FROM HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

Page: 329

TOWN OP BRIDGEPORT

Is located on parts of sections 8-9, (T. 3 12), on the line of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. The original proprietors were David D. Lanterman and Aaron Shaw. They had the town laid out and platted by Walter Buchanan, County Surveyor, in the summer of 1854. During the building of the O. & M. R. R., the company erected five or six shanties on the north side of the road, (which have since been torn down), and John Burk, one of the foremen, named it Bridgeport, from the bridge crossing Indian creek at this point, and a year later, when the town was laid out, the name was continued.

Samuel Thorn erected a frame one-story store building, just north of the railroad, which is still standing on what is now the west side of Main street. He put in a general stock of goods. In 1854, G. W. Cooper, jr. built a small frame store-house on the lot where now stands the Centennial Hotel. It was the first business house erected after the town was platted. In the spring of 1854, George Schreck erected a small log-house on 2d street, between Main and Jefferson, which was the first residence in the town. About the time of the completion of the above, several parties began the erection of residences and stores, and during the remainder of the year ten or a dozen were completed. Among the parties who erected buildings, were George W. Cooper, sr., George W. Cooper, jr., Philip Guiues, Henry Guines, James Lanterman, John and Jerre Hill. Jackson Lamott built the first hotel, in 1858. The town kept on growing until the fall of 1861, when a fire broke out in the centre of the business block, on the we-t side of Main street and destroyed the whole block. Within a year or two the buildings were replaced, only to be again destroyed by fire about twelve years later. The block was again replaced with larger and more durable buildings, this time with substantial brick structures.

The first resident physician was Dr. Samuel Hayes. He is still practicing here. Samuel L. Spencer was the first blacksmith.

About the year 1870 the town reached its most prosperors condition. It then had a pork packing establish- ment and other enterprises and industries flourished here, which attracted the citizens from several miles of the surrounding country, and the place became quite a business centre for trade with the farmers. It was a rival of Lawrenceville for the county seat, for which a vote of the people of the county was taken, the majority vote, however, was in favor of retaining the county seat at Lawrenceville.

Corporation. Bridgeport was incorporated by sperial act of the Legislature, Feb. 16th, 1865, by the name and style of "The Town of Bridgeport." The government being vested in five trustees, to be elected by the voters of the town, on the .first Monday in April, of each year; also to elect one Police Magistrate, and town Constable. The corporate trustees were M. D. Frazier, Gideon Schleuker, Lyman Utter, G. W. Cooper, jr., and William Lockwood. The present board at this writing, (March, 1883), are John A. Baird, president of the board, Theo. Smith, Martin Eshelmau, B F. Watson and Adolph Schmalhausen. Carl Busse, Clerk and Police Magis- trate. William Gray, Constable.

Early Churches. The first house of worship erected in the town, was by the Christian denomination, about the year 1858. At the present writing, there are a Christian, Methodist. Presbyterian, and Catholic, all substantial buildings.

Early Schools. The first school-house was a frame building, erected in the northwest part of the town, in 1860. It was used until the present commodious brick structure was erected, in 1881, at a cost of upward of $4000.

Bridgeport City Milk, was built by J. L. Coleman, about twenty-five years ago. The present proprietors are J. D. Sage & Son. They purchased the mill in 1873. It is a three-story building, operated by steam, and contains three run of burrs, one set of rolls and two purifiers, and is both a custom and merchant mill. "Sages Pride" and several other brands find a ready market in Cincin- nati, besides many local points. Capacity, 100 barrels per twenty four hours.

Lodge. A Masonic lodge was organized here a short time since, and is in a flourishing condition.

PRESENT BUSINESS.

General Stores. Casper Pixley, and Warner Bros.

Druggists. L. R. Schmalhausen, F. Frazier, and G- W. Cooper.

Groceries. Schmalhausen & Co., Jacob Schleuker, G. C. Schleuker, C. Busse.

Hardware and Groceries. W. C. Fyffe.

Stoves and Tinware. H. Schmalhausen.

Agricultural Implement Dealer. F. W. Cox.

Millinery. Mrs. Ellen Cooper, Mrs. A. M. Piper and Miss Annie Cappass.

Photographer. H. W. Bunn.

Furniture. B. F. Bunn.

Blacksmiths. W. H. Black, H. Milbern, Wade Bros.

Shoemakers. C. Busse, Daniel McBride.

Barber. A. B. Wolf.

Paint Shop.~B. F. Watson.

Livery Stable Gillespie & McBride.

Hotel. Paul Sheridan.

Grain Dealer. W. L. Gray.

Insurance Agents. J. M. Rosenborough, Charles Vannausdel.

Postmaster H. K. Lanterman.

Butchers. Lanterman & O Donell.

Physicians. M. D. Frazer, A. M. Maxwell, H. V. Lewis.

Dentist. Samuel Hayes.

Harness Maker. William Williamson.

Sewing Machine and Organs. J. T. McJunsey.