Henry County IL Archives History - Books .....Oakley, Colona, Alpha And Nekoma 1877
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 13, 2008, 9:35 pm

Book Title: History Of Henry County, The

OAKLEY (GREEN RIVER STATION)

Is a small town on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, about one mile east of
Colona. Prior to the crossing of the roads being established at this latter
place, Oakley commanded a good grain trade. It was laid out August 11, 1865, by
Thomas F. Davenport, and now contains about one hundred inhabitants. The town
supports two or three stores, as many shops, one hotel and an elevator. The
children are sent to the district school near, and the people attend church at
Cleveland or Colona.


COLONA

Was laid out July 25, 1855, by Marcus Warren, and at present contains nearly two
hundred inhabitants. The first building erected in town was the warehouse built
by J. A. Sawyer in 1854, just at the completion of the railroad. Considerable
trade in grain and wood is carried on here, and in the early days of the
railroad Mr. M. Davis, the first inhabitant of the place, supplied almost all
the wood used on this division of the railroad. This elevator was used until the
tornado of May. 1859, occurred, which blew it down in common with many other
buildings. It also destroyed the Rock River railroad bridge, 1,200 feet long,
hurling it entire into the river below. Its course was to the east, and great
ruin was occasioned by it. Owing to the intersection of the Chicago and
Northwestern, and Rock Island and St. Louis Railroads, a good trade is
maintained at Colona, supporting two or three good stores, several shops and an
elevator.

SCHOOLS.

    School was held, in what is now the Catholic Church, until about 1871, when
the present comfortable three-room building was erected. Three departments are
conducted, and each enjoys a good attendance.

CHURCHES.

    There are three congregations in town-the Catholic, Methodist and
Presbyterian; the latter, however, do not now sustain regular preaching, but
maintain their Sunday-school.


ALPHA.

    This village is situated in the southwest part of the county, at the
junction of the Galva and Keithsburg Railroad with the Rockford, Rock Island and
St. Louis. It was laid out by Anson Calkins, June 1, 1872, and at present
contains about one hundred inhabitants. There are three or four stores, as many
shops, a depot, and two hotels.

    Prior to the building of these railroads, the town of Oxford, a few miles to
the southwest, supplied the wants of the citizens of that locality. It was laid
out by Daniel and James M. Briggs, February 25, 1858, on the west half of
Section 30, town of Oxford. At this place, in 1860, existed the wildcat "Bank of
the Mississippi Valley," whose assets were said to be one worthless iron safe,
one cent-old fashioned copper-part of one lead pencil, a rusty steel pen and a
half sheet of foolscap with figures on it.

    The starting of the towns of Alpha and Windsor, in the county immediately
west, both near to Oxford and on the railroad, caused a general removal of all
houses to these places, and the town of Oxford is now extinct, the town plat
being used for farming land. One church, the ____, still remains; the others
being taken to Alpha and Windsor. Alpha bids fair to become a good business
town, having the advantage of the railway crossing. There is no reason why a
good town will not be seen here within a few years. The children are sent to the
district school near, but in a short time it is expected to erect a commodious
school-house in the village.

    One church, the Baptist, now supports regular divine service. It was
organized in September, 1876, with seven members. There are now thirty-six, and
an attendance of ninety-five scholars at the Sunday-school. They occupy a very
comfortable church, erected some two years ago. The pastor, Rev. J. C. Lewis has
been with the congregation some three years, commencing his labors prior to the
organization.

NEKOMA

Is a small village east of Woodhull. It was laid out by M. Z. V. Woodhull, of
Washington City, July 21, 18G9. It enjoys a good grain trade, and at one time
was thought to be the commencement of a large town. It is, however, too close to
Galva, Woodhull and towns south to expect to attain a great size. It contains
two or three stores, as many shops, an elevator and several artisans.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

THE HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, ITS TAX-PAYERS AND VOTERS;
CONTAINING, ALSO, A BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY; A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE;
MAP OF THE COUNTY: A BUSINESS DIRECTORY: AN ABSTRACT OF EVERY-DAY LAWS; WAR
RECORD OF HENRY COUNTY; OFFICERS OF SOCIETIES, LODGES, ETC., ETC.

CHICAGO: H. F. KETT. & CO., 15 LAKESIDE BUILDING.

1877.


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