Untitled Document

EARLY HISTORY

As soon as Mr. Dean had laid out the town, he erected a store building, in which he opened the first grocery of the village. In 1856 a saloon was opened by Stephen McCarty, and not long after five resolute ladies went in a body to his saloon and emptied his liquors in the street. The enraged saloon-keeper had them arrested, but in the trial they were acquitted.

Until the completion of the railroad but little trade was carried on at this point, but two or three stores were open, and a few shops of various kinds supplied the needs of the community. The first railroad train came into the village in October, 1870, and was received with universal greeting by the citizens of Orion. The railroads at once awakened new enterprises. Buildings were immediately erected, additional stores and shops were built, and the town began to show signs of an active business. Since that time the population has more than trebled, and trade and com merce have kept pace. Owing to the absence of a bank all exchange is carried on through the money order department of the post-office. This amounted during the year 1876 to 830,000.

There are at present nine or ten stores, as many shops, two grain houses and two hotels.

The village and township have an excellent war record. A large portion of Capt. J. A. Jordan's men of Company B, 37th 111. Volunteer Infantry, were from this locality. It was this company that was pro moted to Company A by an order given on the streets of St. Louis when passing in review towards Gen. Fremont's headquarters. They were on their way to aid Gen. Mulligan at Lexington, and received this sudden promotion on account of superior drill and skill in military tactics.

The village is situated on a beautiful rolling prairie a healthful location, and commanding a fine view of surrounding prairie lands, which, though tenantless forty years ago. are now covered with well tilled farms.

History of Henry County

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Illinois Ancestors

031307