977.326 DERRY D44p PLANO, ILLINOIS; BIRTH- PLACE OF THE HARVESTER Birthplace of the harvester .,/, v4&'■■ •'';'*>•; 1854 \\ v& i}& ax 1954 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/planoillinoisbirOOderr Birthplace of the harvester Written and Compiled by Vernon Derry Edited by Mrs. Raymond Nelson Printed by Kelmscott Press - Aurora, Illinois UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS V* URBANA-CHAMfAlGN 1854 C/flfl" ftMEtVSRSttftr/ |954 DEDICATION This booklet is dedicated to the men and women who came to Piano in 1853 and 1854 and the years following to lay the foundation for the Piano of today. They built well. The schools, the churches, the paved streets, the utilities which provided water, sewers, electric lights, the business places are all a part of the town they dreamed of when they first staked out their claims or pur- chased land. Piano has been fortunate in that many of the first settlers remained here to help build during the years the town was growing. Many family names that were familiar a century ago are still familiar to us today. This booklet is de- dicated to all of them and to all others who have contributed to make Piano the lovely little city it is today. The following chapters are a composite story of information found in Steward's "Lost Maramech" ; Hick's "History of Kendall County;" "Histor- ical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Kendall County," printed by the Munsell Publishing Company; old copies of Kendall County News, Kendall County Record, Aurora Beacon-News and other smaller publications as well as the reference library at the Aurora Historical Museum. The most interesting in- formation has come from long-time residents of the city of Piano. The majority of photographs were taken by R. E. Lincoln, who was truly a master with his camera. Northern Illinois Territory in 1684 OUR FIRST INHABITANTS Midway between the city of Piano and the Fox River, the Little Rock and Big Rock Creeks unite into one. In less than a mile, they flow into the Fox. Between these creeks the ancient village of Maramech was located. This village at one time contained many hundreds of Indians. John F. Steward, one of Piano's most outstanding citizens of yesteryear, gave the world a most vivid and authentic account of the tragedy occurring at Maramech Hill. His book, "Lost Maramech and Old Chicago," published in 1903, is without question the most authorative source of information ever com- piled on this subject. The Fox nation, a hostile tribe, had been driven from their Wisconsin home into central Illinois. They were working their way back north, hoping to eventually reach the Iroquois tribe in the Eastern states where they might secure some safety. As they reached the Fox River, other tribes and French explorers trapped them and were determined to destroy them. The Fox warriors, num- bering approximately 300, with about one thousand women, children and older men, took refuge on Maramech Hill. As time went slowly on, several enemy tribes arrived to close in and slaughter these refugees. After three long weeks of fighting and starvation, the Foxes managed to find an escape route past sleeping guards. The night was quite chilly and rainy, and, during a storm, the entire tribe crept softly past the enemy. The cry of a small child is said to have awakened the guards. Some fighting occur- red during the remainder of the stormy night, but at the break of day a fight to the finish was begun. The Foxes fled, trying to protect their families, but the overwhelming power of the enemies slaughtered the fugitives. Very few were left of that well known tribe which left behind little except a name for our river. .. !. I D KAN i UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT UR8ANA -CHAMPAIGN Founders of Piano. Marcus Steward — John Hollisrer — Cornelius Henning John Matlock built this log cabin home in 1833, the first home within present city limits. Marcus Steward purchased home and claim and lived in cabin until 1842. First Lutheran Church is 300 feet southeast of site of this cabin. Grain cradles are being used to harvest wheat. KENDALL COUNTY Kendall County came into being on February 19, 1841, being named for Amos Kendall. The bill, as first introduced in the state legislature, provided that the county be called "Orange" County. Many early settlers here came from Orange County, New York, which undoubtedly had its influence on that name. When the bill was finally read, the name Kendall was substituted and passed as such. Many attempts were made to change it to Orange, but to no avail. The county was formed by taking six townships from LaSalle County and three from Kane. Yorkville was designated as the county seat until 1845, when it was moved to Oswego. Yorkville finally became the countyseat again in 1864, and no further changes were made. The first settlers in the county were Robert Beresford and his wife and two sons. They settled in what was later known as Holderman's grove in 1826. The Pierce Hawley family from Ottawa followed in 1827. For the next year these were the only cabins in the area that later became Kendall County. When in Oswego, the court-house was located on the site of the present high school building. The courthouse at Yorkville was built in 1864. In 1887 this building burned, but that same year was rebuilt. Schneider's Mill, built on Big Rock Creek one mile south of Piano in 1835. Building moved to Bracken's farm in 1905 and is still in use. A PIONEER So that the present generation of youngsters may get some idea of the hardships of those hardy, determined pioneers who over a century ago settled Little Rock township, I would like to repeat a story found in the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Kendall County. Nathaniel I. Robbins and his wife Catherine, with their four children, left their native state of New York to seek a home in the West. By chance he had learned of the rich prairies of Illinois that awaited settlers. He decided to visit that section and secure some of the land, and, finally, in 1835, reached Kendall County with his wife and two boys and two girls. By trade he was a shoemaker, and when he left New York state he carried with him a stock of shoes and found sale for them when he reached the little settlement of Chi- cago, which was fortunate, as he had but $3.00 left. He then