Elevator History

Roberts and Gullett Elevator. 

There have been several elevators in Roberts at different times. J. B. Meserve (1876) put up an elevator that stood in the northeast part of town. After he sold the elevator, he put a flax seed and corn room where the lumber yard now is.

R. Risser & Sons owned the elevator after this but it was still known as the Meserve elevator. This was around 1880-1882. W. G. Thrasher was just one of the many who managed the elevators.

John P. Smith in the fall of 1889, started in the grain business in Roberts, building a new elevator at a cost of $4,800.

On June 1, 1912, the first meeting of the stockholders of the Roberts Farmers Grain Company was held. This same year a new elevator was built next to the Illinois Central tracks. In 1913, the next elevator was built beside the tracks.

In 1921 the Roberts Farmers Grain Company dissolved and the Roberts Grain Company was formed.

In 1934 John J. Minch purchased the Roberts Grain Company. He operated it as the only owner until 1944, at which time he sold one-half interest to Howard Cook. In 1955 Art Falter purchased Howard Cook's interest. In March of 1969, Mr. Minch passed away.

The quonsets were built in 1955, pole buildings in 1957. In 1959 the feed mill was built. A 60 foot truck scale was installed in 1964.

The elevator has been managed by Bob Corban since January, 1956.

--Roberts Area Centennial.  100 Years of Plowing Planting Progressing.  1872-1972. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Smith

 

--The Pantagraph.  30 March 1935.

J. P. Smith

Then and Now.

https://archive.org/stream/historyoffordcou02gard#page/578/mode/2up/search/smith


Buried Lyman Township Cemetery

John P. Smith, son of James F. and Elizabeth (McKelvey) Smith was born near Kempville, Ontario, Canada, July 17th, 1855, and departed this life at his home in Roberts, Illinois, Wednesday, afternoon, March 2, 1938, at 5:30 o'clock, aged 82 years, 7 months, and 15 days. When barely four years of age he came to Illinois with his parents and settled on the wild prairie land of Ford County. The father arrived here on the second day of May 1859, just two months and fifteen days after the county was organized. The mother and children did not come until a few months later after the father had built a home.
They did not come to Roberts because the village of Roberts was not started until twelve years after their arrival and they lived in this prairie home ten years before the organization of Lyman Township. However their home was three miles north of the present location of Roberts on the farm where the Smith School stands.

1884 

 

2016

The boy John P. Smith remained on this farm until he was nineteen years of age. He attended the country school and later the Northern Indiana Normal School, now the Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana. He specialized in telegraphy and bookkeeping and then accepted a position with the Gilman, Clinton and Springfield Railway as agent at Cornland where he served seven years. This Railway is now a part of the Illinois Central Systems.
Later he came back to Roberts and entered the General Merchandise business with this father and brothers. In 1889 he started the grain business but after a few years sold that business and established a bank which he conducted for twenty-five years. He was always, very popular in his business relations.

 

 

 

 

 

In 1920 the forming of the Roberts State Bank united the Roberts Exchange and the John P. Smith Bank and Mr. Smith retired from active business relations but during the eighteen years since that time he has been in frequent consultation with those who sought his advice and help in their own business ventures.

