Full text of "Thomasboro, Illinois, centennial, 1864-1964"

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Thomasboro, Illinois

Centennial ,

1864-

-1964.

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ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY

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August
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100 Years For Thomasboro

For 60 of these years The First National Bank of Thomasboro
has continuously served this community.

Our Bank has grown with Thomasboro,
until today we are a 'Full Service Bank'

We will continue to work with and for our Community,
"A Village Today, A City Tomorrow."

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK

OF THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS

Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

I . I

H .

^e//o Friends,

Mayo W. schaede

In the year 1864 the first pioneers settled in this area and founded the Village of Thomas-
boro, Illinois,

The growth of the community, at the beginning, was very slow due to the hardships
experienced by these people. This area at that time was all swamp land, making it
difficult to harvest enou^ grain from the land to feed families of that day. Through the
years, these men toiled to improve their plots of ground so as to seek out a better
living. Tiling the land was the answer. After drainage was established, yields improved
which resulted in more people moving into the area. Today, through their efforts, we are
living in one of the richest farm areas to be found anywhere.

Thanks to our forefathers who braved the hardships of the times to make our standard
of living what it is today.

This celebration is intended to be a tribute to and in recognition of the accomplishments
of those hardy individuals.

The executive committee wishes to extend their gratitude to every person in the area
who worked tirelessly to make this pageant a success. We also want our friends and
neighbors in the surrounding areas to know that we realize without their enthusiasm and
support this celebration could not have been the success it is.

We are very happy to have had the experience of this festivity as many new friends
have been made by everyone and a feeling of togetherness has been created such as we
have never enjoyed before.

Many thanks to everyone for their loyal support, cooperation and untiring efforts put
forth in this endeavor.

Mayo W. Schaede
General Chairman

CONGRATULATIONS

A GREAT COMMUNITY

FINE CITIZENS

from

Car Department Office

Bill Freeman, Sales Manager Mary Farnner, Manager

Rick Carver, Used Car Manager

Service Department Parts Department

Allen Coffey, Service Manager Earl Head

Fred Miller, Body Shop Manager

Ernie Rogers

ROGERS CHEVROLET CO

Rantoul, Illinois 892-9616

J^ CElTsTTXTI^^^r OF PR^OG-I^EZSS

Tlae Tli.omcLst)oro Story

Thomasboro, Champaign County, Illinois, a
farming community, will celebrate its Centennial
on August 6, 7, 8, and 9, 1964. This is to com-
memorate one hundred years of growth in Thomas-
boro and its surrounding territory.

Illinois, known as the "Prairie State," and Cham-
paign County was a vast area of rich, black,
vegetable-loam prairie with occasional groves and
some broken land. It had been established as grain
and stock-raising country; the soil and seasons were
ideal for production of corn. However, this article
pertains to a specific part of the county where
Thomasboro was built.

In 1854, the General Land Commissioner of the
State of Illinois gi-anted land to the Illinois Central
Railroad Company for the purpose of building a
railroad from Chicago, Illinois, to Mobile, Alabama.
After months of grueling hand-and-back labor the
railroad became a reality. The area west of the
railroad tracks for a distance of 7 miles west and
5 miles north and south was higher level ground
than the east side of the tracks. A tract of land
on the east side of the tracks measuring about 2
miles north and south and 7 miles east, comprising
about 9,000 acres was low, flat prairie land with
ponds, swamps and sloughs, and a haven and breed-
ing place for birds and insects. There was an
abundance of wild game birds, geese, ducks, snipes,
prairie chickens, plovers and wild pigeons (a breed
now believed extinct). This area was later referred
to as the ''Flats."

In 1857, settlers came in from Indiana, Ohio,
Kentucky and other states by the dozens. These
emigrants, English and Irish, arrived wanting to see
and settle in the "New World," as they called it.
There were about twenty English families bearing
the names of Babb, Jervis, Deakin, Reynolds, Smith,
Townsend, Porter, Morrison, Grindley, Morfey,
Thomas, Titus, Towersey, Stamey, Condit and
Machin. There were four families of Babbs — John,
Jeffery, William and Joseph. These all settled
west of the track, which was later known as "Little
Briton." The Irish settled farther north and had
names like Leonard, Burke, Bermingham, Malloy,
Boyle, McCoy, and McConnell; practically all of
these families became well-to-do. The high ground,
since it did not require much preparation to make
it tillable, was readily bought up and homes built.
When the railroad was built through this territory,
it was reported that the government (as an induce-
ment or consideration) granted the railroad company
every other section of land for a radius of several
miles adjacent to their right-of-way. This land
was sold by the railroad company, and more was
made available, to the farmers. Having heard of
the new land, people from other states came into
this country, some in covered wagons, with their
families looking for homesites. Some settled here;
others went farther west and settled on the higher
timber land.

Then came the Civil War m 1860. From infor-
mation available, there were several men from this
territory that enlisted in the Union Army during
tlie Civii War. Those known to have gone were Vinton
Harris, Jolm Martin and Peter Arie; all of whom
returned home safely after the war. John Collins,
age 33, was killed in action. Henry Beckman was
captured by the Rebels, imprisoned in the infamous
Andersonville, Georgia, prison, and released after
the war.

On December 21, 1863, a landowner, JohnThomas,
dedicated a plot of ground on tlie east side of the
track to \x used as a towiLsite for a town, to be
named Thomasboro. This plot was recorded in
1863. The original site consisted of 7 blocks of
lots, allowing for streets and alleys. In spite of
the fact that the ground of the site was low and
marshy, construction of a town in a corn field was
started.

Times were hard and a dollar was not picked up
easily; but land was cheap. The government and
the railroad company offered thousands of acres for
sale, and it was publicized. Buyers came in, and
the records show that land was bought at $3.00 per
acre and up. The price depended upon the location
and condition of the land; much of it was financed
at high rates of interest on the balance due.

On January 26, 1865, John Babb, father of George
J. Babb and grandfather of Howard J. Babb, bought
160 acres of land about 4 miles west of Thomasboro.
As expected in any new venture, speculators played
their part, as evidenced by many tracts being bought
and sold several times before being built or settled
on.

In about 1870, Thomas Deakin, Sr. bought 240
acres adjoining the townsite on the west side that
was previously owned by John Thomas. Some time
later, Thomas Babb, Sr. bought 80 acres on the
north side of the townsite. In the meantime, the
town of Thomasboro was building up in leaps and
bounds. Stores, dwellings, churches, and a school
were built; a railroad depot and a post office had
already been provided. A grocery store, blacksmith
shop, livery stables, harness shop, butcher shop,
and a barber shop made their appearances rather
rapidly. Frazier and Walton erected a grain ele-
vator (later called the South Elevator); and a year
or two later Thomas Babb built a grain elevator
(later called the North Elevator). As time pro-
gressed Thomasboro became a large grain handling
station. Mr. Frazier sold his interest in the South
Elevator and moved to Iowa. J. B. Walton & Sons
took over the elevator, but soon after built a new
and larger elevator which is in operation yet today.
A few years later the North Elevator was destroyed
by fire and a new firm, Morrison & Grindley, built
a larger and new cribbed elevator.

About 1904, a group of farmers organized the
Thomasboro Farmers Grain, Lumber & Coal Com-

MASTER MIX FEEDS

Handled by us because of its high quality
since their plant was opened in Gibson City,
Illinois in 1940.

When you think of feed think of us!

I will load you.

THOMASBORO GRAIN CO.

CHIEF LOADER

COmmWLATIONS

and BEST WISHES

on yoTJir lOOtli

.A.isr3sri"VEii^ s .A-i^"5r

MEMBER F.D.I.C.

THE THOMASBORO STOHY (continued)

pany and bought the Morrison & Grindley Elevator.
Over the years the company was managed by Cyrus
E. Babb, A. N. Duvall, Robert E. Rising, Louis
Irle, Jr., and Albert L. Schaede (1910-1961). Other
employees have been Milton Mills, Claude Locke,

Harvey Hahne, Louis Irle, Sr., Fred Hawkins, John
Duden, and Edward Dean.

About 1914, an electric interurban line known as
the K. U. T. was built through Thomasboro.

Kankakee- rrrbana Traction Co. Station

About 1916, a group of farmers organized a grain
company known as the Sharp Crossing Elevator Com-
pany. They bi ilt a grain elevator at Sharp Crossing,
which was about one and one-half miles south of
Thomasboro. The managers were Arthur Byers,
T. H. Rewerts and John Bradberry.

About 1918, the Sharp Crossing Elevator Company
bought out the firm of J. B. Walton & Sons at
Thomasboro. Both elevators were known thereafter
as the Sharp Elevator Company and were managed
over the years by Ernest Saddoris, Charles Gil-
man, John Doyle and Francis C. Irle (1929-1963).

In 1963, the Sharp Elevator Company and the
Thomasboro Grain, Lumber & Coal Company merged
and formed the Thomasboro Grain Company, capital-
ized at $600,000. This company controls the three
elevators, under the management of Francis C.
Irle, General Manager. Mayo W. Schaede is the
manager of thp grain, seed and fertilizer department
and Robert Morfey is manager of merchandise,
hardware and feed. This company currently has
under construction a new modern concrete elevator,
at a cost estimated at $300,000. The grain business
is Thomasbor >'s biggest industry!

In the last i6 years, Thomasboro has shown more
progr»,5 and improvement than it had in the previous
85 ye< • <^.

Th. ripnal ground site was all taken up. The
Pete; -aliman Addition had all been sold out; al-
though surrounded by farm land, for a time, there
was none available for development. About 1920,
Azro A. Arms died. His homestead consisted of
about 27 1/2 acres. He already had dedicated two
lots in the northeast corner for the Catholic Church
and a parsonage, and one lot in the i,-. .hwest corner
for a Methodist Church; one lot to Azro Fiedler, a
nephew; one lot to Clarence Walton; one lot facing
the east t-^ He. ry Fiedler, a brother-in-law; and two
lots to Gforge W. Hampel. After Mr. Arms' death,
Joseph . !•• tier moved into the Arms' home and took
over the oalance of the land. After his death, his
wife, Mrs. Ethel Fiedler (nee Ethel Purke) took over
the propi: '.J. Mrs. Fitdler sold the property to Paul

PETERSON APPLIANCE CO

Bottle and Bulk Gas

* MAYTAG WASHERS end DRYERS

* GAS RANGES

* TELEVISION

* FRIGIDAIRE REFRIGERATORS

Rantoul- 893-3676

Best Wishes
for a Successful

Centennial

BRICKLAYERS
LOCAL #17

CHAMPAIGN - URBANA. ILL.

Plenty of FREE PARKING While You SAVE MONEY At TILE SPECIALISTS

-'^^"f^^

"Bill" Smith

BILL and ERNIE Say
"These Are Real Terrific Buys!"

'Ernie" Smith

ARMSTRONG FLOOR COVERINGS
CERAMIC TILE

ACOUSTICAL TILE
CARPETING

MATERIAL ONLY or have one of
our 32 mechanics install your job.