started out to find a piece of land that would suit both his purse and desire, but failed to find any that he was able to secure until he met a Mr. Kingsley, at Big Rock Creek, who had pre-empted a claim and who was willing to sell 200 acres of it to Mr. Robbins. Feeling fortunate in securing land where the two great needs of pioneer life were to be obtained, fuel and water, he set off for Chi- cago on foot and there hired a man to bring out his family, and they took possession of an old log shanty on the bank of the creek and lived in it while a new log cabin was being built. He cut logs from the virgin forest, and with his one ox and a cow hitched as a team, conveyed his material to the selected site. With a shake roof and a mud and stick chimney, the modest home was soon completed and, although it had no flooring for several years, it served quite well for people who were too strong and sturdy to demand any kind of luxury in order to be happy and contended. When improvements were made they included the flooring of the cabin and the adding of an overhead floor, so that an attic was provided. In the fall of the same year Mr. Robbins assisted in the peaceful removal of the last of the Indians across the Mississippi River. In the following year he secured a team of steers, and with this assistance was able to break up his prairie land and get in crops from which he secured enough to pay for them in the next year. The nearest mill was in joliet. In order to live he had also to work for others and for a day's labor he received a bushel of potatoes. In the evenings he tried to work at his trade, but could do little cobbling, as he had no money with which to buy leather. When the land came into the market he had not yet been able to obtain money enough to pay for it, and sold a part of his claim for $2.50 an acre. Such is the record of the amazing hope, cour- age, and patience that marked the life of one of the pioneers of Kendall County and many of the details might be included in the biographies of others. In the course of years he was able to develop an excellent farm and bought additional land over the Kane County line and owned at one time over 300 acres. Mr. Robbins was the father to ten children, one (John) who lived in Piano, operated a grocery for two years and for nineteen years was in the livery business. His stables burned and shortly afterwards the library was built on the lot. John Robbins served for ten years as the Township Assessor. His last job was perhaps that of janitor of the library. First Frame House Built in Little Rock Township by Cornelius Henning in 1838. Excelsior Hotel built in 1854 by Calvin Barber. Burned in 1879. Main at Plain Sts. OUR CITY FATHERS In 1836 Cornelius Henning, his wife Morby (Thurber) and family left their home in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and settled on the present site of Piano. Hugh B. Henning, a son of Cornelius, raised his family just west of Piano. He and his wife Jane Ursula (Steward), were the parents of four sons, Edgar L., Albert E., Charles S., and Lawrence. Edgar L. was born April 8, 1849. His early life was spent on his father's farm and in local schools. In 1869 he graduated from the University of Mich- igan. His first position was as a bookkeeper with the firm of Steward & Hen- ning, manufacturers of harvesting machines. In 1875 he went in partnership with W. F. Ross under the firm name of Henning & Ross, operating a lumber and implement husiness. He was the promoter of Piano's first electric light plant. He married Mary Sears in 1874 having two children, Arthur Sears and Ethel A. Henning. In October, 1909, Edgar L. moved to Washington, D. C. and died three months later. Arthur Sears Henning now retired, resides in Washington, D. C. For many years he was a competent and trusted correspondent of the Chicago Tribune. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sears Henning are the parents of three daugh- ters and also have six grandchildren. Piano Academy built 1854. Photo taken 1874. Moved to Main Street 1893. Burned 1914. William T. Henning, another son of Cornelius, settled on a farm near Piano. He was married to Marinda B. (Brown) and died in 1881. They were the parents of the following children, Loren D., Gilbert F., Clara E., Herschel E., Hattie E., William W., and Eva L. Loren D. Henning, son of William T. was born on April 13, 1845. He received his education in the district schools, after which he assisted his father in homesteading until his marriage to Laura Ervin on December 30, 1868. He was a very successful farmer and retired in 1890, spending the re- mainder of his life in Piano. His first wife died in 1891, and she was survived by her husband and three children, Everett W., Katherine and Ervin D. On May 20, 1896, Loren married Mrs. Maude E. (Applegate) Cook. Maude, also a native of Piano, was the daughter of Seirgn Potter and Sarah Ann (Davis) Applegate, who came to Piano in 1856. Her father was engaged in the merchandising business for over forty years. In February, 1901, Mrs. Maude Henning was appointed librarian of the Little Rock Township Public Library and served very efficiently until her re- tirement in November 1951. Loren Henning died October 16, 1916. Gilbert Denslow Henning, youngest son of the late Cornelius Henning was born January 28, 1828. He was appointed Piano's first postmaster in 1854. Mr. Henning died in Piano on October 17, 1909. He has a large number of relatives still residing in Piano today. Marcus Steward and his wife Ursula (Hollister) journeyed from Wayne County, Pennsylvania, with their family of five children in a covered wagon. Four more children were born to them after settling here. Marcus bought a claim which later was the site of northern Piano. His occupation was farming so he lost no time in developing and cultivating the ground. In 1842 he built a saw mill and in 1852 a grist mill on Big Rock Creek. Later Marcus assisted his sons in the development of the Marsh Harvester. The Hon. Lewis Steward, eldest son of Marcus, followed in his father's footsteps to become one of Piano's leading citizens. He was instrumental in inducing the railroad surveyors to lay the tracks out through his land. He was a promoter of good roads by graveling them. Lewis is also credited with and responsible for the turning point in harvester history — the Marsh