Did you know that there was a town of Woodford, located 3 miles South of Minonk, on Rt. 51 across from the Woodford Elevator?
Did you know there were almost 60 farmers listed as patrons of the Woodford Post Office in that year of 1878?
Thanks to the generosity, and a lot of hard work on the part of a couple of good friends, we are able to bring you the following interesting story about the Town of Woodford, Illinois. Bob Webster and his wife, Alice (former editor) Webster are responsible for most of the information in the following historical notes.
The Village of Woodford was laid out in 1874, with a switch and siding being established by the Illinois Central Railroad at that time. A station house was built the following year, and Jacob M. Holder was appointed station agent.
After the station was built, Henry Patton opened a store and the Federal Government authorized a Post Office. Mr. Patton was appointed the first post master. Patton later sold the store to Samuel Kirk, who also succeeded Mr. Patton as post master.
The Village in 1878 consisted of about 20 buildings; the railroad station, a grain elevator, operated by J. Forney, a general store, operated by Samuel Kirk, a grain and flour warehouse, owned by John Warren, a blacksmith shop, operated by George French, the post office, run by Samuel Kirk, the rest of the buildings were presumed to be homes and out buildings.
The Village continued at this general size until 1893, when we find that besides the above business, there are listed, 2 grain elevators, owned and operated by J.A. Simpson, Sr., A saloon, owner and operator unknown at present time, a grain dealer, N. Eisenhauer, a tile factory, operated by the same N. Eisenhauer.
The I.C.R.R. station house was on the east side of the railroad tracks. The saloon, the two stores, the blacksmith shop faced east on Front Street. Between Front Street and the railroad tracks were 2 large grain elevators and a grain warehouse operated by J.A. Simpson, Sr. and a grain warehouse operated by N. Eisenhauer.
North of the station house on the east side of the tracks was a large Drain Tile Factory owned by N. Eisenhauer. The factory consisted of a large manufacturing building, an engine house and 3 kilns. The clay for the tile was taken from a pit east of the factory.
The Village of Woodford now (1893) consists of 10 - 40' x 150' lots and 5 - 80’ x 150’ lots. The streets are now named: Front Street - the business area, Adams, Jefferson and Washington - the residential streets, however, some of the businesses are run from residences on Front Street. The businesses now (1893) are a grocery store, saloon, general store and blacksmith shop.
Businesses with a Woodford Post Office address in 1893: I.C.R.R. Station House, Jim Holder; Post Office and General Store, Sam Kirk; Clayton Butter and Cheese Factory, Cole Warren; Grain & Flour Warehouse, John Warren; General Store, Henry Patton; Blacksmith Shop, George French; Tile Factory, N. Eisenhauer; Grain Dealer, N. Eisenhauer; 2 Grain Elevators, J.A. Simpson, Sr.
A listing of the residents of the Village other than the business people is not known at this time. The Websters would be interested in obtaining any information anyone might have concerning this listing.
The date of the end of the Village is not known at this writing, but thought to be during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. Until that time, there was a store still operating and several houses. Perhaps some of our readers can supply some more information about this little "town that was’’.
On this date Mr. Eugene D. Martin of Bloomington has just had all of the trees and brush cleared off of the site of the town, and is planning to construct 3 grain bins, a dryer and a leg, for his farming operations.