The Centennial Book of El Paso, Illinois
First Published in 1954, and updated in 1979
Now published in 1999 as a digital book on the World Wide Web with funding by
Heartland Bank & Trust Company
Most of the work for assembly of this digital version of this book was done by Joel Dudley, Derek Campbell, George Drake, and Jim Drake, and supervised by Allen Drake, all of El Paso, Illinois. This digital version is identical to the 1979 updated printed version.
If you want, this link takes you away from the El Paso Story digital book to the El Paso History Webpage.
Title Page Title Page
Forward Forward
Thanks Thanks
Inside Remarks Inside Remarks
Page 1 Chapter 1: The Trailblazers (by Kingdon)
Page 2 French in Illinois (Photo: Marquette and Jolliet)
Page 3 American Revolution
Page 4 Famous Settlers
Page 5 Pioneer Surveying (Photo: Pioneer Surveying Party)
Page 6 Attacking the Kickapoo
Page 7 First Woodford Residents
Page 8 Trails
Page 9 Overland Travel
Page 10 Wildlife Changes (Photo: Gabetown)
Page 11 Plant-life Changes
Page 12 Earliest Map (Photo)
Page 13 Geological Information (Photo)
Page 14 Geological Information (continued)
Page 15 References & Notes
Page 16 References & Notes (continued)
Page 17 Chapter 2: Pioneers and Pioneer Living (by Baker)
Page 18 Illinois Land Company
Page 19 William McCord
Page 20 The McCords
Page 21 The Armstrongs
Page 22 Merchandise in Stores
Page 23 Dixons & the Hibbses (Photo: A type of mill)
Page 24 Arduous Life
Page 25 Father’s Role
Page 26 Father’s Role (continued)
Page 27 Mother’s Role
Page 28 Making Soap
Page 29 Pioneer Medicine
Page 30 Knitting
Page 31 Periodicals & Papers (Photo: Pioneer home no longer cabins)
Page 32 Wagonners
Page 33 Ham Recipes
Page 34 Despite Differences, No Problems
Page 35 References & Notes
Page 36 Chapter 3: Timber Towns That Died (by Williamson)
Page 37 Bowling Green Settlers
Page 38 Robeson & Others
Page 39 Lincoln in Bowling Green
Page 40 Gabetown
Page 41 Carroll Cemetery & Lahr (Photo: Blacksmith shop replica)
Page 42 Poketown
Page 43 Slabtown & Farnisville
Page 44 Chapter 4: Railroads and Founding Fathers (by Kingdon)
Page 45 Wathen & Gibson (Photo: Founders of El Paso)
Page 46 Wooing the Railroads
Page 47 Dealing with Denison (Photo: Locomotive #1)
Page 48 Railroad Laid in Town
Page 49 El Paso’s First Buildings (Photo: First Store)
Page 50 Deciding on a Name
Page 51 Town Boom
Page 52 Wathen & Gibson History (Photo: James H. Wathens home)
Page 53 First Mayors (Photo: George L. Gibson's home; El Paso has paved streets, etc...)
Page 54 References & Notes
Page 55 References & Notes (continued)
Page 56 References & Notes (continued)
Page 57 References & Notes (continued)
Page 58 Chapter 5: The Story of Ludwik Chlopicki (by Kingdon)
Page 59 Cobden’s Diary (Photo: Cobden diary page)
Page 60 Cobden’s Letter
Page 61 Chlopicki’s Famous Visitors
Page 62 More Famous Visits (Photo: Gen. George B. McClellan)
Page 63 Chlopicki’s Death (Photo: William M. Jenkins)
Page 64 Chlopicki’s Fight for Freedom
Page 65 Failed Revolution (Photo: Major Ludwik Baron Chlopicki)
Page 66 Settling in America
Page 67 Chlopicki in St. Louis
Page 68 His Own Words (Photo: Ludwik Chlopicki Memorial)
Page 69 References & Notes
Page 70 References & Notes (continued)
Page 71 References & Notes (continued)
Page 72 Chapter 6: The Campbell House (by Kingdon) (Photo: George H. Campell)
Page 73 Campbell (Photo: Campell House)
Page 74 Campbell House’s Fame
Page 75 Chatsworth Train Wreck (Photo: Wrecked Engine 13)
Page 76 More Train Wrecks (Photo: Notice)
Page 77 Railroad Gets Campbell House (Wrecked Engine 58)
Page 78 Last Passenger Train (Photo: Last Southbound passenger train)
Page 79 Campbell House’s End
Page 80 Chapter 7: The Fair (by Williamson)
Page 81 Features at Fairs
Page 82 1905 Fair
Page 83 Changes in the Fair (Photo: Interstate car)
Page 84 1920 Fair (Photo: Last fair)
Page 85 Automobile Races
Page 86 Airplane Demonstrations (Photo: Harry Powers biplane)
Page 87 The End of the Fair
Page 88 The End of the Fair (continued) (Photo: George R. Curtiss)
Page 89 References & Notes
