Title: Franklin Grove Collection, 1844-1995
ID: RHC/RC/115
Extent: 5.5 Linear Feet
Subjects: Coal trade, Cross Roads Community Club, Dixon (Ill), Dixon Business College, Draft Horses, Franklin Grove (Ill.), Franklin Grove Nursery, Grain, Helmershausen Family, Herbst Elevator Company, Lee County (Ill), Moore, Walter L., Newspapers, Nurseries, Riddlebarger Mattress Factory, Schools, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865, Whitney, A. R., World War II
Forms of Material: Tintype
Languages: English
The Franklin Grove Collection contains a variety of documents detailing several facets of the community's history. One series comprises minutes and treasurer's account books, (1932-1980) from the Cross Roads Community Club. This club organized in the early 1930's to provide social and recreational entertainment programs for Franklin Grove families. Another series partially documents the Franklin Grove Nursery from 1844 to 1884. A.R. Whitney, owner of the nursery, developed the famous Whitney Crabapple. A partial run of the newspaper, The Franklin Reporter (1880-1956), telephone books (1929-1958), documentation on the Herbst Elevator Company as well as other companies in the area, and materials from the local historical society are included in the collection. An additional series contains personnel records of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway’s Dixon Division (1901-1932), and Farmers Telephone Directories.
There are also papers of the Walter L Moore family, including records from his dentistry studies and practice, as well as some of his daughter’s school papers. There is also the Uriah C. Roe family papers, including records from his pharmacy practice in Franklin Grove, as well as a cookbook and scrapbook of party games. In addition Series IV contains information regarding the Helmershausen family and other associated material. For more information on the Helmershausen family, researchers should consult the Helmershausen Genealogy book, which is part of the Bradt collection, as well as the various Lee County history books located in the reading room.
For further information on the Franklin Grove community, researchers may wish to consult the Taylor Farm Records (RC 37) and Craig L. Pfannkuche's thesis From Prairie to Produce: A History of Central Lee County, Illinois, 1840-1880 (M.A., 1968).
Coal trade
Cross Roads Community Club
Dixon (Ill)
Dixon Business College
Draft Horses
Franklin Grove (Ill.)
Franklin Grove Nursery
Grain
Helmershausen Family
Herbst Elevator Company
Lee County (Ill)
Moore, Walter L.
Newspapers
Nurseries
Riddlebarger Mattress Factory
Schools
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Whitney, A. R.
World War II
Repository: Northern Illinois University
Accruals: Addenda were added at later dates.
Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.
Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.
Acquisition Source: Roger Taylor
Acquisition Method: Roger Taylor of Franklin Grove, Illinois donated materials included in the Franklin Grove Collection to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center beginning in 1968.
Related Materials: For further information on the Franklin Grove community, researchers may wish to consult the Taylor Farm Records (RC 37) and Craig L. Pfannkuche's thesis From Prairie to Produce: A History of Central Lee County, Illinois, 1840-1880 (M.A., 1968).
