^ ' • • • ^\ ' :. *.-o< f :- *^o^ : *^ .V'., » • o Oat •^^^^ ^'^WA\ ""^-^^ o. *.V.T* A •. '^^0^ r^ '- ^oV^ :^iM^n:< '"^Ao« o^ ^P'/^. •- o_ * ••AT <5i. - - - V ^ '^V.^'^' »' *^ •«» * V ,*;,-'_ ^;^ ^^v . V "J, "' «^ J, J '.0*.^-.% - -V 'On<=» 0" •♦ 'O ■^^ -WS^' aV-^. "o^^i^fJiSt- c.^-^^ :^g«i^y^/; ,v->> o • » 0° ^ • • ♦- O 0^ ..-•• -^^ V .1-f- o^ ^^- * 0* ^^ *'T7r*' v*^ <► 'o.l* _^G *°-v ; .-i o. '■s-i- />^ -^.^ -; , -e. HISTORY OF ROCKFORD THATCHER BLAKE [ffennanicMis Kent and Thatcher Blake were tlie first settleix (It Iwicktonl. Tliey came tmni (ialena in tlie snnimei- of l,s:!4| HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY ILLINOIS From the First Settlement in 1834 to the Civil War BY / CHARLES A. CHURCH M WITH ILLUSTRATIONS FROM NEGATIVES TAKEN BY MEMBERS OF NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY, AND OTHERS publi6bc& bxi tbc IMcw EnglanO Societis of "Rocl^forCt, mi. ROCKFORD, ILL. W. r. LAUD, BOOK AXD JOB PRISTER. 1000. L ' ■ 14844 1 Library of Contiress Two CoPlfS RECFIVfO JUL 5 1900 Cnpyrighf «ntiy '?>/ ^ /^, ffetf SECOND COPY. Otliverepd to OHD£R DIVISION, illl 6 190Q 64827 COPYRIGHT 1900 By the new ENGLAND SOCIETY OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS ' " Both justice and decency require that we should bestow on our forefathers an honorable remembrance." Thucydidbs. TO THE nmoRY or THE EARLY 5ETTLER5 OE POCKEORD WHO FOUNDED THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY UrON THE NEW ENGLAND MODEL, AND GAVE TO IT THE BEST ELEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. ©fficcrs IRew ]£ngland Society 1900*1901 President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer ARTHUR H. FROST GEORGE M. BLAKE (Vacancy to be filled) JOHN L. CLARK J^ Eiecutive Committee Frank J. Leonard Mrs. G. W. Maguire W. C. Tapt Mrs. E. W. Chandler Mrs. Edna Southgate tbistorical Committee Charles L. Williams Mrs. Harriott Wight Sherratt Mrs. E. p. Catlin Mrs. Anna C. Vincent S. J. Caswell CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. Geographical Review . . . . .1 II. Geology and Topography op Winnebago County . 6 in. The Mound-Builders and the Winnebago Indians . . 10 IV. The Black Hawk War ..... 16 V. Stephen Mack.— John Phelps.— Joseph Kemp . . 22 VI. Germanicus Kent and Thatcher Blake ... 26 vn. Picturesque Rockford.— Its Flora and Fauna . . 32 viii. Daniel Shaw Haight.— Other Settlers of 1835 . 35 EX. The Pioneers of 183G . . . . .40 X. John C. Kemble : the First Lawyer.— Other Settlers of 1837 45 XI. Organization of the County.— The F'irst Election . . 51 XII. Location of the County Seat at Winnebago . . 58 XIII. The Ferry.— Early State and County Roads . . 61 XIV. The Village Christened.— The First Surveys . . 65 XV. The Rise of Methodism.— First Methodist Episcopal Church 68 XVI. First Crime.— First Marriages and Births.— Claim Fights 75 xvii. The County Divided.— "Mile-Strip Contest."— Minor Notes 81 xviii. New England Congregationalihm.— The First Church . 87 XIX. First Patriotic Celebration. — The Postoffice. — First Courts 97 XX. The Stage Coach.— Early Hotels.— Village Plats . 102 XXI. Dr. a. M. Catlin.— The Foote Brothers.— First Seminary Idea 107 xxn. Dr. Josiah C. Goodhue.— Dr. Alden Thomas . . 110 xxiii. Dr. George Haskell.— The Gipsy: the First Steamboat . 114 xiiv. James M. Wight.— Jason Marsh.— Other Pioneer? 1838-39 118 XXV. Trials of the Pioneers.— Scarcity of Provisions . . 131 xxvi. Rockford Houses in 1838.— Later Buildings.— H. H. Silsby 134 xxvn. The First Baptist Church.— Jacob Knapp.— Dr. Thomas Kerr 138 xxvin. Village Incorporated.— Land Sale.— First Temperance Club 148 XXIX. Rockford Cemeteries ..... 151 XXX, The Seven Years' War over the Site of the County Seat 154 XXXI. Plan of Secession and Proposed Annexation to Wlsconsin 160 xxxii, Rockford's Attitude toward Repudiation of State Debt 166 XXXIII. The Lyceum.— Settlers of the Early Forties.— Minor Notes 168 xxxiv. Organization of Agricultural Society.— The First Fair . 172 XXXV. The Reign of Terror —The Banditti of the Frontier 174 XXXVI. Robbery of McKenney and Mulford.— Colonel Davenport 182 CHAP. XXXVII. XXXVIII. XXXIX. XL. XLI. XLU. XLUI. XLIV. XLV. XLVI. XLVII. XLVIII. XLIX. L. LI. LII. LIII. LIV. LV. LVL LVII. Lvni. LIX. LX. LXI. Lxn. LXIII. LXIV. LXV. LXVI. LXVII. LXVIII. LXIX. LXX. LXXl. LXXII. LXXIII. LXXIV. LXXV. CONTENTS. PAGK Transportation : Navigation of Rock River.— Plank Roads 188 New England Unitarianism.-First Church.— Rev. A. H. Conant 194 Early Elections.— Political Reminiscences . . 201 Louis Kent: the Only Slave in the County . . 208 The Polish Claims.— Delay in Obtaining Land Patents . 210 Pioneers in Local Journalism .... 215 The First Dam.— The Water Power.— High Water of 1844 222 Postmasters of Roceford.— Its Only Postmistress . 226 Organization op the Universalist Church . . . 229 First Bridge.— First Foundry and Machine Shop . 231 Worcester A. Dickerman.— Rockford as he saw it in 1844 . 235 The Social Life of Rockford in the Early Forties . 248 Predominance of the New England Type in Early Rockford 253 River and Harbor Convention.— Winnebago Delegates . 257 The "Reform" of the Judiciary.-Constitutional Convention 260 The Galena and Chicago Union: the First Railroad . 266 Representative Rockford Citizens: 1842-50 . . 273 Departure of Mr. Haight.— Local Statistics.- Other Notes 281 Emmanuel Church (Episcopal) .... 284 Rockford Female Seminary,— Anna P. Sill.— Aratus Kent 287 State and Local School Funds.— Early Rockford Schools 296 Adoption of Township Organization . . . 304 Second Congregational Church .... 306 Incorporation of Rockford as a City.— Minor Notes . 313 Elections of 1852-53.— Elihu B. Washbdrne . . 319 The Water Power.— The Manny-McCormick Suit . 321 Emerson, Lowell, Whipple and others Lecture in Rockford 326 A Fragment of Political History.- Rockford Banks.— Notes 329 Rockford Settlers 1851-54 .... 333 The Free Public School System • . . 341 The First Library.— Wesleyan Seminary . - . 344 Bayard Taylor's Tribute.— Fraternities.— Notes . 347 Murder of Sheriff Taylor.— Execution of Countryman . 350 Kenosha and Rockford Railroad.— Early Mansions.— Notes 352 Fatality at a Charivari.- Trial of Governor Bebb.— Notes 358 The Lincoln-Douglas Debate .... 860 Rockford Settlers 1855-59 .... 362 ecclesustical histort 1850-60 . '. . 368 Conclusion ...... 378 ILLUSTRATIONS Thatcher Blake, Map of Northkirn Illinois, First Methodist Church, First Congregational Church, Residence of Daniel S. Haight, Second Court House, Old Second National Bank Block, W. 6. Conick's Residence, . Mandeville House, Brinckerhoff House, Old Seminary Building, Science Hall, Rockford Collecje, . East State Street, as seen in 1855, Frontispiece 17 89 89 129 129 177 177 233 233 289 289 337 INTRODUCTION IN the days of ancient Rome Janus was the guardian deity of gates. As every gate turned either way, so Janus was rep- resen ted with two heads. One was of a youth, to indicate begin- ning ; the other was of an old man, suggestive of the end. The first looked toward the future; the second, toward the past. The student, like Janus of old, surveys the past; and only from this point of view can he intelligently interpret the pres- ent, and in some measure forecast the future. As a community becomes older, and the habits of its people become fixed, the study of local history receives attention. A movement was recently begun in this state for the purpose of creating popular interest in state and local history ; and these subjects will doubtless receive more attention than formerly. This volume does not claim infallibility; but it does purport to be a thorough and conscientious effort to present in miniature the life of this community during a period of twenty-seven years from its first settlement. It is primarily a history of Rock- ford ; but no history of the city would be complete unless con- siderable attention were given to the county, as a background. Nearly all the early settlers have passed away. This fact makes the fund of reminiscences smaller than might be desired. It is believed, however, this volume contains a larger number of local facts than were ever before presented in a single work. This is due to the fact that the author has been fortunate in obtaining access to sources of information that were not available to any of his predecessors. It is hoped that the treatment of all available material has been such that no future historian of Rockford will be obliged to go over the ground in order to sub- stantiate the facts herein set forth. The Roman poet, Ovid, made Janus say: "Everything depends on the beginning." The author hopes that upon this foundation a later historian will rear the superstructure of a complete history of the Forest City to the close of the century. Clio, the muse of history, is represented as wearing a wreath of laurel, and holding a half-open parchment roll, upon which she has inscribed the deeds of heroes and the songs of love. INTRODUCTION. Ciio and her sister-muses were nymphs of the sprinji^s that bick- ered down the sides of Helicon and Parnassus, the waters of which were supposed to possess the property of inspiration. Thus the historian of the old school painted ideal heroes and their exploits, with the grouping made very largely according to the taste of the artist. This age demands a sterner realism. The modern histo- rian is a patient plodder and a delver after facts. He must clear and arrange the buried fragments of the past, and so far as he may reconstruct the shifting tableaux of human life, " so that king and subject, wise and simple, high and low, rich and poor, capital and labor, virtue and vice, crown and spade, crook and plow, sword and pen, and all that makes the thought and act of life, may be to the present what they were to the past." The inventive genius of Rockford has produced a ma- chine that will paint a portrait of high artistic excellence, with comparative ease. The next wonder may be a device to grind out history, with neither sweat of brow nor weariness of brain. The author has received the cordial co-operation of the officers and executive and historical committees of the New Eng- land society. He is indebted to many friends for valuable aid in personal reminiscences. He has received the utmost courtesy from early settlers and others interested in the work ; and to them is due, in large measure, whatever success may attend its publication. He is especially indebted to collections of manu- scripts gathered some years ago by the late Hon. E. H. Baker and the late H. H. Silsby. Lewis F. Lake, M. A. Norton and H. C. Scovill have placed the records of their respective offices at his disposal. The clerks of the several churches have loaned their records ; and the early records of Rockford seminary have been frequently consulted. The author is also indebted to Mrs. Harriott Wight Sherratt, Mrs. Katherine Keeler,Mrs. E. P. Cat- lin, Chas. H. Spafford, Hon. Wm. Lathrop, S. J. Caswell, and H. N. Starr, for the loan of family manuscripts and valuable information personally given. The splendid resources of the public library have been utilized, and without them this volume could not have been prepared upon it present scale. CHARLES A. CHURCH. HocKPOBD, III., May 22, 1900. CHAPTER T. GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW. THE territory now comprised within the state of Illinois first noraiuall}^ formed a part of Virginia. The primal rights of the native Indians were never recognized by the explorers from the old world. The English crown, by virtue of discov- eries made by the Cabots and thecolonies planted by Sir Walter Raleigh, took formal possession of that portion of the new world known as Virginia, .