Harvester. Accomplishing many things for Piano, Lewis Steward will long be remembered for his interests in our city's welfare. Piano has often been called "The Child Of Lewis Steward's Creation." John Fletcher Steward, second son of Marcus also became one of Piano's distinguished men. Besides being a historian, he was a mechanical engineer and inventor, having many patents on harvesting machinery. Much of his know- ledge was gained from extensive travel. He was the author of the "Lost Mar- amech and Old Chicago," a book requiring endless research, even into the French army archives of nearly three centuries ago. No volume is more com- plete than this in dealing with local Indian history. Schoolhouse of Brown District, built 1850. Later moved to Academy yard. Later moved near old depot and used as warehouse. Again moved and used as Blacksmith shop. Photo taken 1909. Old CB & Q Depot. Replaced in 1913 with new modern building. William Deering Steward, grandson of the original Marcus Steward, was the last of the Stewards to make Piano his home. He was the third son of Lewis, the harvester king. He was educated locally and received his law school- ing in Chicago, and was the first president of the First State Bank of Piano for 14 years, resigning to become president of the Independent Harvester Co. He also was mayor of our city for fourteen years. All of us remember Deering, as he was with us until 1953. Archibald Sears was one of the early settlers in Kendall County. In 1836 with a capital of $1,500 he left New York state, buying surveying equipment on the way. Upon arriving here he assisted in making surveys, and worked in various counties laying out sections and townships. Meanwhile, Mr. Sears invested heavily in land. Later he became a large stockholder in the Sandwich Manufacturing Co. He was twice married, outlived both wives, dying at the age of 92. Albert H. Sears was born in Piano from the second marriage of Archibald Sears. Albert was one of the incorporators of the Piano Manufacturing Com- pany organized in 1881. He was director and general superintendent of the plant until 1883 when he resigned to enter the banking and mercantile busi- ness. In 1895 when the Piano Mfg. Co. moved to West Pullman, Mr. Sears bought the old harvester plant and started his own business. The Sears name will always be remembered in Piano. Here Comes the ROCKET circa 1859. PLANO, ILLINOIS Piano was not founded on a desolate terrain as were many villages a century ago. This area had been occupied by a few early Kendall County settlers who had been here for several years. A Mr. Ball had built a saw and grist mill on Big Rock Creek one mile south of Piano in 1835. He sold this mill to John Schneider two years later. Mr. Schneider had built the first mill at Yorkville in 1832, being an early settler there. Other mills were built near- by along the creeks and Fox River. David and Benjamin Evans were among the first settlers who claimed land where Piano is now located. They sold out to Marcus Steward in 1838. Archibald Sears and Cornelius Henning settled in 1836 from New York state. The Aurora Branch Railroad was completed in 1851, running between Turners Junction (West Chicago) and Aurora. This line connected with the Chicago and Galena Union (Northwestern) at the junction giving Aurora a train into Chicago. In 1853, the Aurora Branch Railroad extended its tracks westward to Mendota, Illinois, and the name changed to Chicago and Aurora Railroad. Th^ tracks missed Oswego and Bristol, buf stations were built for these villages along the right of way. There was a distance of eleven, miles between Bristol station and Sand,w4^i with plenty of room for another station. So, between the Big Rock and Little^Rock timbers the town of Piano was laid out on February 28, 1853. Piano is the Spanish word for plain. Piano was not built along a river, but up on the plains. John Hollister, a landholder of the vicinity suggested the name. Much of the land belonged to Marcus Stew- ard who was instrumental in inducing the surveyors to lay the railroad over his prairie land instead of following the river towns of Oswego, Yorkville, and Bristol. THE UCHf-RUNNJWC PL M PLANO HARVESTER. The manufacturers said in 1881 — "The cutter bar has a backing of wood and cannot bend or warp. Iron alone will bend in use or on the cars. Wood alone will warp and is clumsy." The first house built in this new town was constructed by William Ervin who soon opened a general store in his home. Calvin Barber built the second house in town and soon afterwards built the Excelsior, Piano's first hotel. Hugh B. Henning opened up the second store in our new village. All this and more took place that first summer in 1853, before the first train pulled into town on August 23. The nearest post office was at Little Rock village (est. 1836) where the mail was brought in on the Frink & Walker stage coaches twice each week. Piano's post office was established in 1854 with Denslow Henning receiving the commission as first postmaster. THE BELL RINGS Perhaps the first school in our vicinity was the Hiddleson school which opened in 1837. Mr. Hiddleson contracted to construct a log school house, complete with shake roof and filling between the logs for the sum of eighty dollars. This school was in the Rob Roy timber. Joseph Lehman was the first teacher. In a few years the Holdridge school was started. Soon all the children left Hiddleson to attend this new school. Rev. John Beaver, a Baptist minister, was the first teacher. Another early school was held in a log cabin on the site of the Piano Cemetery. It opened in 1839 with Thomas Hamilton, a well educated man from England, as the first teacher. He taught French, Latin and higher mathematics to the older "scholars." In 1845 the Ryan school opened, luring all the children from the other schools. The first teacher was a Mr. Greeley, relative of the famous Horace (Go west, young man) Greeley. This school operated for about ten years. The Gravel school was the first within the new town of Piano. It was built in 1850 and was the leading school in the township until the Piano Academy was opened in 1854. This academy was unquestionably the finest school in the county. At first it was maintained by charging tuition, but later was supported by taxes when the State of Illinois passed such laws. As the attendance