History of Moro, Illinois
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
The unincorporated village of Moro, on
Rattan’s Prairie in Moro Township, began with the building of
the railroad through the area in 1853. The tracks ran north and
south through the township, with depots at Moro and Dorsey. Moro
was first called Hampton, and was laid out by James H. Smith and
James Montgomery. The plat was recorded March 7, 1855. On August
23, 1855, Smith and Montgomery made a small addition, re-platted
the town, and re-named it Moro.
Hugh and James P. Smith
built a frame storehouse soon after the railroad was completed,
and sold general goods. The next house – a two-story and a half
dwelling - was a residence, built by Samuel Smith.
Lowder
Tatman, Peter Hassinger, Mrs. Matilda Dorsey, and several other
began building about the same time, and in a year or two, a nice
little village had sprung up. A large general warehouse for
shipping purpose was also erected by James Montgomery.
In 1856, James Montgomery and Hugh Smith erected a large, frame,
three-story steam flour mill, with a run of three burrs. It did
a good business until the winter of 1870-71, when it was
destroyed by fire.
William Montgomery, a prominent merchant of Moro, was elected to
the State legislature three times, beginning with 1902, and died
in office.
By 1882, the following businesses were located
in Moro:
Blacksmiths – Mr. Skiles (the first blacksmith),
John Klaus, George Griffith
General Stores – William
Montgomery and T. A. Mutchmore
Shoemaker – Carl Boettger
Tailor – William Zoelzer
Wagon Maker – T. J. Sapp
Saloon –
George Schubert and William Meyer
Postmaster – James Perd
Smith and William Montgomery
Physician – Frank Gere
Brickyard – Henry DeWerff (3/4 mile north of Moro)
There
were two or three coal mines operated by horsepower in the
vicinity of Moro. The vein ran about five feet thick, and coal
was found about thirty feet from the surface.
Early
Schools of Moro
A one-story brick schoolhouse was constructed
in 1880 at a cost of $2,500. It was located about three-quarters
of a mile north of the town.
Early Churches of Moro
The Presbyterian Church in Moro was organized December 9, 1848
by Revs. Valentine Pentzer and P. D. Young. The Presbyterian
Church, a frame structure erected in 1852, was the first and
only house of worship built in the village. It stood just across
the township line in Fort Russell.