Books › Paris, Illinois, city directory, 1908 › scan 17
Scan 17
Paris, Illinois, city directory, 1908
21 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 13. See the scan on archive.org.
1HISTORY OF PARIS, ILLINOIS.
2(Concluded from Page 11.)
3The first house of worship, aside from the settler's cabin, in Paris, was the old Court House that stood on the south side of the Square. The Methodist Society was originally organized in Paris in 1823 by Rev. H. Vreedenburg, who was termed the founder of Methodism in the county. Which denomination formed the first church society is not authentically known, probably the Methodists were first in the field but it is pretty generally conceded that the Presbyterian erected the first church edifice.
4Amos Williams built the first school house and also taught the first school in it. From this beginning the schools of Paris have grown and expanded to accommodate the increasing demand.
5The first newspaper issued in Paris was in the year 1836 by Lovelace & Delay and was called the Illinois Statesman. After changing hands several times, it became the property of Jacob Harding in 1849 and was published under the name of The Prairie Beacon. In 1852 the Wabash Valley Republican was launched and was finally incorporated with the Beacon, which paper is now The Daily Beacon.
6The Paris Gazette is the oldest Democratic paper now published in Paris. It was established in 1873 by James Shooff and was called the Edgar County Gazette. Mr. Shooff died in 1874 and the paper was continued by his sons, T. B. Shooff & Bro., and the name changed to the Paris Gazette as it is now known.
7The First National Bank of Paris was incorporated in 1865.
8The Edgar County Bank was incorporated in 1873, and the Citizens' National was chartered September 24, 1902, and opened for business November 22, 1902, all of which are now conducting a general banking business in Paris and for strength, resources and appointments rank very high.
9Paris of today is a thriving city of about 11,000 inhabitants, the county seat of Edgar County. It is surrounded by very rich farm lands, and contains several prosperous manufacturing plants.
10Paris has great natural resources, best of railroad service, enterprising people, excellent stores, a live Commercial Club, beautiful residences situated upon well kept streets and grounds, ample fire departments, churches and schools of which she may well feel proud, sound banks, live and progressive newspapers, plenty of wealth, in fact, Paris is a good place to live.
12THE HOME
13Building and Loan Association
14OF PARIS, ILLINOIS.
15Authorized Capital, $1,000,000.00. Organized Jan. 1, 1903.
16ASSETS JANUARY 1, 1908, $170,000.00.
17Secretary's Office at the First National Bank.
18OFFICERS: R. M. Link, President; G. W. Markley, Vice President; A. H. Cline, Secretary, J. C. Risser, Treasurer; W. V. Arbuckle, Attorney.
20WE HAVE A FEW PIANOS that have been used to some extent, which we can sell you for very little money. Some Musical Instrument Dealers. as low as $125.
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