Coal Valley Township And Village, Illinois
Coal Valley dates its staple history from the spring of 1857. Large
deposits of coal in the vicinity, and the opening of mines, fixed its
location. The first small coal mine was known as the "Bailey Coal Bank."
In 1856 Ben Harper, S. S. Guyer and David Hakes acquired a large tract of
land containing large deposits of coal; they organized a company to mine
coal and construct a railroad to get it to market-the railroad being
completed from Coal Valley to Rock Island in October, 1857. The first coal
loaded on a railway car at the Valley was handled by Robert Lee,
afterwards superintendent of the mines of the Coal Valley Mining Company
at Coal Valley, Cable and Sherrard; and considered one of the best coal
mine experts in the state. At present he is resting on the laurels of a
good honest busy life.
Opening the mines gave a strong impetus to the new town. The first
business house was a general store, owned by Mr. Herrick; afterwards by
Bailey and Boyle, then by Cable, Lee and Bardsley. The building is quite a
landmark. The first physician to ideate was Dr. Thomas Martin, coming from
Camden Mills. The first meat market by Mr. Grantz, then by Thomas Corns,
who came from Camden Mills and to Rock Island County in 1851. The first
lumber yard was owned by Frederick Weyerhaeuser, the great lumber and
timber king.
The first blacksmith was David Rowland, who was assisted by Murty Connor.
The first carpenters and builders were John Petty, William Myers and
Richard and P. Callahan.
The first hotel was kept by L. Evans, and called the Coal Valley House.
The first brick were manufactured by John T. Hass.
About 1859 Philander L. Cable of Rock Island purchased an interest in the
mines of Harper, Guyer & Hakes, and later acquired entire control, with R.
R. Cable an interest. The Cables never having any trouble with the miners;
helping them to get their homes; and it is understood, dividing with them
the market price of coal-one-third to the firm, one-third to the railroad
and one-third to the miners; which would seem mutually equitable and just.
The first shoemaker was Peter Schroeder, a German. The first settlers in
the Valley were largely foreigners-Welch, English, German and Irish; but a
more hospitable community was never known. Latch strings of all the homes
were always on the outside. The first mail to Coal Valley was by stage.
Mr. Dack of Rock Island was carrier. Mail was received once a week. The
first post office was kept in what is now J. K. Stenstrom's shoe store.
The first postmaster was Thomas Jones, who was also mine boss for Hakes,
Guyer & Harper. After the railway was built the mail was brought twice a
week, then three times a week, and in the early sixties became daily. At
one time Frederick Weyerhaeuser was postmaster; the present incumbent
being Thomas J. Murphy, who has filled the position for ten years.
The Coal Valley Mining Company's mines being nearly exhausted, the company
sought a new field at Cable. After the removal of the company from the
Valley, a number of other mines were opened by the Black Diamond Coal
Company; John J. Pryce and others. There is a vast field of coal, within a
radius of two miles of the town; the owners of which are the Guinty heirs,
the Hillier heirs, Robert Sommerson, Thomas Lees, the Black Diamond Coal
Company, Dr. W. F. Myers and the Banner Coal Company.
Besides the coal mines they have a fine farming country; merchants of all
kinds; a grain elevator; two large general stores; two meat markets;
grocery stores; two black-smith shops; shoe store; drug store; barber
shop; restaurant; livery and feed stable; brick yard; and all to make up a
flourishing wide awake community.
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908