^his name was given the new pos- session by the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth, in honor of herself. In 1606, early in the reign of King James I., two companies were formed for the colonization of America. Virginia was divided into two parts. To the London Company the king granted South Vii'ginia, which extended from Cape Fear, in North Car- olina, to the Potomac. To the Plymouth Company he gave North Virginia, which stretched from Nova Scotia to Long- Island. The region between 'the Potomac and the Hudson was left as a broad belt of neutral territory. Under the revised charter of 1609 these grants were to run in straight zones across the continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They included "all the islands lying within one hundred miles along the coast of both seas" aforesaid. So little was then known of the geography of North America, that it was believed the con- tinent at this latitude was no wider than in Mexico. Hence England made extensive grants of land on this continent in utter ignorance of its extent and configuration. This charter was subsequently annulled by quo WiUTHiito, and special com- mi.Msious issued, in which the king declared that the charter was abi'ogated for the benefit of the settlers; but that it should not affect their private or civil rights, but only the political rights of the company at home. The English colonists in Virginia, however, did not penetrate far into the interior. Thus the royal claim to the "land through- out from sea to sea west and northwest" did not secure the titl<» of the English crown to this vast domain. The French were the first actual settlers in the great Mississippi valley. During the latter part of the seventeenth century Father Mar- (juette, Joliet, La Salle, Touti and others explored the shores of 2 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. the Father of Waters and his tributaries, and believed they had found a terrestrial paradise. La Salle descended the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. He named the country Louisiana, in honor of his king, Louis XIV, By virtue of these explorations France made formal claim to the territory lying on either side of the Mississippi. Possession is said to be nine points in the law. According to this doctrine France, and not England, was the first European power to establish its claim to the Illinois territory by actual occupation. Between the years 1695 and 1705 colonies from Lower Canada founded the villages of Kas- kaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes. The French government united its possessions in Canada with those in Louisiana by a chain of posts, from Quebec to New Orleans ; and Le Grande Monarque made numerous grants to his favorites. The large number of grants of land made during this period indicate that Illinois even at that early day had attracted general attention. Thus, with English colonies on the coast, and French occupation in the valley of the Mississippi, it was only a question of time when there would come a final struggle for the possession of this vast territory. ^This crisis came with the French and Indian war, the issue of which committed the destiny of the west to the Anglo-Saxon civilization. By the treaty of Paris, in 1763, Great Britain obtained all the French territory east of the Mississippi, with the exception of the island of New Orleans. France ceded New Orleans and all of Louisiana west of the Mississippi to Spain. In all the great continent of America, France retained not a foot of ground. The special claim made by Virginia to the Illinois territory was based upon the bold conquest of this region by Colonel George Rogers Clark. In 1778 Colonel Clark conducted a series of brilliant campaigns against the military posts at Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes. These posts and those upon the lakes were in possession of the British, under the command of Henry Hamilton, whose headquarters were at Detroit. From these posts the Indians were supplied with munitions, and were thus enabled to harass the settlements in Kentucky with their cruel guerrilla warfare. The French villages, the only settlements in the region, were seats of British power. If these posts could be taken, and the capture of the British soldiers effected, the entire region would be won for the Old Dominion. This result could only be effected by force ; and the scheme appealed to the bold THE CONQFEST OF THE WEST. spirit of Colonel Clark. He presented the matter to Patrick Henry, who was then ;." Thus was accomplished the transfer of this jiublic domain to the United States. By the act of congress of May 7, 1800, the Northwest Ter- /^ ritory was divided. That portion east of a line drawn from the mouth of the Kentucky river to the British possessions, was called the Ohio Territory. The remainder, west of this line, was called Indiana Territory, and comprised the present states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. William Henry Harrison was appointed ftovernor. Indiana Territory was divided by act of conp:ress approved June 11, 1805, and that ])ortion corresponding to the present southern portion of Michigan was set apart, under the name of Michigan Territory. In 1809 the Indiana Territory was again divided. That portion lying west of the Wabash river and a line from that river due north to the British possessions, was constituted a separate government, under the name of Illinois. This area included the present states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and peninsular Michi- gan, The seat of government was fixed at Kaskaskm, where a territorial legislature, which consisted of the governor and the judges, convened in June, 1809. Thus the machinery of the first grade of civil government was put in operation in Illinois Territory. In 1812 the Territory of Illinois was advanced to the second grade of territorial government. This organization continued until 1818. In January the territorial legislature petitioned congress for admission into the union as a sovereign state. A bill for this purpose was presented in congress in April, and through the influence of Nathaniel Pope, the territorial delegate, the northern boundary was extended from the line indicated in the petition to latitude 42° 30'. The reason for the change of the northern boundary line will be more fully explained in a subsequent chapter. The act of congress of April 18, 1818, provided for the admission of lUinoisinto the union. In August of the same year the Illinois convention adopted a constitution and ordinance accepting the terms of admission prescribed by congress. The final act by which Illinois attained its present geographical and political status was a resolution of congress, adopted December 3, 1818, which formally declared the admis- sion of the state into the union. CHAPTER II. GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. THE Geological Survey of Illinois Volume V. furuishes the most complete information concerning the geology and topography of Winnebago county. This work was })ublished by the authority of the legislature of the state. The article devoted to this county was contributed by James Shaw, and many of the facts given in this chapter were taken therefrom. The geology of Winnebago county is simple in character. There is first the usual quaternary deposits, which consist of sand, clays, gravels, boulders, subsoils and alluvium. Then follow the three well-known divisions of the Trenton limestone, which outcrop along the streams and hills, and show themselves in railroad cuts, wells and quarries in different parts of the county. These divisions are the Galena, Blue and Buff lime- stones of the western geologists. A perpendicular section, as near as could be constructed, exhibited the following strata : Quaternary deposits, average depth about fifteen feet; Galena limestone, ninety-six-feet; Blue lim.estone, thirty -five feet; Buff limestone, forty-five feet. These measurements of the limestones were made at actual worked outcrops. At the time Volume V. of the Geological Survey was published no evidence of the St. Peter's sandstone had been discovered, although it was then believed that it came near the surface at Beloit and Rockton. In 1885, however, when Rockford began boring artesian wells, the St. Peter's sandstone was discovered. Its upper surface was irregular, varying from one hundred and seventy to two hundred feet below the surface of the ground. This strata varies from two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet in thick- ness. Mr. Shaw gave it as his opinion that the Trenton limestones were at the time of his survey the only ones that had been exposed or excavated in the county. The surface geology comprises alluvial deposits, loess, and the drift proper. The usual alluvial bottoms exist along the Rock, Pecatonica and Sugar rivers. These are from one to five miles wide. On the latter two the deposit is deep, black, and LIMESTONES.