grew, a number of smaller buildings were built or moved to the school grounds. The large original building was referred to as the mother hen while the smaller ones were the little chickens. After many years the big building was moved up on Main street and was replaced with a fine new brick and stone school on the same site. This building accommodated both grade and high school students until the new high school was built in 1926. The new Centennial grade school on the south side of town will be dedicated this year (1954) and will provide the finest facilities for education for many years. PLANO'S EARLY INDUSTRIES "The day will come when men will not be so foolish as to throw their grain on the ground and then tear their hands in the stubble while getting it up again." Such was the statement made by an old time Kendall County resi- dent. A definite trend was under way to lay down the old fashioned grain cradle in favor of more modern equipment. Several experiments were being con- ducted in nearby communities between 1840 and I860. The first grain reaper in America was unquestionably one built in the summer of 1843 at the home of Marcus Steward by John Hollister and Mr. Steward here in Piano. After many weeks of labor and tests this crude machine cut several fields of grain. Being quite revolutionary in principle for those early days, this machine was not manufactured. Steward's Mill and Millrace. Once the home of the Piano Tannery. During the harvest of 1857 two brothers, C. W. and W. W. Marsh of DeKalb, Illinois, conceived an idea which eventually became the famous Marsh Harvester. By I860 they had built a dozen machines which proved to be too frail to handle the heavy grain that year. These brothers were ready to give up when they invited Lewis Steward to DeKalb to inspect the machines in operation. Their harvester worked well for a few rods, but would frequently break down. Mr. Steward saw a great future in their harvester and upon de- parting told the brothers, "If it can be made to run ten rods it can be made to run ten miles, and there is a man in Piano who can do it. Come down there with your machine and I will guarantee that you will get one made that will stand up to its work." This was the turning point in harvester history. That winter (1860-61) John Hollister (the man) and W. W. Marsh built Piano's first harvester. It worked well, exceeding the expectations of the builders. This machine cut the grain which then fell back on a canvas apron and was then conveyed up over a large drive wheel where it fell on a divided table. Two men stood beside this table on a footboard and bound the grain as fast as it fell over to them. They then tossed the bundles to the ground. In connection with the first Marsh harvester, Mr. Seth Parsons, who owned a splendid 200 acre farm nearby, was the driver of the original machine. In describing it he said; "That machine was a monster. A step-ladder was necessary to mount it. It was built on so generous a scale that when we were ready to take it out for trial it was found too great to admit its passage from the building, and, as the machine was the more important, a portion of the walls was removed. The mechanism and size were modified before presenta- tion to the market. That first machine surely was a mule killer. The original price of the machine was $220." Young Ladies Republican Club of Piano in Parade of 1888. By 1863 manufacturing began in earnest under the name of Steward and Marsh. These harvesters were built in a stone shop previously constructed by Mr. Steward in hopes of inducing some new industry to locate in Piano. For the 1864 harvest, mty machines were begun but only twenty-six finished. The balance were ready for the 1865 crops. In 1866 they produced one hundred more harvesters. G. W. Marsh joined the partnership in 1866 and business increased rapidly under the name of Marsh Brothers and Steward. The next year they built and sold six hundred harvesters. In 1869 seven hundred fifty were built. In 1870, one thousand; 1871, fourteen hundred; 1872, fourteen hundred; 1873, two thousand seven hundred and fifty; 1874, five thousand. In the years 1875-76 ten thousands were built here in Piano. In 1875 the Marsh Harvester Company passed into the hands of E. H. Gammon and William Deering who, in 1880 moved the manufacturing fa- cilities to North Chicago, taking many of Piano's best mechanics to the huge Deering shops. Eventually the Deering Company was absorbed by the McCor- mick company and finally both became a part of International Harvester. The people of Piano revived the old harvester plant by organizing the Piano Manufacturing Company. Many harvesters were again produced here until 1893, when this plant was moved to West Pullman, Illinois. At the peak of production, this plant manufactured 10,000 binders and 15,000 other agricultural implements, consisting of mowers, headers, hay rakes, etc. an- nually. This business paid large profits reaching almost $500,000.00 net profits in the year 1884. An average of 700 men were employed here. Soon a new factory, the Piano Implement Company, occupied the old stone building where potato planters were manufactured for a few years. The buildings, plant, and machinery were then sold to A. H. Sears and was known as the Sears Manufacturing Company. Hallowe'en party for Piano Woman's Club — circa 1899. Ladies Society of ihe old Congregational Church around 1890. Back row, L to R, Jennie Henning; unknown; Mrs. Broadus; Mrs. Burson; Mrs. Isterman; Mrs. Miner; Clara Burson; Kitty Givens. Middle row, Clara Burgess; Jennie Cook; Mrs. Wm. Henning; unknown; Mrs. Page; Eliza Normonden; Mrs. Ella Sanders, Front row, Mrs. Laurie; Mrs. Gross; Julia Maghell; Rev. Goshen; Eliza Givens; unknown; Mrs. Olson. Another short lived industry moved to Piano about 1910. This was the Holsman Automobile Company. The company was founded in 1902 and built one of the most popular cars of the high wheel type. They were built in the stone building just north of the Davis Company building. This car had four high buggy-type wheels and driven by ropes from a jackshaft to the rear wheels. The Holsman plant was later incorporated into the Independent Har- vester Company. The year of 1905 saw the starting of a new large industry in Piano. Within a few weeks after its conception a movement was under way to form the Independent