Untitled Document

KEWANEE

Kewanee was laid out May 1, 1854, by Sullivan Howard, Nelson Lay, H. G. Little, R. A. Tenney, Geo. A. Morse und Sylvester Blish. Wethersfield , which was then quite a thriving village, suffered in a very short time a loss of nearly all of her business houses, which were one by one put on wheels and moved to Kewanee.

The survey was made by C. C. Blish. The streets run at right angles, and are generally four rods wide, though Main Street is 100 feet in width. The first house erected on the town site was the Kewanee Hotel. It was kept for some time by Tenney & Hutchins. In February, 1856, Mr. E. V. Bronson purchased the property of R. A. Tenney, and for twenty-two years has successfully , supplied the gastronomical needs of the public. It is now run by Mr. Warner.

It was probably the intention of the founders of the town that Main Street should be the street; and in fact it was for some time. "Phillips' Block," the first store in the town proper, was built thereon by Nelson Lay; J. D. Schriver erected the old "Philadelphia Store " there; Davenport & Robinson their grocery (now Miles & Minnick's); Dr. Finney had his drug store where now stands the Free-will Baptist church, and on the corner next south was the dry goods establishment of Aaron Cooper. A few build ings only were erected on Tremont Street, which was in wet weather very little short of a canal as far as navigation was concerned.

Yet the hotel and the depot slowly and surely drew the trade center west ward. C. N. Cutter erected, very early, the building occupied by Bennison Bros., and which for many years was known as "Cutter's Hall," and considered quite palatial in those days. It was moved to the lot north and a fine brick put in its place. Residences sprang up rapidly in all parts of the town, grain warehouses were built, and in eighteen months the town boasted of a population of 1,500, including Wethers field.

The work of building the old Military Tract Railroad, now the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, decided the birth and location of the town. Strenuous efforts were made by the citizens of Wethersfield, one mile south, to secure the passage of the railroad through their town. Owing to heavy grades and the crossing of a stream, involving a large extra expense, this was not acceded to by the company, and grading was commenced on the proposed route. Enterprising citizens of that day saw the result, and quickly took advantage of the location to secure a town on the railroad.

When the town was laid out, the proprietors gave it the name of Berrien, in compliment of Col. Berrien,
chief engineer of the railroad. He rather objectedto this, however, and being asked to name the town
suggested " Kewanee," an Indian name, supposed to signify "prairie-hen." This cognomen was readily ac
cepted by the proprietors, and on Feb. 14, 1855, was legalized by a special act of the Legislature.

The postoffice was established in 1854, and given the name of Kewanee. Col. Blish was appointed as in
cumbent of the office, and occupied a portion of the store of Otis & Pinney for the discharge of his du
ties. It will be remembered this building occupied the site of the Free-will Baptist church. In the fall
of 1855 Col. Blish died, and Mr. R. A. Tenney, who among other enterprising acts erected the first brick
residence in town, occupied by Dr. G. W. Fellows, succeeded him.

Portriat and Biographical Album of Henry County

Submitted by W. Caudell

Illinois Ancestors

111606BMKF