— ECOXOMir GEOLOG Y. rich, and supports in places a heavy j^rowth of timber. The deposit alonj;- Rock river is not so rich, and is coni})osed more of sands and clays, with occasional strips of better soil. A number of the bluffs alon' Sugar river and its tributaries, and on portions of the northern bank of the Pecatonica. This area is interspersed with occasional swampy tracts. In the southern portion of the county, along- and near the Kishwaukee creeks, the face of the country is rough, hilly, brushy, and was covered with an occasional growth of timber. A few miles below Rockford, along the northern bank of Rock river, and extending north and west from the same, there is a tract of barrens covered with brushwood, and a light growth of white oak and other timber. The other portions of the county are chiefly prairie, interspersed with small and beautiful groves. For agricultural purposes the county is not considered equal to Stephenson on the west, nor "Little Boone," its eastern neighbor. CHAPTER III. THE MOUND-BUILDERS AND THE WINNEBAGO INDIANS. PROF. J. W. FOSTER, in his Pre-historic Races of the United States, says : "The subordinate valleys of the Rock river, the Fox, Kankakee and Illinois, show abundant evidence of former occupancy by the Mound-builders, and whilst the mounds are inconspicuous, they are not destitute of relics, and the human remains are indicative of a race whose skulls are marked by peculiarities which distinguish them from the red man." Three classes of mounds were found in Winnebago county. There was the common round mound, from ten to thirty feet in diameter, and from two and a half to five feet high. These mounds were quite numerous along the banks of the Rock, Kishwaukee and Pecatonica rivers. The oblong-shaped mound is much less common, but is frequently remarkable for its great length. One was found within the present limits of Rockford which measured one hundred and thirty feet in length, twelve feet wide at the base, and three or four feet high. Mounds of the third class have a fancied resemblance to some form of animal life, and are called "effigies." The most commonforms of these are called Bird and Turtle mounds, and are found in many localities in the county. Some fine specimens of this class, as well as the round and oblong mounds, are still carefully preserved on the grounds owned by the Misses Beattie and Mrs. Clara G. Sanford, north of the city water-works, on the west side of the river. The round mounds were frequently constructed for the purpose of sepulture, the elongated for circumvallation or as "game-drives," while the effigies were probably ceremonial. A number of archa3ologists believe that the builders of these mounds were a race inhabiting this country before the American Indian; and in the absence of any information con- cerning their origin, the}^ are denominated "mound-builders." Other recent authorities incline to the opinion that the mounds TADIAN MOUNDS. 11 were constructed by the ancestors of the Indians. Their earth-works are found in laro;e numbers in Rockford and vicinity ; there are probably not less than five hundred within the limits of Wiunebaj^o county. These earliest inhabitants had no beasts of burden, and naturally their travel and traffic were largely by canoe up and down the rivers. Their settle- ments, therefore, and their monumental mounds were uniformly located near or upon the river banks ; and in the vicinity of the confluence of streams these united evidences of a dense popula- tion are generally abundant. Near the mouth of Kishwaukee river more than one hundred have been surveyed by Prof. T. H. Lewis, and ])robably as many existed near Rockton before their demolition during the progress of railroad construction and other im])rovements. When the cut was made in East Rockford in grading for the Galena & Chicago Union railroad in 1852, many mounds were destro3'ed ; and gruesome evidence of the sepulchral purpose of some of them was given by the fragments of human skeletons disinterred. Winnebago county does not figure prominently in Indian history. The Winnebagoes occupied it as a portion of their reservation at one time. The earliest Winnebago traditions relate to their residence at Red Banks, on the eastern shore of Green Ray, in Wisconsin, where they traded with the French. This tribe was first met by the Jesuit fathers near the mouth of Fox river, at the head of Green Bay. Confusion may arise from the fact of two rivers with the same name in the same state. One stream rises in Waukesha county and flows in a general southerly direction and enters the Illinois river at Ottawa. The other rises near the southern boundary of Green Lake county, flows westward to Portage City, thence north- ward until it exjmnds into Lake Pacawa ; after a tortuous course it enters Lake Winnebago, issues from the northern end of this lake, flows northeastward and enters Green liay. These streams are distinguished respectively as Fox river, and Fox river of Green Bay. The latter is always understood whenever the name is mentioned in connection with the history of this tribe. The Winnebagoes belonged to the Dacota or Sioux nation. During the era of authentic history they wandered to southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois and Iowa. In 1812 the Win- nebagoes of Illinois occupied a section, of which this county' formed a part. To the south were the Illinois tribes, and the 12 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. disputed territory between the two shifted north and south as the fortunes of war favored the one or the other. In time, how- ever, the Winnebagoes were driven well back within the present limits of Wisconsin, and were subsequently regarded as a tribe of that state. The territorial claims of these contestants were not finally settled until 1825. By a treaty negotiated at Prairie du Chien August 19 of that year between the United States, the Winnebagoes, the Sacs and Foxes, the Pottawatomies and other attending tribes, the boundaries of the Winnebago coun- try were finally determined. Thus was peace established after a nearl^^ continuous warfare of almost two centuries. The records of the interior department at Washington show not less than twelve treaties negotiated between the United States and the Winnebagoes, during the period of fifty-one years from 1816 to 1867. The most important treaty was negotiated at Prairie du Chien, August 1, 1829, by which the Winnebagoes ceded to the United States certain lands in Illinois, of which Winnebago county west of Rock river was a part. The consid- eration was "eighteen thousand dollars in specie, annually, for the period of thirty years ; which said sum is to be paid to said Indians at Prairie du Chien and Fort Winnebaygo, in proportion to the numbers residing within the most convenient distance of each place respectively; and it is also agreed, that the said United States shall deliver immediately to said Indians, as a present, thirty thousand dollars in goods ; and it is further agreed, that three thousand pounds of tobacco and fifty barrels of salt, shall be annually delivered to the said Indians by the United States for the period of thirty years." Caleb Atwater was one of the commissioners on the part of the United States government in negotiating this treaty. In a book in which he gives an account of the proceedings of this council he takes occasion to remark at considerable length on the beauty and force of Indian oratory as displayed on that occasion. He says their persons are the finest forms in the world. As he stands erect, with eyes flaming with ardor, and a mind laboring under an agony of thought, the Indian is a most impressive orator. When he speaks before his assembled nation on some great national subject, he shows most forcibly that he feels an awful responsibility in what he attempts to advocate in behalf of his people. Mr. Atwater relates that he has seen a chief, when he approached the sale of his country in his speech, turn pale, tremble with fear, and sit down perfectly LWIAX ELOQUENCE, 13 exhausted in bod.v from tlie effect. In council on RUchoccaHions, on eithei' Hide of the .speaker, sit all the chiefs and warriors of his nation ; behind him, within sound of his voice, sit the women and children. His subject then becomes of the highest conceiv- able importance to himself and his entire natiou. In such a position the character of his eloquence is easily conceived. It abounds with tigures drawn from every object which nature presents to his eye. He thanks the Great Spirit that he has given them a da,y for holding their council without clouds or with few, as the case may be; that the several paths between their homes and the council fire have been unattended with danger; and hopes that during his absence the beasts may not destroy his corn, nor any bad bird be suffered to fly about the council with false stories. Thus far the speaker may have pro- ceeded without enthusiasm ; but should he touch u])on the sale of his country, his whole soul is in every word, look and gesture. His eye flashes tire, he raises himself upon his feet, his body is thrown in every attitude, every muscle and nerve is strained to its utmost tension. His voice is clear, loud, distinct and com- manding. He becomes, to use his own expressive phrase, a, man. Then he recalls, with deep pathos and genuine eloquence, the time when his ancestors inhabited the entire continent, and how they have been diiven by the white man from river to river, and from mountain to mountain, until they now have no home in which they may live in peace. Article V. of the treatv at Prairie du Chien granted sections of land to certain Indian descendants of mixed blood who did not wish to migrate with their tribe. Thirty-six of these descendants were given one section of land each ; two received two sections each ; and three received two sections jointly. The total grant was fort^'-two sections, divided among forry-one grantees. These grants were unlocated or "floating" lands. From this fact came the word "float," by which these sections were popularly known. The grantees were allowed to select a section, and their choice was to be approved by the Indian commissioner and by the president of the United States. There were several of these ''floats" in Rockford township. The east half of section fourteen and all of section thirteen west of Rock river, containingsix hundred and thirty-seven acres, were located for Catharine Myott. Further reference to this tract will be made in a subsequent chapter. Section twenty-one was locate— <%^ '^ / '-'Vs., \^- uorthward from Ottawa. In June, 1886, Rev. I'illsbury preached a sermon at the home of Henry Enoch, in Oiiilford township, seven and one half miles east of Rockford. This was the first service in the county conducted b^- a Methodist clergyman. On that occasion Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Beers and Mr. and Mrs. Sam- uel Gregory traveled six miles in a heavy lumber wagon drawn by a 3'oke of oxen. Verily, these godly pioneers were not car- ried to the skies, nor even to church, on "flowery beds of ease." Their religion cost them something; but they received manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life ever- lasting. This first service was followed during the summer by occasional sermons by Rev. Royal at Mr. Enoch's house; and Mrs. p]noch often prepared Sunday dinners for the congrega- tion. On his way to conference at Springfield, in the autumn of 1836, Rev. Royal passed through Rockford. Monday after- noon, September 2d, he preached in Samuel Gregory's log- house, which stood on what is now block fourteen in Gilbert Woodruff's Second Addition to Rockford. At the close of the sermon Rev. Royal organized the first Methodist class, which consisted of five persons: Samuel Gregory, Joanna Gregory, Mary Enoch, Daniel Beers and xMary Beers. These pioneer Methodists have been honored by five memorial front windows in Centennial church. Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Beers were living when Dr. Vanhorne prepared his memorial address sevent-een years ago. Rev. Vincent, in his sermon, made this reference to that humble beginning: "I visited a few days ago the remains of the old log house, scarcely a mile east of the river, and near the railroad, where this organization of Methodism took place. It wa« in an humble place, but in the midst of a glorious land and under a benignant heaven that this little germ was planted, and it has grown rapidly, and the five have become nearly a thousand who live under the shadow of Rockford Methodism todaj'; and who can tell of the number who have gone up from the field of conflict into the temple of triumph?" At the conference of 1836 Bishop Roberts appointed Dr. Arnold to the Sycamore circuit, of which Rockford was a part. The few Methodists gathered for worship as often as possible at Mr. Gregory's house. In 1837 the conference met at Rush- ville, when Bishop Roberts sent William Gaddis, with Robert Lane as assistant, to the Rockford circuit. This circuit belonged to the Chicago district, over which John Clark was presiding; 70 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. elder. Mr, Lane sodii retired from the field, and he was succeeded by Leander S. Walker. At the conference of 1838, at Alton, Bishop Soule returned Mr. Walker to Rockford as preacher in charge, with Nathan Jewett as assistant. During the early part of Mr. Walker's pastorate he preached in the house of James Boswell, north of the brewery. The Methodists subsequently worshipped in a building; erected by Mr. Haight on the site of the American House. This building was used for various par- poses. In the summer of 1 838 the Methodists built a parsonage on First street, between Prairie street and Lafayette avenue, facing west. This was the first Methodist parsonage built within what is now the Rock River conference. Another memorable event occurred during this year. The first quarterly meeting- was held late in the summer, in a barn belonging to Mr. Haight, near the intersection of State and Third streets, and is known in local history as the "stage barn.' The services began on Saturday, and continued through Sunday. Bishop Morris presided at the conference held in Bloomington in 1839, and returned Nathan Jewett to Rockford as preacher in charge. The Rock River conference was organized August 26, 1840, at Mt. Morris. Bishop Waugh presided over this conference, which was held in a grove. Rockford was retained in the Chicago district, with John T. Mitchell as presiding elder, andSemphro- nious H. Stocking as circuit preacher. August 25, 1841, the conference was held at Platteville, Wisconsin, when Bishop Morris sent John Crummer to Rockford. The Methodists were then holding services in the brick schoolhouse on the East side public square. The (Jniversalists appointed their service at the same hour and place, and differences arose. The Methodists withdrew from the schoolhouse; the pastor removed his family "up-stairs," and finished the lower story of the parsonage as a chapel. August 3, 1842, the conference met in Chicago, and Bishop Roberts assigned Rockford to the care of Silas Bolles. At this time the Methodist church was worshiping in what was after- ward known as the "old seminary building." This structure had been begun as aCongregatioual church, but was abandoned for the church built on the West side by Kent and Brincl-;erhoff. In 1842 the Methodists bought this property of the county commissioners, and held it for some years. September 20, 1842, the First Methodist church became an incorporate body, with five trustees, as follows: Horace Miller, PURCHASE OF FIYE LOTS. 71 James B. Martyu, Samuel Gregory, Daniel Beers and Willard Wheeler. At the conference in Dubuque, Iowa, August 30, 1843, Rockford was made a "station," and Bishop Andrews •cot Richard Blanchard. November 10th of that year the trustees of the society purchased of Daniel S. Haight the lot on which the parsonage had been built five years previous. The consideration was two hundred dollars. In 1849 the trustees sold the property to George Shearer, for three hundred dollars. The lot is now occupied by Thomas Sull^-'s residence. Nathaniel P. Heath succeeded Mr. Blanchard in 1844. He was sent by Bishop Morris, who presided at the conference in Milwaukee. In August, 1845, the conference met at Peoria, and Bishop Morris sent Charles D. Cahoon to Rockford. He filled this appointment only once, and died September 25th. His remains are buried in the Cedar Bluff cemetery. Of the fifty-eight pastors who were assigned to Rockford pulpits from 1836 to 1882, Mr. Cahoon is the only one who died among this people while in the pastorate. John Lucock wassent to fill out the term of Mr. Cahoon. During his pastorate the society resolved to build a church. December 6, 1845, a subscription paper was circulated. The quarterly conference had already appointed John Lucock, Willard Wheeler, G. (). Holmes, James B. Martyn, Horace Miller, Samuel Gregory, Edward Fitch, and Eliphalet Gregory as a building committee, to superintend the erection of the edifice, which was to be called "The First Meth- odist Episcopal Church of Rockford." This subscription list has been preserved, and is now in the archives of the society. The amount subscribed was two thousand three hundred and twelve dollars. In August, 1846, Nathaniel P. Heath was re-assigned to this charge, at the request of the society, by Bishop Hamline, who presided over the conference at Galena. February 25, 1846, the trustees purchased of William H. Gilman, lots one, two, three, four and five, in the east half of block thirty-one, fronting on South Second street, between Oak and Walnut. The consideration was three hundred and twenty-five dollars. This part of the town was then called the 'Barrens," and was a hunting-ground for the boys. These lots, except lot one, are the same upon which the Centennial church and parson- age now stand, and which were occupied by the First church and parsonage. The contract for building the First church wma made with M. H. Regan, in 1846, but it was not completed 72 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. until 1848. The brick for the church was made by Hiram Richardson ; the stone for the foundation was donated by Jesse Buckbee. The conference of 1847 was held in August, at Chicago. Bishop Waugh assigned James E. Wilson to Rockford. He remained one year. The church was completed and dedicated during his pastorate. March 13, 1848, a second subscription paper was circulated. The document contained this proviso : "That the seats in said church shall be free for all, in accord- ance with the discipline and usages of said church, — if not free these subscriptions to be null and void." The amount pledged was two thousand and sixty -nine dollars. This document is also preserved. The dedication of the church occurred June 1. 1848. Leander S. Walker preached the dedicatory sermon. The cost of the church was about seven thousand dollars. The pulpit of this sanctuary had an unique history. Several years before, Samuel Gregory had taken careful forethought for his burial, and cut down a stately wahiuttree, sawed it into boards and solemnly stored them away for his coffin. Nature seemed to resent the insinuation, and the country became so healthy as to render his efforts useless. Before Mr. Greogory had an opportunity to die, William Logue came to Rockford with an abundance of undertaking supplies, and Mr. Gregoi-y relegated the well seasoned boards to the loft of his barn. When the First church needed a pulpit, he brought forth his treasure of walnut and literally laid it on the altar. When the Centennial church was built, the historic desk given by the first class-leader was carefully taken apart, and fashioned into the beautiful piece of furniture upon which the Bible now rests. Mr. Gregory lived more than forty years after this strange preparation for his burial ; and that which was intended to encase a dead body, now holds the living word. Canton was the seat of the conference in 1848, when Bishop Morris sent James C. Parks to Rockford. He was the first preacher who remained two years on this charge. During his first year, in 1849, the society built a "grout" parsonage on the corner lot just south of where the present parsonage stands. July 18, 1849, the annual conference was held at Rockford, with Bishop Janes presiding. Bishop Hamline presided at the conference in Plainfield, July 17, 1850. He assigned to Rockford, William P. Jones, who remained one year. He was succeeded by Francis A. Reed, who received his appointment REV. JAMES RAUME. 