What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 2pm Saturday 10am - 2pm

http://www.effinghamcountymuseum.org/

Effingham County Courthouse Museum Effingham IL, 110 W Jefferson Avenue (physical)(mailing address) ECCCMA PO Box 324, Effingham, IL (2026)

Q: What is the address?

110 W Jefferson Avenue (physical)(mailing Address) ECCCMA PO Box 324

06/08/2026

Good morning! Today's picture takes us to Liberty Township and the town of Beecher City.

This is Beecher City grade school in the year 1928-1929. This picture shows grades one, two, and three along with their teacher. Many of these boys would later serve during WWII. This school building has been replaced by a newer one.

Take a look at the names and faces. Please share with us if you recognize any of them. Many of these last names are still found in Effingham County today.

Wherever you may be, I wish you a wonderful day!

Beecher City Grade School
Grades 1, 2, and 3
1928-1929

Front Row (l-r) Cordell Watson, Kenneth Blankenship, Gerald Blankenship, Raymond Shroat, LeRoy Logsdon, Clarence Phillips

2nd Row (l-r) Virginia Lively, Elnor Parmenter, Mary Sweazy, Wilma Barr, Opal Burris, Helen Marie Kretzer, Opal Waddelow

3rd Row (l-r) Marie Waddelow, Mary Crawford, Eula Hubbart, Phyllis Camill, Watts James Connor, John Henry Holmes, Glen Stewart Shroat

4th Row (l-r) Dan Sweazy, James Sweazy, Mickel Nosek, Clark Henry, Junior Ryan, Teddy Parmenter, John William Donaldson, Junior Hogge, Ruth Davis - Teacher

06/08/2026

Owen E. Cox . . . Army . . . WWII

Owen Everett Cox was born April 19, 1910 to Everett and Gertrude Bessie (Doty) Cox in Moccasin Township, Effingham County, Illinois. He attended the Moccasin and Altamont Schools. He was the oldest of 11 children.

Owen, or “Curly” as he was known, entered service several months before war was declared. He did his basic training at Fort Custer, Michigan. He later shipped overseas to Iceland. After several months service in Iceland, he was sent to Ireland. Owen was next sent to England and received further training for the upcoming invasion.

Here is a letter that he wrote home from overseas. It was published in The Beecher City Journal on August 27, 1942.

July 3, 1942

Dear Folks:

I hope this letter finds you all O. K. I put in a lot of time wondering what you are all doing. I’m alright in every way so you don’t need to worry about me.

I haven’t had a letter from you for a long time. Maybe you didn’t address my letters right, that’s something you can’t be too careful about.

If you can pick me up a good watch for 2 or 3 dollars, send it to me. Something cheap so if I break it as I probably will, it’ll be O. K., and save up a few Beecher City papers and send them along. Don’t send any ci******es as I can get them here.

It was a year ago today that I was home for the fourth of July, I’ll miss this one, but hope to be there for the next one. That is one holiday that I like to spend at home.

Have Jeanne and Dolly got a victory garden or are they still raising flowers?

Due to the strict censorship of all army mail, there is not a hell of a lot to write about. The only way I could write a long letter is to make up a lot of stuff and I don’t want to do that. Write every time you get a chance, I know you have lots of news to tell me.

As ever,
Owen
My address is: Pvt. Owen E. Cox 16017171, Co. E. 10th Inf. APO No. 5, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y., U. S. Army.

Owen later took part in the Invasion of France and served with General Patton’s Army in the 10th Infantry, 5th Division. The 10th Infantry Regiment moved to England in August 1943 and landed in France on July 9, 1944. In Normandy and the pursuit across France it fought as part of the division as the 5th moved from Caumont and Vidouville through Angers, Chartres, the Seine crossing at Montereau, Rheims, and Verdun.

The regiment's decisive September fight came at Arnaville. On September 10, 1944, it crossed the Moselle between Noveant and Arnaville, surprising the defenders and establishing a bridgehead east of the river. The 1st Battalion took Hill 386, the 2nd Battalion took Hill 370 and the Bois de Gaumont, and the regiment held through tank-infantry counterattacks while engineers fought to bridge the river under shellfire. The 10th and 11th later defended the Arnaville perimeter against renewed German attacks. During the Fort Driant operation, the 1st Battalion relieved exhausted 11th Infantry companies and joined the costly attempt to expand the foothold on the fort.