802 W. BRADU7

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS

THK THOMASBCiRO STORY (contimied)

and Flo Harris and moved to Champaign. Earlier,
Mr. Harris, who was an implement salesman, and
his partner, William Dyer, from Mississippi, had
bought the Fiedler Brothers hardware store, once
considered the largest in the county. After several
years, having other interests, they sold to Willard
Stewart. Harris sold one acre of land in the south-
east corner to David Burns.

About 1948, Festus Arnold bought the Arms home
and the remaining land, approximately twenty-four
acres, platted the east part (about one-half) and laid
it out in lots and streets, and offered it for sale.
This was called Arnold's #1 Sub-division. Lots sold
well, and in about two or three years he laid out the
west part, and this was named Arnold's #2 Sub-
division. Both were accepted by the Village and a
building boom develoged.

The lots in Arnold's Sub-division have all been
sold and the construction listed with an estimated
cost price, as well as other additions and improve-
ments, in the space following:

$175,000 New brick and stone motel, 27 units,
by David Burns; now owned and
operated by George Garst
$100,000 Peace Lutheran Church and modern

brick Parsonage
$240,000 New Modern Brick Consolidated

School Building
$ 60,000 9 New Modern Homes
$35,000 2 New Duplexes
$ 45,000 New Brick 8-Apartment Building

SHAFF IMPLEMENT CO.

4 Miles North of Mayview

MINNEAPOLIS MOLINE
NEW HOLLAND
BURCH NEW IDEA
PENNINGTON

L.L. Shaff, Owner

ST. JOSEPH, ILLINOIS

Phone 469-2669

etnci
JOSE]I=>:Ei JHIKIOFi

INTERIOR and EXTERIOR
DECORATING

643-3061 892-2265

CONGRATULATIONS
ON YOUR 100th YEAR!

COMPLIMENTS OF
2ri;p <llifforil State tBonJi

aiFrORO. ILLINOIS

CENTENNIAL CONGRATULATIONS!

NELSON WATSON, JR. and ASSOCIATES

CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA

COMPLIMENTS
OF

JIM'S
FURNITURE MART

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

Catholic Church Sub-Division
$200,000 New Brick Catholic Church

Bergman & Peavler Sub-division
$ 70,000 4 Modern New Dwellings

John Jacobson Sub-Division
$264,000 12 New Brick and Stone Dwellings

Village Improvements
$140,000 New Water System
$ 14,000 New District Fire Department

Building
$ 10,000 New Post Office Building
$ 45,000 Addition to First National Bank
Building

Now Under Construction
$300,000 New Concrete Modern Elevator
$400,000 New 16-lane Bowling Alley
$ 35,000 Two-Room Addition to Grade School
Building

With the completion of work now in progress,
well over $2,000,000 will have been spent in the
Village for new construction. Growth has not been
fast or spectacular, but consistent. Population has
more than doubled in recent years.

OUR BEST WISHES

ON YOUR 100th BIRTHDAY!

THE

UHAMPAIGN NATIONAL BANK

PARK AND RANDOLPH. CHAMPAIGN. ILLINOIS

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

ROADS

by T. S. Eliot

And now you live dispersed on ribbon roads,

And no man knows or cares who is his neighbour

Unless his neighbour makes too much disturbance.

But all dash to and fro in motor cars.

Familiar with the roads and settled nowhere.

As the pioneers, our ancestors, by hard work,
have left their markfor this generation, let us strive,
very hard, to leave something worthwhile for pos-
terity.

PEOPLE and EMPLOYMENT

The pioneers in business and the line that they
represented were the following:

Bankers: Coon Brothers, CoUisons, W. H. Wheat,

M. M. Fell. O. J. Derrough, George J. Babb,

Albert L. Schaede, Howard J. Babb
Barbers: Walter Herriott, Frank Alexander,

Fred Wilson
Blacksmiths: Henry Arnold, Mike Knupp, Frank

Clements
Butcher Shops: Louis Lyttle, Charles Manke,

Bluford Perring
Cigar Manufacturers: Henry Christ, M. Hauers-

perger

CONGRATULATIONS !

FROM

BERL'S TRAILER PARK

THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS

Phone 643-2578
stnci

33 Spaces

KERR'S
DRUGS

"RANTOUL'S FINEST"

Heath &nd Sons Funeral Home

CHARLES W. HEATH

Champaign, Illinois

BERL'S LAUNDROMAT

DOWNTOWN
THOMASBORO

Berl Peavler. Prop.

CONGRATULATIONS !

FROM

SANDWELL'S

THE PAINT PEOPLE

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THOMASBORO

ON ITS
lOOth BIRTHDAY

RANTOUL DRUGS

WALGREEN AGENCY

Aanioul Illinois 893-3210

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

Druggists: Dad McCray

Grocers: Sam Kaufman, Fredrickson & Mailman,
C. E. Babb, Manke & Irle, T. H. Rewerts,
John Loftus

Hardware & Implements: Todd, Leonard & Fied-
ler, Fiedler Brothers, Dyer & Harris

Harness Shops: Elmer Nye, Ed Porter, Frank
Jackson

Livery Barns: Dick Alexander, Ed Porter, Clar-
ence Applegate

Lunch Rooms: Dad Baker, Shorty Brunner, Guy
Trafford

Moving Picture Theatre: Elmer Hudson (1921)

Physicians: Dr. Ziegley, Dr. Dillon, Dr. George,
Dr. Exton, Dr. Shurtz

Postmasters & Acting Postmasters: Charles E.
Kelso, Albert L. Schaede, Edith Maier, Mildred
Fiedler, Julia Swearingen, Ada Ulrich, Eleanor
Smith and Dorothy Anderson

Railroad Agents: Herbert West, Jess Broom,
Charles Oilman, James Zumwalt, Janes Bottorff

Rural Carriers and Substitutes: Chauncey James,
John Grotfield, Henry Blue, Clarence Apple-
gate, Francis H. Deakin, Gerd Smith, Jr., E.
E. Grimm, Robert Christians

Saloons; George Schwartz, Gerd Smith, Mike
Maier, Howard Dillman

Tile Factory: John A. Voss (1884), Fred Peters

Veterinarians: Dr. Bratton

MORK next page.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR

CENTENNIAL CELEBRA TION !

ILLIANA CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.

T. hn)0''SvM.l.,rr< sill, III

W. n. \iM,Nil, I'lC'-Pitfi'lrnl

CiKSK Ii.\M;i, S'c'y

XJR.B-A.lSr-A., iLLirrois

OFFICE ^nd YARD .. .. 1205 - 07 EAST UNIVERSITY AVE

On Routes 10 and 160
Telephone.. 367-8303

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

The following is a list of the families who were

among the early settlers of the town:

Charles E. Kelso, Sandy Huff, A. C. Clifford,
Vint Harris, John Grotfield, Thomas Deakin, Sr.,
A. J. Grindley, Robert Morrison, William Lachen-
myer, Frank Lachenmyer, A. A. Arms, George
Fiedler. George Winchester, Gerd Smith, David
Ziegler, Mayo Smith, John Boyle, J. B. Walton,
Matt Wilhite, Al Fredrickson, Peter Mailman,
Chawnsey James, John Carl, Cyrus Babb, Charles
Manke, John A. Voss, George Carl, John Fless-
ner, Howard Dillman, Mrs. Henry Hamniel, Calvin
Stamey, Henry Fiedler, Charles Sawyer, EdCole-
man, Mary Nicewander, Ed Porter, Fred Peters,
Frank Alexander, Dick Alexander, Charles Maier,
Mike Knupp, Frank Cribbett, Albert Schmidt, T.
H. Rewerts, Herman Schwartz, Victoria Fiedler,
Sam Micelli, James Leonard. Louis Irle, Sr.,
Claude Locke, William Ziegler, W. C. Snyder,
Clint Collins, George Applegate, Jim Applegate,
Milton Mills, Jacob Maier, Sr , Ernest Saddoris,
Harry White, Albert L. Schaede, Mrs. Doty, Sam
Smith, W. H. Irle.

No doubt there should be more in this list, but with

families moving in and out, they are hard to recall

in their entirety.

Some of the citizens of this community who have

distinguished themselves over these one hundred

years are as follows:

William H, Vv'heat- -banker at the First National

MORE next page

Compliments
of

MEL'S
DRIVE-IN

Fi .A. KT T O XJ ni. ,

I3L.I_.IIsrOIS

Best Wishes to Our Friends
in Thomasboro!

■^

#:'

^niliSPli!

dh-ctm^pa-ign — TJrlDa.n.ct

Illinois

CUSTOM SHELLING

When you need CUSTOM SHELLING or
HAULING, caU me. I furnish a cob and
shuck wagon FREE.

Clifford E. Coffin

Fisher Phone 112-897-2532

ALBERS ic CULKIN
Construction Co.. Inc.

508 Illinois Drive, Rantoul

Phones: ALBERS
CULKIN

892-2370
893-3656

BUILDING and REMODELING
"FREE ESTIMATES"

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

Bank of Thomasboro, President of the First
National Bank of Rantoul, and later elected as
a member of Congress
Howard R. Walton--known for his executive abil-
ity, President of the Hiram Walker Distilleries,
member of the Board of Directors of Guder-
heim & Wortz Corporation
George J. Babb--known for his leadership ability,
organizer and first President of the Thomas-
boro Farmers Grain, Lumber & Coal Company,
President of the First National Bank of Thomas-
boro, later became Mayor of the city of Cham-
paign.
Dr, Thomas J. Exton--physician, civic worker, a
strong advocate of education and a great human-
itarian
Charles C. Condit- -known for his public relations
work, served as sponsor, spokesman or chair-
man of various civic activities, sang in a quartet,
later became Superintendent of Rantoul Schools
Thomasboro was chartered as a Village in 1902.
Charles E. Kelso was the first President of the
Board of Commissioners. Others who succeeded
him in those early days were Henry J. Fiedler,
Charles F. Manke, Ernest Saddoris and James O.
Bottorff. Francis C. Irle and Mayo Schaede have
served most recently. There have been others whom
we have doubtlessly missed.

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KELLERHALS INSURANCE AGENCY

CLAUD KELLERHALS - KENNETH KELLERHALS

LIFE - HOSPITALIZATION - FIRE - AUTO - CASUALTY

Farm Insurance Our Specialty

CORNER S. NEIL & CLARK CHAMPAIGN, ILL.

122 S NEIL

PHONE 356-6491

THE THOMASB(~iR<) SToHY (continii.>d^

HISTORY of our SCHOOLS

Sometime duriiis the 1870's. our lirst school was
built. It was a two-story, frame buildinji with a
tower and bell. After several vears, some school

much that their operation was becoming more and
more difficult and costly. So, a new movement was
betrun. State school authorities approved and en-
dorsed the consolidation of several school districts,
and the buildinn of a new modern school building.