78 from Bishop Wau^b, wlio presided over tlie coufereuoe, belli July 17tb, at Peoria. It was durinj^ the pastorate of Mr. Reed that the "Second Methodist Episcopnl chureii" was organized. These were successful vears for local Methodism. At the end of his term he reported four hundred members and twenty proba- tioners. From 1841 to 1853 Rockford bad been a part of the Mt. Morris district. In the latter year, the conference, which met at Chicago September 14tb.redistricted the work, and the Rock- ford district was formed. Bishop Scott sent Luke Hitchcock to the district as presiding elder. William Tasker was assigned to the First church, and "West Rockford'' was left to be sup- plied by Mr. Chatfield. Lewiston was the seat of the next conference, which was held September 13, 1854. James Baume was sent from this session by Bishop Morris to East Rockford. He served the church two years. Mr. Baume went to India as a raissionarj' in 1859, and remained seven years. He was stationed at Luck- now, where his daughter, now Mrs. Henry D. Andrew, was born. .Mr. Baume returned in 1866, and in that year he was assigned to the First church by Bishop Clark. Mrs. Baume died in 1867. Mr. Baume's second wife is a sister of Mrs. Thomas G. Lawler. In 1883 Mr. Baume returned to the foreign field. He first went to Naini Tal, a resort in the Himalaya mountains, and thence to Bowen church in Bombay. He returned in 1893 to Rockford, after having given seventeen years to foreign missionary fields. Mr. Baume died in June, 1897. Circuit Judge Baume, of Galena, is a son. At his death it was said of him : "He esteemed the Chris- tian ministry the choicest, most privileged and far the highest place on earth. . . and he therefore had that calm and impressiveness which come to a man in the presence of such exalted persuasions." From the Aurora conference, September 12, 1856, Bishop Simpson sent Hooper Crews to this charge. During his second year the society again swarmed, and the Third Street church was formed. At the conference of August, 1858, which met at Waukegan, the three societies in Rockford were respectively named First Church, Court Street and Third Street. The next conference was held at Galena, in October, 1859, when Tiishop Ames reappointed Francis A. Reed to the First church. Mrs. Reed died during his first year. The Swedish Methodist Episco- pal church was organized in July, 1861, during his second year. 74 BISTORT OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAOO COONTT. The portraits of many of these pioneer Methodist ministers adorn the parlors of Centennial church. There is also a picture of the First Methodist church. The union of the First church and the Third Street church under the name of the Centennial church, will be considered in a later chapter. A complet list of the early presiding elders who have served on the districts in which the Rockford appointments have been located, are as follows : 1836-40, John Clark, Chicago district ; 1840-41, John T. Mitchell, Chicago district; 1841-42,8. H. Stocking, Mt. Morris district ; 1842-44, John T. Mitchell, Mt. Morris district ; 1844-48, Cooper Crews, Mt. Morris district; 1848-50, Philo Judson, Mt. Morris district; 1850-53, Richard Haney, Mt. Morris district; 1853-54, Luke Hitchcock, Rock- ford district ; 1854-58, Rev. G. L. S. Stuff, Rockford district ; 1858-60, Cooper Crews, Rockford district; 1860-64, Richard A. Blanchard, Rockford district; 1864-65, W. T. Harlow, Mt. Morris district; 1864-68, L. A. Sanford (six months), Rockford district; 1864-68, H. L. Martin (three years and six months), Rockford district; 1868-72, W. C. Willing, Rockford district ; 1872-76, W. P. Gray, Rockford district; 1876-80, Henry L. Martin, Rockford district; 1880-84, C. E.Mandeville, Rockford district. Of the sixty sessions of the Rock River conference, eight have been held in Rockford. The first convened •with the First church, July 18, 1849. Edmund S. Janes was the presiding bishop. August 26, 1857, the conference convened in Court Street church, with Lewis Scott as presiding bishop. At the con- ference held with the First church, September 23, 1863, Bishop Scott again presided. October 9, 1872, the conference met in the Third Street church, with Bishop Isaac W. Wiley presiding. The next conference in Rockford met October 13, 1880, in Court Street church. Bishop Hurst presided. The charge of heresy preferred against Dr. H. W. Thomas was considered and referred to the presiding elder of his district. September 21, 1884, the conference convened with Ontennial church. Bishop Henry W. Warren presided. Bishop Mallalieu presided at the conference held with Court Street church, September 27, 1887. The eighth conference convened with Centennial church, October 3, 1899, with Bishop Hurst in the chair. CHAPTER XVI. FIRST CRIME.— FIRST MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS. — CLAIM FIGHTS. THE first crime brought to lii^ht in Winnebago county was committed in the summer of 1835. The body of a mur- dered man, terribly mutilated, was found in the woods, about two and a half miles south of the settlement. This discovery sent a thrill of horror to the hearts of the pioneers, who began for the first time to feel distrustful. The countv had been settled by an excellent class of citizens, and this murder was the one dark shadow of these first years. The crime was at first attributed to the Indians; but this accusation was not war- ranted by their general treatment of the whites. The remains of the stranger were buried in the woods where he met hisdeath. The crime remains a mystery to this day ; but the poor fellow was doubtless murdered by an unsuspected Judas for his claim. The settlers allowed the tragedy to pass unrecorded in local history ; and not until forty years later appeared the first published statement of the affair. This first crime was the first death of a white person in the county, so far as known. The second death was that of Sampson George, to whom refer- ence was made in a preceding chapter. The first marriage was that of Dr. Daniel H. Whitney and Sarah Caswell, and was solemnized by Rev. Seth S. Whitman, of Belvidere, December 10, 183G. The first marriage ceremony within the present limits of thecounty was that of Jeremiah Rob- erts and Harriet Clausen, and was performed December 11,1836, by Sylvester Talcott, a justice of the peace. The first marriage, however, reported in the registry in the county clerk's office is that of William P. Randall and Miss Delia Driscoll, solemnized February 13, 1837, by William R. Wheeler, a justice of the peace. Dr. Daniel Hilton Whitney, the first benedict, was a historic character. He was not the Daniel Whitney who figured promi- nently in the early transfers of land in sections twenty-one, twenty-two and twenty-seven, in Rockford township. Dr. Whitney settled in Belvidere in 1835, and was elected the first recorder of Winnebago county, which in 1836 included Boone 76 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNT!. county. Dr. Whitney was tall, of commanding- presence, with swarthy complexion, coal-black hair, and eagle eye, and withal the very incarnation of dynamic force. At one time Dr. Whitney was not a believer in revealed reli^on. Rev. EleazerT. Ball, a Presbyterian pastor of Belvidere, when on his death-bed, sent an invitation to Dr. Whitney to come and see a Christian die. Upon his brow had come the first breath of the eternal morn- ing, and into his soul the thrill of thriumph. With Paul he could say: "0 grave! where is thy victory ! " Death to him was but the kiss of an angel, to waft the gentle spirit homeward to its God. What, to this, is the hero's clarion, though its blast should ring with the mastery of a world ! Dr. Whitney died February 17, 1864, aged fifty-seven years. There was much in his life and character that appealed to the love of romance; and he is kindly remembered to this day. Dr. Jones, a grandson of Dr. Whitney, is practicing medicine at Belvidere. Melissa J. Long, daughter of John B. Long, born in Febru- ary, 1836, is entitled to the distinction of being the first white child born in the county. The first male child, Ogden Hance, was born in what is now Pecatonica township. George E. Dunbar, son of William E. Dunbar, was born in 1836, in a little log house situated about one block south of Kent street, on Main. Mrs. T. W. Carrico, a daughter of Benjamin Kilburn, was also among the earliest accessions by birth to the popula- tion of the village. The protection of land claims was one of the diflSculties that confronted the early settlers. Stephen A. Douglas' doctrine of squatter sovereignty was not practicable in dealing with slavery in the territories; and perhaps the renowned and doughty little giant never designed that it should be. But in Winnebago county, during the first five years after the arrival of Kent and Blake, the fact of actual possession was the only title to the soil. The land in this vicinity was not brought into market until 1839 ; and the Polish claims, which will be considered in a subsequent chapter, did not permit the land in two townships to be opened to sale until several years later. Claims were made upon lands, deeds were executed and money paid for lands that were still in technical legal possession of the government. In some instances several transfers were made before the original grantor obtained his patent from the government. Three facts SQUA TTER SO VKREIGNTY .jmU'IARY. 77 produced this peculiar condition in tlie real estate market. The "floats" which were given certain half-breed Winnebago Indians by the treaty of Prairie du Chien, were located on desirable lands by shrewd land speculators, who i)urchased the "floats" from their wards. These claims weregiven j)recedence. Another cause was the claim of a Polish count to Rockford and Kockton townships. The third factor was the settlement by the pioneers on lands several years before they were advertised for sale at the land ofl^ce. Thus this feature of local history is quite complex. Many of the earl^' instruments were not deeds, but simply transfers of claims, or agreements to sell the land when the titles of the grantors had been obtained. Those transac- tions indicate the utmost confidence in the good faith of the government, and this confidence was never misplaced. Under these circumstances, however, trouble among claim- ants was inevitable. There was no golden age in which the brethren always dwelt together in unity. The "transfigured menagerie," of which Dr. Board man speaks, when the lion and the lamb should lie down together, was not fully realized on the banks of Kock river. The law allowed a settler to hold such land as he could enclose. His ambition was sometimes greatei- than his ability to "enclose," which was occasionally done by plowing a furrow around the claim. The first fences were of split rails or sods. The latter were quite extensively built at first, but were soon abandoned. They were made by building the sides of cut turf and filling the middle with earth. WliPii well made, these fences were quite attractive to the eye. Their insufficiency, however, soon drew attention to hedges, and aftfi- trials of many kinds, the osage orange was extensively used. The county was not entirely free from that depraved and des- perate class, who usually keep inadvanceof the administration of justice by the regularly established institutions of law. lUit these soon found that the moral atmosphere around them rendered their situation not only uncomfortable, but actuallv dangerous; and they were