On the sixth day of October, 1880, Mr. Smith then at Cornland married Miss Sarah N. Day of Logan County, who preceded him in death April 25, 1937.  To them were born three children, one son Clyde who met a tragic death at the age of nine years, and two daughters, Della and Edna, twins, who survive him. Della is the wife of Dr. E. M. Glenn of Wichita, Kansas, and Edna is the wife of Dr. J. A. Colteaux of Roberts. He also leaves four grandchildren, Miss Jeanette and Wilfred Colteaux of Roberts, and Mrs. Sterling Kreuger and Jack Glenn of Wichita, Kansas. He leaves one sister, Mrs. Margaret Currie of Lincoln, Nebraska, and three brothers, Rev. William A. Smith of Ashland, Oregon, and David B. Smith and James R. Smith of Kansas City, Missouri, also a large number of other relatives and friends who mourn his passing. Two sisters Mrs. Jane Light and Mrs. Mary Montague preceded him in death.
Mr. Smith was a devout member of the Methodist Church at Roberts and always supported it with his presence, his advice, his official action and his finances. He served on the official Board for so many years that only the records can establish the number. He leaves a vacancy in the church circles that will be hard to fill. He was a member of the Masonic order joining at Mount Pulaski when he was at Cornland and transferring to Melvin Lodge 811. His membership extended over a period of about sixty years.
He served as a public official of the Village of Roberts from the time of its incorporation until recent years. He also served many years on the school board and was supervisor of the town of Lyman for several terms.
The funeral services were held at the home in Roberts Friday afternoon March 2, at 2:00, Rev. John T. Killip and Rev. E. B. Morton officiating. Burial was in Lyman cemetery. Those from outside the state who attended the funeral were his brothers, David and James, Roy McGovern and son, Robert of Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter, Mrs. E. M. Glenn of Harper, Kansas, who had been with him for thirteen weeks preceding his death, and others. Telegrams were received from the brother in Oregon and the sister in Nebraska, sending regrets at being unable to attend. Several other telegrams were received. The banks of flowers and tokens of remembrance showed the esteem in which he was held.
Others from a distance were Mrs. Irene Mathes, Mrs. John Siregg and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Day of Springfield; Mrs. and Mrs. George Read of Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Read and Mrs. Read of Broadwell, Dr. and Walter Gonwas of Chisman, Mrs. R. E. Squires of Piper City and Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Stephesn of Paxton.
It was one of the requests of Mr. Smith that Tennyson's poem, "Crossing the Bar" should be read at his funeral service which was done. This poem is published in another column of this paper.
The following tribute from a daughter was also read:
I am grateful to Heaven
For blessings it sent.
For Peace and Good Friends
For success and content,
I am grateful for health
And for skies bright and blue,
But most grateful of all
For a father like you.

--Roberts Herald.  9 March 1938.

The Death of the their little son, Clyde. Buried Lyman Township Cemetery.

Horrible Death of Little Clyde Smith At about 2 o'clock P.M., Monday, Clyde Smith, aged 9 years, son of J. P. smith, was sent to the north end of his father's elevator under the dump to fill a bucket with kindling wood, but for some unknown reason, instead of going where the wood was, he crawled under the storage bins which are between the dump and the power house, and was the caught by the tumbling rod that connects the elevator with the power, which rod in his attempt to pass over caught his clothing and wound him around the shaft, breaking every bone in his body and hour after hour his body and limbs beat the ground at every revolution. Indications are that he was instantly killed. He was not missed by his parents until towards evening, his father supposing he had procured the wood and taken it home, and his mother thinking he had neglected the errand he was sent on. Vigorous search was made and about 7 o'clock, not finding him elsewhere, his father and grandfather concluded to re-search the elevator. So in company with Mr. Woolsoncroft they began and soon found Clyde, who had been dead for several hours, so wrapped about the rods that his clothes had to be cut off before he could be gotten off. We shall not attempt to describe the shock to the father thus to find his boy within 10 feet of where he had been working all afternoon. Nor shall we attempt to describe the mother's loss. Words cannot do it. The funeral rites were conducted by Revs. Davenport and Sillence, at 2 o'clock Tuesday, at Clyde's home. No bereavement has called out more heartfelt sympathy among us than this, not has any event taught us more plainly, "When we are in the midst of life we are in death."
In behalf of ourselves and family relations we desire to render grateful acknowledgments to all our neighbors -- and friends for loving service and sympathy in the darkest hour of our lives, and may an ever ??? and all wise providence shield you from the heart anguish and agony which called forth your loving sympathy and assistance in our behalf.
J.P. Smith and Family.

--Paxton Record.  5 June 1890.

Early Days in Lyman #10

EARLY DAYS IN THE TOWN OF LYMAN
by Bela Foster

Continuing . . .
Thomas Huxtable who died in Gibson City, April 21st, was one of the early settlers in Lyman Township. He came here when a boy about ten years old. About fifty-nine year's ago his father was accidently killed while out hunting in the Arnold slough.

Fatal Accident Our Roberts correspondent writes us that on Saturday last, Mr. James Huxtable, a farmer and an old resident of Lyman, who resided about four miles north west of Roberts, was instantly killed.  He and his son Samuel were out hunting ducks on what is known as the old slough in that township, and near the residence of Mr. H., in a boat, Mr. H. being seated in front of his son. While reaching for his gun and pulling it toward him by the muzzle, it was discharged, the ball passing through his body near the heart, causing instant death. This is another case of death by the careless handling of firearms. Mr. H. was a kind and obliging neighbor and a worthy citizen, and leaves a wife and six children to mourn his untimely and sudden death.

--Paxton Record.  4 May 1876.