Harvester Company, a co-operative enterprise. Farmers, mer- chants, bankers and just ordinary Planoites, as well as many citizens through- out the Middle West, purchased stock in the new harvester company. Several thousand farmers owned the plant that produced their implements. Joseph Boda, a native son, was the general superintendent. Mr. Boda had at the age of thirteen been an apprentice for the Marsh brothers in the old Marsh harvester plant. Later on he was a foreman in the Piano Manufacturing Company shops. Other key men in the new Independent shops were William Hibbs, engineering department; George Barrett, auditor; Julian Steward, a leading director, who represented the third generation of Stewards interested in the production of harvesters. W. C. Thompson was the president and gen- eral manager. The Independent manufactured the grain shocker, corn picker, manure spreader, and other farm implements. Again Piano possessed a harvester fac- tory which produced machines for thousands of farmers all over the country. In the meantime, there were many mergers of the separate reaper companies, making it almost impossible for the Independent to compete against the big consolidated companies. The doors were finally closed on Piano's harvester dreams in 1920. There have been many smaller industries in Piano besides harvester plants. Many sprang up or moved here, lasting a few months or a few years at the most. The Piano Tannery was built in 1864 by Mr. Gardner of Yorkville. After its destruction by fire another was built by Lewis Steward. B. F. Jacobs be- came superintendent in 1868. It contained forty vats and consumed six hundred tons of tan bark annually. Three thousand hides were dressed per year. In 1876 a boot and shoe factory was opened by the same management. S. W. and E. Jacobs were the foremen. This shoe factory used practically all the leather from the tannery and did a large volume of business. The assembly line prin- ciple was used. This busy little factory operated several years. The Sears Manufacturing Company was started in 1895 by Albert H. Sears. He was one of the incorporators of the Piano Mfg. Co. when it was Piano High School Football Team. Back row, L to R, G. S. Steward, Capt.; Rome Terry; Clare Williams; Earl Smith. Center row, Howard Henning; Willard Zillar; John Lyons; Fred Hiddleson. Front row, Merrift Pepper; Will Hiddleson; James Hamlin; Volney Henning. Piano Public School, both grade and high, built 1893. organized. He was a director and general superintendent there for many years. The Sears plant produced corn cultivators, harrows, corn planters, and other agricultural implements as well as metal beds and lawn furniture. At the peak of business nearly one hundred men found employment there. Manufacturing ceased in 1910. The Earl Manufacturing Company was established in 1899 and employed fifty men. Here stepladders and extension ladders were made and park settees. This plant closed in 1908. also lawn swings KENDALL COUNTY NEWSPAPERS The earliest settlements in what is now Kendall County were dependent on outside journals for national news and events, until H. S. Humphrey founded the Kendall County Courier at Oswego in 1852. Abraham Sellers was his associate. This paper lasted until 1855 when it was sold to W. P. Boyd who then changed the name to the Courier and made it a Democratic sheet which was edited by A. P. Nible of Newark. After this it was sold to a printer from Iowa. Then came the Kendall County Journal which was issued at Piano by A. Sellers. This paper also collapsed in the year 1857. In 1869, A. N. Beebe and Dr. I. E. Bennett started a paper published by John R. Marshall at the office of the Kendall County Record at Yorkville, called the Piano Mirror. This was distributed in Piano up until 1884 when it was discontinued. Rev. Hoover and his Boys Brigade in 1899. The Yorkville News was established in May 1872 by Callie D. M. and R. M. Springer at Yorkville, which was moved to Piano in 1877. At first it was run as a semi-weekly and then changed to a weekly paper. The name was also changed from the Piano News to the Kendall County News in 1881. Between 1885 and 1898 two other papers were started and discontinued. The first one called the Piano Pivot was started in 1885 by C. W. Bailey. This paper lasted only a very short time. The Piano Standard was the other one started in 1898, edited by Joseph Adams and published by Myron R. Pritchard. Because of ill feelings between the partners the paper was sold to the Faxon Brothers of the Kendall County News. Since then the Kendall County News has changed hands many times. The owners being J. N. Marley, F. E. Marley, Joseph R. Adams, Frank D. Lowman, Ed. Faxon, Faxon Brothers, George S. Faxon and son, Orson E. Faxon. The latter owned the paper until July 1, 1952. This prominent family settled in Little Rock Township in 1840. Walter S. Faxon, father of George S., was the builder of many of the first brick and stone houses in Kendall County. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster at Piano by President McKinley and held that office until April 1, 1914. Also one of the promoters of the Independent Harvester Company. Since 1952 the News has been published by Howard Pine and his wife, and is unquestionably one of the finest weekly papers in the state. Mr. Pine has put every possible effort into a special Centennial issue of the News which will be cherished for many many years. Dr. F. H. Lord in his Merry Oldsmobile of 1901 vintage. PLANO'S CHURCHES THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is Pianos oldest Christian organization, being founded in 1856. The first church building was con- structed that same year, serving the congregation for fifty years. The present brick and stone structure was built in 1906 and has a seating capacity of ap- proximately 700. Rev. B. L. Winslow was the first pastor. The present pastor is Wilbur Hopkins. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Piano was organized in 1876 al- though the Baptist congregation dates back to 1836. A community church was built before the days of Piano's birth, but did not survive. The present church was built in 1882. