Sesquicentennial History Book, 1824-1974
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mmm LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 977.354 de 718 MWOIS BISTORlCAl MM" I.H.3. The person charging- this material is re- sponsible for its return to the library from which it was withdrawn on or before the Latest Date stamped below. Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons for disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from the University. To renew call Telephone Center, 333-8400 UNIVERSITY OF IUINOIS UBRARY AT URBANACHAMPAIGN JUN 2 4 1985 L161— O-I0''6 SESQUICENTENNIAL HISTORY BOOK 1824 • 1974 Commemorating ISO rears of growth and development in the Celestial City l kl\ CHA! SESQUICENTENNIAL BOOK COMMITTEE Robert Culshaw fames Matthews Thomas Harris Roy "Peach" Preston Mark Heme Phillip Strand Richard Kasten Lee Williams Editorial Coordinator: Chic Renner Assistant Editorial Coordinator: Sue Renner Photo Editor: Ed Zobel RESEARCH, PHOTO AND PRODUCTION STAFF Ann Badasch Henrj Renner Mary Pecker Gordon Snow Kathy Downer Fred Soady Debbie Helmick Craig Stocks Jan McClain Jml\ Streid Jim Matthews Jin ne Donna Minor mc\ Swaync Betty Mui Rick Waldmeicr Jurphy I larold W einheimcr \ 1 \mbulance In Memory of Mr. /Mrs. }. B. Lohmann, Bertha Dancey, Rudolph, Arthur. Henry, Fred & Herman Lohmann. Martin B. Lohmann, Lewis E. Lohmann, Althea Lohmann Gutch, Paul K. Lohmann 5 177.3' 72 (Qmfc 0/ Prologue 4 I Overview: The First I wenty-five Years 5 II Churches II III Transportation 21 IV Business ^s V Inclustr\ 57 VI Utilities and Mass Communication \ II Catastrophies 101 YIII I .andmarks 1 1 IX Education 12" X Recreation and Entertainment 137 XI I '.d\ eminent . 159 XII Pekin Today 184 Acknowledgements 185 Motor ( 'ompany Each age writes (and rewrites) its own history in terms of the values, attitudes, and curiosities of that age. Playwright Arthur Miller, in his prefaee to The Crucible, said of the people involved with the Salem Witchcraft Trials, "...we can only pity them, just as we ourselves shall someday be pitied." With that possibilitv in mind, we address this prologue perhaps as much to those who may read it (and the contents of this hook) fiftv or one hundred, or even five hundred years hence, as to those who read it "new." Our plea is not for "pity," hut rather for understand- ing: to be judged by motive and not by action. And the "motive" behind the publication of this book is quite basic: to present a read- able, interesting overview of the 150-year history of Pekin. This chronicle is not intended to be a definitive, fully documented source authority on local history. While every effort was made at accuracy, time and space would not allow such an endeavor. h section of this book (and in some instances, even parts of sections) could easilv serve as the basis for a publication of equal or greater length than this one. The biggest problem so far as material was concerned was what to exclude, rather than include. It is a story of people's triumphs and defeats, joys and sorrows, commissions and omissions. It is not, however, with apologies that this publication is presented. We believe it more than adequately serves the need from which it arose. It is hoped that the book will help readers understand (and maybe even appreciate) the Celestial City. It seems logical that any hope for eventual universal, ecumenical harmony in the world must spring from an initial understanding of one's own culture and heritage. Most of the people involved with this publication are acknowledged, but surely some have unintentional^ mitted. We want to thank each one who in any way gav< himself or herself to make this book possible. Truly, you have mi the most idealistic- sense of the word. Pekin Chamber of Commerce Olt & Griffin Realtors Pekin Township has tin. distinction <>t having the more successful growth ol "Pekin." lor mam \ first white settlement in Illinois, tor on )anuar\ 3, the ground on which Pekin is now located was called I .1 Salle with .1 fled on- taining ss explorers landed on the eastern hank of the Illinois River near tin present site of C're\e Coeur. In the near vicinity, upon the extremity of a ridge p teeted In d( ies, 1 winter refuge was built in what is now the southeast quarter of section one. Pekin Township. Though frequented In travelers after that time, and inhabited by Indians before and after, the area which is now the cih ot Pekin Med until the summer of 1*24 It was then that [onathan rharp moved from Km id built a small n on thi 1 isc hat is now the site of Frankli iwn- Tharp ei •! other