Williamsville Origins
Settlers first made their homes on the land surrounding Williamsville as early as 1820, along the timber near Fancy Creek. Prairie fields offered level ground, with fertile soil, yielding large crops of grain. Fancy Creek, Wolf and other smaller streams furnished water for the stock they raised. These early settlers knew the value of education, thus employing the services of a school teacher as early as the winter of 1822. An old band mill, run by horse power, was erected in 1820. Later, in 1825, the first water-mill in Williams Township was built on Wolf Creek and ran until about 1854.
The village was laid out in 1853, under the name of Benton, so named in honor of Hon. Thomas H. Benton of Missouri. Lots owned by Abraham V. Flagg were publicly sold on September 14, 1853. The first house was built by Jacob Flagg, a frame dwelling, in the fall of 1853. A general merchandise store first sold stock in the spring of 1854. The Chicago & Alton Railroad established a station here in the spring of 1854, giving confidence to interested parties that anticipations would be realized toward the building up of a town.
After petitioning the government for a post office, residents learned there was another town named Benton in Illinois. The village name was changed to Williamsville, in honor of Colonel John Williams, a noted pioneer and business man of Springfield. The Village of Williamsville's new post office was established in the spring of 1854. By the end of 1855, Williamsville had 20 houses, several stores, a physician, and a one-room school. It wasn't until May 14, 1866 that the Village of Williamsville was incorporated and held its first election.
Visit WPLM to see more about history of Williamsville and the people who lived here.
The village was laid out in 1853, under the name of Benton, so named in honor of Hon. Thomas H. Benton of Missouri. Lots owned by Abraham V. Flagg were publicly sold on September 14, 1853. The first house was built by Jacob Flagg, a frame dwelling, in the fall of 1853. A general merchandise store first sold stock in the spring of 1854. The Chicago & Alton Railroad established a station here in the spring of 1854, giving confidence to interested parties that anticipations would be realized toward the building up of a town.
After petitioning the government for a post office, residents learned there was another town named Benton in Illinois. The village name was changed to Williamsville, in honor of Colonel John Williams, a noted pioneer and business man of Springfield. The Village of Williamsville's new post office was established in the spring of 1854. By the end of 1855, Williamsville had 20 houses, several stores, a physician, and a one-room school. It wasn't until May 14, 1866 that the Village of Williamsville was incorporated and held its first election.
Visit WPLM to see more about history of Williamsville and the people who lived here.