My Genealogy Hound

PETER FOLSOM, loan and land agent, Bloomington; one of the best-known men in McLean County, made his home here thirty-four years ago, having arrived in 1845; he was born in Washington Co., Me., Aug. 16, 1817, and is the son of Peter Folsom, a blacksmith of Deerfield, N. H., now living in Somerset Co., Me., in his ninetieth year. Mr. Folsom first began teaching school; his home was located where the Darley Hall Building now stands; the house was a small, one-story frame, for which he paid $1.50 per month rent, and, at that time, it was the last house on Main street; Mr. Folsom taught school about one year. In 1846, he was Deputy County Surveyor; in 1851, he was elected County Surveyor, and filled this office about eight years; he has surveyed the greater part of Bloomington; surveyed the original towns of Normal, Chenoa, McLean, Heyworth, etc., and additions to Danvers, Lexington and other villages in McLean and the surrounding counties. Mr. Folsom has held several public offices; was appointed in 1862, by President Lincoln, U. S. Assessor for seven counties; also, was Revenue Collector; was also one of the first members of the City School Board of Bloomington; he is now engaged in the loan business, and dealing in land.