The family consisted of two girls and four boys. There are only two now living, Richard Huxtable of Waukasha, Wisconsin and Arthur of Fort Dodge, Iowa.
It was about sixty years ago that I first saw John P. Smith. I do not know why I did not see him sooner unless it was because the Halings lived between his home and mine. I had often met his brothers David and James but do not remember ever having met John. I had never crossed the section west of us at that time. He went away to school soon after that. I first became acquainted with him when he worked with his father in the store where Anderson & Montelius carried on business. It seems to me that he like T. M. Hubble, banker for J. B. Meserve, had many whiskers.
John Smith gave men a great surprise one day when I hauled a load of oats to J. F. Smith & Son. The oats had to be scooped and he walked right out and did his part with the shovel. The next load he did the same. I had never before seen a merchant leave his counter to help a hauler unload grain. That was new to me but not to John P. Smith. We have had many dealings since that time.
Mr. Smith came to this township before I did and no doubt could do a much better job writing these notes of early history than I can do. He experienced much that I have only heard from others. Mr. Smith has been a successful business man and like his neighbor, Mr. Anderson, has helped many a man to make the ends meet in stressing times. He realized what it meant to be in need. We are glad to have him with us and hope that he may long remain with his advice and good works.
In 1873 the following officers were elected:  Supervisor, O. D. Sackett; Town Clerk A. M. Haling, Assessor W. R. Newman, Collector Joseph Hurst, Commissioner of Highways Patrick Russell, School Trustee H. B. Ferguson, Justices of the Peace G. H. Thompson and Peter Gose, Constables Josiah Paddick and John Orr.
Josiah Paddick lived on the Lyman farm. He came from near Indianapolis in 1869. He lived here five or six years and then went back to his old home. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lyman and son, Edward moved to Onarga in 1869. They lived there until 1875 when Mrs. Lyman died. Mr. Lyman then went to Paxton to live with his son, Burt who was sheriff. Samuel Lyman died in 1877.
Edward Lyman married a Miss Harding of Onarga. They lived for several years where Edward Kietzman now lives. They had one son who graduated from Roberts High School in 1893. In 1895 they moved to California. None of Samuel Lyman's family are living. G. P. Lyman was a worker in the M. E. Church while here. Edward and family and Mrs. Lyman's sister and mother were some of the best workers in the Congregational Church. Lemuel Harding, a brother of Mrs. Edw. Lyman, was a partner with W. C. Wright in the hardware and lumber business. Burt Lyman's first wife died in 1872. His second wife was a Miss Ramsey. I saw her about twenty years ago. She was with her sister, Mr. S. O. Roberts who lived at Gilk's grove, now the V. Carter place. They lived in Iowa at the time I saw her.
In 1874 election was held in the school house and the following officers were elected. Supervisor H. B. Furgerson, Town Clerk G. P. Lyman, Assessor J. L. Smith, Collector W. H. Thompson, Commissioner of Highways James Bond, School Trustee A. B. Graham, Overseers of Highways B. G. Hersperger, E. T. Havens, H. N. Hawk, John Miller, J. N. McNeil, A. T. Light, W. R. Kennedy, W. Wilson, J. B. Meserve, A. Shaffer, J. Landel. We notice ...a few new names here. B. G. Hersperger owned the August Zick place. He was a blacksmith. His shop was on the farm. He had a son and daughter. His son lives in California. His daughter at Opportunity, Washington. Mrs. Hersperger was a sister of John Davis who lived where John Woodward lives. Both families were a great help to the community and were missed when they moved away. Mr. Davis had two sons and two daughters who are living. Dr. Homer Davis of Genoa, Nebraska, Samuel of Mitchell, South Dakota, until recently of Idaho. Laura of California and Edith of Montana.
I used to hear form Mr. Davis and Mrs. Hersperger regularly until their death. I now keep in touch with the family through D. Davis and Mrs. Clara (Hersperger) Ashton. They were my school mates.
H. N. Hawk lived where L. Kietzman lives. He and his wife died in 1874. John Miller who lived on the Jones farm west of L. Kietzman's was elected overseer to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Hawk's death. He was the father of Albert Miller who died at Piper City a few years ago.
A. T. Light lived in northwest Lyman. His wife was a sister of John P. Smith. W. R. Kennedy was the father of Dr. Kennedy and the grand-father of Cecil w. Kennedy of Roberts. J. Landel lived where George Uebele lives. He was road commissioner in later years. He was accidentally shot July 4th, 1892.

--The Inter Ocean. Chicago, Illinois. 7 July 1893. Page 5.

