History of Metamora

From the Metamora Sentinel dated February 10, 1898

Metamora, formerly the County seat of Woodford County, (and should be now) is situated almost in the center of the county 18 miles northeast of Peoria. The present town site was settled in 1842, the natural advantages of Metamora by not surpassed by any town in the state and her enterprising citizens have not been in those advantages in a place to make Metamora one of the most beautiful and desirable locations in the great state. Metamora is located on a high dry and gently undulating plain thus insuring perfect natural drainage while at the same time it is rich and productive giving every citizen the opportunity to have his own private garden of beautiful flowers, delicious small fruits and vegetables. We have the most beautiful park in the state outside of Chicago. In all well regulated communities where education, intelligence and good morals predominate the “Art Preservation” always flourishes and this fact finds especial emphasis in Metamora where one good paper is published and well patronized by the public citizens. There are three good churches here, namely, Catholic, Union and German Lutheran, also a large Orphan’s Home in charge of Sisters of Charity and is one of the grandest and most ably managed institutions in the state. Metamora has a public school of which to be proud. The school building is a large two story brick structure comfortably seated and furnished with all modern appliances. The school which has an enrollment of two hundred pupils is classified into twelve grades and has been for several years under the management of Prof. Begardus, an experienced educator, assisted by three efficient teachers. People from the county or from a distance who wish to move to town to educate their children will find that Metamora’s Graded School stands in the rank as an educational institution. The principle general merchants are Conrad & Son, C. Rohman and X. Knoblauch. In drugs and groceries we have A. H. Wilson and Chas. Bachman both genial up to date gentlemen; in hardware there is Mr. Bride and Mr. Wiltz both carrying complete stocks at right prices; our grain buyers are Andrews and Heintz, the latter also deals in coal and lumber; barbers are Joe Heininger and Mr. Frantz both as fine as “they make ‘em”; our physicians are Dr. Heintzman and Dr. Joe Knoblauch both skilled in their profession; the hotels are the Carpenter House owned and managed by James Hall and the Metamora House owned and managed by Thomas Spears. We have only one meat market owned and run by Joe Theena which is a marvel of neatness; our furniture house is run by Mr. Jacquat and is first class. Liquors and refreshments are dispensed by Victor Ioerger, Schrepfer and John B. Knoblauch, all genial gentlemen; as to veterinary we have Dr. Chas. Heininger, a graduate of Chicago College who will attend promptly to calls from a distance. Dentistry, Dr. J.P. Harvey, is our only advertiser in this line, read his card and then give him your patronage. We also have a new bakery and it is a marvel of neatness and excellence, in short we have the best town on earth to live in and transact business, our people are models of virtue, honesty and sobriety, anyone seeking a place for residence or business can do no better.