Page 90 Chapter 8: Kemp’s Wild West Shows (by Kingdon)
Page 91 Kemp Sisters (Photo: Sioux Alex Long Pumpkin and his family)
Page 92 Other Acts (Photo: Kemp show)
Page 93 Bill Coe
Page 94 Kemp Show Reviews (Lida and Midi Kemp)
Page 95 Kemps’ Fates (Photo: Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Kemp)
Page 96 References & Notes
Page 97 Early El Paso Photos
Page 98 Front Street (Photo: Business Blocks 40 and 41; Block 42; Looking north from front street)
Page 99 Water Tower & Fire Equipment (Photo: Old Water Tower; Fire Equipment)
Page 100 The Great 1894 Fire (Photo: Front Street Block 42; Block 42 after fire)
Page 101 More Fire Photos (Photo: Remains of Eagle block building; El Paso Journal in Creamery)
Page 102 El Paso Stores (Photo: A.H.Waites'sHardwarestore; Post Office; El Paso Journal Force)
Page 103 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo:Thometz Baker;Bicycle shop;Westcotts Store; Church)
Page 104 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Valentine's Grocery; M.H. Render's Saloon)
Page 105 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Grove's Store; Hendron Building)
Page 106 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Strickland and Porter Meat Market; Tailor Shop)
Page 107 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: E.N. Armstrong's Music Store; Meat Market)
Page 108 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Somers and Thorpe Meat Market; JT Karneys Saloon)
Page 109 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Fritzen;s Saloon; McCord Grocery)
Page 110 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo:Geo.BurstersClothingStore;D.A.Smith&Son Groceries)
Page 111 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: F.L. Kyser's Jewelry Store; 1st National Bank)
Page 112 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Livery and Feed Barn; The Clifton House)
Page 113 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: C.G. Shaffer Home; Mazon Cafe)
Page 114 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Thos. Dyle's Store; Haas Plumbing Co.and Hardware)
Page 115 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Shreve andMcWilliamsStores;EastSideFurniture Store)
Page 116 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Silas Patton's Estey Organ; David Strother's House)
Page 117 El Paso Stores (continued) (Photo: Horses; Seidels Store; Patton andBonerClothing Store)
Page 118 [Left intentionally blank]
Page 119 Chapter 9: Civic Development (by Eft)
Page 120 El Paso Sidewalks
Page 121 Streets (Photo: East Front Street)
Page 122 Street Paving
Page 123 Water
Page 124 Water Mains
Page 125 Water Tower
Page 126 Post Office (Photo: The Campbell House Crossing)
Page 127 Mail Carriers
Page 128 Cemeteries
Page 129 First Burials
Page 130 Lights & Power
Page 131 Electric Lines (Photo: The Middle Block, front street)
Page 132 El Paso Sought County Seat
Page 133 Early Justice
Page 134 George W. Tegard (Photo: George W. Tegard)
Page 135 City Parks (Photo: I.C. Lawn)
Page 136 War Memorial (Photo: War Memorial)
Page 137 Fires
Page 138 The Fire Company (Photo: Fire Company)
Page 139 Major Fires
Page 140 The Great Fire (Photo: Fire Company)
Page 141 Fire Company Evolves (Photo: Last horse drawn fire wagons)
Page 142 Entertainment
Page 143 Play Day (Photo: Play Day Parade)
Page 144 High School Sports
Page 145 Great Teams (Photo: Baseball team)
Page 146 Corn Husking (Photo: Corn Husking)
Page 147 Storms (Photo: West Front Street)
Page 148 Floods (Photo: The Panther Creek Bridge)
Page 149 Important Trials
Page 150 City Officials
Page 151 Population Chart
Page 152 Table of El Paso Officials
Page 153 Table of El Paso Officials (continued)
Page 154 Table of El Paso Officials (continued)
Page 155 Table of El Paso Officials (continued)
Page 156 Table of El Paso Officials (continued)
Page 157 Table of El Paso Officials (continued)
Page 158 Chapter 10: Business and Industrial History (by Eft)
Page 159 Newspapers (Photo: Oldest Business Building)
Page 160 Industries
Page 161 More Industries
Page 162 Prairie State Canning Co. (Photo: Canning Co.)