First school.

classes were held in two rooms of the Frank .Me.x-
ander home. About twenty years after the original
building was built, the enrollment had increased to
a point where the building became inadequate, even
with the use of the rooms in the Alexander home.
So a one-story, frame addition was constructed to
the south end. This building was located on the
corner of Pearl and Church Streets. As the years
went by, the enrollment grew larger, so something
had to be done. Prior to this point some school
classes were held in the second floor rooms of the
old Fire Station. In 1925, the decision was made to

Second school.

build a new brick school building. It was a one-
story, 72' X 100' building that contained four class
rooms, a gymnasium, and an attached boiler room.
The o.d frame building was dismanteled sometime
later. At one time a two-year high school program
was conducted on the second floor of the Mailman
and Frederickson building.

After about another twenty-five years, the small
town and country school realized that there had
been little change in the structure and program of
their schools, the buildings were inadequate in
modern conveniences, teachers were difficult to se-
cure, and that such student services as hot lunches,
visual aides, physical education and athletics were
unavailable. Besides this, the country schools were
finding that their enrollments were dwindling so

Third school before addition.

The vote was cast and an area of about five school
districts voted to consolidate and build a new school
in Thomasboro. Construction was started on a
5 1/2 acre plot in the Arnold «2 Subdivision in 1957.
The new district became legally entitled, Thomas-
boro Community Consolidated Grade School District
#130, and the new building consisted of si.x class-
rooms, a gymnasium with a stage and locker rooms
attached, a kitchen for cooking hot lunches for the
children, and the boiler room for the heating plant.

In the year of this centennial celebration, it was
decided that the present classroom space had become
inadequate for the ever growing enrollment. So,
on March 17, 1964, the patrons of the school dis-
trict voted to add two rooms onto the south end of
the present structure. This addition will permit,
for the first time, our students tohavewliat amounts
to a room for each grade. However, with present
trends in education, the upper grades (6 through
8) will be departmentalized into a junior high
structure.

Present day curriculum resembles only slightly
that of one hundred years. The 3-R's can no longer
adequately prepare today's young people in their
fast-moving world. Reading, Language, Writing,
and Spelling is now called Language Arts and is
greatly expanded beyond the boundaries of yester-
day. Mathematics has become much more than
simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and di-
vision. Science, Art, Music, and Social Studies
(formerly called Geography and History) have be-
come important to the education of children. Ath-
letics have taken on an increasing importance in
the lives of young children and adults today. Com-
petetive sports and physical education have therefore
found their way into the curriculum of today's grade
schools. Our school is now among the most modern
in curriculum and facilities.

.Among the list of personnel that have served
as principal or teacher in the Thomasboro schools
over the years (not in any particular order) are
as follows; Charles C. Condit, 1901-1906, Mrs. C.
C. Condit, French, Hammelback, Myrtle P rather,

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:b-u'zii_.xj fhotos

R.R.#2

Rantoul, Illinois

Phone 568-3825

For a Glass of the

coi-.oe;st ibee:!^

IN THOMASBORO

COME TO

FOR

MILLER'S HIGH LIFE DRAFT BEER
Shuffleboard Television

Meadow
Gold

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

E, Dowler, Myron Taylo, Jacob Straagard, L. B.
White, Hart, Iris Henry, Winnie Herriott, Mrs.
Moomaw, Donaldson, Kate Murray, Evelyn Temple,
Rufus Bateman, Ruth Groves, Minnie Davis, Mrs.
Higginson, Margaret Norman, Jessee Miller, Mr.
Lee, Otis Keys, E. G. Harper, Nettie McNeil, Jane
Phillips, Lawrence, Mina Thompson, Lula Clements,
Mildred Irle, Edward McAdams, Bonney Hall, Mrs.
Vida Welsh, Mrs. Faye Exton, Mrs. Dorothy D.
Jesse, Jean Barr, Barbara Schwartz, and many
others that we cannot recall at the moment.

Mr. James Dudley was superintendent of the dis-
trict when the new school was opened in the fall of
1957. He served until Harold A. Jones, the current
superintendent, came on the scene in July of 1961.
Teachers who have been on the staff this past
year are as follows: Mrs. Dorothy Bash, Mrs.
Janice Bengtson, Mrs. Francis Davidson, Mrs. Ella
Gossard, Mr. B. R. Gholson, Mrs. Ruth Ross and
Mrs. Ruth Waller.

Board of Education members who have given
their services freely to the current school dis-
trict are as follows: Arnold Ackerman, William
Burke, Harry (Bud) Babb, William Goldenstein,
Mrs. Lillian Irle, Robert Morfey, Wilkey Raup,
John Schluter, Henry Uden, Rev. M. E. Wackier,
Mrs. Clarice Woller, and Richard Collins.

Mrs. Lorena Ellis, Miss Minnie Christians and

Mrs. Mercedes Stanger have been ladies that have

seen that the children have been fed well in the

current school's hot lunch program. Martin Huls

MORE next page

MILK
and

ICE CREAM

For the FINEST in
HOIVEE] :BXJI3L.DIlSrG-

and

See

JOHN ACKERMAN

General Contractor

643-3341
Thomasboro, III.

THE THOMASBORO .STORY (continued')
and Henry Flesner have been the most recent cus-
todians of the school buildings. Berl E. Peavler
and Herman H. Suits have been the only drivers
of the school buses which were acquired two years
ago. Prior to that time parents were hired to drive
their automobiles to haul in their children to the
new school. Mrs. Ruby Barr, school office sec-
retary, and Mrs. Eleanor Smith, district treasurer,
are current employees of the district. Mrs. Mildred
Exton has also served as treasurer.

OUR CHURCHES

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Peace Lutheran Church today.

MORE next page

E. W. FRAZE

St Joseph, III.
Phone 469-3615

tV custom bulldozing

^ custom crane work
t^ custom hauling

/ Do fAy Besf

To Please!

C O 3Sr G- R, .A. T TJ ni^ .A. T I o 3sr

TPiOiwa:.A.s:BOi^o

on yoiar lOOtti
.A. isr 3Sr I^V E] R. S .A. R, "5r

FESTUS ARNOLD

"Custom Farming"

CONGRATULATION.

THOMASBORO!
Irom

CHAMPAIGN-UR6ANA
MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC.

CLUB GROUNDS
FISHER, ILLINOIS

coiwfl::P3L.iiwfl:E:3srTS of

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Thomashoro. Illinois

A-

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CONTACT ONE OF THESE SALESMAN-
Darrell McGee, Roy Grieser, John Brotherton,
Bill Ellis

Ernest Hein

406 N. Century Blvd., North Rt. 45 - Rantoul,

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

The history of the Peace Lutheran Congregation
dates back to 1870. A group of Christian families
from Adams County, Illinois, combined with a
number of German families who were already liv-
ing in the area, among which were names of
Herdt, Boecker, Keal, and Wolter, and originated
a church located six miles east of Thomasboro.

In 1880 a plot of ground was purchased from Mr.
A. Kuhlman, and on it the first parsonage was
erected. After the house was completed, the car-
penters immediately began construction of the first
church building, which was dedicated to the glory
of God on the 25th Sunday after Trinity. The
parsonage and church were destroyed by fire on
June 1, 1947. The following week the congregation
immediately made arrangements to conduct services
in the Methodist Church of Thomasboro and Sunday
School in the Thomasboro Grade School.

The congregation was fortunate in obtaining a
parcel of ground 225' x 280' from Festus Arnold,
who offered some of his property as a subdivision
for the Village of Thomasboro. On this property
a new, modern, brick church was built, and was
dedicated on March 27, 1949. Adjoining the church,
a new, brick modern parsonage was built and was
dedicated on January 9, 1955.

The pastors who have served this congregation
over the years are the Reverends Ave 'Lallemant,
1880-1891; Gieschen, 1891-1898; Maisch, 1898-

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fVflOS BfiOS.

Soil Service

THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS
Phone 643-3375

CROP SPRAYING

N-H
FERTILIZER SPREADING
and
DEALERS

VERNON - LELAND

Compliments off

SEARS

ROEBUCK AND CO

SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO

Cli.a,miDa.ign. Store

322 No. Hickory
Channpaign, Illinois

R.a.nto-u.1 Store
212 E. Sangamon Ave.
Rantoul, Illinois

STOTLER GRAIN CO.

Cash Buyers For All Markets
OFFICES

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DANVILLE SPRINGFIELD
EFFINGHAM FAIRBURY

EFFICIENT

And

RELIABLE SERVICE

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

1902; Hitzemann, 1903-1908; Elbert, 1909-1912;
Schroeder, 1912-1945; Lehenbauer, 1945-1951; and
their present pastor, M. E. Wackier, whose family
has been residents of our village since December
14, 1952.

— Excerpts from "Diamond Jubilee"

ST. ELIZABETH

St. Elizabeth's Church and Rectory today.

In 1893, Father Wagner built the first Catholic
Church on land donated by a non-Catholic friend,
Azro A. Arms, St. Elizabeth of Hungary was
named patroness of the parish in memory of Father

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WELCOME

THOMASBORO

CENTENNIAL

from

^imolcCs

UB^ANA iuRNJTURlII

tij'U III' II iiiiJ I I • «• i-^'*''^

HARDWARE

We try to stock the items farmers
generally need. Our chief supplier
of the items -- "Witte Hardware
Co. of St. Louis, Mo." — is not
only paying for this ad, but pride
themselves in their products.

See or call us when you need hard-
ware or related items.

THOMASBORO GRAIN CO,
Phone 3-3706

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

Wagner's mother; the main altar was also dedi-
cated to her memory. Sometime later the parish
became a mission of St. John's Church in Cham-
paign, served by Fathers Charles Steurer, John
Geier and Edward Jacobs.

The first resident pastor of the parish was
Reverend Charles Frencken, 1907-1910. The rec-
tory, also a frame structure, was built in 1908.
Between 1910 and January, 1934, the parish was
served by Reverends Peter Bienemann, H. F. Han-
ser, and Patrick Griffy.

Until the appointment of a permanent pastor
the priests from St. John's in Champaign took care
of the parish. On March 15, 1934, Reverend B.
J. Tomaszewski became pastor. In July, 1935,
Reverend Leo F. Dee succeeded Father Tomas-
zewski. During the four years of his pastorate,
he directed a complete renovation of the interior
of the church and rectory, with the cooperation of
the Altar and Rosary Society.

Father Dee was succeeded by Reverend Paul
A. Reddy on June 15, 1939, who administered
the parish for fifteen years. During this time,
a garage was built and the church tower remodeled.

The present pastor, Reverend Joseph J. O'Dea,
was appointed on May 5, 1954, by Bishop William
E. Cousins, who is now Archbishop of Milwaukee.
During this same year, the men of the parish
renovated both the church and the rectory. The
administration of the parish cemetery was en-

MORE next page ,

Congratulations

Thomasboro

on its

100th Birthday!

TWIN CITY
PONTIAC COMPANY

355-1801 214 S. WALNUT

CHAMPAIGN

CUSTOM CORN SHELLING
CalliH.C Childs
Phone: 356-5865

Champaiqn, Illinois

Compliments Of

RENNER
FUNERAL HOME, INC.

