Davis High School - Davinois Yearbook (Davis, IL)

Page 60 text:

' - 'fqlhe-.l.avino'.59' ' Sketches of Interest Concerning Our District - Continued Davis' first newspaper, f'The Davis Budget, came into existence in May, 1873, and was operated by Messrs. K. T. and K. C. Stabeck. This was sold in September, 1878, to Mr. S. W. Tallman and the name was changed to The Davis Review. Our present paper, The Davis Leader, was founded May 4, 1911, by Mr. Edward Degunther, who is still in charge of this publication. The railroad was built through Davis in 1857-1858. The road was first named The Racine 8z Southwestern, next called The Northern Illinois, later changed to The Western Union, and in 1879 it was given its present name, Chicago, Milwaukee 81 St. Paul. The first station agent in Davis was a gentleman by the name of Mr. Hughes. The Methodist church in Davis was organized in june, 1859. Among its founders were: Messrs. Henry Springer, Edward Marsh, James Zuever, Fred W. Stegner, George Osterhaut, Dr. Hammcl and Henry Diemer The first services were held in the old stone school house. A building was started on what is now the Everson block, in 1862. The war interrupted these plans and they occupied the same building with the Evangelical congregation until 1866, when the present building was erected. Rev. james McLain was the first pastor of this congregation, and Rev. Leonard Holt was the first minister in the present building. , The Evangelical church was founded in September, 1859, by the Bond, Barloga, Weaver, Meinzer, Kramer, Jenewein and Alberstett families. Services at first were held in private dwellings and the school house till 1862, when a building was erected. Services in this church were discontinued in 1913. ' The Lutheran church was organized May 27, 1862, by the Keller, Unangst and Gold families. Services were held for a time in the Methodist church. A building was constructed in 1872. This congregation remained active until 1914. I E Fish'-

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O Y I Q, I ' I Sketches of Interest Concerning Our District DAVIS The village of Davis is located one-half mile west of the Stephenson-Winnebago county line, six miles south of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, eighteen miles northeast of Freeport, and twenty-four miles northwest of Rockford. The first settlement in Rock Run township was made by a widow, Mrs. Swanson, and family, at a point about a mile and a half northwest of Davis, in sections 10 and 11. This family came in 1836. Other families who settled in this section at this time were: Epleys, Pratts, Flowers, Smiths, Stabecks, Knudsons, Andersons, Olsons, Johnson, Carnefixes, Flynns and Blackmores. Activities of interest in this early day were: Building of Reesman mill in 1836 and the erection of another mill at Epleyanna by Thomas Turner in 18393 the building of a sawmill, the same year, by H. G. Davis on the Rock Run creek, at a point near the farm now owned by Mr. Charles Lapp. The first wagon shop was opened by Mr. Ole Civertson in 1839 and the first blacksmith shop by Mr. Cnute Cnutson in the same year. The first regular post office was created in 1839, and was conducted at the H. G. Davis sawmill. This location was continued until 1848 when it was changed to Jamestown, later called Graball, this place being located at a point about a mile south of Rock City. The office remained here until 1859, then with the founding of Rock City and Davis, offices were established in these places. ' The village of Davis was laid out in 1857. Samuel Davis, John A Davis, Thomas J. Turner and Ludwig Stanton gave 160 acres which were surveyed and platted for this purpose. Due to this fact the village was named Davis. The village was incorporated in 1871. The first store in the village was opened in 1858 by Mr. S. J. Davis, where the Raymer garage is now located. P I'

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I 1 4, I I Sketches of Interest Concerning Our District - Continued The Calvary Evangelical church w'as organized in 1893. Rev. J. G. Finkbeiner was the first pastor. In july, 1894, the present building was erected. The first trustees of this church were Messrs. John Long, Frank Alberstett, John Kloster and Louis Bokhof. The pastors who have served this charge are Rev. J. G. Finkbeiner, mentioned above, H. C. Stephans, G. Eller, E. Y. Knapp, J. H. Gamber, R. F. Brothers, C. R. Hedges, P. R. Smith, J. H. johnson, T. E. Roth, S. C. Boswell, F. Brandfellner and L. M. Phillips. This church has one of the largest memberships of any in this section. The Catholic church south of Davis was organized and the first building erected in 1838. This served until 1862 when a second church was constructed. In 1895 a third church was built. Founders of this congregation included the Flynn, Mullarky and Welsh families. Previous to laying out the village all the pupils from this section attended the school at Epleyanna. In 1858 the Davis District was established and the stone school house built. A frame addition was added in 1863. A new frame building was erected in 1897 and this was enlarged in 1921 furnishing the home of the Davis Community High School. Pioneer residents who deserve mention are Fred Alberstett, Mr. and Mrs. John Long, j. M. Caldwell and Herman Kropf. There may be others, but these especially were brought to our attention. Other facts of singular interest are: In 1836 the first child, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Flower, was born in Rock Run township. In the fall of 1838 occurred the first wedding, Pony Fletcher and Narcissa Swanson being the principals in this event. The first death, a son of Mr. John R. Webb, was recorded in the fall of 1841. Present officers of the village of Davis are: President, Henry Tielkemeierg Village Clerk, Edward Deguntherg Trustees, Will Meinert, Fred Heitkam, B. L. Schmitt, Ever Everson W. O. jenewein and Irvin Afflerbaugh. P P