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1902 with seating capactiy of 650. The first pastor was Rev. Lansing Steward. The present pastor is Rev. R. E. Simms. THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH was founded in 1883 under the name Scandinavian Lutheran. Reverend Roseland was the first pastor. This progressive congregation is presently building a new church. Rev. Leonard Johnson is the pastor. We have also had a German Lutheran congregation which has been inactive for many years. The Congregational Church founded in 1868 has also been discontinued, it being founded in 1868. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH was built in 1885 under the pas- torship of Rev. Lawrence A. Erhard. Before the church was constructed, Father C. J. Huth attended the Catholics of the vicinity, holding services and mass in private homes. The parish house was built in 1908. The Rev. John Savukynas, MIC is the present pastor. Rev. A. Kelpsas, MIC, assistant. 5 Ba(jytnA^ * Strolling in the Park one day in the 90s. Note old RR bridge. THE REORGANIZED CHURCH OF CHRIST of Latter Day Saints is in itself interwoven into the history of Piano. Here from 1866 until 1881 was the World headquarters of the church. Here during these years lived Joseph Smith who had become the President of the church in I860 at its reorganiza- tion. This followed the dark and cloudy days when the church was scattered by the death of his father, Joseph Smith in 1844 in Carthage, Illinois, dur- ing the troubles encountered at the MHHB city of Nauvoo. The stone Church, which is Piano's oldest church building, was dedi- cated in November, 1868, the first official home of the Reorganization. From 1863 until 1881 the church press, "The Herald House," was in Piano and here thousands of books and tracts were published. Piano was the scene of fourteen General Conferences, from which many missionaries left for their fields to all parts of the United States and in mis- sions abroad. As the years passed, many from the original church were united into the Reorganization. The church has gained steadily. While in Piano, President Joseph Smith took an active part in the com- munity life of the village, serving for some time as president of the town board. Here in Piano was born Frederick M. Smith, President of the church from 1914 until 1946. Also born here was the present President of the church, Israel A. Smith. The church headquarters were moved to Lamoni, Iowa in 1881. With this departure, the Herald office and the Smith family and many members followed, but an active branch has been continued on in Piano. Headquarters are now at Indep endence, Missouri. T he Stone Church has come to be a his- torical shrine for fl| | visitors from all over the world. Also of interest are the old Smith homes and the Herald office which is now a residence. The present pastor is Richard Wildermuth, assisted by Gerald Blakely. Main Street looking east circa 1907. HOW DRY I WUZ In the early days a temperance wave swept our county. Our villages had not set up adequate law enforcement to have control over the saloons, which operated without much restraint. Piano city fathers had been somewhat suc- cessful in keeping the saloons out of town. Some were located out along the Fox River and on the road near Maramech hill. To make things a bit more convenient for the local boys, a baker, located at the corner of Main and Hugh streets was stocking a fair supply of 'spirits' in his back room. A ladies organization, consisting of many prominent citizens, both wives and daughters, armed themselves with hatchets, clubs, and other such weapons, and marched in a body to the bake shop. The baker, suspecting trouble, bar- racaded the door. Two dozen women proved too much for his fortification and in a matter of seconds the baker and bakery received some rough treatment . The liquor barrels, jugs, etc. were completely demolished. These gals were mad. They then paid their respects to another "thirst parlor" leaving adequate evi- dence of their visit. These ladies were quite happy for a while until Sheriff James S. Cornell arrived with a warrant for their arrest. After all, they had destroyed the prop- erty of others. Finally the day arrived when they had to appear in court in Oswego, the county seat at the time. Imagine their delightful surprise when they were met at the outskirts of Oswego by a delegation of prominent citizens, headed by a brass band, to escort them to the court house. Imagine their surprise when their case was called in court that no one was there to appear against them and the case was dismissed. Needless to say, their journey home was far more pleas- ant than had been anticipated. The W. Sauer's Livery Stable about 1905. REMEMBER WHEN? Taken from "Now & Then" in the Aurora Beacon-News, December 28, 1930. Dick Curry can remember when he worked for August W. West in Sand- wich during the 1860's. Mr. West conducted an old time meat market. Buying his stock from the nearby farmers and doing his own butchering. "I was sixteen years old and one of my jobs during this time was to run a retail meat wagon, throughout that part of the country, visiting the farmers and corner settlements. I drove a team pulling a light covered wagon and on my route used to ford the river at the Post mill, not far from Piano. Never will I forget the day I was saved from a watery finish by inches and a second more would have been too late. On that day I drove to the ford from the south side, the river was quite high. I didn't know the Fox river too well and started across. Since I had always crossed there I had no thoughts of any danger. I got about half way when a man at the Post mill shouted to me and waved his hands frantically for me to stop. Then I realized the depth of the water and the strength of the current fot even then it was sweeping the horses off their feet. Somehow I backed them up, inch by inch in that rushing water, which by no means was an easy task. Slowly I worked the team back, twisting in the swift current and every moment it seemed we would upset. But we finally made it, turned around and went back. This fight for life in the middle of the raging Fox river, I'll never forget. I left Mr. West who later influenced me to come to Aurora. I was twenty then and went to Piano to manage a market for Joe Racine and Seth Parsons. Maude Henning and Eva Henning Laurie riding on Center Ave. Robbins home in background on site of Library. Piano at that time was a lively town. It was a no-license town but saloons were