Owen Everett Cox was killed in action on September 13, 1944 in the vicinity of Arnaville, France. He had fought in the Normandy Campaign and the Northern France Campaign.

Mr. and Mrs. Everett Cox of rural Altamont received the following sad message Saturday evening: “The Secretary of War desires me to extend his deepest regrets that your son, Staff Sergeant Owen E. Cox, was killed in action on thirteen September 1944 in France. Letter follows. J. O. Ulio Adjutant General.”

“Chaplain Expresses Deep Regret To Mr. Cox”
Beecher City Journal Feb. 22, 1945

Somewhere in France
18 January 1945
Re: Cox, Owen E., S/Sgt
16017171 Co. E, 10th Inf.

Mr. Everett Cox
Altamont, Illinois

Dear Mr. Cox:
It is with deep regret on the part of all associated with your loved one that we write concerning your and our loss. As you know, Owen was killed in action in Lorraine, France on the 13th of September 1944. It may be of comfort to you to know that chaplains accompany our troops into battle to provide spiritual ministration and such other assistance as is possible. Worship services are held when opportune during which prayers are included for our fallen comrades. When security and censorship permit information regarding place of burial is furnished by The Quartermaster General, ASF, Washington, 25 D. C.

May you find comfort in words of Scripture as found in the Gospel of St. John 11, 25-26 and 14m 1-6 or of 1 Thessalonians 4, 13-18. The Psalmist of old wrote: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” May you find consolation and strength in His rich presence.

Pleas accept our deepest sympathy and know that we sorrow with you.

Sincerely yours,
Clarence F. Golisch
Division Chaplain
U. S. Army

Mrs. Everett Cox received the Purple Heart last week that had been posthumously awarded to her son, S/Sgt. Owen E. Cox.

He is survived by his parents, eight sisters, and two brothers: He is survived by his parents, and siblings Loren, Hubert, Edith, Ada, Dolly, Ellen, Cleta, Ruth, Vivian, and Jean. One brother, Hubert, is with the Air Corps in India.

S/Sgt. Owen E. Cox is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial at Saint-Avold in Lorraine, France.

Rest in Peace, Owen . . . You are not forgotten.

06/07/2026

Good morning! Today's picture is all about people who attended Moccasin School in Moccasin Township.

This was a Moccasin School Reunion held on September 9, 1994 at the Carriage Inn in Altamont, Illinois.

Moccasin School was school #11 in Section 9 of Moccasin Township. The first school that I have a picture of was a small one room school. It was later replaced with a two-story school with a bell tower. Both schools were located on Moccasin Road and neither one are still standing.

The names are listed below each picture but I'm also listing them here. If you see any names misspelled, let me know. Please look at the names and faces and share with us if you recognize any of them. You can still find most of these last names in Effingham County.

Wherever you may be, I wish you a wonderful day!

Men
Bottom Row (seated): Rudy Ewald, Earl Devore, Herman Homann, Delmar Day

Top Row (standing): Harry Homann, Orville Mahin, Jim Doty, Jim Tipsword, Kenny Day, Raymond Petzing

Women
Bottom Row (seated): Roselin (Barns) Cable, Martha (Schroeder) Pettyjohn, Nora (Schroeder) Devore, Gail (Tipsword) Norris, Naomi (Young) Stegell - Teacher, Edith (Cox) Lewis

2nd Row (standing): Mamie Ewald, Bonnie Huffman, Rose Shadwell, Pauline Eaton, Francis (Baumann) Eden, Esther (Berg) Haker, Violet (Baumann) Kirchoff, Jean (Cox) Elam, Mary Tipsword, Jane (Dial) Simmons, Pansy Day, Ellen (Cox) Sutter, Lillian (Flowers) Donaldson, Madonna Tipsword, Faye Homann

06/07/2026

Lester G. Allen . . . Army . . . WWII

Lester George Allen was born June 20, 1925 the son of Forrest G. and Helen (Willis) Allen. When Lester was five, his mother died and was buried at Browns Cemetery near Edgewood, Illinois. Since the age of twelve, Lester made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Emil Graumenz, who live west of Edgewood, Illinois. They treated him as one of their own.