P.T. WIKOFF and SONS
URBANA, ILLINOIS 61802

1900 So. Philo Road Phone 367-1122

CHIEF HEATING

and
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Exclusive "JANITROL" Dealer

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AIR CONDITIONING
ELECTRIC HUMIDIFIERS
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I Phone 365-2121

BEST WISISES

to
TKOI^-A.S^OR,0

FIRST FEDERAL

205 WEST PARK ST.

CHAMPAIGN

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

trusted to a board of governors elected from those
owning lots and supervised by the pastor. The ten
acres of land acquired from Mrs. Mathilda John-
son at a cost of $2,000 per acre was farmed by
the men of the parish during 1957 and 1958.

In August, 1957, the old Thomasboro Grade School
was purchased for $7,400. This money was taken
from the parish funds and supplemented by the
Altar and Rosary Society and the Holy Name So-
ciety. This was renovated by the men of the parish
to be used as a parish hall. On March 12, 1958,
the church and rectory were destroyed by fire of
an unknown origin.

On December 28, 1958, ground was broken on a
site for the new church and rectory. Mass was
celebrated in the new church for the first time on
November 19, 1959, the feast of St. Elizabeth of
Hungary.

— Excerpts from Dedication Manual

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, FLATVILLE
OUR NEIGHBORS EAST

April 20, 1874, was an important occasion in the
history of the Flatville Church. Before this date,
they had been holding meetings in public school
buildings. The East Friesian settlers decided to
build their own place of worship; a building 28' x
40', 14 feet high was erected.

In 1886, at a special meeting of the voting mem-
bers, it was concluded that the church had become
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MARSHALL DAVIDSON

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

CXJSTOIwI ^XJIXjT liOIwIEIS

PHONE 643-2875

THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS

too small and a decision was reached to build a
new one. In 1887, a much larger church was built.
It was a frame structure, and it was equipped with
a good pipe organ and a church bell.

FISHING

Miller's

Recreation Lakes

Immanuel Lutheran Church, EducaUonal wing and parsonage.

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2 mi East— 1mile South

of Rantoul

101 North EUlt&treet CKampai^n, lllinoii

PHONES 352-4231 and 352-8672

Geneva C. Owens

V.P. Atherton

W.W. Owens

John H. Tabor

Congrstulatiori!

Ttie People Off

Ttiomasboro

on your
lOOth Birtliclay

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HARDWARE

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

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RANTOUL

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Featuring - Pancakes - Waffles
Luncheon - Dinner - Carry-outs

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RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

In 1914, the present (third) church was built.
It is a magnificent structure, notedas "The Cathedral
In The Cornfield," an ediface some consider the
most beautiful country church in the state.

Five young men from the congregation dedicated
their lives to the ministry. They are: Peter
Hinrichs, Bernhard Arthur Loeschen, Arthur Libby
Albers, Henry Andrew Flessner and Henry Dirks.
Several other members of the congregation have
become prominent in religious work.

The pastors who have served this congregation
over the years are the Reverends Grupe, Fischer,
Lallemant, Heiniger, Seehase, Moehl (1895-1938),
Hafermann, and Dirks. The present pastor, Rever-
end Russell Mueller, resides in the modern parson-
age in the church yard.

--Excerpts from "Diamond Jubilee"

MI. VERNON CHURCH

Located about eight miles soutliwest of Thomas-
boro is one of the few remaining country churches.

On January 4, 1874, at a meeting of the Board of
Trustees; namely, David King, James Wright, Walter
Reece. C. F. Sthralie, M. G. Coyner, E. Yexley
and B. F. Jones, a contract was let to Hubbard,
Diddle & Miller for $3,171.41 for a new church
building.

On August 14, 1874, the new church was dedi-
cated. Folks came from far and near in their
horse-drawn buggies to attend the dedication. The
church was beautiful with its high steeple, small

MORE next page

ZANDER'S

RANTOUL

Super Market and
BAKERY

^^^Ute^i liakend^ P^aJLi-cti
9*t GeKh.al OUUtxUi"

PRODUCE

^ndUii and Ve4^etaLle/i
cd ^Uein. fie/it.

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

Mount Vernon Methodist Church.

trees surrounding it and hitching posts in the front.
There were two entrances--one for women and one
for men. The potbellied stove stood in the rear of
the church. Kerosene lamps hung on the side walls.
This was Mt. Vernon Church.

The first wedding was that of John Crouch and
Miss Harriett French on November 7, 1877; per-

A Great Year

for

Thomasboro, Illinois

We do custom SHELLING,
HAULING, and BAILING.

CALL US WHEN NEEDED!

ALVIN WOLKIN - DICK J. WOLKIN
643-2808 and 694-2342
THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS

Iia,IDp)3r lOOttLl

Allied Gas Company, a subsidiary of Northern Illinois
Gas Company, is proud to be a part of a growing community
like Thomasboro.

All of us at Allied Gas extend our congratulations on
this great occasion. We look forward to continuing as
partners in the years ahead.

ALLIED

COMPANY

GAS SERVES YOU AND THE COMMUNITY, TOO!

Congratulations

and

Our Best Wishes

on your

One Hundreth Anniversary !

FIRST
NATIONAL

BANK OF

CONGRATULATIONS
THOMASBORO

SALES I SERVICE

INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY

BIRKEY'S FARM STORE, INC

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

FHOnSTE] 892-9601

BIRKEY'S RAMBLER

Route 136- West of Rantoul

HARLEY-DAVIDSON

MOTORaaES-SCOOTERS
SALES -SERVICE

36"7-9a20

Sonny s ^^^^j

1403 E. MAIN

COIvir3L.II^E]2SrTS OF

SHULL MOBILE HOMES, INC

First Corner South of Chanute on Highway 45

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

formed by the Reverend Joseph Long, the first
minister. The first baptism was that of Ahi Nelson,
in July, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Phillippe pre-
sented the first organ to the congregation in 1880.

The first Ladies Aid Society was formed in 1904;
and the first meeting was held in the Banner home,
which is now the present home of Mr. and Mrs.
Ray Brock. Mrs. Ida Dell Nelson was the first
president of this organization.

The church was remodeled in 1939. One of the
entrances was closed at that time. And the first

bell was placed in the belfry that year. The lawn
was newly landscaped during this work.

In October, 1949, the church folks celebrated a
diamond anniversary. In addition to serving the
residents of Hensley Township, there are members
of the congregation from Champaign, Thomasboro
and Rantoul. The present membership numbers 189.

OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT

According to the old timers, the first fire depart-
ment of Thomasboro was in 1905. At that time the
chief was Joe Knupp, There was from twelve to
fifteen men on the department. The first truck
was a hand-pulled and hand-operated machine.
A few years later a second fire pump was pur-
chased which could be pumped by hand or by a
four cylinder Rutenbur motor mounted on it.

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NOBLE BROTHERS

Wholessle Seed Merchants

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Gibson City, Illinois

"CENTURY OF PROGRESS '

1864-1964

THOMASBORO CENTENNIAL

THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS

An Historical Spectacular
August 6-7-8-9

Thomasboro Grade School Athletic Field

A JOHN B. ROGERS CO. PRODUCTION

Produced and Directed By,

ALLEN J. B. ADAMS, JR.

&
EDWARD H. HORNER, JR.

Episode One:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:
Scene 3:

Episode Two:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:
Scene 3:

Episode Three:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:
Scene 3:

Episode Four:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:

Episode Five:
Scene 1:

Scene 2:
Scene 3:

Episode Six:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:

A THOMASBORO WELCOME
Farmer, Mr. Babb
Meet The Cast!
Miss Thomasboro

THE QUIET PRAIRIE
Indian Campsite
The Chief Speaks
Indian Ceremonial

WAGON TRACKS
Settling in Thomasboro
Frontier Life!
Having a Hoedown

DARK VOLUME
The Union Soldiers
A Great Man Speaks

Groundbreaking for our First

Church
Early Services
Indian Princesses & Prayer

THE GOLDEN RULE
Farmer, Mr. Babb
Early School

Episode Seven:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:
Scene 3:

Episode Eight:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:

Episode Nine:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:

Episode Ten:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:

Episode Eleven:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:

Episode Twelve:
Scene 1:
Scene 2:
Scene 3:

THE HAPPY TIME
A Picnic

The Bathing Beauties
Dolly's Back

CALL TO ARMS
World War I Memorium
In Flanders Field

THE LIVELY YEARS
The Charleston
Silent Movies

THE AMERICAN SPIRIT

Iwo Jima

Heroshima

AGE OF THF ATOM
Count Down
Space Age

A THOMASBORO SALUTE
Our Proud Cast
The National Anthem
Fireworks.

Mr. Augustus B. Swett
Mrs. Eleanor Smith

THE SPEAKING CAST

Mr. William G. Burke
Mrs. William G. Burke

THE ACTING CAST

Mr. William Bermingham
Miss Rita Maier

Barbara Abraham, Bill Abraham, W. Abraham, Mrs. William Abraham, Rose Marie Ackerman,
Leon Albers, Mrs. Jack Alexander, Mrs. Dorothy Anderson, Jan Anderson, Jim Anderson, Jean A.
Arbuckle, Margie Arbuckle, Ernest B. Arnett, Luetta Arnett, Barbara Babb, Janice Babb, Nancy
Babb, Rita Babb, Susie Babb, Dolores Baker, Freda Baker, Louis Baker, Lorraine Bartell, Beverly
Behnke, Cliff Behnke, Helen Bermingham, Mrs. Marjorie Bermingham, Marlene Bermingham,
Mrs. W. C. Bermingham, W. C. Bermingham, William Bermingham, Jr., Bob Biehl, Jack Black,
Shelia Black, Bill Blickhan, Gregory Blickhan, Paul Blickhan, Rita Blickhan, Wilma E. Borchers,
Betty Brandon, Raymond Brandon, Cindy Buttitta, Fred Buttitta, Jim Buttitta, Joe Buttitta, Mike
Buttitta,

Howard C. Case, Lee Case, Elmer Christians, Mrs. Herman Christians, Herman Christians,
Minnie Christians, Robert Christians, Donald Cler, Glenn Corbly, Randy Critrtjett, Jim Davidson,
Ginger Day, Jorjan Day, Elmer Eiskamp, Leland Evans, Loren Ray Evans, Phyllis Evans, Donald
Fiedler, Sr., Larry Fiedler, Mike Fiedler, Henry Flesner, Marian C. Flesner, Edith Frederick,
Lynn Fuller, Louise Gates, Sharon Gaul, Aldon A. Gillis, Betty Jo Gillis, Eileen Glazik, Margaret
Glazik, Mike Glazik, Regina Kay Glazik, Linda Graham, Nancee Graham, Bessie Griest, Jean A.
Groff, Anna Hadden, Carol Hadden, James W. Hadden, Bill Halsey, Dennis Hamilton, Jim Hamilton,
Tim Hamilton, George Hammel, Jr., Don Hansens, Stan Harsha, Joe Hemrich, Mary Ann Hemrich,
R. Hesterberg, Donald Hewerdine, Mrs. Kathy Hewerdine, Patti Jo Hewerdine, Paul Hewerdine,
Steve Hewerdine, Arthur E. Hoffman, Francis Hoffman, Jim Hoffman, Patty Hoffman, Jack Hull,
Eileen Irle, Joseph C. Irle, Lillian Irle, Mary Irle, Vickie Isaacs, Dave James, Mary Lou James,
Mildred Janssen, Rudolf Janssen, Glenn Jeakins, Jean Jeakins, Bernhard Johnson, Mrs. Bernhard
Johnson, Mrs. Herman Johnson, Herman Johnson, Esther E. Jones, Homer Jones, Rick Jones, Steve
Jones,

