 

Mr. Trost bought the home place of eighty 
acres for $28.00 an acre. The Woods place north 
in the next section — 80 acres at $100.00 an 
acre. Ed Trost (a son) moved to the Woods place 
in 1895. The Hickman eighty was bought at 
$85.00 an acre. 

Jack Gardner had lived on the Woods place. 
He was furnished a cow and was paid $18.00 per 
month. 

The new house was built in 1881 by a Jim 
Lovingfoss (Elva Trost 's, Mrs. Ed Trost) cousin. 
The price paid for three rooms up and three 
down was $1800.00. 



The Trost children born after the folks moved 
to Illinois were Edward, Lillie, John, Ida, Ger- 
trude, Agnes, Frances, Opal. 

In 1908, Mr. Trost retired from the farm and 
went to Urbana, where he made his home at 511 
West High Street. 

Upon coming to Illinois he became actively in- 
terested in organizing the present Zion Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran Church in Philo, of which he was a 
charter member. It was said of him — "A 
beloved father and husband — an industrious 
workman — a loyal citizen — a Christian char- 
acter." 

"I was so discouraged when we first landed — 
when our goods came and before we unpacked it, 
I said to Mother, 'Oh, let's go back' — and I 
should have done so if it had not been for dear 
Mother. She said, 'Oh, no, let's stay and try it for 
a year.' Mother was always happy! How much we 
owe her! Many times I heard her singing clear to 
the end of the 80." 

Mr. Trost said, "The $1200.00 I carried in a 
money belt from Ohio was a worry to me. There 
was no bank to put it into, until Dr. Parker 
started one. The bank building later became the 
lumber yard office of Mr. Tabler, the gentleman 
who was the secretary of the Philo Corporation 
establishment." (The bank was later to build a 
new building that is now the Philo Exchange 
Bank. Mr. E.B. Hazen was the new banker, and, 
later, L.E. Hazen was to be the owner.) "Mr. Or- 
del helped me by giving Mr. Hunter $100.00 to 
give up a farm, so I could buy my first piece of 
land." 



Williams Family 

Elias Williams, born in 1831 in Fayette 
County, Indiana, died in Philo in 1914. He was 
married to Nancy Bash, who was born in 1835 
and died in 1862. They had one son Aldophus, 
born in 1857, who died in 1885. 

In 1864, Elias was married to Hannah Peter- 
son of Brookville, Indiana, and moved to a farm 
southeast of Philo in 1865. They moved to Main 
Street in Philo in 1894. Their three children were 
Clark E., born in 1865 who died in 1920. He was 
married to Blanche Marten in 1889. She was 
born in 1865 and died in 1935. They had two 
children, Lloyd, born in 1890 and who died in 
1974 and Nettie, born in 1893, who died in 1903; 
Ellie May, born 1869 and who died in 1944 and 
was married to Harry Wilson in 1918; and Clar- 




Clarence Williams Family 

ence L. who was born in 1875 and died in 1941. 
He married Catharine Churchill in 1884. Mrs. 
Clarence Williams was born in 1875 and died in 
1959. 

They were the parents of tour children. Nellie, 
Roy C. Dorothea and Karl. The oldest of their 
children is Nellie M., born in 1896, who married 
Charles Lafenhagen in 1920. Mr. Lafenhagen 
was born in 1897. Charles and Nellie are the 
parents of three children, Leo Francis, Grace E. 
and Glen H. Leo and Mildred Loudy were mar- 
ried in 1943. He was born in 1922 and she was 
born in 1925. They have two children, Diane 
Lynn, born in 1945 who married Harlan R. 
Trotter, Dewey, Illinois. He was born in 1935 
and they were married in 1956. They are the 
parents of two children, Paul born in 1968 and 
Barbara, born in 1971. Leo and Mildred's son is 
Francis L., who was born in 1949. 

Grace Lafenhagen born in 1927 married 
Quentin McCarrey in 1951. He was born in 1920. 
They have two sons, Guy born in 1960 and Char- 
les Andrew born in 1963. 

Glen, who was born in 1928 is married to 
Mary Jean Bonnell in 1949. She was born in 
1930. They have one daughter, Beth Ann, born 
in 1956. 

The second child of Clarence and Catharine 
Williams is Roy C born in 1899, who married 
Ethel Lahne in 1921. She was born in 1898 and 
died in 1946. His second wife is Ruth Warnes, 
born in 1899. They were married in 1948. 

The third child, Dorothea Marie, born in 
1905, was married in 1924 to Paul D. Hance II. 
He was born in 1902 and died in 1957. They were 



the parents of three children, Dorothy Elizabeth, 
Paul Dewitt III and Sandra Jean. Dorothy born 
in 1925, married Lester Zega in 1950. He was 
born in 1924. They are the parents of five 
children. Mickolas L. born 1952; Leslie E. born 
1953; Bruce born 1955; James born 1956; and 
Susan born 1962. Paul III, born in 1929, married 
Judy Harrison and they have three children, 
Christopher born 1958; Jessica born 1962; and 
Amelia born 1964. Dorothea's third child is 
Sandra Jean Hance. born in 1965. 

