06/09/2026
On Sunday, we had the privilege of meeting this great couple from Southern Illinois! Leann is the fifth-great granddaughter of David H. Ditch and Hannah Forquer (Farquhar) and fifth-great niece of George Forquer.
In the late 18th C., David Ditch acquired a large amount of land by entry from the government. The land was later purchased by his brother-in-law, George Forquer in 1818. The Village of Waterloo was laid out on this land by Forquer and Daniel Cook, who began selling lots as early as 1818.
David Ditch and his wife, Hannah, owned a two-story log house along North Main Street, known as Ditch Tavern. This was Waterloo's first hotel and was said to be a picturesque property. It had three rooms on the ground floor and three rooms above with large stone fireplaces on each end. The kitchen and dining rooms were in the rear and sleeping rooms were upstairs, accessed by an outdoor stairway.
When the county seat was moved from Harrisonville to Waterloo in 1825, the first court sessions were held here until a courthouse was constructed at the corner of Main and Third streets in 1832 (approximately where the bandstand is today).
Many other Ditch Family members owned other properties near Waterloo, including the Ditch Farmstead, which is Ella K's Bridal, across from Rural King.
It was great to have a descendent of Waterloo's projectors visit Waterloo. Leann was able to see the merchandise her ancestors purchased from Emory Peter Rogers, through his store ledgers (dating from 1829-1836).
_____
Other facts about Ditch Tavern is that Judge Silas Bryan, father of William Jennings Bryan, used this as his headquarters when he was presiding as circuit judge in Waterloo. This log cabin was also the boyhood home of Thomas Ford, eighth governor of Illinois. Ford is half-brother to George Forquer.
Source: A Cameo Collection of Historic Waterloo