On September 9, 1943 he was inducted into the armed service, receiving training at Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi and Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. His last furlough was spent in the Graumenz home, early in March before going overseas a few weeks later. Pvt. Lester G. Allen was with the 330th Infantry, 83rd Division, the Thunderbolts.

PVT. LESTER G. ALLEN KILLED IN ACTION

Pvt. Lester G. Allen, 19, son of Forrest Allen, Arthur, ILL., was reported killed in action July 11th while engaged in the invasion of France.

In addition to his father he leaves two brothers, Cpl. Ernest, stationed in England and Richard, in the Navy, and a sister, Erma Marmall, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Graumenz, who made him a member of their family, and many other relatives and friends.

Lester G. Allen was killed in action on July 11, 1944 and is buried at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy, France.

Rest in Peace, Lester . . . You are not forgotten.

06/06/2026

"D-Day June 6, 1944 - Effingham County Was There" Jane Loy Ries

I hope that all of you have a "bucket list". I know that I do. In August 2019 I was able to visit the beaches at Normandy, France where the D-Day invasion took place. It is a trip I will never forget and it definitely filled a part of my "bucket list". I share this story of my trip so that you always remember that Effingham County was there.

The evening before we were to visit Normandy, Max Neetens, our Program Director for the Viking ship Rolf, talked to us about D-Day. He expressed his gratitude for all of those who took part in the invasion on June 6, 1944. Although he was not yet born, he said his grandmother often talked about seeing the soldiers that liberated them. Max, who is from Belgium, said that those who fought from D-Day on made it possible for himself and others to grow up in a free country. Max and all of the others I met are so very grateful.

There were 5 main beaches involved on D-Day covering 49 miles. The beaches were Sword (British), Juno (Canadian), Gold (British), Omaha (United States), and Utah (United States). As I walked along Gold Beach and then Omaha Beach in my mind I pictured the soldiers coming ashore under heavy fire, the ships in the harbor, and bombers, gliders, and parachutes overhead. The noise must have been overwhelming and non-stop. Effingham County was there.

First to come ashore for the United States were the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne. I remember interviewing Alfred "Pete" Reed. He was with the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment that was a part of the 82nd Airborne. I asked him what it was like in a glider and I still remember Pete saying, "Like a coffin with wings". So many from the 82nd and the 101st didn't make it.

As we walked along the beach at Omaha, Mark and I knelt down and scooped up sand into little glass bottles with corks. The beaches that day were filled with families on holiday and the American flag and other flags flew near a memorial to the US 29th Infantry Division and the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division). As I looked at my footprints on the beach, I thought of the combat boots that had come on that fateful day so many years before me.

I thought of Robert Katz from Effingham who was with the Big Red One and the father of one of my fellow workers at the museum, Jerry Katz. Bob Katz hit the beach knowing he had a wife and three small children at home. There is a monument on Omaha Beach dedicated to the US 29th Division and the Big Red One. On the side for the Big Red One it gives their motto: “No Mission Too Difficult. No Sacrifice Too Great. Duty First!” Bob Katz took part in the invasion of France, including the battles of Aachen, Brand, Dawson Ridge, Eischweiler, and Military Hill. He was injured in France, and injured again when the hospital he was in was hit and he was blown out of a window. As fate would have it, one of the soldiers who helped carry him when he was blown out of the window was Charlie Chamberlain of Effingham County. Charlie went on to become the fire chief in Effingham.

I stopped on Omaha Beach and read a poem written by a Frenchman named Jean, and it really made me cry.

