Editing Minonk, Illinois (section)

==History==
The founding of Minonk corresponds with the construction of the [[Illinois Central Railroad]]. The [[Illinois Central Railroad]] main line was completed in 1854 and ran through Section Seven, eventually becoming the City of Minonk. The [[plat]] of the town was first recorded on November 7, 1854.<ref name="Schneider 1981, p. 1">Schneider 1981, p. 1</ref>

David Neal, an agent with the [[Illinois Central Railroad]], is credited for naming the city. Local [[folklore]] provides varying accounts about the origins of the name “Minonk.” One version states that he originally named the area after a street in [[Boston]], where he owned property. A second story suggests that he changed the name of the settlement, originally referred to as “Marquette” on old French maps, to the [[Ojibwe]] word “Minonk,” meaning “a good place.”  Minonk is the only city in the world with that name.<ref name="Schneider 1981, p. 1"/>

Early settlers were attracted to Minonk by a variety of livelihoods. Many came to work on the railroad. Others settled in the area to farm on the abundant, rich farmland. However, [[coal mining]] was the leading industry in the early years of Minonk. The first coal mines were developed in the 1860s, and at one point employed over 300 men.<ref>Schneider 1981, p. 87</ref> Two mines operated in Minonk: the first mine was located on the north edge of the city, and the second was situated a half-mile north of town.<ref>Schneider 1981, pg. 87</ref>