The Early History of Grantfork
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
The village of Grantfork, at the
intersection of Hwy. 160 and Pocahontas Road, lies partly in
Leef, and partly in Saline Townships. The town was first called
Fitz James, and was laid out in 1840 by Henry K. Lathey, James
Carpenter, George Fulls, Jonas R. Gale, Z. Lowe, and William F.
De Wolf, on the southwest quarter of section 33. John Duncan
opened a store there in 1840. His house stood on the north side
of the road that runs on the township line. He kept a public
house, and put up a large sign inscribed in prominent letters –
“Fitz James Hotel by John Duncan.” He lived there until his
death, after which the buildings burned.
Some years
later, the town was making little progress. R. D. Leggitt put up
a second store, which stood on the north side of the road. After
two years, he sold out to William Schum, who subsequently sold
to John Bardill and brothers. Mr. Bardill later purchased his
brother’s interest in the store, and conducted the business for
many years. He was instrumental in getting a post office
established called Saline. The postal department ordered the
name changed, and the citizens christened the town Grantfork.
Martin Ruch, in the early history of the village, opened a
store on the south side. In 1840, Mr. Herrin opened a blacksmith
shop in a little log cabin, that stood just east of the Douglas
store. John Link was the second blacksmith.
Early
Grantfork Churches
The Catholics built a brick church in
1872. There was a school connected with this church.
The
Lutheran Church was erected also in 1872, and was a brick
structure.
The Grantfork public school was a brick building,
one story high, with two room.
Businesses in Grantfork
in 1882:
Physicians – A. R. Ransom and A. Sacconi
General Store and Postmaster – Martin Ruch
Hotel – Anton
Kraft
Drugstore – A. Sacconi
Blacksmith Shops – Charles
Schmitt, Nic Mollett, and Theodore Schwartz
Wagon Shops – G.
Winter, Nic Mollett
Harness Shop – E. Salzmann
Butcher –
F. Landolt
Tinsmith and Stoves – Joseph Miller
Undertaker
– F. Oswald
Shoemaker – G. Zweifel
Daniel Ruedy was
chosen as a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1876. He was
succeeded by John Bardill in 1879. John Mulloy was elected in
1880.