View of Business District West of Tracks Page 22 This view allows us to acquaint you with many of the old buildings, built at the founding of Oakford in 1872. The one on the left was built by the Sutton Bros. in 1874 or 1875. They operated the business for four or five years, selling to Jim Hubbard, who carried on business into the early 1890s. He sold to the Watkins family, which eventually was taken over by Eli. He operated the store until his death in the early 1900s. His wife continued for a time. Max Gehring, who had been working for Atterberry, opened a business. From this time on, at different time through the years, these people operated restaurants: Happy Jack; Deny Case; Hez and Gene Garber; John Stewart; Al Francis; Emmerson Moss; Marie Atterberry; Alva Reitzel; and Velda Greenhalgh and George and Eli Vaughn. In the intervening years, Jack Slaughter opened a grocery for a time. The next building is known as the Maltby building, built back in the 1870s. Maltby first began as a harness maker, but later operated a general store for many years. For a short time, Morgan Bros. were in business here, as well as the Stewart Bros., Edgar Hollis, and Rube Winters, who sold to Louis Brauer in 1928. Louis probably operated as large a business as anyone. His store was in operation during the depression years. He carried a complete line of groceries, meats and hardware. In the late '30's, Louis moved to the Lutes building. The Maltby building was used by Linus Dietsch as a tavern. Next owner was Julius Harris, who sold to Lucille and Paul Lutes. They operate the tavern at this writing. The next building, a lean-to, was erected by Maltby for his daughter, Clemna, to operate a dress and hat shop. When she left for the West, Maltby used it as a harness shop. He rented it at one time to Doc Evans as a store. It has had many different uses, mostly as a restaurant, barber shop, and post office. During the forties, it was used as a recreation center, restaurant and pool room. Today, it is used as an annex to Boeker's Store. The next building is the old building erected by the Colsons. Later used by Sam Watkins; Pestel and Atterberry; and M.O. Atterberry, who developed a huge business. As the business grew, he had additions erected. Atterberry left in 1917-1918. It was vacant until Blessman opened an implement business. Later, a store by Slaughter was here; then a restaurant by Sam Lynn. In 1933, George Vaughn opened a tavern for a short time, selling to Linus Dietsch. The building burned in 1944. (Upstairs housed the telephone exchange.) Next Previous Index Copyright © 2007 Jeanie Lowe & contributors All rights reserved Illinois Ancestors Home