Editing Bellflower, Illinois (section)

===Founding===
Bellflower was laid out on August 26, 1871, by George Nelson Black (March 15, 1833 – April 22, 1908) and his wife Louisa J. Black (December 22, 1840 – December 23, 1909). George was born in [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts]], and had come to [[Springfield, Illinois]], in 1850, where he became wealthy through manufacturing, mining, and railroads.<ref>''Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McLean County'' (Edited by Ezra M. Prince and John H. Burnham; 2 Vols; Chicago: Munsell, 1908) p. 2:902.</ref> Bellflower Township had subscribed $30,000 in twenty-year bonds toward the construction of what was then called the [[Gilman, Clinton and Springfield Railroad]]. A condition of the funding was that the township would have a station on the railroad. Black purchased {{convert|100|acre|km2}} of land, laid {{convert|40|acre|m2}} out into town lots and then transferred the title to the railroad. When the railroad became property of the [[Illinois Central Railroad]], town lots in Bellflower were not transferred to that railroad. The name of the town came from the name of the township and was selected by Jesse Richards, who was particularly fond of the [[Bellflower apple]]. It is perhaps the only town in Illinois named for an apple. In the 1870s it was often spelled "Belle Flower" or "Belle-Flower".<ref>''History of Mclean County, Illinois'' (Chicago: LeBaron 1879) p.738.</ref>