run outside the city limits. The reaper factory was working full force. Mr. Elijah Crane Field was superintendent at that time. The factory paid once a month, that was a busy day in Piano for that was the day when everybody paid their monthly bills. On that day I worked at the market from three to eleven, taking in money and checking up the old time pass books, issued to our customers. Do you re- member those old pass books? They had a picture of a beef-head on the corner and the customer's name and address. The first to come were the moulders who finished their day of work at three o'clock. From then on there was a continuous stream until eleven p.m. as they all came in to straighten up their accounts. I enjoyed my years at Piano and left rather reluctantly to join Mr. West in Aurora." SOCIETIES THE ODD FELLOWS, one of Piano's first social organizations was or- ganized in Little Rock in 1855 and came to Piano in 1867. Present member- ship is eighty. Fred Wohlers is Noble Grand with Emmitt Evans, secretary. THE SUNBEAM MASONIC LODGE No. 428 A. F. & A. M. was organ- ized in 1864. They have a membership of 120. Master is W. F. Lossman and secretary is Ambrose Cooper. THE WOMAN'S CLUB was originally organized as an Art Club in 1881 becoming the Piano Woman's Club in 1899. Mrs. Emily Fields is their presi- dent with Mrs. John Godde Jr., secretary. They have a membership of eighty- seven. The purpose of the club is mutual improvement thru consideration of the home education, philanthrophy and community welfare. THE ROYAL NEIGHBORS has a membership of thirty-seven with Emma Lawson, oracle and Eva Courtright, secretary and recorder. This club was organized in December 1892. THE PLANO CHAPTER O.E.S. No. 475 was organized on March 22, 1901. They have a membership of one hundred and twenty-six with Mabel Stroup, Worthy Matron, and Faye Stroup, Worthy Patron. THE REBECCA LODGE has a membership of eighty-five. Mrs. Arthur Wade Sr., Noble Grand and Mrs. Edgar Denton, secretary. THE KINGS DAUGHTERS was organized in 1911. Its present member- ship is sixty-two. Mrs. Emil Springer is president and Mrs. Harley Gill, secretary. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE was organized in the Piano Hotel about 1920. It is a civic organization whose purpose is to contribute to the development of Piano. It has a membership of thirty-five business men and women. Owen Cooper is president and Warner Wadley is secretary. THE AMERICAN LEGION with Eli Lucas,commander and Frank Her- manek Jr., adjutant, has a membership of two-hundred and fifty-two. It was organized in 1920 and was followed by an Auxiliary in 1921, which has one hundred and forty members. Mrs. Carl Millican ; pres. and Mrs. Ralph Gardner, sec. THE CEDARDELL GOLF CLUB, a club for Pianos enthusiastic golfers was organized in 1926. The present membership is two-hundred. John Godde Jr. ; president and Fred Schrader, secretary. Graduating class of Piano High School in 1903. Potato Planter manufactured by Albert H. Sears Company in 1881, THE A CAPELLA is one of the largest clubs with two hundred and twenty-five members. It was organized in 1930. Its president is Mrs. Norman Burson Jr. and Mrs. Pete Kivitts, secretary. THE PLANO BAND ASSOCIATION was organized in 1938 for the purpose of assisting the band by providing uniforms, transportation, music and keeping band instruments in working condition. The membership is com- posed of about one hundred and twenty parents of band students as well as others interested in the success of the Piano band. John Godde Jr. is the presi- dent with Mrs. Richard Wildermuth as secretary. THE SPORTSMAN CLUB is for Planoites interested in game conserva- tion, sportsmanship and all around outdoor recreation. It was organized in 1941. William Krankel is president, Earl E. Meyers, secretary. They have a membership of eighty-seven. THE ROTARY, one of the youngest clubs in Piano, was organized in May 1941. This civic organization sponsors scouting and promotes international relations by assisting a foreign student to study in this country. Warner Wad- ley; president and secretary, Rev. R. E. Simms heads the twenty-five pro- fessional men who are members. THE P.T.A. is an active group seeking cooperation between the home and the school. They sponsor Cub Scouts, Campfire and Bluebird groups. Their membership numbers one hundred thirty-four with Mrs. Vilas Nesson; presi- dent and Mrs. Edward Borneman ; secretary. THE SCOUTS under the direction of John Godde and his committee has four dens. About thirty Cub Scouts are in this group. Glenn Simms is their Scout-master, assisted by Jesse Jay, Everet Stoutenberg andTritz Sandberg. THE SENIOR SCOUTS, Explorer Post has ten active members with head- quarters in the Senior Scout Lounge Hang-Out in the City hall. Their president is Glenn Dobbs, with Dean Graves as treasurer. Don Wallis is their advisor, assisted by Lloyd Heller, Lyle Graves and Emil Masat. Boating on Main Street after cloudburst in 1911 PLANO BANKS The first bank in Piano was operated by Lewis Steward. His office became a general depository for the surplus money of the community. This business soon required too much of Mr. Steward's time who found it necessary to turn it over to his nephew, Edgar L. Henning. It was then known as the First Bank of Piano, being established in 1876. It was a private bank, and with most others, in the county, failed in the panic of 1893. In 1897 this bank was purchased by John R. Steward and W. Deering Steward and operated as a private bank until 1901 when it was incorporated as the First State Bank of Piano. Albert H. Sears established the Sears Bank of Piano in 1881. This was the only bank in the community to survive the panic of 1893. It operated for many years, never failing to meet any of its financial obligations. When private banks were required to liquidate by government decree, this bank closed, pay- ing off all its depositors in full. The Piano State Bank was established September 9, 1909. This bank and the First State Bank merged in 1928, but the merger did not survive the depres- sion in the 30's. There were no banks in Piano until 1943. The Community Bank of Piano opened its doors October 1, 1943. The charter was issued on September 24 and a permit issued August 24 to W. K. Henning, W. J. Pope, L. A. Sears, E. T. Telling and C. M. Mall. Present deposits exceed