In early Kewanee, Coal was king
Star Courier

When the purchasing committee for the Wethersfield colonists arrived in 1836 to buy land in Henry County, they found coal in Section 19 of what became Wethersfield Township. After the settlers arrived the next year, they opened what likely was the first coal mining operation in Henry County to power their saw and grist mills. Click here to download the article.

Thanks for the share, KE!