John Chris Kaler, William Keal, Mrs. William Keal, Fanny Kampher, Janet Kempher, Mary J.
Kempher, Stanley G. Kempher, Kathy Kirk, Carl J. Konzman, Albert E. Lawhead, Jo Lawhead, Mr.
and Mrs, A. H. Leonard, Henry J. Lux, John Lux, Gertrude McGiles, Jona McGown, Mike J. McGown,
Joseph L. Maas, Pat Maenche, Agnes J. Maier, Barbara Maier, Bernice Maier, Bette Maier, Mrs.
Gene Maier, Gene Maier, Mervin Maier, Norman Maier, Ralph Maier, Mrs. Geo. Malloch, Steve
Malloch, David Marriott, Debra Marriott, Evelyn Marriott, Jeff Marriott, Joe Marriott, Hansel
Mays, Jan Meier, Frank Meier, Pauline Meier, Barbara Merideth, Donald E. Merideth, Bette A.
Michaels, George Miller, Mrs. James Miller, Pauline Miller, Leslie Miskovich, Lois Miskovich,
Pat Modglin, Michelle Moore, Doris Morfey, Howard C. Mull, Marlys Muterspaugh, Dennis H. Newton,
Wilma Newton,

Janice Padgett, Mrs. Robert Padgett, Edith Palmer, Rhonda Peavler, Robert Peavler, Diane
Rayburn, Karen Rayburn, Dorothy Reburn, Joseph Reburn, Mrs. Anna Rewerts, Jay C. Reynolds,
Mrs. Jay C. Reynolds, Gertie Richardson, James M. Richardson, Lorene Sancken, Louis Sancken,
Danny Sapp, Donna Sapp, L. B. Schelling, Bob Sherman, Charles E. Sherman, Mrs. Charles Sherman,
Dave Sherman, Deanna Sherman, Joan Schluter, Judy Shreves, Robert Shreves, Beatrice Shoaf,
Randy Spray, Susie Sleeter, Jean Smith, Kim Stewart,

Charl ■- Stokes Mrs. Charles E. Stokes, Marshall Strom, Barbara Thompson, Tom Thompson,
Lorraine Thurman, Rici Tobin, Barbara Uden, Vicki Uden, Jose G. Vasquez, Steven Wardell
Alvan Watties, Mrs. Alvan Wattjes, MerriU R. Wattjes, Albert Warner, Mrs. Harold Warner, Phil
Warner Thomas White, Mrs. Dudley Williams, Dudley Williams, David Wolken, Paul V. Wright.

Dan Lathrop
William Brown

STAGE HANDS

Harry Green
Calvin Wiseman
John S. Jacobsen, Jr.

Lynn Toombs
Jack Jacobsen

THURSDAY,
BOF DAY

9:00 a.m.

9:10 a.m.

All day:

12:00 noon
1:00 p.m.

AUGUST 6, 1964 -- GOOD NEIGH-

A salvo of bombs, ringing of church
bells and blowing of fire sirens,
announcing the opening of the Thom-
asboro Centennial Celebration.

Welcome -Honorable Mayo Schaede,
Mayor of Thomasboro.

Registration of guests at Centennial
Headquarters.

Family Midway. Rides and fun for
all.

Display of old and new farm equip-
ment.

Display of antiques.

Tractor Pull Contest.

Ice Cream Social and Style Show,
presenting fashions through the dec-
ades. Prizes. Final judging of
Centennial Belles' costumes. A-
wards for the best authentic cos-
tume, best replica and best costumed
family group.

Horseshoe Contest.

Old Fiddler's Contest and Square
Dancing.

Pre-spectacle entertainment by
Barbershop Quartettes. Presen-
tation of afternoon award winners.

Queen's Coronation. An elaborate
ceremony in which the Queen is pre-
sented to her "Subjects." The
Queen is then presented her crown
by dignitary. This is followed by
the presentation of awards to Prin-
cesses of the Court of Honor.

Premier performance of "Century
of Progress," followed by fireworks
finale.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1964 - YOUTH DAY

All day: Displays of the children's wood-

craft, sewing, baking, etc.

Family Midway

9:00 a.m. Kiddie Parade, Bicycles, Doll Buggy

and pets. Awards given - 1st and
2nd. Parade to be led by the
Thomasboro Consolidated Grade
School Band.

3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.
8:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. Style Show - Girls 4-H Club.

10:30 a.m. Judging of King and Queen, 5-12

years.

11:00 a.m. Starting of contests.

12:00 noon Sweet Corn feast.

1:00 p.m. Contests continue.

3:00 p.m. Girl's Softball game and boy's Little

League Game.

7:00 p.m. Teen-age Dance, 13-19 years. Ed

Mason, Host.

8:00 p.m. Band Concerts.

8:30 p.m. Second performance of "Century of

Progress," followed by fireworks

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1964 - ARMED FORCES
DAY

All day: Registration of guests at Centennial

Headquarters.

Family Midway.

Antique Display.

Military Displays.

Welcoming of dignitaries.

Morning:
2:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

8:30 p.m.
9:30 p.m.

Mammoth Float Parade with bands,
marching units, floats, antique ve-
hicles, etc.

Beard Judging Contest: Best all-
around beard. Worst Beard, Lincoln
Type Beard, Lamb Chops, Side-
burns, Goatee, and Best Mustache.

Pre-spectacle entertainment- Mar-
vin Lee Hootenanny Show and pre-
sentation of awards to beard contest
winners.

Third performance of "Century of
Progress," followed by fireworks
finale.

Pre-ball Square Dance.

Centennial Ball - Bob Norman Or-
chestra.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1964 - FAITH OF OUR
FATHERS AND HOMECOMING DAY

Morning: Centennial observance in all

churches: Theme, "100 Years of
Religious Endeavor in Thomas-
boro." Visit our churches!

2:00 p.m. Presentation of awards to the oldest 8:00 p.m.

man and woman, to oldest man and
woman of continuous residence in
Thomasboro and adjacent unincor-
porated areas and to former resi-
dent returning from the furthest
compass point for the ceremony.

Religious service at "Century of 8:30 p.m.
Progress" site. Rev. Foster,
speaker. Music by massed choir
of all denominations.

Pre-spectacle entertainment by
Newtown Singers, Chanute Air Force
Base. Introduction of afternoon
award winners.

Final performance of "Century of
Progress," followed by fireworks
finale.

•1920

1964

COMPLIMENTS OF

EASTERN ILLINOIS TELEPHONE CO

892-9661

125 N. Garrard St.

Rantoul, Illinois

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

The revenue from the saloons purchased these
ti-ucks and built the first fire station, which is
still standing and presently used by the village.
This building was built in the early IQOO's.

-ifc'

■a ■-'-*'^
■ IL I

•:f

Old Fire Station.
In 1925. a four-cylinder International fire truck
was purchased. In 1929. it was taken to Kankakee,
Illinois by J. C. Maier and a six- cylinder Lyconiie
motor was installed in it. This truck is still in
use today. The fire department consisted of the
following men at that time: Chief Charles Rat-
ramel, Harry Grotfield, Harry Manke, J. C. Maier,

MORE next paRp

Financing and Investment

AUTO, BOAT, TRAILER,
Bill consolidation loans.

1% interest on first $1000 of loan.

1/2% on all money over $1000 of loan.

"A MILLION DOLLAR CONCERN"

OFFICE HOURS

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday

CHANUTE AFB, ILLINOIS
Ext. 2297 BIdg. P-4

Congra.txila.tions
on yoxir

lOOtli ,A.nni"v-ei*sa.ry
from

O.A. COLLINS

C3-enera.l Contractor

"Complete Building Services"

"We sell aluminum doors,
windows and awnings"

THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS
PHONE 643-2141

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

Herman Schwartz, Joseph Fiedler, Robert Cribbett,
Mike Maier, Ash Fiedler, Mayo Schaede, Butch
Maier and Charles Manke.

The following men have been chiefs of the Thomas -
boro Fire Departm'ent over the years: Joe Knupp,
J, C. Maier, Sr., Dode Hauersperger, Charles
Ratramel, J. C. Maier, Jr. (1927-1949) and Louis
H. Irle, currently.

The present Thomasboro Fire Protection Dis-
trict was organized in 1957. The old blacksmith
shop property was purchased and the present fire
station was erected. This station houses one

New Fire Station
1964-750 gallon-a-minute pumper with a 500-gal-
lon tank, one 1957-750 gallon-a-minute pumper with
a 750-gallon tank, the old 1925 International truck,
one G.M.C. 1800-gallon tanker, and one Cadillac
ambulance, also used as an equipment car. At

MORE next page

THOMASBORO IS GROVIfING!

For many years the local grain

elevators have distributed our products:

Production since 40 years ago has doubled!
See them when you need PLANT FOOD.

FiPERAL CHEMICAL CO.

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

the present time the department consists of thirty-
two men. The fire district has an A plus rating
for the property in the district. This fire dis-
trict embraces 60 square miles, \with headquarters
in Thomasboro,

Thomasboro Fire District
Louis H. Irle, Chief

FLATVILLE

Flatville is a rural community, \with a large
church, located at a cross-road on a state aid
route, seven miles east of Thomasboro. It got
its name from its location in the "Flats," a large
area of marshy land. As usual, the country church
is the heart, or center, of the community, a meet-
ing place where people gathered to discuss the
activities and affairs of the locality. It was also
used for lectures, both foreign and domestic, choir
practice, singing, musical cantatas and various
other programs. The settlement was unique in
that the original settlers, who bought the land would
not sell; and he, or a member of his family, yet
holds the title to the farm. This seems to be the
rule in this settlement, so, an outsider would have
a sum cnance of geiung in. it is a lather, son,
grandson operation, and some of the farms are
now operated by third and fourth generations of
the same family. No land for sale, no farms for
rent, no transient tenants and not many hired

MORE next page

ili

100th Anniversary!

Chanute
Military Credit Union

Phone 892-8120
BEAUTY SALON

537 f Wabash
Ranloul, III

Betty Greenhow. Prop

The Redwood Inn

Rantoul - Danville - Kankakee

Office Phone - Rantoul 892-2121

FACER and HULS

INSURANCE AGENCIES

Insurance of all kinds

* Lowesf premiums available

* Only national companies represented

* Premiums payable in monthly payments

DIAL RANTOUL 892-2147

If no answer call
C. E. Facer - Urbana 367-4361

or
Ernie Huls - GiKord 568-2941

c&s

SANITARY CO

ART COMBEST

"Service to please your needs.

314 E. Sangamon

Rantoul, III.

302 W. Green St.
Urbana, Illinois

Stan Weaver

Tom Henderson

Compliments of

GORDON'S
FURNITURE

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

ED CRIBBETT and FAMILY
extend their congratulations to
Thomasboro on its 100th Birthday.

