The Holt Manufacturing Company came to East Peoria (Tazewell County) to build earth moving tractors in 1909. Holt Manufacturing was the first company to successfully manufacture a continuous track tractor. Holt changed the name of the company to Holt Caterpillar Company, although he did not trademark the name Caterpillar until 1910. The company would be renamed to the Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1925.
A Historical Tidbit is generally a short Tazewell County related historical article. It could be up to 5 or 6 page story but could be as simple as a family photo, letter, or document. Almost anything Tazewell County related is eligible (see all the Tidbits listed below).
If you have a Tazewell County related article, photo, video, letter, or document you’d like to share, here’s how to make a submission.
If you have questions or comments, please contact us.
1910’s – Cassandra Carpenter Fuhrman
Cornelius & Cassandra Fuhrman were early settlers in central Illinois, eventually residing in Lilly.
This photo of Cassandra and obituaries for Cornelius & Cassandra were submitted by their great-great-granddaughter Becky Rosser of Raleigh, North Carolina.
1910’s – Frances Idella Schappaugh
Frances Idella Schappaugh (7 September 1882 – 12 September 1981). Lived in Parkland – Manito area. She married Walter Bender
Originally posted as June 2020 Mystery Photo..
Identified by Member Susan Bohm – “My mother, Verla Schappaugh Pannier, has this photo in her collection.”
1910’s – John Dingledine Family
Based on John’s death date, the photograph was taken sometime prior to 1914. The picture was originally found in a box of photos of the Blumenshine and Keil family from Washington. Originally posted as the January 2019 Mystery Photo,
Our thanks to Darrel Hunter who saw the photo on our Facebook Page & identified the subjects as the John Dingledine family. Darrel supplied the family members’ names & dates.
1911 – Rupp & Shepler Family
Members of the Rupp & Shepler families standing in front of the Tremont House hotel at 601 Court Street in Pekin, Illinois.
The photo and text contributed August 2024 by member Pamela Forth of Palm Harbor, Florida. (Pamela is Mary Elizabeth Rupp Shepler’s great-granddaughter )
1912 – Hallstein Siblings
27 October 1912 photo of six of the seven adult children of Johannes and Anna Margaretha Nickel Hallstein: sons Leonard, John, George and Phillip and daughters Magdalena and Eva .
Originally posted as the July 2018 Mystery Photo.
Identified by Roger Hallstein – John Hallstein was his great-great grandfather.
1914 – Altorfer Brothers Company (ABC) Baseball Team
Altorfer Brothers Company (ABC) Baseball Team – 1914
Originally contributed by member Tom Dirksen and posted as the May 2021 Mystery Photo.
All team members identified by member Mary Faux who owns a copy of the 1914 newspaper the original photo appeared in (her uncle was in the photo).
1915 – Sarah Jane Prettyman Smith
Sarah Jane Prettyman Smith (11 Jun 1912 – 1 Oct 1992) spent the majority of her life in Tazewell County.
The photo was submitted by her son, Richard “Dick” Prettyman Smith of Pekin, Illinois.
1918 – Walter Louis Opper
Walter Louis Opper in a military uniform, circa 1918.
This photo is just one example of a collection of three thousand 8″x10″ glass negatives donated to TCGHS by Mrs. Sidney Eslinger of East Peoria.
1919 – Kief Family Reunion
First Kief Family Reunion was held in 1919 at Mineral Springs Park, Pekin, Illinois.
Photo donated by members Dennis & Marla Kief. Dennis is great-great-grandson of Mrs. Martin Kief.
1926 – Pekin High Football Letterman
1926 Pekin High Football Letterman
This photo was submitted by Edwin Lampitt – grandson of team member Ivan E. Lampitt.
1929 – Horse Drawn Illinois River Ferry
Horse drawn ferry across the Illinois River at Kingston Mines