He was a stock buyer and thresher for many years. He had one son and three daughters. The daughters and I attended the same school in 1887 and 1888.

 

--Roberts Herald. 15 May 1935. Bela Foster.

Early Days in Lyman #2

EARLY DAYS IN THE TOWN OF LYMAN
by Bela Foster

Continuing . . .

The first installment of these "impressions" was published in the Herald last week. The following is a continuation. The installment ended with a picnic in 1859 the first Fourth of July celebration (and the first public gathering) ever assembled in these parts.

At that time grain was eight or nine cents per bushel. Crops were poor and after the deer, wild geese and ducks had taken a portion there was not much left. In the evening the deer would go into the fields and ere daylight returned, would be in there refuges in some low spot where grass grew tall. Could you have had some vantage point three miles north of here in the fall you might have seen the deer, one by one, going to the corn fields of the settlers.
The depredations of the deer were soon to cease. Deep snows and hunger made them scarce. The wolves hampered the farmers somewhat. Their scope was large. They would visit the farmer in the night and when daylight came they would be in their cover in the marshes to the north. By means of powder, and lead and poison, they also became scarce.
The early settlers felt the need of a school house. The first school had been held in a room in S. K. Marston's house. They petitioned the I. C. Railway Company to bring the lumber for a school house to Onarga gratis. When it came the settlers hauled the lumber and had a bee to put up the school house which was about 24 by 40 feet in size. The community had plenty of talent. Mr. and Mrs. Marston were musicians as well as teachers. The new building was erected one-half mile west of where the school building now stands. It being the first in twp. 25 was numbered one.

--1884 Plat Lyman Township

Roads in those days went as nearly as possible toward the town one wished to visit. The school house was erected on the Onarga road. The attendants of the school came from several miles around. Byron Lisk came from three and a half miles to the east. Maria Tinklepaugh from nearly six miles to the west. There are only two of those pupils of 1859 now living in Lyman Township. These are John P. Smith and Effie Maxson. There are only four living in the township who were here then. The other two are Mary Hurst and Maggie Mosher. Others came closely after the Connecticut colony and of the four mentioned only one, Effie Maxson belonged to the Connecticut settlers. Mary Hurst was from England. John Smith and Maggie Mosher Canada. 1859 was the year Ford County was organized. The community had been a part of Stockton Township, Vermilion County. It became a part of Benton Township, Ford County.
The early teachers of Lyman Township as far as the writer can learn were Mrs. Marston, Mr. Marston, Miss Mills, Quinn Thayer, Maria Tinklepaugh Havens, George Lyman, Marthaetta Wyman, Mary Ayer, Minnie Wilcox, David Bliss, Ida Burt, John Havens, and L. B. Wilcox. All were members of this early settlement.
The Lyman home for several years was a distributive point for the community mail. Each neighbor who went to Onarga would take the mail for the others to the Lyman home. They did not take daily papers in those days. The year 1858 was a wet one. The rain fall exceeded anything they had seen. It started in the spring and rained for three months. There was scarcely any drainage. The water could not get away fast enough to dry the land between showers.
Had you taken a balloon ride over this present Town of Lyman about 1860 you would have noticed that one section was occupied, the next prairie, the next occupied and then prairie. This formation was in regular checker board style. The government had given the Illinois Central Railway Company every other section of land for twenty miles on each side of the railroad, the line through Onarga. The Connecticut settlers bought their land from the Railway Company. The company was anxious to sell its land. I remember the maps and literature that representatives of the Company gave my father. On the map the sections altered, a red square then a white square; showing the railway land and the government land. These Connecticut settlers bought railway land. Most of the settlers who came between 1865 and 1870 took government land.

http://www.museum.state.il.us

Prairie fires (so numerous and terrible in the early years) began to wane. It was really frightful when one would hear a fire in the night roaring like a hurricane as it passed through some slough of rushes and course grass. I remember one such fire. The men went to fight it. In fighting a fire they put out side fires to confine it as much as possible.  The keep the side fires under control and burn a strip so that the larger fire can not spread. After it has subsided or passed the danger point the men return home and leave all blackness. As they start for home they do not know which light is theirs. The prairie all black with nothing to guide them. I remember that night hearing C. Pierce who lived on what is now the Henry Onken farm calling for help. He was answered and a light guided him to our home. After getting his bearing he was able to find his home. The new sod was covered with "tickle grass' and tumble weeds which burned like powder. In a brisk wind one could hardly keep up with it.
 
--Roberts Herald. 20 March 1935. Bela Foster.