SWAN CREEK
Swan Creek is situated on the west side of Section 20 and the east side of Section 19. It was laid out April 16, 1871, by John A. Gordon and J. B. McCullongh, on land owned by James Tucker, Joseph S. Ratekin and Geo. W. Worden. Seventeen blocks were platted and Ratekin's addition of two blocks was laid out later, on the north of the original plat. As soon as the railroad was completed in 1870, steps were taken to establish a station at Swan Creek, but the railroad company would not build a switch or erect the necessary buildings, because a station had already been established at Youngstown. Finally the promise was given that a station would be established if the residents would raise $1,000, and this was done through the efforts of Mr. Worden, who had been carry ing on a store there opposite his residence for several years. Swan Creek now has a bank, four stores, two blacksmith shops, a hotel, a harness shop, a barber shop and a lumber yard.
The Swan Creek postoffice was established in 1837, on the northwest quarter of Section 18, about two miles northwest of the present village, with Peter Scott as postmaster. He was succeeded by Joseph Ratekin, who was followed by Jonathan Ratekin, and he by Geo. W. Worden, who kept the office a little west of where the village now is.
The remaining postmasters, in their order, are:
D. A. Burr, John Tucker, J. H. Lippy, M. B. Roberts, E. Bliss, D. R. Warren and J. H. Lippy, who is now in charge of the office.
The Swan Creek bank is a private institution organized October 17, 1900. It has a capital of $13,000, A. A. Cornell is president; D. A. Stice, vice president; and J. W. Lance, cashier. The bank occupies a convenient and well equipped brick building.
History of Warren County
Submitted by the Webmaster
©Wini Caudell and Contributors
All Rights Reserved
Illinois Ancestors