Page 163 Livestock
Page 164 Grain Elevators (Photo: Isaac M. and Robert S. Jennkins)
Page 165 Grain Elevators (continued)
Page 166 Livery Stables
Page 167 Cement & Other Industries
Page 168 Lemon’s Ice Pond & Farm Implements
Page 169 Bulk Plants & Filling Stations
Page 170 Hotels & Motels (Photo: James H. Wathen Home)
Page 171 Corn Belt Motel (Photo: Corn Belt Motel)
Page 172 Nursing Homes & Restaurants
Page 173 Banks
Page 174 El Paso National Bank
Page 175 Building & Loan Assoc. (Photo: Woodford County National Bank)
Page 176 Telephones
Page 177 El Paso Telephone Co.
Page 178 Undertakers & Insurance (Photo: The Belt Automobile Indemnity Association offices)
Page 179 Oldest Business (Photo: Michel's Drug Store)
Page 180 El Paso Business Directory, 1869
Page 181 El Paso Business Directory, 1953
Page 182 El Paso Business Directory, 1953 (continued)
Page 183 El Paso Business Directory, 1953 (continued)
Page 184 El Paso Business Directory, 1953 (continued)
Page 185 Chapter 11: Churches (by Eft) - Kappa Methodist
Page 188 El Paso Baptist
Page 189 El Paso Baptist (continued) (Photo: Old Baptist Chuch)
Page 190 The Federated Church (Photo: Present Baptist Church)
Page 191 Methodist (Photo: Federated church)
Page 192 Methodist (Photo: Methodist Church Building)
Page 193 Third Methodist Church (Photo: Present Methodist Church)
Page 194 Third Methodist Church (Photo: German Lutheran Church)
Page 195 Congregational, German Lutheran, & Roman Catholic
Page 196 Roman Catholic Photos (Photo: The first Catholic Church; Catholic Parsonage)
Page 197 Christian (Photo: St. Mary's Catholic Church)
Page 198 Shiloh Methodist (Photo: Christian Church)
Page 199 Emanuel Evangelical (Photo: Emanuel Evangelical Brethern Church)
Page 200 St. Andrews Episcopal
Page 201 Christian Scientists & Gospel Tabernacle (Photo: St. Andrews Episcopal Church)
Page 202 Nazarene & Trinity Lutheran (Photo: Trinity Lutheran Church)
Page 203 Council of Church Women & Nativity Scene
Page 204 Chapter 12: School and Library (by Burster)
Page 205 First Schoolhouses
Page 206 "Select" Schools
Page 207 Two School Districts (Photo: East Side School)
Page 208 First Women Graduates (Photo: El Paso Township High School)
Page 209 Consolidation (Photo: West Side school)
Page 210 School Stories (Photo: Jefferson Park Grade School)
Page 211 Parents Get Involved (Photo: McKinley School)
Page 212 "Growing Pains"
Page 213 El Paso Public Library
Page 214 Carnegie’s Gift
Page 215 Library Board
Page 216 Chapter 13: Our Professional Men (by Baker)
Page 217 Dr. Kerr (Photo: Dr. Samuel L. Kerr)
Page 218 Dentists
Page 219 Doctors, Surgeons, Osteopaths, & Chiropractors
Page 220 Doctors, Surgeons, Osteopaths, & Chiropractors (continued)
Page 221 Doctors, Surgeons, Osteopaths, & Chiropractors (continued)
Page 222 El Paso in 1869 (Photo)
Page 223 El Paso in 1869 (Photo) (continued)
Page 224 Veterinarians
Page 225 Law & Lawyers
Page 226 Melissa Goings murder trial / Abraham Lincoln
Page 227 Lawyers Come to El Paso
Page 228 Lawyer’s Counsel Helps Restore Order
Page 229 Lawyers
Page 230 More Lawyers
Page 231 Bibliography
Page 232 Chapter 14: Our Neighbors (by Eft)
Page 235 Panola (continued) (Photo: Panola)
Page 236 Secor (Photo: Intersection of present Routes 24 and 51)
Page 237 Secor (continued)
Page 238 Chapter 15: Clubs and Societies (by Baker)
Page 241 Chamber of Commerce, G. A. R., & Women’s Relief Corps
Page 242 Chautauqua Literary Circle, Panola Reading Circle, & More (Photo: Bank Employees)
Page 243 The Piano Club, The Delphian Society, & More (Photo: The Cryer Apartments)