"REMEMBER OMAHA" by Jean

They climbed aboard with anxious heart
The madly sea-tossed landing-craft,
The sea-fog on that sad morn
All but shrouded the pale dawn,
As if heav'n itself dared not see
The hounds of hell that day set free.
REMEMBER OMAHA
They disembarked under hail of shot,
Spewing up all - one knew not what
Facing those cliffs with gunfire ablaze
Waves bore broken bodies along
The length of that encrimsoned strand,
Where death was given so free a hand.
REMEMBER OMAHA
They were no heroes
Though all were heroic
In that eventful day,
When mankind put all at stake.
It's an understatement to say
That our liberty was dearly bought
At the time of that first onslaught.
REMEMBER OMAHA
The foam is red.
All is now still, save for the breeze
That carries back, across the seas
The souls of America's sons,
Whilst the sun, now and then, warms
Those twenty-year-olds who sleep today
Facing the sea in Normandy.

At Utah Beach, the 4th Infantry Divison "Ivy Division" came ashore. With the 4th Infantry Division was Edwin Norris. He was originally from Watson but his family later moved to Effingham. We have the medals of Edwin Norris on display at the museum. The "Ivy Division" would fight on for months and months after Utah Beach.

The 783rd Military Police Battalion directed traffic on the Normandy beachhead. They were the first M.P. battalion in France and also the first M.P. outfit to arrive in the assembly area. The 783rd hit Omaha and Utah beaches with the First, Fourth, and 29th Infantry Divisions. Effingham County boys in the 783rd were Charles Lee Becker, Paul Harris, and Maurice Althoff.

Tank Battalions came ashore too. Leonard Henkelman of Effingham was thrown into the channel and had to swim for his life when his landing barge was hit. He was found on the beach and taken back to England to recover. He eventually rejoined his original outfit and fought as a tank commander. Lt. Leonard Henkelman fought his way across France and Germany and was killed in battle in Germany on March 28, 1945. He is buried at Margraten American Cemetery and Memorial in the Netherlands.

Our presence was felt with the Navy too. 1st Lt. (jg) George Dehn of Effingham was a Navy gunnery officer on LST 500 and Denver Hetzer of rural Montrose was on LST 529. Both ships were present at Normandy from June 6 to June 25, 1944. Richard L. Parks of rural Mason was aboard the USS Nevada (BB-36). USS Nevada opened fire in the Utah Beach area on June 6, 1944 for a period of 80 hours firing some 3,797 shells.

Arlon Ziegler, 8th Army Air Force, was there at D-Day. He was the pilot of th B-24 bomber "High Hopes". Arlon graduated from Effingham High School in 1941. As they were on a bombing run to Paris during the invasion, a rack of bombs jammed. Arlon turned the controls over to the co-pilot and went along with the with the navigator and the bombadier to the bomb bay. When they saw that some of the bombs had the arming vanes activated, Arlon and the other two managed to throw the bombs out into the English Channel and the plan landed safely back in England. If they hadn't been able to do that, they would have been forced to ditch the plane and parachute out.

Replacement troops started pouring into Normandy early on. Another of my coworkers, Delaine Donaldson, was a young boy when his father Frank was one of those who come ashore and fought through the hedgerows and on into the Battle of the Bulge. Frank Donaldson was with the 5th Infantry Division and they were nicknamed the "Chicago Gangsters" for their prowess with machine guns.

Lester G. Allen, 83rd Infantry Division "Thunderbolts" came in as a replacement also. Lester was killed in action in the hedgerows of France on July 11, 1944. He was from Effingham County and is buried at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Lester was only 20 years old when he was killed. I have more to tell about Lester later on in this story.

The names I listed are just a few of those from Effingham County who were there. I don't know all of them who were there and I don't have room to list all of the ones that I know were present. If you would like to learn more, please visit the museum and look through our WWII binders.

Our last stop was at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. This is one of many cemeteries maintained by American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). It's a beautiful cemetery overlooking the ocean near where the invasion took place.

All of the Americans on our tour gathered together for a special ceremony. A representative from the cemetery spoke to us all as we gathered around a beautiful statue called "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves". Our flag was already flying as our national anthem was played. Afterwards an American girl and boy were chosen to place a wreath by the statue. We all then observed a minute of silence. All veterans were then asked to step forward. When they did so, they were thanked for their service. It was such a moving moment for all of us and my tears ran freely.

