Untitled Document

ANNAWAN

The village was platted and dedicated to town purposes by Charles Atkinson, now of Moline . This action was taken as soon as it could be ascertained that the Chicago , Rock Island & Pacific Railroad would want a depot at or near this point on the road, then being constructed. The rapid settlement of the surrounding country indicated this as one of the natural important shipping points on the road.

The earliest settlers in the new town were Joseph L., T. T. and Silas Morton, Almon Baker, Absalom Blinn and Joseph Dingman. The two last named were probably the first to take up their abode in the village boundaries. Solomon Minor lived just north of the village.

Philip J. Wintry came in 1854, and at once commenced actively his trade of housebuilder.

The first house was put up by Silas Morton, which was a small frame store, now owned by B. C. Sargeant as a residence. The first residence was by Ahnon Baker, and very soon after this Philip J. Wintry had his residence completed and moved into it. Then in quick succession the houses of Samuel Pattorf, Miram Barber, Absalom Blinn and Daniel Blinn were soon up and occupied. Daniel Blinn built the first warehouse, in 1854. He operated it about two years.

Joseph L. Dow erected the first hotel, and Tristam T. Dow built the next hotel in the place. Josiah Dow, Asa Prescott, and Philip, Joshua. William and Philip, Jr., Locks, all built about this time.

The first school-house was built m 1054, and it is said, though not certain, that William Cole was the first teacher.

William Romine and Peter Hillman came in 1854. Mr. Berkey came at the same time and opened a tinner's shop.

The Daw Brothers, who put up the first hotel and kept a store, and built the elevator, are now living in Davenport. They still own the elevator in Annawan.

B. C. Sargeant is the only one left of the very first house builders in the place.

The first grain-buyers were Jared Sexton and Henry Hutchman.

The first railroad agent was William Lamb.

Zebulon Jones was the first " village blacksmith " of the place. He is now in Galva.

The first mill was built by William and Ebenezer Hard in 1856. It was burned to the ground in 1866. When burned it was the property of White & Andrews, who had purchased of Hard. It afterwards was wrecked by a boiler explosion. In 1859 robbers burned Daw's store.

A public meeting was called Jan. 30, 1860, to consider the question of incorporating the village, F. H. Slater, president, and G. W. Lewis, clerk of the meeting. The election was held on Feb. ir, 1860. Sixty-one votes were cast; fifty-one for in corporation and ten against.

The first Board was F. H. Slater, President; William W. Cole, Clerk; W. C. Carroll, Josiah Daw and D. L. McChesney.

There are at present in the village four dry-goods and grocery stores, one drug store, a hotel, lumber yard and one feed store, and several small shops.

Portrait and Biographical Alum of Henry County, Ill

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