warned either to reform oremigrate. Although difficulties frequently arose among settlers in regard to their respective titles to land, there were few of so serious a nature that they were not peaceably and satisfactorily adjusted by the claims committee. This was a sort of squattf-r sovereignty judiciary, which was established in almost every community. When complaint was made, a meeting was called, a chairman appointed, and a verdict rendered, which wa« very ■■1 78 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. generally respected. A settler who had made what was consid- ered a favorable selection of laud, or one that was likely from the growth of the county to become valuable, occasionally found in the morning that a board shanty had been put up during the night on his claim. This cabin would generally be occupied by three or four men, friends of the "jumper," who had come with him to assist in maintaining his seizure. These intruders usually had their shanties ready to put together. The work was done at some convenient sawmill where lumber could be obtained. It was then loaded on a wagon at night ; and by morning they would have the house put up, and be ready to maintain their position by force of arms in what they called their "castle." The decision of the settlers' court, in the matter of "jumping claims," was usually in favor of the man who had a family, and who intended to become an actual settler ; and it was always carried out to the strict letter. An instance occurred in Rockford in the winter of 1838-39, in which the "jumper" refused to submit his pretensions to the determination of this tribunal, but persisted in completing his building upon land which had been previously recognized as belonging to another. The neighbors turned out almost en masse, carefully raised the building and placed it upon ox sleds, and with their teams hauled it into town. On the top of the building sat Mark Beaubien, a young man, who tied together a number of red handkerchiefs into a flaming banner, which he waved in triumph over that portion of the "land of the free." On either side of the cabin, which was now playing the role of a circuit-rider, marched the citizens in procession, one hundred or more in number. Their destination was the residence of George W. Brinckerhoff, who, it was alleged, had counseled the jumping of the claim, and who would be interested therein should it be secured. They quietly deposited their freight in Mr. Brincker- hoff's front yard, and told him they had found his property astray on the prairie; and, fearing some injury might come to it, they had deemed it their duty as good neighbors, to return it to him. They also expressed the hope that he would exercise police regulations over his wayward property. The citizens then quietly dispersed ; and it is said no further trouble arose from that source. Another case occurred at Twelve-Mile Grove, in 1844, which resulted in the death of one of the claimants. Two men started at the same time to pre-empt forty acres of land in that neigh- MURDER AT TWELVE-MILE GROVE. borhood. One of them, named Pierce, found on roachiug: the place that Andrus had forestalled him, and was putting up a cabin. Pierce immediately started for Dixon on horseback. Bj hard riding he reached his destination the same day, made his entry atthe land office, received his ceitificate, and immediately returned. When he arrived on the tract in dispute, he found thereon the cabin which had just been completed. His opponent had labored all night and had finished his cabin, and was now away at breakfast. Pierce quickly summoned two or three of his friends; and, on the principle that possession is nine points iu the law, they entered the shanty, locked the door and awaited developments. When .\ndrus returned he found that he had been locked out of the cabin, and he immediately rallied to his aid a number of neighbors. Terms of capitulation were offered and refused, and hostilities began. The inmates could not be dislodged ; and as a last resort the assailants tried to overturn the cabin. They had raised one side several feet, when a shot was fired from within, and they dropped their load. As the cabin recovered its perpendicular with great force, the board which covered the window fell in, and one of the attacking party fired through. Pierce sprang though the window, ran a few steps and fell dead, shot through the heart. The participants in the disturbance were apprehended for riot. One of them was tried for murder; but it could not be proved who fired the fatal shot, and all were acquitted. The treatment of a Mr. Brown, who came to Rockford in the winter of 1837, with a large family and a very small purse, has been told by other writers. Brown built a log cabin, and moved from his wagon into his new home. He was thereupon told that his castle must be pulled down, as the claim belonged to Mr. Spaulding, who was then at St. Louis. Mr. Brown wan not easily intimidated, and defended his rights. One day a crowd, under the influence of liquor, besieged his cabin. Brown confronted them with a musket. Terms of settlement were proposed. "If you will leave this claim, we agree to get you a better one, build a house, and furnish you with provisions." The ruse was successful. The terms were accepted, and the barricade removed, when the goods were ejected from the cabin, which waa torn down, and the logs rolled together and burned. Brown's effects were hauled into the woods, and his family exposed to the elements on a cold, stormy night, until compas- sionate friends gave them shelter. Upon Mr. Spaulding's return, 80 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. he denied all pretension to the ownership of the claim. Other instances occurred in the county; but as land titles became settled, these controversies ceased. Jonathan Weldon, who settled at Westfield, was unpopular among the early residents. John H. Thurston says it was a common story in early days that Richard Montague emigrated from New Hampshire mainly that he might be at a comfortable distance from Weldon. Mr. Montague was somewhat dismayed upon his arrival inRockford, to find that Mr, Weldon was to be afellow citizen. Mr. Weldon was intellectual and shrewd, though seriously deformed. In one instance he successfully opposed the entire bar of the county when it was proposed to open a road through his laud. Weldon did not live at peace with his neighbors ; and one night he was taken from his house by a masked party and carried to the prairie, where they made preparations, as he then believed, to hang him. However, after a consultation, they took him to the school house, and left him in the fire-place, covered with tar and feathers. Mr. Weldon, however, must not be dismissed without reference to another phase of his character; and this has been presented by one who knew him well. In a letter to the late Hon. E. H, Baker, from P^ureka, California, under date of November 24, 1886, C. A. Huntington, formerly of Rockford, writes : "Without exception he was the most remarkable man I ever knew. A man who never walked a step in his life, yet traveled more miles than any farmer of his time. He settled without a dollar in the grove near Rock river, and took up a large farm well chosen with both prairie and timber. His children, when young, two sons and two daughters (whose mother was also a cripple and never walked a step in her life), while yet in their childhood so plied their young hands to work, that in a few years under the pru- dent management of parents, both of whom had judgment and tact, that they had fields fenced and plowed, they had a good stock of horses, mules, swiue, cattle, poultry, and money in abundance. Mr. Weldon was a man of education, and in spite of all the impediments of frontier life and all the disadvan- tages under which he labored, a cripple himself with a decrepid wife, he educated his children, all of whom took rank among the best settlers of the county, and one, his oldest son, became a clergyman." CHAPTER XVII. THE COUNTY DIVIDED.— "MILE-STRIP CONTEST."— MINOR NOTES. An act of the legislature, approved March 4, 1837, provided for the reorgauization of Winnebago county, and the creation of Stephenson and Boone. The latter was named in honor of Colonel Daniel Boone, the first white settler of Kentucky. By this act Winnebago county was reduced to one-half its original size. The reader will find it necessary, in tracing the boundary lines, to have before him maps of Winnebago and Boone coun- ties; also some acquaintance with the township survey system. Confusion will arise if it is not remembered that the townships in Winnebago county, west of the third principal meridian, are numbered from a different base-line from those east of this meridian. It must also be borne in mind that the ranges west of the third principal meridian are numbered, not as ranges west of the tAir^ principal meridian, but as east of the fourth principal meridian. The first section of this law creates Stephenson county from the eastern portion of Jo Daviess and the western two ranges of Winnebago, as the latter had been organized the preceding- year. The next section defines the new boundary of Winnebago. The line begins at the northeast corner of Stephenson, as formed by the preceding section; thence running east on the state line to the section line between sections five and six, in township forty-six north, range three east of the third principal merid- ian; thence south on said section line to the south boundary of township forty-three north, range three east; thence west on said township line to thethird principal meridian ; thence north on said meridian to the southeast corner of township twenty- six north, range eleven east of the fourth principal meridian; thence west on said line to the range line between ranges nine and ten east of the fourth principal meridian; thence north to the place of beginning. The third section of this law contemplated the boundaries of Boone as they now exist, except the mile-strip on the west. This law was seriously defective in defining the boundary lines. The intention of the legislature, however, was obvious, and was 82 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. accepted until two years later, when the act of March 2, 1839, corrected the errors, which may have been either verbal or typ- ographical. This act also proposed to extend Boonecounty ou the east to include the western range of townships in McHenry county, provided the voters in those townships should so elect. As Boone never extended farther