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In 1841 Francis Black, age 26, arrived in Hampton and opened a general store in the above mentioned frame building.
In 1846 Brettun and Francis Black erected the large two-story brick building on the northwest corner of River
and Oak Streets and together entered a general merchandise business. Steamboat transportation was important and
vital to the growth of the town, and a wharf was needed. Eight of the property owners deeded to Mr. Bretton certain
lots for him to sell. The proceeds of these lots were to be used to build the Hampton public wharf where boats
could land in all stages of water.
Mr. Brettun decided to quit the mercantile business and sold his interest in the stock to his son-in-law, Milton
H. Crapster. The business continued for a number of years when Mr. Black bought full interest and continued alone.
In 1858 Mr. Black sold to Francis Black his interest in the store building together with the warehouse on the
wharf and all the wharf privileges which they had enjoyed together. Along in the early '70s the old warehouse was
sold to August Anderson who utilized the material to build a barn.
Maverick Wright was 22 when he came to Hampton in 1837. In 1850 Mr. Wright purchased lot 1 block 30 and built
his two-story brick store building and engaged there in general merchandise business. Mr. Black's and Mr. Wright's
stores were considered large, and their customers came from Whiteside and Henry counties and also from out in iowa.
Both Black and Wright engaged in the pork packing business and did all large trade with the steamboats the packing
was done in the fall and winter and was so extensive that their business hired 16 Coopers in eight shops to make
the necessary pork barrels and lard tierces.
Mr. Black and Mr. Wright had paid as high as16 and 18 cents a pound for their holdings and probably gave their
notes until the river opened up in the spring so they could ship and sell their product. The war closed and pork
took a heavy drop, and Mr. Wright, unable to meet the loss, went broke and went out of business. He sold out to
Frank Wells and Bares Shurtliff and moved to Iowa. His health failed him and he returned to Hampton where he died
April 14th, 1876.
Mr. Black was financially better off than Mr. Wright and was able to continue in business. He had the larger
stock of goods carrying everything from the spinning wheel to silk for a lady's dress, harness, saddles, farm implements,
and articles too numerous to mention. He bought coal and wood and sold to his steamboat trade, who loaded the fuel
while taking on his freight which also included the grain and corn which he purchased from the farmers. He continued
actively in business until he was past 90 years of age-retiring in 1903. His son Walter took over the store and
ran it for a number of years.
In addition to his store business Francis Black had held many office. He was Hamptons' second postmaster and
for 10 years was township school treasurer. For a time he served as a village treasurer. He never aspired to any
office, the office sought him. Early on he had acquired Block 36, which he had surveyed and platted in 1855 for
burial purposes. The 30 by 30 ft. lots were sold for $1 each. Later he quit claimed his interest in Block 36 to
the trustees of Hampton Cemetery Association which later incorporated.
Mr. Black married Charlotte Brettun, who died May 20th, 1861. They had one son, Charles. Mr. Black later married
Philena Luce on October 9th 1862. Together they had Sophia, Theodosia, and Walter. Frances Black was an ideal man.
He left a blameless record, was loved and respected by all who knew him. He died November 8th, 1910 and was followed
in 1919 by Mrs. Black.
Information submitted by Mary and Rock Nelson of
the Hampton Historical Society
A History of Hampton, Illinois 1838-1938
by George McNabney
©2006, Genealogy Trails
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