Living in Thomasboro and having
a business in Rantoul doesn't change
our warm feelings for Thomasboro
and our friends.

E3D'S siisrcnL..A.ii^

Rantoul, III. 892-8576

THE THOMASBORO STORY (continued)

farm hands, as most farmers have home-help.

Years ago, Marm Frerichs, a blacksmith, opened
up a general store on one of the corners of the
cross-roads. It was later taken over by a young
man from Chicago; his name was Abe Leavitt.
After about ten years, he sold out, and today the
store is being operated by Henry Suits, On an-
other corner of the square is a modern brick
rural school with a large gymnasium, a pride to
the community.

Flatville, a territory of over fifty square miles,
of tightly-held, almost exclusively German Luther-
ans, who through their farmer-owned and owner-
operated methods have developed one of the richest
agricultural areas in this part of the country.

About 1870, the low lands east of Thomasboro
became the homesites of a group of German fam-
ilies from Golden, Illinois. These families had
originally emigrated from East Friesia, Germany.
The land was raw and had never been farmed.
For a year or two they could only farm the high
portions of the land, as the low ground would hold
waters a good portion of the time. They dug trenches
and ditches to divert the water and reclaim more
farm ground each year. After a few years there
was an influx of emigrants from Germany, who also
settled there. And as more and more came each
year, more and more land was reclaimed. And by
1884, a tile factory was built in Thomasboro by a
German, John A. Voss. Expansion of the area
was followed by further colonization of the German

MORE next page

Congratulations
on

Your 100th

Anniversary

from

ESTES

CONSTRUCTION

RANTOUL, ILL.

THE THOMASBORO STORY (ConUnuedl

people until the territory became almost a solid
settlement of Germans.

Some of the families of the early settlers were:
A. H. Blue, John Blue, Ernest Lang, Henry Boten,
John Kuhlman, Reiner Benting, John Ehler, Ger-
hardt Ehler, Wichie Ehler, Labinus Tillman, Diet-
rick Meyer, Ehme Schmidt, Tjark Rewerts, Fred
Albers, Uffe Bergman, Everett Bergman, Albert
Bergman, John Duitsman, Berbers, Albert Schmidt,
John Wolken, Barney Buhr, Marm Frerichs, Albert
Loschen, John Demien, Louis Demien, John Aden,
Bakers, Ehme Lubben, Fred Mennenga, Carl Man-
nenga, Harm Lubben, John Peters, Henry Rewerts,
McCaskrin, John Grussing, August lungerich, Mattie
Peterson, Henry Raup, Mrs. James (who had a
sorghum mill). Jacob Nicewander and his wife, Mary
Jane Kerr, bought 120 acres from the government
about four miles east of Thomasboro. Their neigh-
bors, although scattered, were the Tattersals,Scotts,
Seymours, and Fred Keal, who raised, bought and
shipped livestock.

These Germans seemed to have much in common:
farmers, same origin (apparently low-land), same
province, same denomination, honest, hard-working,
aggressive, and same obstacles to overcome. They
seemed to know what they were doing.

After they became fully settled they organized
drainage districts, and at big expense, brought in
large dredge-boats and cut deep, open parallel
ditches every mile or two, as conditions warranted.
Then they put in miles of tile to the ditches, which

MORE next page

RAHCHERO

ZDining and Ostncing

%ea Foods • Charcoal Broiled Shrimp
Steaks - Chicken - Sandwiches

NOON LUNCHEONS
etncL

All your favorite drinks
Located 4 miles south of Rontoul on Route 45

Call 643-3325

THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS

ORNAMENTAL IRON ALUMINUM AWNINGS

TRUCK BODY WORK

r\eUaote lAJeldina J^eri/ice

CHUCK COLLINS
P. O. BOX 61 B

Telephone 643-2400

THOMASBORO. ILLINOIS

Congra.t-u.la.tionsl
from

Rantoul's
Only Real Dept. Store

ECON-0-MART

DISCOUNT SALES CENTER
Modern Mart Shopping Center

Highway 136 and Maplewood Drive

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

Phone 892-9646

Open daily 9 a.m. 'til 9 p.m.
Sundays 9 a.m. 'til 6 p.m.

Appliances - Furniture - Toys
Hardware - Housewares - Domestics

"Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back."

VlfARDS

YOUR COMPLETE
SHOPPING HEADQUARTERS

* Family Apparel

* Appliances

* Sporting Goods

* Tires & Automotive

* Furniture

* Rugs & Carpeting

* Building Materials

« •

ONTOOMERY

WARD

112 E. Main Street
Downtown, Urbana

Phone 367-6692

"VtE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL'

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

drained the land and created a vast area of rich,
black, vegetable loam. It became a tillable, ag-
ricultural garden spot.

LAND of HUNTERS

The abundance of game brought out the desire
to hunt and shoot wild game birds and rabbits.
Hordes of hunters turned out, mostly young men
and boys. When a boy attained the age of about
twelve years, he hoped for and usually got a shot-
gun for a birthday or Christmas present. Yoimger
boys would trap rabbits with box traps set in the
hedges, then clean and dress them, and bring them
to town to sell to the housewives aU ready for the
oven. Dressed rabbits commanded a premium,
because they had not been bmised or shot up. About
every home had a hunter or two in the family.
Hundreds of shotguns were sold to farmers in this
area. They not only hunted for "meat for the table,"
but if the day's hunt was good, surplus would be
cleaned, boxed and shipped to the market at Chicago.
Later, contracts were made with several large hotels
in Chicago, and the hunters would ship direct to
where this food was considered a delicacy. The
prize game birds for market were the golden
plover, snipes, and quail. These brought more
revenue over the cost of the ammunition.

After years, as the land was being developed,
drained and made tillable, the lure to migratory

MORE next page

CONGRATULATIONS to THOMASBORO
for 100 YEARS of Progress*

The elevators of Thomasboro have supplied the
area farmers with FUNK G. HYBRID seed corn
for 30 years.

In 1964 over 35% of the acres around Thomasboro
are planted to Funk's G, the HIGH PROFIT TRIO
HYBRIDS.

THOMASBORO GRAIN CO.

(Local Dealer)

SMITH SEED CO.

(Associate producer of Funk's G Hybrids)

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

game birds were lost and fewer stopped with every
passing year. Finally the hunters lost their para-
dise. Some farmers had an over-supply of domestic
pigeons, which flew at will and fed on the waste
grain on the farm. Farmers would shoot maybe
fifty or more, box them, and ship them to the mar-
ket. But this did not pay. So some were used for
live-bird shoots, but this, too, was soon discontinued.
Now, some of these farmer-hunter, expert field
shots resorted to the sport of trapshooting and clay-
bird targets with great results. Out of this group
came champions- -note the records:

Mark Arie, trapshooter--taken from "Who's Who
in American Sports"

1905, 1907, and 1909--Won Grand American
Handicap Championship in Indianapolis, In-
diana

1912--Won National Amateur Double Target
Championship in Springfield, Illiilois

1914--Won Sunny South Tournament in Houston,
Texas

1917 — Won National Amateur Single Target
Championship in Chicago, Illinois

1919, 1920, 1923, and 1926--Won Illinois State
Trapshooting

I920--Won the World's Championship and Olym-
pic Individual Trapshooting Championship

1923--Won Grand American Handicap Cham-
pionship

TIi01Vt.A.S:B0I^0, ILL..

1S64 - 19©-i

From Sloughs to Arable Soil.

For years we have sold Eastern
Illinois Clay Co. Products. Results
have paid nice profits to the user.

See us for Tile --

By the piece or truck load.

T li o is/i .A. s :b O R. o

G!-I^.A.IIsr CO.

Compliinents of

Clark Haggenjos

Ambulance Service - Day or Night
Oxygen Equipped

Phone 892-4511

209 S. Garrard St.
Rantoul, Illinois

RANTOUUS ONLY APPOINTMENT BARBER ^.- NO WAIIING
PMONt 892-4714

^ J "We need your heoc/

/n our \)\is'\nes%." *

JIM'S BAUBJ.R 5HOP

a2» Yates STRtar

JUST OUTSIDE CMANUTE S NOWTH C.iTG

JIM BURK

By Art'OiNTMf.NT Onlv

TWO OPEM CMAtWS

CLUB

* Dancing Nightly

* Favorite Drinks

* Family Entertainment

ROUTE 45
URBANA, ILL.

Tribute to Lumber

This ad is paid for by our principal supplier of high quality western
and north western lumber. They desire to remain anonymous - We
sincerely thank them. The people of the lumber industry are a tough,
hardy, inventive and daring outfit. Many times they have risked life
and limb to get these precious logs to the mill. Their latest idea is
to use balloons, I believe they will do it. Lumber is essential in any
and all building but it must have quality, strength and stress. I believe
our supplier knows his business from cruiser to the time it gets in
our warehouse. How they get their logs from moimtains, canyons and
swamps is almost unbelievable. You have to see it to believe it. We
think we have the kind of lumber which will please the most fastidious
buyer. See us, when you think of Ivunber.

"A Tree is God's Creation"
Proudly we quote Joyce Kilmer's immortal song.

I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree. A tree
whose hungry mouth is pressed against the earth's sweet
flowing breast. A tree that looks at God all day and lifts her
leafy arms to pray. A tree that may in summer wear a nest of
robins in her hair. Upon whose bosom snow has lain who
intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me,
but only God can make a tree.

As manager of the lumber division, talk with me when you think of
Ivmiber. I will please you.

THOMASBORO GRAIN COMPANY
Robert C, Morfey

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

1924--Won Mid-Winter Tournament at Pine-
hurst, North Carolina
1926--Established a World's record for doubles

(198 out of 200) at Denver, Colorado
1927--Won Mid-Winter Tournament at Pine-
hurst, North Carolina
Mark Awon the Olympics in Italy and met the
best shots in Europe in the process. He was a
representative of Western Cartridge Co. and
Winchester Arms Co. He retired in 1938 and
died in 1957.
Nick Arie, brother of Mark, reported to have won
the Championship of Texas

Mike Maier, trapshooting--Won the 1949 Cham-
pionship for Illinois

Jacob Maier, trapshooting--Tied for the 1938

championship at Cheek Gun Club in Clinton, Indiana

and won the Championship at the same place in 1950

Francis C. Irle, trapshooting--Averaged96%in the

1938 average book for trapshooters

The following is a list of excellent field shots
who have broken better than 90 out of every 100
clay birds: Gerhardt Meyer, Jacob Stein, Joseph
Lowry, Reiner Ehler, Dick Ehmen, George Hammel,
W. H. Irle, and Louis Irle, Sr.

MORE next page ,

Congratulations to Thomasboro
on its

CE:3srTE]nsr3sri-A.3L.

JIM'S CAFE

and many thanks to all of
our customers

Phone 643-6477 Thomasboro, 111.

Congrataj-lettions,

TliOI^^A^SIBOI^O!

