Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-07-27
CONCERNING CANOE CREEK.
More Interesting Historical Facts
About the Rock Island County
Township. III ii lsdale.

hDOut tuC hStuhu SOuhty
Township .HiIIsdale.
HILLsDALE, July 25.-Hillsdale is 8
small village twenty-four miles northeast
of Rock Island, located on the c.. B. &
Q. railroad The population of the vii
lage proper will number about one hun
dred. The land upon which the town
stands is quite low and the soil is sandy
1t was owned by Jas. and Richard Hill
was laid out about 1867. but the plat was
not filed until 1869. The c., B. & O.,
then the Rockford. Rock Island & St
Louis railroad, was built the fall and win
ter of 1868, and the first cars ran over the
road in March of the following year
Among the first business houses built
was that of Machan & Taylor in 1869
The proprietors carried full line of dry
goods, groceries, boots and shoes, nos
tons, etc. This firm was succeeded by
Machan Il Co, who were succeeded by j.
G, Sperry, and he in turn by NJ. Ward &.
The building was then idle for short
time, when Schuck Il Duncan stocked il
with groceries. They were bought out
in 1888 by Fender & Virgins, who were
superseded by Fender & Wendle, the
present proprietors. During their short
stay they have built up large and lucra-
tive trade, which is constantly increasing
Last spring Mr.. J. Nj. Martin put in a
stock of dry goods and notions. His
trade, together with Fender & Wendle, is
large and constantly growing. They en-
JOY the full confidence of their patrons,
and this by their fair and honest dealings.
Beal Bros. started a grain and stock
business in 1878, and did an extensive
business until 1888. when they failed
their failure Is still to be felt among the
farmers, as the amount taken from the
neighborhood was about $50, 900. This
is the only failure the village ever had,
and it was a great surprise to many, as
they were considered as safe as bank,
and large sums were frequently de-
posted with them. The town has for
the past three years had a boom on a
small scale. The railroad company
bought ten acres of ground land of F ..
Tageart with which they are improving
their road bed. The working of this pit
has employed at various times from
twenty to fifty men, all boarding here,
The town has never fully recovered the
failure of Beal Bros, but is gradually
getting into its old place. There are two
firms in the stock business-Pearsall
Bros. and NJ. ID. Hauberg, who buy all
over this part of the country.
Jas. DOnahOe also managed general
implement, hardware and lumber busi>
ness for one year. Last spring J. F.
Mill began business with stock of lum>
ber building material, implements, We
hicies, etc. He is the present postmas-
ter.
Mr.. Schrader shortly afterwards built
the Union hotel, saloon and dance hall
c. Gerhardt bought him out several years
ago and short time afterwsrd put in a
stock of dry goods, groceries, etc. He
has quite an extensive trade.
Bremen Stout for long time operated
a blacksmith shop which has since
changed hands several times. John
krantZ is at present the blacksmith and
wagon maker.
VIM. Nosbnrg was for several years the
leading carpenter and builder of this
vicinity. A great deal of his work is
still to be seen and it speaks for itself
VIM. Ennis and Elisha Devinney con-
Quoted large store for a period of sew
eral years. This firm was changed TO
Ennis Il Howard, who afterwards closed
out their stock.
j. M. Lsmphere for time conducted a
general store. but on account of poor
health closed ont his stock few years
ago.
The HIllsdale hotel and restaurant was
built by r. Hill about thirteen years ago.
The present equipments of the house are
excellent.
VIM. Ernst ran saloon and hotel Cor
some time in what is now the Lamphere
house.
d. NJ. Martin & Son conducted an
implement store for one year.