Mark and I then headed to the visitor center because I had arranged to see the grave of Lester G. Allen from Effingham County. Our French guide, Charles, took us out in a golf cart to where Lester's grave was located. Charles then had me do a sand ceremony and a flag ceremony at Lester's grave. I started to cry as I rubbed sand from the beaches at Normandy over the front of Lester's white marble cross. I then wiped it off so that the sand remained only in the writing on his grave marker. Charles told me that this would signify that Lester's grave had been visited. He then had me place an American flag and a French flag in front of Lester's grave to signify that Lester was from the United States and died in France. By then I could not control my tears and barely could talk. When he took us back to our bus, I thanked him profusely for taking us to Lester's grave. He looked me in the eye and said, "It was my privilege because the United States has our eternal gratitude for liberating our country."

For the rest of my life I will remember this journey to Normandy. It was fitting that the beaches are now filled with people on holiday and the sound of happy voices ring loudly where once the sound of guns, bombs, and mortars drowned out everything. Every single person that I met from France and nearby countries gave thanks for those who took part in the Normandy invasion. Every single one of them.

Always remember, Effingham County was there.

06/06/2026

Don Polk . . . Navy . . . Korea

Paul Donald Polk was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on January 2, 1932 the son of Paul and Bennie Mae (Frailey) Polk. The family moved to Effingham County with Carter Oil Company when Don was 8 or 9 years old. Don attended school in Altamont. He did photography for the Altamont newspaper and had his own photography studio while in high school. Don enlisted in the Navy with his buddies Dick Francis, PeeWee Verdeyen, and Bob Reiss in October of 1949 and entered service in the summer of 1950.

Don, Richard Francis, and Wayne Kruger, all of Altamont, Illinois did their training at the Naval Training Base in San Diego, California. Don went on and trained in Hawaii with the Tailhook program for the Naval Air branch.

Don served as Aviation Electronics Technician Airman (ATAN) attached to Attack Squadron 55 aboard the carrier USS Essex. He was awarded the Air Medal with this citation.

UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET

In the name of the President of the United States
the Commander Seventh Fleet, takes pride in presenting
the AIR MEDAL to

Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Paul D. Polk
United States Navy

For services set forth in the following:

For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Korean Theater while attached to Attack Squadron FIFTY-FIVE, aboard the U.S.S. Essex, during the period 3 August 1952 to 16 November 1952 in areas where enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft fire could be expected. As radar operator of an attack plane he participated in twenty flights over hostile territory. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

J. J. Clark
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
Commander Seventh Fleet

Don made many more missions during the Korean War as indicated in part of this letter to his parents.

9 January, 1953
Sea of Japan
USS Essex, CVA-9

Dear Mom & Dad,

I imagine this is the letter that both of you have been waiting for since the Essex left the states. This morning at 1245 Lt. Norton and I landed aboard from returning from an RCM hop which was the last flight the VC-35 V(AN) Ttem team will fly from the Essex. This night I sat down and took some figures from my log book, thought maybe you would like to see them. They cover the period from 25 June when we started operating at Pearl Harbor up to today, the ninth. I have flown 13 Radar Countermeasure flights, 19 hecklers over the beach, and 24 Anti Sub Patrols around the Task Force. (The word sorties means number of flights) I have 27 day sorties for a total of 68.4 hours and 29 night sorties for a total of 91.2 hours. The total number of sorties is 56 and total number of hours is 159.6. I also made 55 arrested (we mean carrier landings by that) landings aboard the Essex plus two on the beach, one at King-18 and another at King-50. I also received 26 catapult shots for the entire cruise, which isn't too bad. So there in a nut shell you have my cruise aboard the "Great Mother Hen".

Love,
Don

Don returned to the States on February 13, 1953 after serving a total of 60 air missions over Korea. He was stationed at the San Diego Naval Air Station.

