In 1834, after much discussion about town names, notes were placed into a hat and drawn, it was agreed to
name the place Princeton. It is located on Section 16, Town 16, Range 9. The owners of lots at that time were,
mainly, Messrs Nathaniel Chamberlain, Cyrus and John H Bryant, Rev L Farnham, John M Gay and Mrs. Flint. The
first building erected within the limits of the original corporation, was a log cabin built by Mr. Silas D
Cartwright in the fall of 1833, and occupied by him as a blacksmith's shop. It stood on the now vacant lot north
of the Congregational church. The first two framed buildings were erected by John M. Gay, the dimensions
being twelve feet square, and occupied the ground upon which the residence and store of R T Templeton now
stands. The third was a log cabin built by Frederick Haskill, was used as a store, the first in the place and was
located on the ground now (1857) occupied by the residence of Mr. Elijah Dee. This store was opened for the
sale of goods June 7th, 1834, and the first article sold was a horse collar to Cornelius Carse. The first hotel
was built by Stephen Triplet on Main street, immediately south of Dr. Chamberlain's office though it has not
been used for this purpose for several years. The first church built in 1835, was a two-story framed building,
located on the public square, immediately south of where the court house now is, by the Hampshire Colony
Congregational Church and is now the property of Justus Stevens.
In March, 1838 an election was held on the question of incorporating the village of Princeton, twenty votes
were cast, all in favor on the proposition. On November 26, 1883, an election on the question of organizing the
town into a city was carried in the affirmative. There were 660 votes cast 491 for, 169 against majority 322.
There were 84 votes for minority representation, and 228 against the same. The vote was canvassed and
declared January 7, 1884. Saloon licenses were granted to run until the third Monday of April, 1884.
N A Dyke was appointed to take the census by blocks during February, 1884, for the purpose of dividing the
city into wards. This carefully taken census showed a total population in the city of Princeton of 3,610.
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Source:
Sketches of Princeton, Illinois
Isaac B Smith 1857
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Background Images:
Business Directory of Princeton, Illinois
Isaac B Smith 1857
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Source:
History of Bureau County
H C Bradsby 1885
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