Untitled Document

Below is given a list of the present business men of Biggsville, their business and the year in which they came :

John. McKee, druggist, 1859

James Sloan, boot and shoe maker, 1862

H. L. Kelly, hardware and agricultural implements, 1814

Geo. McDill, general store, 1879

J. Montgomery, grain dealer, 1882

Geo. W. Holmes, general store, 1876

J. R Pearson, groceries, 1872

J. C. McDill, groceries, 1878

J. H. Wiley, blacksmith, 1872

McDill &Nesbet, butchers, 1882

B. F. Dyson, harness and saddlery, 1881

A. G. Graham, postmaster, 1876

W. A. Miller, barber, 1878

A. W. Graham, general store, 1877

Frank McKim', general store, 1877

Dixon & Rodman, blacksmiths, 1830

M. M. Rowley, editor, 1875

H J. Martin, Biggsville Hotel, 1878

T. W. Dennis, lumber and coal, 1864

John Fulmer, furniture, 1866

John Henderson. physician, 1881

Bailey & Mekemson, physicians, 1882

B. F. Bassett, wagon maker, 1872

Russell Graham, L. P. minister, 1873.

In 1859 John McKee opened a store in the building Purcell had occupied, but soon after built a larger and more commodious building near the depot, north side, east end of main street, where he carried on a successful trade till 1864, when he sold to David Bovee and bought three lots in Rigby's addition to Biggsville, on one of which he built a fine store and there started a thriving business in drugs and groceries.

The next to enter into the mercantile trade in town was Isaac Myerstine, who occupied the third house west of the east end of Main street, on the south side. He opened up a stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware, drugs and medicines Between him and Crosthwait, on the same side of the street, a hotel was built by A. Talcott, and occupied by him as such till the time of his death, in about 1866. His wife continued the business a year longer and then sold out to James Paul, who ran it until about 1876, when it passed into the hands of other parties and finally became the property of Robert Martin, who built up its lost reputation.

The first blacksmithing done in the town was during the building of Biggs' mill in 1841, by Paul D. Birdsall. This, however, was only a private affair and the earliest business of the kind was started in 1856, by one Patrick Shaw, whose business it was to mend forks, shovels and iron and steel plows, which had taken the place of the pioneer's rude wooden implements, for it must be borne in mind that the first plow used on the prairie was made of wood, with a steel share and drawn by from four to six oxen.

B. H Martin, Esq., who figured so prominently in the early history of the town, is still residing here, on his fine farm adjoining the incorporation. Crosthwait resides in Iowa. The town since 1875 has made good progress, and now is quietly enjoying its hard earned reputation.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.

Illinois Ancestors