Herman Essig

Herman Essig (1911-1999) was a graduate of Carthage College. Beginning in 1938, he owned and was a broker for WRC Inc. Realtors. At the time of his death, he had helped develop one-third of the homes in Washington.

He was a member, officer, and director of the Peoria Board of Realtors, the Multiple Listing Service, the Society of Appraisers, and the Peoria, Illinois, and National Associations of Realtors.

He received the second Real Estate Industry Award ever given by the Peoria Board of Realtors. He also received the Paul Harris Fellowship and Washingtonian Award in 1964. His accomplishments and memberships include being a charter member and board member of the Washington Rotary Club, officer and director of the Washington Civic Club, member of the American Lung Association, board member for WTVP-TV Channel 47, Grand Marshall of the 1999 Washington Cherry Festival, chairman of the Washington Planning Commission, member and president of Kennel Lake Sportsman's Club, director of the Crippled Children's Center in Peoria, and board member of Tazewell County Public Housing Authority.

He served as fund chairman for the Boy Scouts of America and was a charter member and an early director of the Washington Chamber of Commerce.

He also was active with the Tazewell County Republican Central Committee.

He was a St. Mark's Lutheran Church member, serving on various committees and several terms on the church council.