"Don Polk Killed In Naval Crash Wednesday While On Training Flight In California" Altamont News September 10, 1953

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Polk of Altamont were informed at mid-morning Thursday by the Navy that their son, ATAN Don Polk, was killed Wednesday, Sept. 9, in a Naval airplane crash near Owens Lake, Calif.

Details of the tragedy were not disclosed to the family in the telegram. It was presumed that he was flying in a five man Naval Essex night fighter plane, the type in which he is assigned, and that he was on a routine training mission.

A veteran of over 60 air missions over Korea, Airman Polk returned to the United States from Korea on Feb. 13, 1953. He would have received his discharge from the Navy next June.

An es**rt will accompany the body to the place designated by the parents for burial. It will travel by rail unless air transportation is specified.

He was stationed at the San Diego Naval Air Station. He had written his parents last week saying that he would be on a training flight to Washington state over the weekend. They received a card from him written Sunday describing the beautiful country he had seen while on the flight up there.

James Budde, home on leave from the San Diego Naval Air Station, said that he had talked with Don last Thursday before starting for home and that Don told him of the approaching trip to Washington.

The 21 year old airman was a naval electronics technician. His duties included navigation, radar and radio work in an Essex fighter plane. He enlisted in the Navy in August 1950. He was a graduate of Altamont Community High School. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Surviving besides his parents are his brothers Dave F. Polk and Benjamin Polk of Altamont and Bill Caldwell of Oklahoma.

UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
AIR FORCE
COMPOSITE SQUADRON THIRTY-FIVE (VC-35)
NAVAL AIR STATION
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

10 September 1953

My dear Mr. Polk:

The death of your son Paul yesterday in an aircraft accident at Owens Lake, California was, I know, a terrible loss to you. I wish to express to you the great sympathy all members of this squadron hold for you and your family and to tell you that we feel his loss very keenly.

The incident occurred at about 1138 A. M. Your son was acting as an aircrewman along with John Peckenpaugh, also an air crewman of this sqadron. The plane was an AD type Skyraider and flown by Ensign Alan B. Stickney. The navigational phase of the flight carried the plane over Owens Lake which is in reality a large dry lakebed several miles long. The pilot of the accompanying aircraft ovserved Ensign Stickney's plane to go, unexplainably, into a very gradual descent. Both aircraft were at required low altituede and before any warning action could be taken Ensign Stickney's plane struck the ground. All three occupants were killed instantly.

Your son was an experienced aircrewman and a very valuable member of this squadron. As you know, he returned from Korea only las February aboard the USS ESSEX where he had served as an aircrewman with one of our team. Lieutenant David L. Slade was normally his pilot during that cruise. He was greatly shocked to learn of Paul's loss and asked me to extend to you his sympathy and to tell you that he will write to you at once.

I know that these words are ineffectual in lessening your grief at this time but I feel I must again state how highly regarded your son was within his squadron and how much we feel his loss. He was a credit to the Navy and lost his life in the service of his country as surely as if it had had happened in combat.

If I can be of any service to you or your family please feel free to call on me at any time. You will receive further information on certain rights and benefits as a result of your son's death within a few days. With deepest sympathy I remain

Sincerely yours,
L. E. Burke
Commander, U. S. Navy
Commanding Officer

Rites Planned For Navy Flier Killed in Plane

Services will be held on Thursday in Altamont, Ill. for ATAN Don Polk, 21. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Polk of Altamont. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery with full military rites.

Rest in Peace, Don . . . You are not forgotten.

06/05/2026

Good morning! Today’s picture takes us to Mound Township and the town of Altamont.

This is Bohlander’s Drug Store in the 1950s. I’m going to share with you the history of this building as a drug store. This information comes from the book “Altamont Area Centennial 1871 – 1971”. Please remember that this information ends in 1971, so feel free to tell anything more you may know about this building.

“O. M. More was the owner of the first “real” drug store, complete with a beautiful soda fountain, located in Aunt Julia Tapson’s brick building (now the Western Auto Store)/ He was assisted by Mrs. More\y and George Ischwald. Unlike Mr. Florey’s store, the Moreys displayed the merchandise in glass show cases up front, the back room being the prescription room.