HEYE J. FLESNER

1 Specialize in FLOOR

FINISHING and SANDING

Phone 643-3951

Thomasboro, Illinois

ScLlTj-te to

Txions/a:.A.s:BOi^o, xi-,1-..

on tlieir CenterLxiictl

Phone me when you need
custom SHELLING, HAULING
and SCOOPING.

I TRY TO PLEASE

Earnest J Johnson

Phone 568-3823
RR#2 RANTOUL

Congr3tulations,
THOMASBORO

Downtown Champaign

ODMAN-HECKER & CO.

* Wholesale and Retail Dealers

* Better Building Material

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued')

THOMASBORO'S OLDEST CITIZEN

P. 0. Box 277
Champaign, Illinois

Phone 367-8431

Compliments
of

WESTERN
AUTO

Rantoul, III.
893-3960

Ferdinand Hammel, Centenarian

MORE next page

Thomasboro Area Residents,

CONGRATULATIONS!

As in the past lOOyears,
ADEQUATE DRAINAGE
will be the key to
continued prosperity.

Drainage Construction Corp.

George Collins

Champaign — RR#3

Tel. 356-6757

CONGRATULATIONS!

Liquorette
Driveln

114 S. Garrard St.
Rantoul, Illinois

Art Magrini

Bus. 892-4029
Home 892-4845

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

Mr. Ferdinand Hammel was born February 3,
1864, in Marshall County, Illinois. His parents
moved to the Thomasboro area when he was a younp
boy. He farmed near Thomasboro, and in 1893
he married Margaretha Seeber. The couple had
three sons, George, Jacob and Egidius. All three
of the sons farmed in the area also. George and
Jacob still reside in this area; Egidius is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Hammel retired and moved into
Thomasboro in 1934. Mrs. Hammel passed away
in 1952 and the son Egidius, in 1958. The family
owns and controls over two thousand acres of farm
land.

BASEBALL

Thomasboro has always been a "red hot" base-
ball territory. Probably, the first organized team
around here, about 1910, was the "Gum-Boot Nine."
Unique, as there were three members each of
three families--Maiers, Irles and Warners. If
they had substitutes, which they probably did, they
well could have been Maiers, as there were nine
boys in one Maier family. Along with their reg-
ular equipment of bats and balls, they probably
had four sacks of sand for bases. They would
drive to any pasture anywhere, step off a diamond,
place the sand-bag bases and be in business.
They used gum-boots to keep from slipping on the
grassy diamond. No records are available on the
games played.

MORE next page

JOHN PARK

General Livestock Hauling
Penfield, Illinois
Phone 595-2612

Local Soles - Cissno Pork,

Donville ond Penfield every week.

MILES SPENCER GARAGE

(Since 1930)
We service all makes of cars

16 Logan Street
Champaign, Illinois

Phone 352-3022

TliometsTDoro, Illinois
1S64 - 1964

When you need custom

SHELLING, CORN PICKING,
COMBINING BEANS, WHEAT, OR
CORN --

or custom hauling,

SEE ME

JOHN RAUD, JR.

Thomasboro, Illinois

Insurance
at Its Best

«iik

DIX MUTUAL
COUNTY RRE mSURANQ COMPANY

Fir*, Lightning, Extandad Cov*rog«

—ConuMo 1 Co«>fT»»—
Citmptltn. ford. Vm.«*«. ttcUm.

AlBFRT LOSCHFN. P.t.iMNT.Di»tfTo«. thoma.io«o
ELLIS FIEIDS, Vki P»tiiDtNTDi«rcTO«. Mttvm
S. THOR.STENSON, Sic TiiAi.-Doircio*. p»iton

ANGUS TAYUOR. Director ^"^"V," S ^S
UX)YD IJlNGt Du^dor r.IiJn"^' » m^t

r^^ ^A'^^^N'^^SSfc P««-c, rjloou

PANA-MUSBORO MSTUa aQONE
MUTUAL MSURANQ COMPANY

or HILLUOKO, IU.INO«

«r
OmCB P«mB 4M PAXTOK. ILUMOIt

MAPLEWOOD MOTORS, INC

THE DEPENDABLES

DODGE - CARS & TRUCKS

DIAL

892-96061 ®

Complete Automotive Service

HWY 136 EAST RANTOUL

Congratulations to Thomasboro

National Federation of Federal Employees
Local 493

Meetings: 7:30 p.m.
Rantoul Municipal Building
Third Wednesday of each month

Complimenfs of

MATfRtALS OF PERWANfNCE

ALPHA MATERIAL

and FUEL CO.

Champaign, Illinois

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

By 1910, a young group of good ball players
were available, Ernest Saddoris was the manager.
A team was picked from surrounding territory
and a game was scheduled with the Kankakee Browns,
a semi-pro team. The game was featured. The
Illinois Central Railroad gave excursion rates to
Kankakee and return; about one-half of the popu-
lace made the trip. Thomasboro defeated the
Browns. Some of the players that made the trip
were: Ray Marshall, Sylvester Derrough, Ger-
hardt Meyer, Edward Fiedler, Ferdinand Fiedler,
George Gathers, Mark Arie, "Cotton" Yates and
Gene Woldridge. After the game, Kankakee signed
up several of the Thomasboro players.

From 1932 to 1944, Thomasboro had teams en-
tered in the Eastern Illinois League. They won one
league championship and one tournament champion-
ship after the regular season play. They averaged
in the upper half most of the time. Some of the
players on the E. I, team were: Harry Manke,
Russell Schaede, Henry Maier, Ed Bermingham,
Joseph Maier, Mike Maier, Ed Cribbett, Ralph
Maier, "Boots" Maier and "Cuppie" Freeman.

FAREWELL to the HORSE

Horses furnished the power on the farm in the
early history of this and other rural areas. Horse-
drawn vehicles were the only means of transpor-
tation and were a necessity of this life. A horse

MORE next page

BEN FRANKLIN STORES

Locally owned —
Nationally known

Russell Waters - Jack Waters
Partners

7309 E. Grove
Shopping Center

T23-125 E. Sangamon
Uptown

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

shoi'.ige would slow up farm work, and then the
days would become much longer than the nights for
;he farmer. There were not any set hours for a
day's worr;: the season set the time for the work to
be done. There was a lot of trafficing in horses;
especially during the work season. Horse-buyers
would drive up and down the country roads eager
to buy, sell or trade.

In the early days, it took several years before
a farmer became established; during that time,
he would raise his own horses. Registered stallions
were imported from France, Germany, England,
and Belgium for breeding purposes. These were
available to anyone interested, however, they were
high in price. The farmers would form a company
of as many as twenty members who would pay about
one hundred dollars each, representing around two
thousand dollars, for a stallion that would serve
these farmers for a year. Because they would
want draft or work-horses, they would select from
the following breeds: Percheon, Morgan, Shire,
Clydesdale, and Norman. Horse raising became
quite a business. Even cities, in the early days,
used horse-drawn street cars, bread wagons, milk
wagons, ice wagons and delivery wagons of all
kinds. The horse played a large part in the develop-
ment of our country. Remember, it took about
three generations of horses to serve one generation
of farmers.

Horses were bred for all sizes and purposes.
The city folks, for conveyance, would have a road

MORE next page ,

Johnsons ACE Hardware

'A good place to do business"
Downtown, Rontoul

BROWNIES IGA

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

RANTOUL
FIRST

Lumber and Building Materials

RANTOUL LUMBER CO.

p. 0. Box 818
Rantoul, Illinois

Phone 892-2169

Henry Hager
Douglos Hoger

James Hoger
Robert Jeffers

123 No. Garrard Street • Rantoul, Illinois

SAVINGS & LOAN
ASSOCIATION

Phone 892-9659

C/raziers (parage

109 S. TANNER ST. TELEPHONE TW 2-4008

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE

1912 - 1964

ARNOLD SANTJER

^TRUCKING and

EXCAVATING
of all types

^ TANKS and SEWER LINES
^ BACKHOE WORK

PHONE 892-8219
RANTOUL, ILL.

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

or driving horse (lighter in weight and more slender
for traveling) hitched to a phaeton; or if the family
went, they used a surrey ("with the fringe on top").
Farmers usually kept a driving horse to drive back
and forth to town for shopping. There were several
classes of horses: Driving, for travel or race;
Draft, for pulling; Saddle, for riding or derby; Ponies
for the children; Poio; and the dwarf, Shetland.

Then, sometime after the 1920's it happened, the
introduction of the automobile. Then came the
truck and tractor. Gradually production oi these
was increased; and sometime later they were avail-
able to everyone. The horse began to lose favor.
Year after year, there were more tractors and
fewer horses; and the time came when "Ole Dob-
bin," "the farmer's best friend" had passed on.

From a humanitarian point of view, the horse
was a slave of man. He had nothing to gain for
his efforts but a livelihood, and in some cases it
seemed to be meager. In this case, "Hail to Auto-
mation."

THE WILDERNESS IS TAMED

by Elizabeth Coatsworth

The axe has cut the forest down.
The laboring ox has smoothed all clear.
Apples now grow where pine trees stood.
And slow cows graze instead of deer.

MORE next page

VILLAGE BOARD
VILLAGE OF THOMASBORO

''1/lUa^ 9'cJaf, %lf 3'cymoAMm ''

Congratulation To Thomasboro
On Its Centennial !

TREASURER

ROBERT MORFEY

PRESIDENT

MAYO SCHAEDE

CLERK

LOUIS IRLE

BOARD MEMBERS

CHARLES BARR
DON BUSBOOM

DON CLER

JACK JACOBSEN

JOHN JACOBSEN RICHARD TOBIN

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

Where Indian Fires once raised their smoke
The chimneys of a farmhouse stand,
And cocks crow barnyard challenges
To dawns that once saw savage land.

The axe, the plow, the binding wall.
By these the wilderness is tamed,
By these the white man's will is wrought.
The rivers bridged, the towns named.

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN?

When every small town or village had a public
well, generally known as the "Town Well" . . .
where pedestrians, travelers, farmers could stop
and get a fresh drink of water, without obligation
. . . otherwise, you would have to go to a private
home and ask for a drink. Almost every house that
was built necessarily had a well and pump, usually
back of the house. One of the morning chores was
to take the old red cedar bucket and get a fresh
supply of water for household use. This was a
convenience. A long handled dipper was placed in
the bucket and served for the family and guests.
Those that did not have a well had to carry water
from their neighbors in buckets, and on wash day
this became some chore. In those days it was the

MORE next page

fiactut & Van liidAki/Ji
Qlai4, Ga4ft/p^at^if.f ^^ic

719 S. Neil Street, Champaign, lllinoi*
Auto Glass Replacements
Windshields Installed

With oof Mobile Truck at Home or at Work
Coll 356-6471 for Service

Mittcndovj
3unevdi\ Home

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS

Leiiigli Stone Co.

KANKAKEE. ILLINOIS

Agricultural limestone which we produce is one of the
basic elements of all increased production of grain We
have serviced the Thomasboro area for over 25 years
We believe our limestone to be the best available.

Watch your soil tests and keep it sweet with LIMESTONE
—It is actually "soil sugar." Sweet soil, plus plant foods
will enable you to produce over 100 bu. of corn per acre.