il> to follow him to his "fi hile ()\t C "Town Site." indicating the suitability of the spot for future development. Pekin was laid out and surveyed by County Survey- ( or William Hodge in I82 > He did not have a survey- or's chain, so he made the survey with a length of knotted string. For main years to follow, land sales were complicated by variations in measurements on the original plat caused by this lack of accurate equip- ment. The "Town Site" plat was taken to Springfield in ( 1S2 ) and placed on sale at public auction. The story of this sale is told in many different sources w ith vary- ing degrees of robustness. Perhaps as colorful an ac- count of this event as available comes from Jacob Tharp's own journal: When the land sales were held at Springfield, there were several claimants for the Pekin town-site. On the first day of the sale the bid- ding ran high, and the land was knocked down to William Haines at twenty dollars an Chief Shaubena. pictured in the upper lefthand corner of this acre; but he did not comply with the regula- photo, is said to have saved early Pekin residents from Indian massacre. tions of the sale, and on the second day the same tract was sold for one hundred dollars per acre. The buyer again failed to comply, and the tract was once more offered on the rights in those early days by naming many of the orig- third day. A man in Springfield named Har- inal streets, running east and west, in honor of fe- rington had, in the meantime, a deadly quar- male relatives and friends of the original settlers rel with Perkins, Major one of the principal including "Lucinda." second wife of William Haines; claimants, growing out of some delicate ques- "Caroline," daughter of Major Perkins; and, with all tion. Those were chivalrous days, and he de- termined on revenge. So he placed himself due modestv, "Ann Eliza," after herself. near the auctioneer, armed to the eyebrows, There are many interesting stories, events, and per- and when the coveted tract was put up, he sonalities connected with these founding fathers—too bid dollar twenty-five one and cents an acre, many, in fact, to do them justice in such a short and swore he would blow out any man's space. But at least one relic of a past age, one which brains who offered a higher bid. Major Per- has often kins was stalking around the room, armed for been misquoted and misinterpreted in vari- battle and hunting blood. There was immense ous publications, seems worthy of straightening out excitement, and death was felt in the atmo- here, with facts derived from court records. sphere, but the tract was knocked down to When Major Cromwell arrived here in 1828 from Harrington. He complied with the regulations Sand Prairie, he either brought with him, or soon and walked out feeling sublime, but the Ma- jor and his friends captured the usurper, con- thereafter acquired, a Negro girl, about 16 years old, veyed him to a room and persuaded him to known only as Nancy or Nance. Although Cromwell make out deeds for the prize. From these pa- considered her a slave, he did pav her both money pers title the original is derived. and goods for her work. These deeds are the original titles upon which Apparently Cromwell grew tired of Pekin, and he much of the present ownership of downtown Pekin decided to head south to Texas. In the course of set- real estate is based. Among these first holders were tling his affairs here, he "sold" Nancy to one David Perkins, William Haines, Gideon Havvley, and Major Bailey on June 13, 1836, for $377. Cromwell received Nathan Cromwell. The lots, as finally laid out in a promissory note for that amount, due and payable 18?0, are figured to have cost 28?! each. After the plat on May 1, 1837. was completed, Mrs. Nathan Cromwell gave the city Unfortunately, Cromwell died in July at St. Louis, the name of Pekin. It is generally assumed, although enroute to Texas. What happened to his wife, Ann never actually documented, that the town was named Eliza, is unknown. What is known, however, is that after the Chinese City of the Sun— Pekin(g). Mrs. two men were named the executors of his estate: Wil- Cromwell further exercised her share of women's liam Cromwell, the deceased's brother, and one Alex Olt & Griffin Realtors • r ^ •> the . \liirk .if in to /Tiis , kin's pion.. DiiihI who the time nt /us death the d be nt\ McNaughton. The) retained Charles Ballance, a not- ounts make mention ol her "children," ed Peoria attorney, and Step! n .is legal coun- but no records can be found indicating what became sel m .in attempt to collect on the note from Bailey.