Middletown Postmaster Yarcho retires

[JULY 5, 2005]  MIDDLETOWN -- Mark Yarcho came to Middletown as postmaster in February 1993 and officially retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 32 years. A native of Lincoln, Yarcho began his postal service there and also worked in Havana, Springfield and Williamsville. He proved to be a popular and fun-loving postmaster, providing conscientious service to customers.

Middletown Mayor Ken Davison presented Yarcho with data documented by the U.S. Archives, Washington, D.C., for local files on early post offices.

At a recent "thank you" party at the Knapp Library and Museum, Mayor Ken Davison, left, presented retiring Postmaster Mark Yarcho with historical data for the files on early Middletown post offices. Picture courtesy of Bob Miller, Little Chapel Photography, Middletown.

The first post office in the Middletown area was that of Salt Creek, with Samuel Musick as postmaster from July 25, 1826, to Feb. 29, 1828. Musick had a ferry, the post office and a "house of entertainment" (inn) at the creek, just northeast of present-day Middletown.

Josiah Smith was postmaster of Irish Grove from May 13, 1832, to Feb. 7, 1837. He had a log store on Lydia Spence's site, just south of Mary Duginger's.

Lemuel Knapp was postmaster of Middletown Feb. 7-14, 1837 (just seven days!).

Colby Knapp, a cousin of Dr. Moses L. Knapp, served as postmaster from Feb. 14, 1837, to Dec. 11, 1860.

The book "Illinois Place Names" documents the names Salt Creek, Irish Grove and Middletown for the present Middletown postal area.

A copy of a letter written by John Wright from Irish Grove on Nov. 22, 1836, is on file at the Knapp Library and Museum, 101 S. Clinton in Middletown. The copy was obtained from the Illinois Historical Society.

[Winnie Golden]