two million dollars. Present officers are Robert J. Sears, President; C. J. Smith, Vice-president; Zean Davis, Joseph Stupka, E. T. Telling and C. M. Mall, directors. Down town Piano half a century ago. First movie house is shown at right. PRESENT INDUSTRIES GRAY STAMPING & MANUFACTURING COMPANY was founded in 1921 by E. E. Gray, Sr., E. E. Gray, Jr., L. S. Gray and W. B. Gray, their first location was a small store building known as the Ban Kirk Building. Their original products were novelties, but now produce components for many industries including radio, television and paper mills. The plant has grown steadily, now employing aproximately 80 persons. The president is L. S. Gray. Mrs. Dorothy Gray is vice president and secretary. A branch has been esta- blished in Chenoa, Illinois. THE P & W FOUNDRY was started in 1931 by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Peterson in a back basement room of the present Piano Molding building. In 1938 a new foundry building was erected. Mrs. Peterson carried on the business after Arthur's death in 1944. Her son Harold became owner upon her death in 1953. Fourteen employees produce brass and aluminum castings in this foundry. PLANO MOLDING COMPANY was organized in 1931 by W. K. Henning, employing two people. Soon Emmett E. Hannigan entered as a partner in a "Common Law Trust." In 1937 the company was incorporated, W. K. Henning being the president. In 1946 his son James joined his father and since 1952 has been president. Molded plastic articles are produced by approximately 90 people. BRONZE & STEEL DIE CASTING COMPANY is a new industry brought to Piano in January 1933 by Charles Meier, Sr. and his son Fred R. They introduced a new material, which is stronger than steel, called aluminum bronze, and the method of manufacturing it, into the United States about 45 years ago. From a small beginning, this company has grown rapidly making several moves until in 19-t8 when they moved into their present quarters. This modern factory produce parts for many nationally known industries. Charles Meier, Sr. died in 1946. Fred R. Meier now operates the plant. The HOLSMAN Automobile The Farmer's Favorite. PROVED BY SIX YEARS' USE RIDES LIKE A CARRIAGE Holsman Automobiles were built here in 1911-12. THE MONARCH FOUNDRY COMPANY was started in 1933 by Ellis M. Johns and Myrtle B. Johns as partners. They incorporated in 1946 taking in two sons, Howard C. and Glen A. Johns. At present they employ approx- imately fifty people. The products are gray iron and semi-steel castings, also Monite Hi-Strength iron. This foundry is located in part of the old Inde- pendent Harvester Company building. THE SANDWICH IRON FOUNDRY was organized in 1944 by Robert Madison who built the building they now occupy. Maurice Glover was the manager. In 1951 John Parrish and his son Robert bought the business. Eight people are employed making gray iron castings. DAVIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY was founded by Zean W. Davis in his garage back of his home on W. Lee St. This company has contin- ually grown to its present size, and is now located in a modern building, built in 1945 at South and Will streets. Normally 80 people are employed here. The products manufactured are replacement cord sets for many types of elec- trical appliances. Also other patented household items, the largest being the Davis Electro-Sweep carpet sweeper. The annual payroll is well over $200,000. FEDERAL-HUBER was organized in 1923 by James Vogt. In 1925 there were 115 employees. The owner and President is D. A. Raymond. Wm. Stein has been superintendent since 1937. Today there are 230 employees manufacturing plumbing supplies. This company is located in part of the old harvester plant. WEIR MACHINE AND FOUNDRY COMPANY, INC. was organized in 1923 by Albert Samson and Fred Weir, as a partnership. In 1941 they operated a foundry in Sandwich, but after a year they moved all operations into part of the harvester building and at the same time incorporated. The foundry produces gray iron, chilled iron and aluminum castings, plumbing supplies, metal and wood patterns, and machined parts of various types. They average sixty employees. ILLINOIS PRESCRETE COMPANY started operating in Piano in the spring of 1950. It is engaged in the manufacture of prestressed floor and roof slabs used in commerical construction. Other precast concrete products are also manufactured here. Karl C. Schmidt is president; Craig Cain, Vice- president; Ray Chimenti, Secretary; Crosby Schmidt, Plant manager. The main offices are in Chicago. Average employment is 25 people. Liberty Bond Drive in 1917 during World War No. 1. LIBRARY Piano is indeed fortunate in owning the Little Rock Township Public Library. Through the untiring efforts of E. W. Faxon, Albert Cook, J. R. Steward, J. M. Sears, L. D. Henning and Dr. I. E. Bennett, a lot was purchased from John Robbins, and the library was built in 1905. When clear title to the lot and maintenance was assured, Andrew Carnegie donated $9,000.00 to erect and furnish the building. Maude Henning was librarian from 1901 until November of 1951. The present librarian is Mrs. Willis Gray. DOCTORS The following doctors practice at the present time. Dr. Ray F. Crawford; Drs. Francis A. Torrey and Margaret Torrey; Dr. George W. Finley (residing in Sandwich) and Dr. R. A. Schaefer (retired). Dentist is Robert Allen. CITY OFFICIALS IN 1954 The present officials are: Mayor — Martin L. Hartjen; City Clerk — Frank A. Young; Treasurer — Estelle M. Jones ; Aldermen — Ellis Johns, George Michels, Walter Billingham, Albert Peterson, Millard McKirgan, and John Armstrong. Street commissioner is Cecil Dobbs. Health commissioner is Dr. Raymond Crawford. Police chief — Clement L. Flinker, assisted by Albert Mattik. Piano received a charter for a village in 1854; as an incorporated town in 1864 and as a city in 1883. The city hall was built in 1883. The first mayor was M. T. Green. Big name Planoites now include Scott Wheeler, noted organist, Faye Cooper Cole, famous writer, Arthur Sears Henning, retired newspaper man, and many others. Ttmn.wwi Volunteer Fire Department, circa 1900 Steward's opera house, 1902 .,.■■:■: ■.:■■■ , . '.,• - ■' • ■ If " ■ mm / ■ . ■ ■■ ■■.■■■ Rural mail carriers, 1901 977™n? D ERS,TV0FILUN0ISURM NA 977.326D44P mm PLANO, ILLINOIS PLANO? 3 0112 025388155