Deloit 1902
People and Businesses
Prosperous Deloit - Denison Review - September 9, 1902
A Thriving Little City of 200 Population
A Good Number of Business Houses Managed by Live Business Men.
The oldest town in the county is the prosperous town of Deloit which is situated in the central part of the county, six miles from Denison on the main line of the Illinois Central and the branch line of Chicago & North Western. It is a thriving town with a population of about 200. It has good railroad facilities and can successfully demonstrate that in no town in the state can there be purchased as good and comfortable homes at as low figures as in Deloit. Consequently prices are bound to advance, for those seeking homes can find almost any kind of a location desired, from the level plat of ground to the rolling, natural shaded lot.
It has a good number of business houses that carry large stocks and the business men are a class conservative, wide-awake, hustling gentlemen who are always looking to the betterment of the city's interests. The morality of the town is above reproach as is shown by the fact that they have had a jail built for over a year and have never had a victim. There are two religious denominations which have fine churches, the Methodists and the Latter Day Saints. Rev. Olds is pastor of the Methodist Church and Elder Wm. McKim tends to the spiritual wants of the Latter Day Saints.
The post office is under the personal supervision of Mrs. S. Horr, who is a genial and obliging lady and who takes great pride in keeping her office in first class shape. She is well liked by all the patrons of the office and has a high standing in the community.
The interests of the citizens are carefully looked after by James McKim, who is the mayor. Cary Phillips is the marshal. He is a jolly fellow and knows how to treat the people. The clerk is John B. Chadwick, who looks after the city's interests just the same as if they were his own. He is an obliging young man and has a host of friends. The councilmen are Will McKim, Cyrus Dobson, A. Halberg, J. L. Miller and F. Hess. They are an enterprising set of men who by their constant push have built up the town to its present state.
Nye Schneider & Co. operates the elevator and lumber yard which is under the management of Mr. N. J. Cheeney, who looks after the company's business in a careful way. The lumber sheds are large and commodious and carry a large stock of A. No. 1 lumber. Mr. Cheeney is also stock buyer and pays the highest market price for all stock.
Mrs. Martha Hattery is a carpet weaver and is noted for her fine work which has given her the reputation of being the maker of first-class carpets.
There are three general merchandise stores, namely Horr & McKim, Deloit Mercantile Co. and J. A. Halberg, who carry large stocks of up-to-date goods and have modern stores. They enjoy a large patronage which is a fair indication of what energy, pluck, good business ability and fair treatment will do.
Brogden Bros. are the manipulators of the Deloit flour and feed exchange. They carry a fine line of different grades of leading brands of flour. They grind and handle all kinds of feeds and by courteous treatment have built up a big patronage as they are well liked in this part of the country.
John B. Chadwick is the druggist. He carries a full line of drugs, oils, paints, wall paper, stationery, school books and cigars, in an up-to-date store which he keeps neat and clean. He has a large trade which has been gained by his genial ways and good treatment of his fellow citizens.
The real estate business will be looked after by Mr. Platt Moore, who contemplates going into the business. His many years of experience enable him to offer some very fine investments.
Clarence J. Cose is the good natured proprietor of the hardware and implement business and by his careful and shrewd buying he is enabled to sell his wares very reasonably. He has a big patronage and is well liked by all. He carries a line of wagons and makes a specialty of stoves.
Scott McKim is a jolly, good natured fellow who knows how to say "Hello." He is the central for the new State Telephone Co. He carries a choice line of groceries, confectionary and cigars.
M. Meyers is the tonsorial artist who fully understands the wants of his customers. He always has the glad hand and a smile for everybody.
J. A. Wedlock is the shoe man and is known as a first-class workman. He is always busy and enjoys the good will of everyone.
The blacksmiths are Mr. S. Streeter and Chas. Schaffer, who are first-class mechanics and know how to serve the trade.
Bert McKim is the brick layer and plaster, Bert Darling is the carpenter and Ellis and Wedlock are the painters. They are all first class workmen and their work stands as an advertisement for them. They are kept busy all the time.
The City Hotel is under the management of John Dobson, who fully understands the wants of the commercial travelers. His rooms and table are up-to-date. John is a jolly fellow and has a large patronage which he richly deserves.
John Sachau runs the liquor refreshment place which he keeps in an orderly way. He handles a large line of liquors.
J. L. Miller runs the livery and feed barn, where you can get rigs at all hours, as he has a fine outfit.
Dr. Darling, of Vail, attends the wants of the afflicted. He has a large practice and comes here twice a week.
In the railroad services are Chas. M. Thwing, the Illinois Central agent, and James Spence, the section foreman. Ira Goff is the C. & N. W. agent and Eli Baber looks after the section for the same company. The above named men are all well-known and have been in the service of their respective companies for a number of years and are held in high esteem by their employers.
Wm. McKim is the jovial drayman who looks after his patrons in first-class style.
The future of the town is assured from the fact that the farmers of the surrounding country are doing all their trading in the town and building is still going on and there is a great amount of real estate changing hands.
Submitted by Melba McDowell