Fitchburg, a history

268 Pages·1976·34.771 MB·English

THE
FITCHBURG BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
PRESENTS
©COPYRIGHT
FITCHBURG BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
1976
COUNTRYSIDE PUBLICATIONS
-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Fitchburg Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the City of
Fitchburg and the following individuals and companies who have helped
financially to make it possible for this book to be reprinted.
Patrick Baxter; Kayser Ford
Ralph and Dale Benjamin; Benjamin Plumbing
Gary Berger, CPA
Stan Cross Memorials
Fitchburg Senior Services
Dan and Lori Fleming
Vern and Betty Forest; Eplegaarden
G-1 Office Technologies
Bruce Gabrielse; Intercon Construction Co
Paul Ganshert, Ganshert Nursery
Joe Garton, Craig Kuenning; Quivey's Grove
Gary Gorman; Gorman Company
Keith Hammersley; Hammersley Stone Co.
William A. Linton; Promega Corp.
Madison Gas and Electric Co.
William McKee, McKee Associates Inc.
Teresa Miller, Mary Steel; Richardson Bus Service
Thomas Mohs; Placon Corp.
Edward O'Brien Memorials
Steve Olson; State Farm Insurance
Park Bank Fitchburg
Phil Sveum; Coldwell Banker, Sveum
Jim Stormer; Harlan-Sprague-Dawley
Dave Strassman; DRS Ltd.
Doug Yanggen; Fitchburg Commerce Park
We would also like to thank Roland Littlewood who did a professional
job of indexing the book, the committee that indexed the book on file
cards many years ago, and the 1998 committee that proofread Rollie's
index and helped find errors in spelling and photo identities in the
original book.
Fitchburg Historical Society 1998
DEDICATION
To all who share a timeless love
of the
rural country side
and
cherish its preservation
A TRIBUTE
Our warmest and deepest thanks go to our
Bicentennial chairman, Bill Stoneman. His moral
support, guidance, and knowledge of the town
were indispensable in the preparation of
Fitchburg's history. It was a pleasure to work with
such a person of patience, kindness, and en
durance.
Fitchburg Bicentennial Committee
FITCHBURG BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
William Stoneman, Chairman
WRITERS
Connie Darling Jean A. O'Brien
ORAL HISTORY
Anderson, Elizabeth Krause, Cheryl
Darling, Connie O'Brien, Jean A.
Dunn, Mary Stoneman, Muriel
Jans sen, Joan
RESEARCH
Darling, Connie O'Brien, Jean A.
Imilkowski, Adrian Terrell, Caryl
Special thanks to Philip Fox, Catherine Byrne,
Cynthia Johnson and Catherine (O'Brien) Schneider.
TYPISTS
Irma Deppong
Anderson, Elizabeth Krause, Cheryl
Askey, Gail Lacy, Theresa
Diener, Sue O'Brien, Jean A.
Doeringsfeld, Marcia O'Brien, Pamela
Dunn, Mary O'Brien, Mary
Imilkowski, Adrian Rockwell, Naomi
Special thanks to Ellen O'Brien and Brother William
Dunn for assistance and advice.
FITCHBURG TOWN BOARD
Town Chairman: Douglas Morrissette
Supervisors: ,Jack Jallings, Leo Lacy, Lynda Lewis, Gordon Priegel
TABLE OF CONTENTS
· Introduction ........ ...................................... -.
CHAPTER I - THE PRAIRIE. SCHOONER ARRIVES
The Land .. ................................................ 1
Early Settlement ................. ........ .................. 4
Early Town Government ........ ...................... .... 10
Early Education ...... ............. ..... .......... ..... ... 16
Immigration ......... .. ...... .. .......... .... ....... ..... . 17
Rough and Ready Days ............ ................ ....... 20
Breaking the Sod ... ........ .. ..... .. ... ........ .... ... ... 29
Indians ........................................ ..... ........ 30
A Bit of This and a Pinch of That ......................... 33
CHAPTER II - THE STAGECOACH SETILEMENTS
Oak Hall ..... .................... -· ....................... 45
Lake View ................................................ 68
Dogtown .. ................ ............................ .... 73
Civil War ............ ................... ........ ........ .. 82
CHAPTER III - RAILROAD YEARS
Railroad Transportation ... ...... ... : ... ........ ....... .. . 89
Chicago and North Western Railroad ............ ... ....... 89
Syene Settlement - Swan Creek ........ ....... .... ....... 89
Illinois Central Railroad - Fitchburg ......... ...... .. ... . 95
Village - Stoner Prairie Depot
(Beanville) ............................. ....... .. .......... 95
World War I .... ............ ............................. 107
Schools .................. ...... ................. .. ....... 110
Agriculture ............. .......... ...... ................. 119
CHAPTER IV - AUTOMOBILE AGE
The Automobile ....................... .... .. ....... ...... 125
Prohibition and Bootlegging ........... ...... ............ 129
Stock Market Crash and Depression Years ... ............ 129
Agriculture .............................................. 132
Visitors to Fitchburg .... ................................. 139
World War II ............. ............................... 140
Consolidation of Rural Schools ....... .................... 142
CHAPTER V - FITCHBURG TODAY
In-migration ............... : .. ............................ 147
Parks ...................................... .. ......... ... 149
Gorman Wayside .................. .... ................. . 153
Business ................... , .............. ..... ....... ... 153
Farming .... ........... .................................. 156
State Institutions ............................ ·. ............ 158
Organizations ........................................... 161
Local Government ................. ...................... 174
APPENDICES -
I. Oral Interviews ........................................ 183
II. Acknowledgements ............................ : ...... 184
III. Fitchburg Celebrates the Fourth of July .............. 185
JV. Town of Fitchburg Town Chairmen .................. 189
V. Century Farm Home Awards .. .... ........ ........... 190
:VI. Jae Wallace Poems ..... ... ........................... 191
VII. Pictures of Families and Friends ..... ............. ... 194
VIII. Memorabilia ... ........... ......................... 199
IX. Maps ,. .. ..... ..... ~ .................................. 205
Bibliography ...... ....................................... 219
c .
Add1. t1. ons an d orrcctaons ...... ............. ·. · · · · · · · · · · · · · 221
INDEX ..................... ............................ ....... . 223