Assumption, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Assumption is a city in Christian County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 1,168 at the 2010 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,261 people, 551 households, and 353 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,433.1 people per square mile (553.3/km²). There were 607 housing units at an average density of 689.9 per square mile (266.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.84% White, 0.08% Asian, and 0.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.16% of the population.
There were 551 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,474, and the median income for a family was $41,417. Males had a median income of $35,650 versus $17,292 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,421. About 5.2% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
road from Springfield
to Terre Haute stopped at the "Halfway House", some four miles (6 km) east of Assumption near the Potter farms. This house was occupied—within the memory of many now living—by the Heber Keirn family. In 1840 the need of a railroad became acute, as produce and supplies had to be hauled long distances by wagon
. Stock was driven as far as St. Louis to market. Until the building of the railroad, the town had few settlers. A few adventurers had disposed of the deer
and wolves and driven the Indians north- and west-ward. Life in the fifties and sixties was primitive. Winters were long, log cabin
s poorly heated. In December 1856, there came to Tacusah a remarkable man, Elisee E. Malhiot. With him came his brother Francis. He wished to found a Canadian colony
of his friends and relatives-so, he induced 150 men, women and children from his early home to come to his settlement. He gave the name Assumption to his venture, in honor of his former Louisiana
Parish
. Among the people from Canada
were many mechanics and farmers. Soon, thirty or more houses were built. In 1858 Colonel Malhiot erected a large Flour mill. He brought sugar
from his Louisiana plantation and sold it at wholesale prices to his neighbors. Marcus L. Barrett from Massachusetts was another factor in the town's growth. He first conducted a boarding house
for men working on the railroad. In 1902 the village was incorporated as a city.
Enrollment at the middle school is approximately 170 students.
Assumption is also home to Kemmerer Village, a private Presbyterian childcare agency, named for donor Philip Kemmerer who willed 400 acres (1.6 km²) to "the orphans and friendless poor of all denominations" in 1884. Originally known as Kemmerer Orphan Home, the facility opened in 1914. In 1930, the named was changed to Kemmerer Children's Home. Eventually the name became Kemmerer Village. Kemmerer Village website See also Kemmerer Village Campus Center
Christian County, Illinois
Christian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 34,800, which is a decrease of 1.6% from 35,372 in 2000...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,168 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Assumption is located at 39.519545°N 89.049129°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,261 people, 551 households, and 353 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,433.1 people per square mile (553.3/km²). There were 607 housing units at an average density of 689.9 per square mile (266.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.84% White, 0.08% Asian, and 0.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.16% of the population.
There were 551 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,474, and the median income for a family was $41,417. Males had a median income of $35,650 versus $17,292 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,421. About 5.2% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
Assumption History
What is now called Assumption was once called Tacusah. Around 1840-50, a stagecoachStagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
road from Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
to Terre Haute stopped at the "Halfway House", some four miles (6 km) east of Assumption near the Potter farms. This house was occupied—within the memory of many now living—by the Heber Keirn family. In 1840 the need of a railroad became acute, as produce and supplies had to be hauled long distances by wagon
Wagon
A wagon is a heavy four-wheeled vehicle pulled by draught animals; it was formerly often called a wain, and if low and sideless may be called a dray, trolley or float....
. Stock was driven as far as St. Louis to market. Until the building of the railroad, the town had few settlers. A few adventurers had disposed of the deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
and wolves and driven the Indians north- and west-ward. Life in the fifties and sixties was primitive. Winters were long, log cabin
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
s poorly heated. In December 1856, there came to Tacusah a remarkable man, Elisee E. Malhiot. With him came his brother Francis. He wished to found a Canadian colony
Colony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
of his friends and relatives-so, he induced 150 men, women and children from his early home to come to his settlement. He gave the name Assumption to his venture, in honor of his former Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
Parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
. Among the people from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
were many mechanics and farmers. Soon, thirty or more houses were built. In 1858 Colonel Malhiot erected a large Flour mill. He brought sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
from his Louisiana plantation and sold it at wholesale prices to his neighbors. Marcus L. Barrett from Massachusetts was another factor in the town's growth. He first conducted a boarding house
Boarding house
A boarding house, is a house in which lodgers rent one or more rooms for one or more nights, and sometimes for extended periods of weeks, months and years. The common parts of the house are maintained, and some services, such as laundry and cleaning, may be supplied. They normally provide "bed...
for men working on the railroad. In 1902 the village was incorporated as a city.
Education
Assumption is served by the Central A&M School District, which also includes the village of Moweaqua, as well as the nearby rural areas. Central A&M Middle School (grades 6-8) and Bond Elementary School (preK-2) are located in Assumption, as well as the school district office.Enrollment at the middle school is approximately 170 students.
Assumption is also home to Kemmerer Village, a private Presbyterian childcare agency, named for donor Philip Kemmerer who willed 400 acres (1.6 km²) to "the orphans and friendless poor of all denominations" in 1884. Originally known as Kemmerer Orphan Home, the facility opened in 1914. In 1930, the named was changed to Kemmerer Children's Home. Eventually the name became Kemmerer Village. Kemmerer Village website See also Kemmerer Village Campus Center
Notable residents
- James T. CarrollJames T. CarrollJames T. Carroll in 1933 served 103 days as 12th District member of the Los Angeles City Council to fill out the unexpired term of Thomas Francis Ford, who had been elected to the U.S. Congress the preceding year.-Biography:...
, Los Angeles City Council member, 1933, born in Assumption
External links
- Assumption Public Library
- "Illinois Coal: The Legacy of an Industrial Society", sponsored by the Illinois State Historical Society includes an interview with Augustine Gobel, born in Assumption on April 21, 1909, who entered the coal mines at age sixteen.
- Golden Prairie News