E. A. Parkhurst purchased the store from the Moreys and continued its operation at the same location for several years. His pharmacist was E. Hale Lollar who came here from Newton, Ill. The Lollars lived in the house just north of the present Immanuel Lutheran School.

In about 1913, Mr. Parkhurst sold the store to Lollar and Arthur Weiler and the store became known as Lollar and Weiler. Theirs was the first “Rexall” drug store in this area.

Soon Mr. Lollar sold his interest to Mr. Weiler and the store became known as Weiler’s Rexall Drug Store. Mr. Weile was quite a merchandiser. Under his direction, the soda fountain was refurbished by Walrus of Decatur, and became known far and wide for the best chocolate sodas in Southern Illinois. The secret? Chocolate syrup made from Grootes imported Dutch Process Cocoa. Some of the better known soda-jerks were N. J. Edmunds, Oscar Brauer, Fred Stettbacher, Henry Phillips, Otto Moll, Lucille Wilson, and Mayme Scott.

R. A. Nelson of Louisville, Kentucky became the pharmacist, soon to be followed by Fred Leib of Anna, Illinois. During the intervening years, after a stint at McKendree College, Otto Moll hung out his pharmacist shingle, and Fred Leib moved to Ziegler, Ill. where he purchased a drugstore.

Soon, the local store was remodeled and expanded, the soda fountain giving way to progress in merchandising. The famous Rexall One Cent Sales were conducted every spring and fall. Not only were items common to a drug store offered for sale, but Horrors! The drugstore was selling Opeka Coffee, tea, peanut butter, and even pork ‘n beans.

The George Bohlanders purchased the store from Mr. and Mrs. Weiler in 1943, and have continued to serve the community in a friendly, efficient manner.”

I know that George Bohlander died in 1981 and his wife Delphine Louise (Dubois) Bohlander died in 2006. Both are buried at Union Cemetery in Altamont, Illinois. This building was the long-time home for Clarkson Furniture. What has become of the building since then? Please tell us what you know or let us know if you remember any of the people mentioned.

Wherever you may be, I wish you a wonderful day!

06/05/2026

William G. Tappendorf . . . Army . . . WWII

William Gustav Tappendorf was born October 28, 1919, the son of Ernest and Henrietta (Goers) Tappendorf of Mound Township in Effingham County. His mother, Henrietta died when he was a small boy and his father later married Alma Goers. Bill attended the local schools and helped his father farm.

Bill enlisted in the Army on September 15, 1942 in Chicago Illinois. After basic training and further training, he shipped overseas to the European Theater. He would serve with the 112th Infantry, 28th Division. They would spend much time in Wales training for combat in the European Theater. The 28th Division was on reserve on D-Day in England. Eventually, the 112th boarded ship and crossed the channel. Although the entire regiment would not be ashore till July 22, 1944, the first elements ashore went right into combat trying to breakout of the Normandy Beachhead. They were-designated as the 112th Infantry Regimental Combat Team which consisted of the 112th Infantry Regiment, the 229th Field Artillery Battalion, the 103rd Engineer Battalion, Company C/447th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, and Company C/630th Tank Destroyer Battalion. The 28th Division entered combat in the hedgerows North and West of St. Lo. The hedgerows were thick growth on embankments which had built up over the centuries as Norman farmers moved rocks and rubbish to the edges of their fields. Battles would be fought from one small field to the next, each a natural fortress. It would be in the hedgerows where PFC William G. Tappendorf was killed.

TAPPENDORF IS KILLED IN FRANCE

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Tappendorf of this community received a message from the War Department that their son, William G. Tappendorf, had been killed in action in France on August 7, 1944. He had been overseas for several months.

PFC William Gustav Tappendorf has a memorial marker at Bethlehem Cemetery in rural Altamont, Illinois. On his marker at Bethlehem Cemetery it says, "GAVE HIS LIFE IN FRANCE". PFC Tappendorf is actually buried at Brittany American Cemetery in St. James, France. He was awarded a Purple Heart posthumously.

Rest in Peace, Bill . . . You are not forgotten.

Effingham County Courthouse Museum Effingham IL

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