Davis High School - Davinois Yearbook (Davis, IL)

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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

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' - '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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4 P . 1ho.l.avi'bon.:'D' I Sketches of Interest Concerning Our District - Concluded ROCK CITY On January 10, 1859, fifty acres were set aside for town purposes and the Village was begun. A donation to the original plot was made in 1859 by Samuel Hutchison and S. E. M. Carnefix. This addition formed the south part of the village. 4 The first merchants, as early as 1860, were David Wilcoxon, John Graham and Perry Dun- can. The first station was located and built during this year. Previous to laying out the town, a school was maintained on the Carnefix farm. Following this a stone schoolhouse was built west of the village. A Mr. Searles was the first teacher. The present building was erected in 1878. The Evangelical church was organized in 1868. The present building was constructed in 1869. The first pastor was Rev. H. Rohland. The Methodist church was founded in 1878. The building was erected in 1878. The first pastor was Rev. F. W. Nazarene. Present officers of the village of Rock City are: President, Clayton Meinzer, Village Clerk, Charles Logang Trustees, H. D. Thoren, Fred Miller, William Groskopf, D. C. Meinert, VVilliam Meier and Dan Horstmeier. EPLEYANNA The first permanent settlements were made in the vicinity of Epleyanna in the year 1841. Some of the first families to come to this section were the Hendricksmeiers, Schlueters, Wellings and Vehmeiers. PAGE FIFTY-six