Peoria, one of the old towns of Franklin county, is located in the eastem part, 6 miles east of Ottawa, the county seat, and about a mile from Imes, the nearest railroad station. It was named for the Peoria Indians, who once owned the site. About 1857 Albert Johnson opened a store there, other settlers followed, and thus the town grew up and soon became a thriving place. It 1859 it entered the contest for county seat and at the first election was successful. Subsequently the county seat was taken to Ottawa, and as no railroad ever reached Peoria its growth ceased. Albert Johnson was the first postmaster. In 1910 Peoria had a money order postoffice, a few general stores, and reported a population of 125.