When you think of more bushels— think of limestone.

See the Thomasboro Grain Co. and we'll supply you.

CONGRATULATIONS!
from:

Rantoul Township Officials

Arthur F„ Bartell
Francis Deakin
Clair Federer
F. Harold Brown
Maurice Duitsman
Mike A. Maier
Russell A. Schaede
Kenneth Stephens
William Keal
Jack Jones
Robert Parker

Supervisor

Asst. Supervisor

Road Commissioner

Tax Assessor

Township Clerk

Auditor

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued')

only way you could transport water. However,
Thomasboro did something about it. Their well
was located on the street in front of a blacksmith
shop. They erected a windmill to pump the water
. . . with a tower about 40 feet high. They also set
up a large horse tank for watering horses ... of
course, (this had not yet become automatic) the
tank would fill up and overflow and cause muddiness
around the tank. Sometimes the puddle would get
so deep that a horse coming up to drink would
sink half way to his knees. This was the concern
of the tovmsfolk ... the blacksmith would not
assume sole responsibility. It was decided that any
citizen passing by would observe the condition . . .
and, if the tank was full or overflowing, he was ob-
ligated to shut down the windmill. Almost all of
the farmers had windmills; especially those that
raised cattle, as it would take a lot of water for the
stock. Most of the schools and churches main-
tained the old hand pump, and tin cup attached to
the pump . . . everybody drank out of the same tin
cup. Later, the children were given their own
individual cups, usually the collapsible type.

How about when Thomasboro had coal-oil street
lights . . . Frank Holt was the custodian. When
Osage hedge was set out to form boundary lines
. . . also for house and barn-lot fences . . . and re-
quired lots of work to keep it trimmed. However,
some let the hedge grow tall to form a wind-break.
Then there was a fruit orchard on almost every

PRAIRIE UNE8

COCKTAIL LOUNGE

SNACK BAR

BILLIARDS

643-6500

THOMASBORO, ILL.

Mike McMillan, Mgr.

drive- In Banking
BANK of RANTOUL

Phone 892-2143

CongrsttTj-lsttiorLS
to

Tiiois/fl:.A.s:BOi^o

The Huron
Development Co., Inc

P.O. BOX 366

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

CENTENNIAL
CONGRATULATIONS

THONASBORO

from

Memorial Cfiapel

lOOIh ANNIVERSARY YEAR

lOOth YEAR

Jmmto/^m^c ^cwimu/niiu

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

farm . . , and the gasoline engines were available
with a pump-jack which displaced the windmill.
The introduction of barb-wire . . . which with
hedge posts became the universal fence and replaced
the hedge fence. Every town had a hitching rack
as a convenience to the farmers to tie their horses
to when they came to town . . . every home had a
hitching post in front of the house for guests . . .
the well-to-do had ornamental, cast-iron or turned
wood posts.

Our first fire fighting was in the good old days
of board walks, mud streets, kerosene street lamps
and trees of all kinds. There was plenty of time for
living, hunting, fishing and just plain whittling, as
there were benches available all over town. The
basic pay for putting in our side walks was a sack
of flour a day, about 90 cents. This writer wonders
whether or not they were not "the good old days"
when a man could live and let live, instead of this
present maelstrom we are in, when only now days
you see your neighbor at a funeral.

What about some of these things for memory's
Sake? . . . two acre gardens ... 25 trees of apples
. , . others of peaches and plums . . . homemade
bread . . . car loads of flour, and of potatoes . . .
coffee by the 100 pound bags . . . corn huskers by
hand by the lOO's ... a silver dollar for a day's
pay, if you were lucky. CAN YOU REMEMBER ALL
OF THIS?????

1^^^■l(^^^^■^(■^^^■^,^^^^■l^^f^^1^

MORE next pagt

MANKE GROCERY

THOMASBORO, ILLINOIS

COIwa:]PLI3S^E33SrTS OF'

Rantoul Home Beverages

one of f/ie
Finest Liquor Stores Anywhere!

Drive-in Service W/nc/ow

Easy Parking

RUTH

HARRY

Rantoul, Illinois

Phone 893-3054

C03S/i:F>31^I3S^E]ISrTS OF"

RTE. 45

892-8676

THDMASBDRD, ILL.

892-9668

MC MORRIS GARAGE

"Lefty"

Specialists in Automotive
Electrical and Carburation
General Repair

Phone 643-2240 Thomasboro

THE THOMASBORO STORY (Continued)

The material for these articles was compiled and
written by Albert L, Schaede (with two exceptions)
and edited and arranged by Harold A. Jones. The
History Committee and Pageant Committee wish to
thank the many persons who contributed information
to make this history possible. Our special thanks
to Edward F. Fiedler, Reiner Ehler, Harry Manke,
William Irle, Howard Babb, Francis Irle, Mrs. Mil-
dred Exton, and Clyde L. Gifford in his "Thomas-
boro, As I Knew It."

Errors of ommission, typographical errors, mis-
spellings and all oversights will be rectified and
acknowledgments made in the next Sesquicentennial
Program to be published in the year 2013. Please
contact the Committee at that time!!!

Be Modern

Live Mobile

NEW and USED MOBILE HOMES

ROUTE 45 NORTH

URBANA, ILLINOIS

Phon* 367-13 14

JOHNSON'S SANITARY SERVICE

TRASH AND OARBAae REMOVAl.

803-3495

(Aftw 6:00 p.m.)

LEONARD LlNDQUIST
GERALD LINDOUIST

STricti

892-4420

129 N. OARRARO ST.
RANTOUL. ILLINOIS

Congratulations

SHAW
READY MIX CO.

Rt. U.S. 45 South

Phone Collect

892-2066 RANTOUL, ILL.

WOOD'S

Painf - Glass -

Wallpaper - Mirrors

Automotive Paints

and Supplies

209 E. GROVE - RANTOUL
Phone 892-4826

CONGRATULATIONS
to

THOMASBORO
from

LEVERETT
GRAIN CO.

PHONE 643-6515

Congratulations
on your

Centennial Celebration!

RANTOUL, fLLINOIS

Phone 892-2639

"Mike" Flessner

SUMMATION

The preceding history of Thomasboro was unani-
mously approved by the various division chairmen;
but it was also noted how adroitly the historian,
A. L. Schaede, in his modesty, failed to mention
himself. The writer was delegated to tell a little
about Mr. Schaede.

Albert is the son of a talented musician and
composer. His father studied in the Berlin Con-
servatory of Music in Germany. After serving
his time in the War of 1866, he migrated to Cham-
paign, Illinois. In that city, our historian was born
in the year 1881.

I know little of his boyhood, but from others I
gather these facts. His natural flair as a young
man was printing, but he has told me of other
activities. He worked during vacation time in a
hemp factory for $3.60 a week. He husked corn and
scooped coal. In the year 1900 he attended a dance
in Thomasboro, where he met Hattie Smith, whom
he married a few years later. They moved to
Thomasboro in the year 1904.

During the past sixty years, this man has been
a continuous resident of our community. For fifty
years he was the manager of Thomasboro Grain,
Lumber & Coal Company. When approached to work
for this firm, he said, "I want a steady job." I
leave it to you whether it was steady or not. For
thirty years Al and I were competitors in the
grain business. He was fair, honest and always
willing to help me and many others. Reportedly,
there are many men who are indebted to him for

CongrcLtxilsttion to

T]aom.a-st)oi?o

CommTj-rLity

on tlaeir*

lOOtli -A-rLxiiv^ersctry!

BARTELL
INSURANCE AGENCY

111 SO. GARRARD ST.
RANTOUL, ILL.

Phone 892-2133

the many loans and credits extended to them.
Al proudly claims that very few men ever failed
to live up to their obligations to him. If any man
knows the history of this community, this man does.

Al's father composed an played the first com-
mencement music for the old Illinois Industrial
College in Urbana, Illinois in 1867. This was the
predecessor to the University of Illinois. The
Schaede Band was known from Mattoon to Kankakee.
In the good old days of the 1860's all musical in-
struments had to be imported. Al tells me he
believes he lias covered five thousand miles in
those musical days.

While on a vacation in old Mexico, Al was told
by his son-in-law that in that country it was the
custom for the father of the bride to give the couple
a sheep and a couple of lambs. This son-in-law
was quite surprised a few months later to have a
truck deliver a sheep, two lambs, sheep shears and
fencing.

Mr. Schaede has had his ups and downs, but he
is still young of heart. Asked about his family,
he told me he has five children, eleven grand
children and twenty-two great grandchildren. His
wife passed away just a few short years ago.

The various committees thank him for the time
and effort he put forth in writing our history for
this centennial.

THOMASBORO CENTENNIAL
by Francis C. Irle

Congratulations

643-2956

SERVING MILITARY AND CIVILIAN FAMILIES

AT CHANUTE AFB • WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB

NATIONAL- KOZY - VAN DYKE

NEW AND USED. RENTALS.

HWY. 45 SOUTH (4 Ml.)
THOMASBORO, ILL.

Qoxx\p\\men\% On Your lOOfh knnwiersory

.^^'

-K^

^-/.

^/.

■"^/c

Champaign County Service Co.

/7/S W. Springfield. Champaign, III

Louis Irle, Thomasboro

Walter Baker, Gifford

Wm. Kelley, Rantoul

Wayne Shields, Fisher

Richard Stephens, Urbana

Robert Hedrick, Fisher

Hubert Prahl. Mahomet

StJ^e* t>^ Settle

LITTLE'S MEN & BOYS
216 E. Sangamon Ave.
Rantoul, - - Illinou

Phone 892 - 4044

CONGRATULATIONS
to
THOMASBORO

on \is 100th Birthday
horn

ALEXANDER LUMBER CO

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

Congratulations^
Thomasboro
on your 100th!

Com-m-ei-cia-l F^rinting
of ^^11 I^incis.

THE RANTOUL PRESS

Riteway Automotive Inc.

Wholesale & Retail Automotive Parts
Precision Machine Shop Service

* Custom Engine Rebuilding

* Valve Work

* Crankshaft Grinding

* Cylinder Boring

* Head Milling

* Pin Fitting

"Factory Approved Parts"

DIAL 892-9694

Riteway Automotive Inc.

HWY. 136 W. RANTOUL

1332 HARMON DRIVE - RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

''2lim/ili^ ^)iiiff'mi ft'iHce hSJo

f f

Plumbing

AND

Heating

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

CRANE

Fixtures &
Water Heaters

EMERGENCY

REPAIR

SERVICE

Dial 892-2050

CARGO & SONS

PLUMBING & HEATING

RANTOUL

This Friendly Staff

CORRINF, HEMLKICH

^bUALD MAIER

NORMAN MAIER

of Central Tavern

Owned by Mrs. Louise Maier

LOUISE MAIER

Wishes the Best

BILL SPRAY

to Thomasboro Centennial

^i<^^

Compliments Of

Thomasboro Grain Co

Your Patronage Is Appreciated

HELP US GROW!

We Are Building To Serve
The Farmers For The Next Century

With An All New Modern Unit-

?^HmsSSRO. ILLINOIS, SeNNIAL. 1864-1

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