Fairbury’s October 22 blood drive, held at the First United Methodist Church, collected 39 units. Donors reaching milestones were Joyce Gulliford, one gallon; Loren Steidinger, 10 gallons; and Lynn Barnett, 14 gallons. Others donating were Jeff Ifft, Gerry Groskreutz, Kyle Buchanan, Ann Francis, Robert Francis, Steve Hall, Gregg Honegger, Brenda Bachtold, Matt Brauman, Sharon McCoy, Jeff Lackaff, Cheryl Palen, John Krueger, Heidi Bachman, Mark Hall, David Langel, Martha Fehr,

130 Years Ago October 26, 1895 A. P. Farley, the photographer, has just purchased an apparatus with which he is able to take photographs at night. A new barn is being built on the Phil Wade property, corner of First and Elm Streets. The new house being built by Joseph Morris in Wade & Merit's addition, is well under way. High School Notes — The twelfth grade has a membership of eighteen and if they all get through next spring it will make a large graduating class.   120 Years

Until around 1900, the Fairbury economy was based upon horses. Farmers used horses to farm their land. Citizens used horse-drawn buggies for transportation. Several businessmen imported horses from Europe to sell to local farmers. Fairbury had several livery stables where people or visitors could keep their horses.   The first mention in the Blade about the Fairbury Carriage Company was in 1909. Telephones had recently been installed in Fairbury, and the business phone number

Maxine L. Yoder, 91, of Fairbury, passed away at 9:20 am, October 23, 2025, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington Her funeral will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, October 27, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Forrest. Pastor David Castner will be officiating. Burial will be in Forrest Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3-5:00 pm, Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:30-10:15 am Monday at the church. Memorials may be made t

A previous meeting of the PC Board of Education in Fairbury, file photo. The PCHS School Improvement Plan was presented to members of the Prairie Central Board of Education during the group’s regular October meeting in Fairbury. Principal Wade Czerwonka described goals including student attendance, post-secondary outcomes for students, participation in extracurricular activities at the freshman level and raising student achievement.  Czerwonka also spoke about procedures in p

Helen E. Meyer, 90, Fairbury, died at 11:55 pm Sunday, October 19, 2025 at Accolade Healthcare of Pontiac. Cremation rites have by accorded by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.  Her graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Forrest Twp. Cemetery with Fr. Scott Archer officiating.  The family suggests memorials be given to the charity of their choice. Mrs. Meyer was born January 13, 1935 in Forrest, IL the daughter of Lawrence and Polly Baysing

130 Years Ago October 19, 1895 The Odd Fellows Temple at Fairbury, the building of which has to so large a degree engrossed the attention of members of the fraternity in this vicinity, was dedicated Wednesday according to program with impressive ceremonies. Commencing at 1:30 in the afternoon the dedicatory services took place in the lodge room, occupying about two hours' time. The grand master, Hon. Henry Phillips, of Virginia, Ill, presided and Grand Secretary James S. Mill

One of the many unsolved historical mysteries from the Fairbury area concerns a romance that soured in the 1870s. This story began with the birth of Christopher Gschwind in Germany. At the age of 20, in 1857, Christopher emigrated from Germany to America. Most people who migrated from Europe to America chose to come to New York City. German immigrants in that era often chose the New Orleans port for its unrivaled access to the American Midwest via river transport, more accomm

Frank James Bradley Sr., 82, Fairbury, died at 8:59 pm Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Arcadia Care of Toulon. A Celebration of his Life will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  The family suggests memorials be given to the charity of their choice. Mr. Bradley was born December 28, 1942 in Fairbury, IL the son of Victor and Elsie Johnson Bradley.  He married Janice J. Eilts on August 22, 1964 in Fairbury.  She survive

The 2025 Fairbury Citizen of the Year is Kathy Cook. GFWC IL Fairbury Woman’s Club made the announcement this week. The club has been honoring outstanding volunteers in the community since 1987. Kathy was born in Fairbury and grew up in Sibley. She attended Western Illinois University obtaining her Bachelor of Education degree.  She started volunteering in high school by teaching Sunday School.  1971 started her teaching career teaching 6 th , 1 st  and 3 rd  grades throughou

Work is shown on Route 24, or Oak Street, in Fairbury late in the summer / file photo. During last week’s regular Fairbury City Council meeting, City Superintendent Brett Ashburn reported that the new stickers for UTV registration have been received.   If someone registers and purchases the sticker, it will be good through the calendar year of 2026. The city will soon announce when the new stickers are available for purchase. Council members approved the use of UTVs on Fairbu

130 Years Ago October 12, 1895 The Chicago Times-Herald is putting up $5,000 hard cash in prizes for a "moto-cycle" prize contest to take place on November 2 over the road Chicago to Milwaukee. A moto-cycle is a vehicle that runs without horses. The Free Methodist Conference has sent Rev. H. O. Hubard from this city to Aurora, and Rev. R. F. Brothers, of Sheffield, is the newly appointed minister for this place. School will not commence Monday as the new school building will

In 1878, William Le Baron published his book titled The History of Livingston County . This publication was the first history book...

J.T. Cox, 77, Fairbury, died at 2:34 am Monday, October 6, 2025 at St. John Medical Center, Springfield. His memorial service will be...

The Oklahoma State University  Ferguson College of Agriculture  recognized six second-year students for their academic performance,...

Fairbury’s Sept. 24 blood drive, held at the First United Methodist Church, collected 48 units.   First time donors were Charlie Tjarks...

130 Years Ago October 5, 1895 The game between Anson's Colts, of Chicago, of the National league, and Fairbury, played here Wednesday,...

Myron Gail Dellinger was born January 30, 1939 at home in Morley, Missouri. The doctor was paid with proceeds from a 5-gallon jug of cane...

Shooting a score of 320, the Prairie Central Boys Golf team placed second at the IHSA Sectional at Oak Brook Golf Club, advancing to...

Knoll Lodge is a social group that meets every Thursday night at their cabin on the Vermilion River, about five miles north of Fairbury....