Brimfield's Rise Through Industry and Enterprise
Brimfield's history features early ventures by L. L. Guyer to St. Louis selling farm produce and onions, the invention of the scouring Tobey and Anderson plow by Tobey and Anderson, and James Abbott's corn planter. The 1858 steam roller mill and later Brimfield oats branding highlight local industry, with coal, tile, brick, marble works, and burgeoning commerce peaking in 1890 before a 1886 fire devastated a block. The town rebuilt, achieving renewed prosperity within two years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brimfield
L. L. Guyer
Peoria
St. Louis
Guyer
Linois
Mississippi
Charleston
Natchez Sauna Y
Headstrom
Tobey
Anderson
Tobey and Anderson
West
California
James Abbott
G. W. Brown
Galesburg
Keeling and Pogue
Brimfield Tile and Brick Company
J. C. Higgins
J. C Bryson
Humboldt
Knox
Fulton
the News
Brimfield War Service and Community Pioneers
Brimfield’s century of service includes 156 men in the Civil War from a 358 enrollment, with officers and several deserters noted. Aunt Lizzie Aiken led Soldiers' Aid efforts, while Spain’s War saw Griggs and Derby enlist. A 1918 War Relief Sale netted over 11 thousand dollars, Red Cross aid totals reached 1590.86, and Brimfield proudly met its 50 percent over-subscription for war work. The 1918 community building project, praised by Lorado Taft and others, spurred rural pride and national attention. The livery era and early horse-drawn life close a chapter as the town moves forward.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brimfield
77Th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
Community Service Board
America
Brimfield Red Cross
United War Work Campaign
Brimfield Township
Lorado Taft
Department of Agriculture
American Lumberman
Country Gentleman
Community Building Initiative for Village Social Life
In 1918 residents formed a stock company to erect a Community Building to preserve local social life amid nearby city entertainment. Capital started at $10,000, later raised, with stock divided into $25 shares limited to ten shares per holder. Seven directors were elected to advance plans for the project.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elds
Dr. J. C. Tierres
O. F. Kelly
D. H. Foley
H. O. Cady
H. A. Blondy
Albert Maher
A. Pacey
Also Mentioned on This Page
Curtis Cady
Charles Fox
Lewis Vandegrift
Opera
Cady, Laub and
Belcher
City Mills
David Hindle
Brimfield Rotter Mills
Stark
Chicago
Boston
Irigin
Thaddeus Fuchs
William Robinson & Co
W. L. Whitney
Lizzie Aiken
Lizzie
Soldiers’ Aid Society of
Spain
H. A.griggs
Lee Derby
Dewey
Battle of
Manilla
Sons of Veterans
Moore and Son
Dan Childs
Community Enterprise
Illinois State
C. W. Hinck
WLS
Inc
Herre
Grandston
Palm Bureau
A. KC
Renile
Avet and
Roque Cantess
George
CIVIC
Malcolm Campbell
Eeeee
Saternday
Page
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This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!