Page 244 The El Paso Ministerial Association
Page 245 Chapter 16: The El Paso Community in the Wars (by Kingdon)
Page 248 Albert Dorsey
Page 249 Casualty List (Photo: S.H. Worthington and A.B. Turner)
Page 250 Casualty List (continued)
Page 251 World Wars I & II
Page 252 Clayton Schofield (Photo: Flight Officer Clayton Schofield)
Page 253 WW II "Firsts"
Page 254 WW II Casualties
Page 255 Women in the Armed Forces
Page 256 Chapter 17: Our Sons in Name and Fame (by Williamson)
Page 257 Judge Horace H. Baker (Judge Horace H. Baker)
Page 258 Robert A. Barracks
Page 259 Eli Bennett & Frank C. Cleary
Page 260 The Right Reverend Monsignor Thomas Cleary
Page 261 Clay Clement
Page 262 Harry Dewitt Cook
Page 263 George R. Curtiss
Page 264 George R. Curtiss (continued) (Photo: George R. Curtiss and El Paso Journel Force)
Page 265 Clay Mervin Donner
Page 266 Robinson E. Duff
Page 267 George G. Evans (Photo: High School Basketball team)
Page 268 Mack Evans
Page 269 Walter Rooke Evans
Page 270 Reverend Leroy R. S. Ferguson (Photo: Walter R. Evans)
Page 271 Elias S. Fursman
Page 272 Dr. Robert Earl Gordon
Page 273 Dr. Robert Earl Gordon (continued) (Photo: Dr. Robert Earl Gordon)
Page 274 Very Reverend Murray Vincent Haas
Page 275 Orville F. Haas
Page 276 George W. Krug, Sr. & Dr. John S. Kyser
Page 277 William A. Leary (Photo: Panola Grade School)
Page 278 Dr. Chalmers Oscar Patton
Page 279 Lester Pfister (Photo: Dr. and Mrs. C.O. Patton)
Page 280 Lester Pfister (continued) (Photo: Lester Pfister)
Page 281 Lester Pfister (continued) (Photo: Detasseling Machines)
Page 282 Lester Pfister (continued) (Photo: Pfister's Four row corn pickers)
Page 283 George J. Ray
Page 284 Gus Raymond & Dr. Richard Ostler Schofield
Page 285 Cletus Leo Schwitters
Page 286 Don Cash Seaton
Page 287 Cecil A. Sharpe & Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Page 288 Bishop Fulton J. Sheen (Photo: Newton Sheen Hardware Store)
Page 289 Bishop Fulton J. Sheen (continued) (Photo: His Excellency Bishop Fulton J. Sheen)
Page 290 Dr. James J. Sheppard
Page 291 Frank H. Shuman
Page 292 Levi F. Smith (Photo: Levi F. Smith)
Page 293 Ira D. Snyder
Page 294 David A. Strother
Page 295 David A. Strother (continued) (Photo: David A. Strother)
Page 296 Dr. Major H. Worthington
Page 297 Famous Visitors
Page 298 Famous Visitors (continued)
Page 299 References & Notes
Page 300 Chapter 18: An Epilogue (by Burster)
Page 303 Pictures of Homes (Photo: Mr. and Mrs. Rochelle's house; Dr.andMrs.Lykkebak's house)
Page 304 The Second Hundred Years
Page 305 People and Places
Page 306 Photos of People and Places (Photo: Farm House; James Seery's Home)
Page 307 Photos of People and Places (continued) (Photo: Mrs. Gossmeyer's home; band)
Page 308 Photos of People and Places (continued) (Photo: Band; Boy Scout Band)
Page 309 Photos of People and Places (continued) (Photo: Men'a class; Railroad Crossing;Railroad)
Page 310 Photos of People and Places (continued) (Photo: Looking North; VFW)
Page 311 Photos of People and Places (continued) (Photo:Park;PfisterStoragePlant/OfficeBuilding)
Page 312 Photos of People and Places (continued) (Photo: Rebec Motor Co.; West Front Street)
Page 313 Photos of People and Places (continued) (Photo: Middle Block/East Block of front street)
Page 314 Photos of People and Places (continued) (Photo:HighSchool;Mr.andMrs.Sampen'sHouse)
Page 315 1954 – 1974: Post Office (Photo: NewPost Office)
Page 316 City Hall & Streets
Page 317 Fire Protection & Fire Threat
Page 318 Water, Garbage Collection, & Sanitary District
Page 319 Sewage System & Churches
Page 320 Churches (cont.)
