BUSINESS & MANUFACTURING Stephenson County

Freeport Agency and Loan Co Contributed by Karen Fyock (8 July 1920 Clipping) Here's Plan of the Freeport Agency & Loan Co. To Assist Any Citizen of Freeport Who Wishes to Buy a Home It seems that for some reason or other the majority of people are not familiar with the Freeport Agency & Loan Co. proposition. Here it is: The Freeport Agency and Loan Co. is a corporation that was organized May 7, 1920, for the sole purpose of relieving the housing situation in Freeport, and the whole community should stand back of the movement from a civic interest. We all know the serious condition that exists as to the lack of homes, to house those who deserve to come here and make this city their pace to reside and therefore help in the growth of Freeport. The various manufacturing interests have subscribed for a proportion of the stock in the Freeport Agency & Loan Company, as have doctors, bankers and business men. The total amount of stock subscribed to date is $72,600 and it is desired that the balance, $27,400, be subscribed at once. This subscription is not a donation but an investment on which the company expects to pay a dividend as well as solve the housing situation. Now as to the method of obtaining these houses, which are to be sod and financed through the Freeport Agency & Loan Company: There are a number of public spirited men who have pledged their money or credit to build one or more houses under the R. G. Hancock plan, which enables the building of the house at actual cost and a reduced cost, as we all know that building and buying in quantity, say twenty or thirty houses, gives one the benefit of carload shipments. The style of houses that R. G Hancock & Co. build were inspected by a committee of three gentlemen who visited Rockford, Beloit, Delevan and Elkhorn and came home very enthusiastic and much pleased with what they saw and learned about the construction from cellar to roof, and interior finish and decoration as well as exterior appearance, of their style of houses. The company is willing to co-operate in every way possible with the local labor contractors and dealers in all lines of material, and it seems that they will become an asset to the community instead of a competitor. "We must have immediate action if we wish to see immediate results, and with this experienced organization of R. G. Hancock & Co. to go ahead with these houses every man, woman and child should and will benefit," said an officer of the company today. "Now, then; after these twenty or more houses are completed and one of those interested parties who desires to buy a home makes his selection of the house he wants or should he show an immediate desire for a particular location, we will try and locate a lot and build a home in the desired location; or if any one has a lot he wishes to use the said lot will be built on. "We have upwards of 100 plans of different kinds of houses to select from and Mr. Frank M. Keck, the general manager of the Freeport Agency & Loan Co., with offices at 92 Stephenson street, third floor front over the Electric Light Co. office will be pleased to go into details on this subject. Now, the third step: the purchaser of a home should have at least 10 or 15 per cent of the total cost of a house to pay down when said house is purchased, then the Freeport Agency & Loan Co. will assist the said purchaser in financing the proposition."