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History at
Rays Place
Also see [ Railway Officials in America 1906
] NEW
Rays
Place
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Adjoining Grandview on the west is the Town of Kansas, with an area of 25,920 acres (40 1/2 sections). The Big
Four Railroad traverses the town from east to west, and the Danville & Olney Railroad (now a branch of the
Illinois Central) from north to south, the two roads crossing each other at the village of Kansas, near the center
of the township. There is some timberland along the south end of the township. It is twice as long from north to
south as it is wide from east to west. The lands of the south half of the town are undulating, but are as rich
and profitable as any. The farms of this town have long been famous for the good farming of their proprietors and
their fine appearance. Lands in the neighborhood of the village of Kansas have brought higher prices than elsewhere
in the county. This is owing somewhat, perhaps, to the enterprising character of the business men of the village,
who have done much to advance the Interests of the farmers in this region. Among other enterprises a canning factory
has been established which furnishes a valuable market enjoyed by few other towns. The village of Kansas has a
population of about 1,500, four churches, a good public school, a National bank, a building and loan association,
electric light and telephone service, several large stores for the sale of dry goods, clothing, drugs, shoes, groceries,
etc.; a good hotel and livery stable; two elevators, a mill, lumber yard, and all that goes to make up a first
class village. While it has a village organization, it has within its limits enterprise enough for a city.
Alongside the Big Four Railway and in the central part of the village of Kansas, there is a beautiful park of several
acres, where the people meet during the pleasant seaSons and enjoy themselves with the good feeling and gaiety
that belong to their prosperous condition. They have an annual “Harvest Home Picnic,” beginning with a parade,
in which are exhibited the various productions of the town and difterent classes of merchandise, and ending in
the park with speeches, music, feasting and a general good time running through two days. This picnic is a grand
affair, and well denotes the social character of the people of the town.
The district which now embraces the Town of Kansas, was originally settled by the Wilhoits, Pinnells, Arterburns,
Allisons, Cornwalls, Wileys, Boyers, Honnolds, Hites, Poulters, Mayfields, Kesters, Cashes, Zinks and others.
TOWN OFFICERS.— B. H. Pinnell, Supervisor: W. W. Bull, Town Clerk; Ira E. May, Assessor; O. D. Stoddard, Collector;
C. W. Mcvey, James F. Hogue, Justices of the Peace; O. E. Boyer. Frank Gross, Constables; W. J. Perkinson, R. B.
Robertson, Ira W. Honnold. Commissioners of Highways.
FROM:
Encyclopedia of Illinois
and the History of Edgar County
Edited by: H. Van Sellar.
Munsell Publishing Company
Chicago 1905
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