Page 321 Evangelist
Page 322 Schools (Photo: Mrs. Della Stretch)
Page 323 Schools (continued) (Photo: Centennial School)
Page 324 Schools (continued)
Page 325 American Field Service
Page 326 American Field Service (continued)
Page 327 City Government
Page 328 Township Government & New Additions
Page 329 Parks, War Memorial, & Memorial Home
Page 330 Public Library & Clubs
Page 331 More Clubs (Photo: Golf Club)
Page 332 More Clubs (continued)
Page 333 Kiwanis Club
Page 334 Kiwanis Club (continued)
Page 335 El Paso’s Centennial
Page 336 Nursing Homes (Photo: McDaniel Nursing Home)
Page 337 Mobile Homes & Multi-Dwellings
Page 338 Natural Gas, Fuel, Doctors, & Banking
Page 339 Banking (cont.)
Page 340 El Paso Telephone Co. (Photo: Woodford County Bank Directors)
Page 341 El Paso Telephone Co. (continued) (Photo: Telephone Company)
Page 342 Pfister Hybrid Corn Co.
Page 343 Business & Industry: Ritterbusch Pharmacy, Sampen Hardware, & More
Page 344 Kent Lumber & Coal Co., Curt Mahaffey, Monte Lindsey...(Photo:Sampen Hardware)
Page 345 El Paso Elevator Co., Woodlean Plant Food, Inc., & More
Page 346 Henning’s Clothing, Harry Schramm, Kenneth Faulk, & More
Page 347 Pearl Nohren, IGA, Dairy Queen, Plumbing, & More
Page 348 El Paso Locker & Meats, Frank Hartzell, Dr. E. E. Kelsey, & More
Page 349 Louis Knecht, Robert Rebbec, the Elms, & More
Page 350 Gala Café & Lounge, Gas Stations, Laundromats, & More
Page 351 Contractors, Beauty Shops, Unzicker Trucking, & More
Page 352 Marathon Metallic Building Co., American Dairy Assoc...(MarathonMetallicBuilding Co.)
Page 353 Panola
Page 354 Kappa, Secor, & Rural Change
Page 355 El Paso Area Pioneers (alphabetical): Adams – Allen
Page 356 Allen – Arnold
Page 357 Arnold – Barnard
Page 358 Barney – Bennett
Page 359 Bennett – Bigham
Page 360 Bilbrey – Blumenshine
Page 361 Bodger – Brewer
Page 362 Brewer – Bullock
Page 363 Burger – Cannon
Page 364 Cannon – Cassell
Page 365 Causey – Childs
Page 366 Chism – Cooper
Page 367 Corbley – Curtiss
Page 368 Daffern – Dewey
Page 369 Dix – Donohoe
Page 370 Down – Everett
Page 371 Evey – Frey
Page 372 Fursman – Geiger
Page 373 Geiger – Gish
Page 374 Gish – Guard
Page 375 Haas – Hammers
Page 376 Hammers – Harseim
Page 377 Hart – Hazlett
Page 378 Hebden – Hexamer
Page 379 Hibbs – Hinthorn
Page 380 Hinthorn – Hodgson
Page 381 Hodgson – Huxtable
Page 382 Jacobs – Jenkins
Page 383 Jenkins – Jones
Page 384 Jones – Kindig
Page 385 King – Kirklin
Page 386 Kirkpatrick – Lewis
Page 387 Leys – McClellan
Page 388 McCord – McKee
Page 389 McKee – Mayne
Page 390 Meech – Meyers
Page 391 Miayer – Montgomery
Page 392 Montgomery – Moore
Page 393 Morris – North
Page 394 North – Oatman
Page 395 O’Brien – Parks
Page 396 Parsons – Patterson
Page 397 Patton – Pfleeger
Page 398 Phillips – Pleasants
Page 399 Pleasants – Punke
Page 400 Radcliff – Reust
Page 401 Reynolds – Robeson
Page 402 Robeson – Ruvenacht
Page 403 Ruvenacht – Seever
Page 404 Sentil – Slater
Page 405 Smiser – Stephenson
Page 406 Stephenson – Strathman
Page 407 Strother – Swatsley
Page 408 Taylor – Trotter
Page 409 Tucker – Van Alstine
Page 410 Van Alstine – Vogel
Page 411 Waite – Watkins
Page 412 Wells – Willis
Page 413 Wilson – Work
Page 414 Yerion – Ziems