The land upon which the village of Erie stands was entered by James McMillen about 1850, and the old section of the town was laid out soon afterwards by Samuel Carr, M. G. Wonser, James McMillen, and George Marks. Previous to the laying out of the town there were several log cabins on the site among them the Brooks', Carrs tavern, and a school house. In addition it is stated that on the present town site and the neighborhood, George, Henry, and Harvey Steele, James Early, E. Warner, John Freek, A. Putney, Charles R. Coburn, and William Teats had residences. The regular trips of the Rock Island and Dixon stages enlivened the new village. About 1849'-50' the post office was removed from Crandall's Ferry to the village, with C. C. Teats. Postmaster. M. G. Wonser started the first store, he having a general assortment; although it is represented that about the same time, or before, a man by the name of L. Higley offered a small stock of notions for sale. Dr. Grover, now a merchant in Erie, came next year with a considerable stock of goods. Wonsor's store, also used for a dwelling house, was the first frame building in the village; the log hotel was next supplanted by a frame building. Frame structures were next erected by Charles Coburn, Tyler Whipple and Hiram Harmon. The first church edifice was built by the United Brethren in 1854. Henry Bolton started a blacksmith shop in 1850. C. C. Teats was the first lawyer, and Dr. Fetters the first resident physician, he locating in 1849 or `50. Dr. Lord was in Erie in 1852.

A lively interest was taken in schools and churches, business increased, and the town grew steadily until railroads began to multiply running to other towns in the county, Erie having none. In 1857-58 the Sterling and Rock Island Railroad was projected, and graded in the latter year. There was much excitement, and selling lots in Erie became an important business. Everybody talked real estate and corner lots, and upon certain days lot sales were made. The farmers along the line mortgaged their property to build the road, and all were sanguine; but, like many other promising enterprises the end was failure, and ruin was the portion of many who generously and confidently gave mortages to assist in building the road. The bed was graded for a considerable distance, and then the matter ended and Erie did not advance; but in 1869 the desire of the village was gratified, for January 20th of that year the locomotive steamed into Erie upon the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad. The town at once took a new lease of life, and general activity took of apathy. Business houses began to multiply, and the trade of the wealthy surrounding farming country that had gone elsewhere began to pour into Erie, since which time the place has had a steady and substantial growth.

The first saw mill was built in Erie in 1855 by A. J. Osborne and Fain Thompson; the mill was run by steam power. The first steam flouring mill was erected and run by Simonson & Ritchie in 1868. The present grist mill was put up by J. C. Hubbart in 1871. An excellent cheese factory was built in 1873 by the same gentlemen. It is now managed by Robert Shelletto, and does a good business.

The following is a list of business houses, etc., in Erie:

Three general stores, two hardware stores, two drug stores, two manufacturers and dealers in boots and shoes, one furniture store, two hotels, two saloons, one meat market, two harness shops, five millinery and dress making establishments two grain elevators, one cheese factory, one steam flouring mill, two livery stables, one barber shop, one cooper shop, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, three carpenter shops, two paint shops, one windmill manufactory, one agricultural implement house, two paint dealers, one photograph gallery, one florist, two lawyers, three physicians, three churches, one Masonic lodge, one one division of the Sons of Temperance.

Erie has also a fine public school of three departments -- M.H. Hanna, Principal. The best of teachers are employed; a lively interest is taken by the citizens in the school, and by these combined influences the rising generation of Erie and vicinity is afforded unusual advantages for acquiring an education. Until 1872 Erie was not incorporated, but in that year the village incorporated under an act of the Legislature, approved April 10, 1872. July 31, 1872, a number of the citizens of Erie presented a petition to Wm. Lane. Judge of the County Court, praying that the village be incorporated, and August 20, 1872, an election was held to vote upon the question of incorporation, at which 53 votes were cast "for" and 21 " against." September 17, 1872, an election was held, when six trustees were elected, viz: A. J. Osborne, James Collins, John D. Fenton, Joseph Grover, W. L. Mitchell and M. S. Johnson. Since organization the question of "license" or "no license" for saloons has annually been the issue, as in other towns. At present licenses are granted to saloons upon payment of $300.00.

Source: History of Whiteside County Bent & Wilson

Erie Flood 1938 Erie Flood 1946