The fourth child of Clarence and Catharine 
Williams was Karl C born in 1916 and who 
died in 1940. 



This is a Farmer 

This is not the first time this column has ap- 
peared in print — and it's pretty sure not to be 
the last. The original author is unknown but 
whoever he (or she) is, he knows a thing or two 
about farmers. 

Farmers are found in fields plowing up, seed- 
ing down, returning from, planting to, fertilizing 
with, spraying for and harvesting if. Wives help 
them, little boys follow them, the Agriculture De- 
partment confuses them, city relatives visit them, 
salesmen detain them, meals wait for them, 
weather can delay them, but it takes Heaven to 
stop them. 

When your car stalls along the way, a farmer 
is a considerate, courteous, inexpensive road 
service. When a farmer's wife suggests he buy a 
new suit, he can quote from memory every ex- 
pense involved in operating the farm last year, 
plus the added expense he is certain will crop up 
this year. Or else he assumes the role of the indi- 
gent shopper, impressing upon everyone within 
earshot the pounds of pork he must produce in 
order to pay for a suit at today's prices. 

A farmer is a paradox — he is an "overalled" 
executive with his home his office; a scientist 
using fertilizer attachments; a purchasing agent 
in an old straw hat; a personnel director with 
grease under his fingernails; a dietician with a 
passion for alfalfa, animals and antibiotics; a 
production expert faced with a surplus; and a 
manager battling a price-cost squeeze. He 
manages more capital than most of the business- 
men in town. 

He likes sunshine, good food, state fairs, 
dinner at NOON, auctions, his neighbors, Satur- 
day nights in town, his shirt collar unbuttoned, 
and above all a good soaking rain in August. 



SPECTACLE DIVISION 

Bob Giesler, Chairman 

Historical Data 

Ann Mitsdarfer, Chairman 
Matilda Plotner 
Floy Taylor 
Thelma Melohn 
Howard Eaton 
Mary Frances Eaton 

Properties 

Ed Mitsdarfer, Chairman 
Gene Ruebben 
Gene Cain 
Mary Thinnes 
John Reis 
Steve O'Connor 
Clarence Painter 
Martin Gorman 

Stage 

Tom Grady, Chairman 

John Burr 

John Bolger 

David McCormick 

Denny Cain 

Ron Christian 
Grounds 

Joe Medlock 
Cast 

Pat Johnson 

Mike Manuel 

Cheryl Cain 

Boots Giesler 

Jean Manuel 

Paula Burr 

Mike Manuel 

Construction 

Ken Johnson 
Costumes 

Norma Rash, Chairman 
Tommie Calhoun 
Alice Dalton 
Pat Gentry 
Cheryl Rash 
Shirley Silver 
Virgil Rash 
Student 

Audrey Bishop. Chairman 

PUBLICITY DIVISION COMMITTEE 

Pastor Paul Pfeffer, Chairman 

John Grady 

Dena Evans Schumacher 

Melinda Fox 

Al Swanson 

Bob Cain 

Elizabeth Franks 

Mrs. Lelah Wimmer 

Julie Beetle 

Eileen Painter 

SPECIAL EVENTS DIVISION 

John Godsell, Chairman 
Don Newman, Co-Chairman 

Parade Committee 

Tom Cain. Chairman 
Dale Kirby 
Hospitality House Committee 

Paul Godsell, Chairman 
Janise Godsell 

Youth Committee 

Jon Khachaturian, Chairman 
Rusty Freeland 
Greg Silver 
Antiques and Windows 

Glenn Sappenfield. Chairman 
Pat Kelly 
Jim Payne 



Transportation 

Ken Freeland. Chairman 
Dave Nogel 
Gene Smith 
Pioneer Events Committee 

Alda Rice. Chairman 

Music 

Paul Pfeffer 
Merchants Committee 

Rich Keller, Chairman 
Gary Woods 
Traffic and Safety 

Don Hewing, Chairman 
Lowell Curry 
Ray Muhs 
Fred Hite 



SPONSORS 



PDQ PRINTING SERVICE 
Urbana 

THE LAMP AND SHADE SHOP 
Urbana, Illinois 

JOHNSON DRAPERIES 
Urbana, Illinois 

MARBLE'S CATERING SERVICE 
Savoy, Illinois 

HITCHINS ROOFING INC. 
Urbana, Illinois 

CORNER STORE, DON HEWING 
Philo, Illinois 684-2143 

CENTRAL PROPANE SERVICE INC. 
Philo, Illinois 

PHILO EISNER AGENCY 
Philo, Illinois 

GODSELL TRUCKING 
Philo, Illinois 

EXECUTIVE COFFEE SERVICE 

DAIRY QUEEN 

Champaign- Urbana 

URBANA OFFICE MACHINE & SUPPLY INC. 
Urbana, Illinois 





' > 

HECKMAN W 

BINDERY INC. | | 






JAN 96 






B™.nJ.To.lW N MANCHESTER. 

INDIANA 46962 





■^ 



UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 

977.366P547 C001 

PHILO AREA CENTENNIAL, 1875-1975 S .1.