The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Quill came across the EARLY HISTORY OF STRONGHURST in a book produced in 1936 by Mrs. Marie Swedlund's 7th grade Civic's Class at the Stronghurst School. We are including the information from the book as a short series in The Quill and are including an introduction of Mrs. Swedlund which was given to us by her closest relative and teacher at West Central Elementary, Mrs. Amy Wolf. Amy says it was her Aunt Marie Swedlund who had inspired her to become an elementary teacher.
Marie J. Johnson Swedlund, was born May 16, 1904 in Raritan, a daughter of Frank John and Maude Alice Detrick Johnson. She married Elmer Swedlund on June 28, 1940 in Burlington, IA.
She attended Hedding College in Abingdon, and graduated from Carthage College. Marie taught for 42 years in Old Bedford, Carman, Raritan and Stronghurst in upper elementary, teaching for several years on a two-year teaching certificate. After World War II, she attended Western Illinois University and earned her bachelor degree. She is known for having high expectations of her students.
Elmer and Marie had no children, but they had a dog named Spot who they taught many tricks. She was a good cook and was known in the family for her fried chicken. The couple both enjoyed gardening together. Marie loved her flowers, especially African violets as she was a master of them and had an entire east room in their home filled with them. She grew beautiful flowers in her gardens as well and Elmer grew things to eat.
Elmer had worked 15 years for the railroad. For many years they had a cannon in their front yard which Elmer had built, and many locals may remember it. Mrs. Swedlund's family remembers her as a gracious lady who opened their home to their family.
Mrs. Swedlund died on June 25, 1997 at age 93, at Oak Wood Nursing and Rehab in Stronghurst.
In the summer of 1887 while traveling through this country one might have seen a cleared strip of land while on both sides were waving fields of golden corn. Toiling busily on their piece of land, with picks and shovels could be seen a group of ardent young men. Behind them like a long white ribbon trimmed with two stripes of black, lay a single track railroad. The men were working it through the cornfields, making it stretch on and on. The cornfields belonged to Joseph Dixson and the Santa Fe Railroad Co. This long ribbon of railway shortened the route from Chicago to Kansas City thirty one miles.
Although the scene was alluring the work was hard. Negroes from the South were hired to lay the ties. Wild ponies were shipped from Texas and gay, but dangerous rides were held to tame these animals. At night merry times were held in singing and playing tunes down by the "Old Grove."
When the railroad was put through the question was, "Why not have a town?" Joseph Dixson was the first to develop this plan. He and other farmers hereabout set to work to build a village. They went to the cupola of the house which is now on the James Sanderson farm. Large binoculars helped them to see miles around to pick out a select plot for the village. Prairies and sand were seen on the west and this was a good farming center so finally it was decided the town should lie in this spot. As soon as the news spread that a village was to be built, a discouraged man, Doctor Isaac Harter and wife of Carman, barred their minute drug store, hastily packed their belongings and "‘galloped' to nowhere in the wilderness." Other people from Olena came and a prosperous village was soon flourishing, the railroad helping much, but the town was in need of a name.
A brilliant young man thought one day that since the town was in need of a name, Dixson would be good enough. Why not? Had Dixson not given the land and helped start the community? Questions arose however. There was already another town named Dixson. Why be a "copy-cat"? Again a suggestion was made they should name it Foothurst after a Mr. Foot who ran a general store. For almost a year this name stood, but many were dissatisfied and at last to the agreement of all, a popular vote for "Stronghurst" was cast. Why did they choose this name? Mr. William Strong and Mr. R. D. Hurst from Topeka, Kansas, traveling through the community had surveyed the land for the railroad so in memorial of them the name was taken, and so the little village of Stronghurst was founded and christened and later was to become mistress to a double track rail in 1907.
(1936 Stronghurst History series will be continued next week Nov. 3, 2021)