Untitled Document

FIRST STORE

The first store was opened by John Adams in 1856 in a room on the southwest corner of the square, where Pierce's brick building now stands. He sold to N. W. Baker, and he to Dally & Arter, who were succeeded by E. P. Emans. A blacksmith shop was built in the neighborhood about 1843, while the first residence within the present confines of the village was that of Mr. Eldridg, built in 1839. After the completion of the railroad in 1870, the first train entering Roseville July 4 of that year, the most of the town of New Lancaster, in Ellison Township, was moved to Roseville, and from that time on the place has had a steady growth. From being the "corners." it rose to a town with its attendant privileges. The population in 1900 was 1,014.

BRICK WORKS.

The Roseville Brick and Tile works are located in the north part of the village. They were established by Daniel Bird in 1876, but since 1892 J. B. Pratt has been a partner with Mr. Bird. Ten men are employed, and the output of the plant is from 500,000 to 600,000 brick per year. Considerable tile is also made in favorable seasons.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

The Roseville Telephone exchange was inaugurated as a mutual affair In the summer of 1891. June 1, 1902, it was incorporated under the name of the Roseville Telephone Company, with a capital of $2,500. The officers are W. B. Ditch, president; R. L. McReynolds, vice president; F. W. Range, secretary; C. O. Pinney, treasurer; and these additional directors:-Geo. Tucker, Benjamin Lee, Henry Kirkpatrick. The company now has about 175 phones in the village, while eighteen farmer' lines, with from ten to fifteen phones on each, have their terminals in this exchange.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Roseville Fire department was organized in the spring of 1895, largely through the efforts of Will H. Taylor, editor of The Times, who was chosen chief and served in that capac ity for several years. B. Gilbert was assistant chief, and F. S. Rayburn secretary. Three companies made up the department, an engine company, a hook and ladder company, and a hose company. The department has a good supply of hose, good apparatus, and the chemical engine has a capacity of 250 gallons. The present officers are: Will H. Taylor, chief; W. A. Carr, assistant chief; M. G. Rambo. secretary and treasurer. The first hook and ladder company was organized May 27, 1876, with nineteen members and E. P. Gilbert as foreman. The hook and ladder wagon was bought in April of the next year

ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY

The electric lighting system is owned by the Roseville Electric Light Compnay, which was established in 1896. The plant is a good one and is well patronized. The company also furnishes heat for several of the business houses, using the exhaust steam from the works.

WATER WORKS

The village owns its own water works, with a standpipe, pumping apparatus, and several blocks of street mains. The plant was erected in 1894 at a cost of about $6,000. In the spring of 1902 a bond issue of $2,000 was authorized for the purpose of digging a deep well for a water supply for the village. The pumping Is done by the Electric Light and Heating Co., and beside twenty fire hydrants, water is furnished to seventy consumers.

BANKS.

The State Bank of Roseville was organized in January, 1891, and began business early in the following month with a capital of $25,000. The officers were elected February 3, and were: Eliphalet Mitchell, president; Frank E. Chase, vice president: W. T. Gossett, cashier. In January, 1901, the bank's charter being about to expire, and the State banking law not permit ting a charter to be extended or renewed, the stockholders organized the State Bank of Warren County, with a capital of $40,000, and. elected as officers: E. Mitchell, president; Charles 0. Pinney, vice president; and George W. Rayburn, cashier. The State Bank of Roseville was then consolidated with the new bank, and following that action the name of the new organization was changed to that of the old the State Bank of Roseville. The bank was thus enabled to continue business under the old name, notwithstanding the legal difficulty which had presented Itself. The bank still has the officers elected in 1901, with the addition of Frank S. Rayburn as assistant cashier. It has deposits of $150,000.

The First National Bank of Roseville is the successor of the old Roseville Union Bank, a private banking institution which began business November 10, 1875, with Isaac L. Pratt as president and Seth F. Pratt as cashier. Later Gary J. Boyd was assistant cashier. The First National Bank began business July 1, 1901, with a capital of $35,000. The present officers are: Henry Staat, president; H. B. Smith, vice president; Gary J. Boyd, cashier. The bank carries deposits of about $100,000.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

Submitted by the Webmaster .

Illinois Ancestors

103106BMK