east than at present, it may be inferred that the settlers residing on the range in question voted against annexation to Boone. The writer was once told by the late Judge Lawrence, of Boone county, that about 1846 this question was again submitted to the voters of these west- ern McHenry townships, and that an election was carried in favor of annexation to Boone, but that this expression of the popular will was defeated by a dishonest postmaster, who changed the election returns while they were in his office to suit his purpose. By comparing the boundary lines of Winnebago and Boone, as defined by the act of 1837, with an atlas of the counties, it will be observed that the eastern boundary of Winnebago was exactly one mile east of its present line. Thus established, Boone was only eleven miles wide. The western tier of sections, which clearly belonged to Boone under the government survey, was denied her and given to Winnebago. This manifest injustice to Boone county was a thorn in the flesh of her citizens, and finally precipitated what is known as the "mile-strip contest," the most bitter controversy of those early days. The statement is twice made in Rett's History of Boone county that the assignment of this mile-strip to Win- nebago in 1837 was a compromise to conciliate conflicting interests in this county. These "conflicting interests" were probably the ambitions of East and West Rockford for the county buildings. The extra mile-strip may have been given to Winnebago, at the instance of clever manipulators, to increase the voting strength of that part of thecountyeastof Rock river. In 1843 the question of annexing this mile-strip to Boone county came before the legislature. An enabling act, approved February 28th, provided that sections six, seven, eighteen, nine- teen, thirty and thirty-one, in townships forty-three, forty-four, forty-five and forty-six, range three east, should be annexed to Boone, if the voters on the mile-strip should so elect. The strip comprised what is now the western tier of sections in the town- ships of Manchester, Caledonia, Belvidere and Flora, in Boone county. An election was ordered to be held at the house of VICTORY FOR BOONE COUNTY. 88 vSainiiel Keith, in the villa*j,e of Nevvburg, Winnebago county. May 4, 1843. The citizens of Rockford were deeply interested in the result, although the county seat had recently been re-lo- cated on the West side, and the voters the preceding year had expressed a preference for that side. They were not, of course, allowed to vote. Only those on the mile-strip had a voice in the matter. The election called out ninety-five votes. Fifty-one were for annexation to Roone, and forty-four against it ; a majority of seven in favor of Roone. This election added twenty-four sections of valuable land to our eastern neighbor, and thus greatly increased her taxable property. Had this election been held several years- earlier, the result might have been a factor in determining the location of the county build- ings. Rut under the circumstances, it had no such influence. Additional facts upon this point are given in a later chapter devoted to the prolonged controversy over the county seat. In 1845 the legislature passed an act which provided as follows : "That it shall be'lawful for the county commissioners' court of the county of Roone, by an order to be entered upon the records of said court, to require the recorder of the county of Winnebago, and the clerk of the commissioners' court of said county, to transcribe into a book, to be provided for that pur- pose by the county commissioners' court of the said county of Roone, all records of said offices relating to the following de- scribed territory of land, to-wit: Sections six, seven, eighteen, nineteen, thirty and thirty-one, in each of the townships of forty -three, forty-four, forty-five and forty-six, in range three east of the third principal meridian." This act referred to the mile-strip; and its provisions were faithfully executed. The county commissioners of Roone pro- vided the necessary books, and required the clerk and recorder of Winnebago county to transcribe therein all records and orders relating to the strip. When completed, this transcript was regularly certified and forwarded to the proper official in Roone, and placed among the recorded proceedings of its court. This transaction completed the record of the transfer for that county. The first tax levy was ordered by the county commissioners' court, at its March term, 1837. One-half per cent, tax was levied on town lots, horses and mares, neat cattle above three years old, watches, carriages, and wagons, and atax of one-fourth per 84 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUSTT. cent, on stock in trade. Through some technicality, this levy was declared illeg:al, and a second levy was made. At that time farm lands were not taxable. They were not placed upon the market at the land offices until two years later, and for three years thereafter they were exempt from taxation. It was not until 1842—43 that any county revenue was obtained from this source. The revenue required to meet the expense of the county until the lands became taxable was derived from assessments against personal property. Under this order the total amount levied was five hundred and sixty-two dollars and fifty-nine and one-half cents. Of this sum, two hundred and ninety-eight dollars and twenty -nine and one-half cents were assessed upon personal property; and two hundred and sixty -four dollars and thirty cents on lots in the town of Winnebago, owned by non-residents. At that time the assessment was made by the county treasurer, and the taxes were collected by the sheriff. R. J. Cross, the treasurer, consumed fifteen days in making this assessment. His compensation was thirty dollars, or two dol- lars per day. He was also allowed nine dollars and twenty -eight cents, for receiving and disbursing the taxes when collected. This commission was two per cent, on four hundred and sixty- four dollars, the amount actually collected. The revenue law of February, 1839, changed the manner of assessing and collecting taxes. The county commissioners' courts were authorized to appoint one or more assessors, not exceeding one for each justice's district; also a suitable person for collector. The Whig county convention of 1840 made nominations for county assessor and collector; but they must have been only as timely suggestions to the commissioners' court. An act of February, 1841, restricted the commissioners' courts to the appoinment of one assessor for the county. From 1838 to 1844, Goodyear A. Sauford collected all the taxes of the county, which aggregated from two hundred and thirty- seven to six hundred and forty dollars per annum during those years. These collections were made in part by virtue of his office of deputy sheriff, and the balance by special appointment. This system was superseded a few years later by the township organization law. This chapter may properly close with a reference to the day of small things. The first frame building in Rockford was erected in 1836, by Sidney Twogood and Thomas Lake. It was a FIRST FRAME liUILDING. m story-aud-a-lialf structure, aud stood ou the southwest eoiiier of State and Madison streets, and faced east. It was first occupied as a general store by Harry VV. I'undy and George Goodhue. The latter was a ne})he\v of Dr. Goodhue. Thistirni continued in business there onlv about two years, and then removed to Beloit in the spring of 1838. Many years later this building was removed to the lot adjoining the railroad track on the same side of the street, where it remained until a few years ago, when a stone building was erected on the site. The second frame structure was built for Daniel S. Haight, on the northeast corner of State and Madison streets, and to which reference has already been made. While tiiis building was in progress, however, Mr. Haight employed a force of carpenters iu constructing a small frame dwelling house on lot nine of the same block. He lived in this as soon as it was enclosed. This was the first frame house in Ilockford occupied by a family. .Mr. Haight had vacated his first log house for the Miller family. James B. Martyn, who came from Alabama upon Mr. Haight's solicitation, claimed to have built the first frame house in the county', in 183G, on his claim on the State road, one mile east of the intersection of State and Third streets. Mr. Martyn died at Belvidere in 1881. The first theatrical performance was given October 29, 1838, in the old Rockford House. The manager of the company was the elder Jefferson, father of the world-renowned Joseph Jefferson. "Joe" was but a youth, and acted in "Lord Lovell," then a new play. The company was weather-bound in Rockford while enroute from Chicago to Galena. The river was not pass- able by reason of heavy moving ice. The last time the famous impersonator of "Rip Van WinUe'' was in Rockford he related this incident to a local reporter. The first tail(»r in Rockford was William H. Tinker, who came from Massachusetts. He was in the village in 1836, but he did not consider the outlook very promising, and he left the field. In June, 1837, Parson King Johnson, from Brandon, Vermont, came to Rockford, and found Mr. Tinker's cutting board in the rear room of Bundy»S: Goodhue's store. Mr. Tinker returned to Rockford, and the firm of Tinker & Johnson became the first in that line in the village. The firm occupied the upper room in a building on the site of 111 South Madison street. Mr. Tinker is now living with a son at St. Paul, and is about eighty-six years of age. He visited Rockford last year. Mr. 86 SISTORY OF ROCKFOUD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. Tinker is au uncle of Hon. Robert H. Tinker, and married Miss Elizabeth Barnum,an aunt of Mrs. Harriott Wight Sherratt. The first shoemaker was Ezra Barnum. He was father of Anson Barnum and Mrs James M. Wight, and grandfather of Mrs. Sherratt. Mr. Barnum came from Danbury, Connecticut, in the summer of 1837. A history of Danbury shows the Bar- nums to have been an old family of that city. One of the eight founders of the city, with this name, died in 1695. Mrs. M. T. Trowbridge is descended from a branch of this family. The history was written in part by J. M. Bailey, the well known humorist of the Danbury News. The first brick was made in the autumn of 1837 by Cyrus C. Jenks, in Guilford, about three and a half miles northeast of the town. The larger portion of this brick was used for chimneys. The first brick house was a small, square structure, one story, on the southeast corner of block eighteen, on First street, opposite the public square. It was built in 1838, by John H. Morse. The first carpenter cannot be determined with accuracy ; but it is probable that Thomas Lake and Sidney Twoffood were the first skilled workmen. The first saloon was opened in 1837, by Samuel Little, an Englishman. He put up a small one-story building near 316 East State street. The first blacksmith was probably one of the men employed by Mr. Kent. The second was William Penfield. His frame building was on the northeast corner of Madison and Market streets. William P. Dennis was the first house-painter, and in 1837 he displayed his skill on Mr. Haight's first frame house. The first drug-store was opened early in the summer of 1838, by "Dr." Marshal, a Scotchman. It was on the north side of State street, about eighty feet from the river. He was once called to prescribe for Dr. Haskell, who refused to take his medicine. It proved to be seventy grains of calomel. The first bakers were Ephraim Wyman and Bethuel Houghton, who did business in 1838 as partners on South Main street. The first store was kept by John Vance, in a log cabin on South First street, opposite the hay market. He subsequently started a provision store at Winne- bago, when that village seemed likely to become the county seat. CHAPTER XVIII. NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONALISM.— THE FIF{ST CHURCH. NI']\V England Conoregationalism came witli the early settlers. This institution was firmly established within three years after the arrival of Mr. Kent and Mr. Blake, and it has main- tained a strong and influential position in Rockford until the present time. The First Congregational church was organized May 5,1837, with nine members: Rev. John Morrill. Herman B. Potter, Israel Morrill, Richard Morrill, Elizabeth P. Moirill, Mary J. Morrill, Sophia N.Morrill, Minerva Potter, and Eunice Brown. The only survivor of this membership is Richard Morrill, who is now living with his son in Minnesota. Mr. Morrill is ninety-four years of age. He is an uncle of Mrs. A. M. Catlin, of Rockford. The church was founded bv Rev. John Morrill, at the home of his brother, Israel Morrill, on the west side of the river. It is therefore the oldest church in Rockford, inasmuch as the First Methodist church, formed the previous year, ceased to exist. The three .Morrill brothers and their wives constituted just two-thirds of the original membership. Two weeks later. May 19th, there were five accessions: Edward Cating, Charles Works, Asa Crosby, Mary Crosby, and Mary Danforth. Miss Danforth was a sister of Mrs. Israel Morrill. Their sister Sarah was the wife of D. A. Spaulding, the surveyor. Mrs. Spaulding died at Alton, Illinois, August 22, 1887. She was seventy-six years of age. During the year the following were also received into membership : Mary Works, wife of Charles Works, Deborah Barnum, wifeof EzraBarnum, EleazerH. Potter, Adeline Potter, Samuel I). Preston, and Mary Preston. The last named mem- ber is Mrs. Selden M. Church, who is the only survivor among the women of that first year's congregation. During its first year the church had attained a membership of twenty souls. Israel .Morrill and H. B. Potter were the first deacons. The first confession of faith and form of covenant, adopted temporarily at its organization, was that recommended by the Watertown presbytery. One year later, May 4, 1838, this was displaced by the articles of faith and covenant of the Rock 88 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. River Congregational Association. At the first meeting it was unanimously voted that "all persons, before uniting with the church, should sign a pledge of total abstinence from all intox- icating drinks as a beverage." Under date of August 11, 1837, there is found the following entry : "The resolution touching the slavery question being agitated, it was resolved that for the present the subject be postponed, to receive the attention and action of the church at some future time." No other record upon this subject, however, has been found. Rev. John Morrill was the first pastor. Very little is known of him previous to his removal to the west. He had come in a farm wagon from New York as a home missionary to this county, where his brother had previously settled. Mr. Morrill served as pastor one year from May, 1837. He officiated at the organization of the Presbyterian church in Belvidere, March 17, 1839, and was its stated supply until March of the follow- ing year. The late Mrs. Eunice Brown Lyon is authority for the statement that Mr. Morrill received no formal call to the pastorate of the Congregational church. He was the leading spirit in its organization, and he may have assumed the work with the understanding, explicit or implied, that he should serve as its pastor for a time. Mrs. Brown also says that the brethren were somewhat slack in paying the pastor's salary. This delinquency, however, was redeemed by the ladies, who secured pledges for a goodly sum. Mr. Morrill was a devout man, who labored for the spiritual growth of the people. He placed emphasis upon pecuniary reward only so far as it was necessary for his support. This pioneer minister died at Peca- tonica February 16, 1874. Soon after its organization the church held services in the "stage barn," built by Daniel S. Haight, near the intersection of State and Third streets. Only a few years ago this structure was standing on the farm of Isaac Rowley, near the city. In the summer of 1838 the trustees began the erection of a frame structure on the west side of North First street, on a site near the residence of Irving French. When the building had been enclosed and shingled it was learned that Messrs. Kent and Brinckerhoff had obtained about eight hundred dollars from friends in New York, for a church. Instead of turning over this money to the society to complete the church, these gentlemen built an edifice on their own side of the river. This building was raised in the summer of 1838, and enclosed the same sea- FIRST METHODIST CHURCH IJiiilt ill 1S4(1 (111 tht' sitt- nf till' Ci'iiteiiiiial CliurL-h m Ff nm irr mi mt> m-"^ -s FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Built in lS;iS by (Jerinaiiicus Kent and (JeorKe W. Brinckerlioff, on the southwest corner of Churcli and (ireen streets Tlie huildins was used as a place of worship by the Second Congregational church from 1849 to 1858 THE FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE. 89 SOU. Wheu it was completed they turued it over to tlie society for worship, but retained their uouiiual title. At that time they possessed no legal title to the land from the government. Those eastern friends knew but little of the power for good of this beautiful little church, in laying the foundations of a pros- perous Christian community. The unfinished building on North First street was abandoned, and was never afterward used by this church as a house of worship. It was, however, devoted to other purposes, w hich will be noted in subsequent chapters. The building erected by Kent and Brinckerhoff was the first church edifice in Rocktord: It stood on the southwest corner of Church and Green streets. It was a frame structure, clapboarded, in Doric style, forty-five feet square inside, and stood on a foundation of blocks of trees cut in the adjoining- grove, with sills resting upon them about three feet above the ground. In fact, the greater poi'tion of the building material was obtained from adjacent lots. The building fronted to the east, and had three windows on each side. A porch about ten feet wide extended across the front, covered by an extension of tlie roof, which was supported by four fluted wooden columns. On the east end of the roof stood a cupola, or belfry, about eight feet square, ten feet high, and covered by a hip roof. This cupola had a bell, whose tones seemed sweeter to the worship- ers on a quiet Sabbath mornins>- than anv other which thev have heard in Rockford since that time. This bell was taken away by the owner. Rev. Cyrus L. Watson, upon the close of his pastorate. The building was plastered, and painted white inside. Two doors led to the sanctuary from the front ; two aisles extended from these, which made four rows of pews. The pulpit at the west end was large, high, and enclosed by panel work, and withal was capable of withstanding a siege. The singers' gallery was formed by raised pews at the eastern end of the auditorium. This structure was plain, but neat and substantial, and its pure white exterior, with a background of oak trees in the surrounding forest, made it beautiful for situa- tion, and the joy of its friends. This sylvan sanctuary was occupied by the First church about six years. The Ladies' I'oreign Missionarv Societv was organized in 1838, just one year after the founding of the church. The orig- inators of this movement, like the founders of the church, were largely from New England, who had been interested in foreign missions and education in their eastern homes, and who had 90 HISTORY OF ROCKFOtlD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. not left their zeal behind them, although they might properly have considered themselves on home missionary ground. The object of the society is briefly stated in its preamble: "In view of the deplorable condition of millions in this and foreign lands, who are destitute of the word of life, and esteeming it a duty and privilege to fiid by prayer, contribution and influence the great work of evangelizing the world, we, the ladies of Rockford, feeling that united influence is far the most powerful, agree to form ourselves into a society for the promotion of this object." The first year there were thirty-six contributors. In May, 1838, the society made its first appropriation to a girls' school in Din- degal, in southern India. All sectarian feeling was merged in a common desire to fulfill the great commission. Episcopalians, Baptists and Unitarians were among its early members. As near as can be ascertained, a Sunday-school was organized in the spring of 1839. The second pastor was Rev. Cyrus L. Watson, who served the church from November, 1838, to May, 1841. He was a genial, social, elderly gentleman, a good pastor, and he was highly esteemed. His death occurred at Battle Creek, Michigan. Rev, William S. Curtis, D. D., supplied the pulpit from November, 1841, to August, 1842. Dr. Curtis subsequently became pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian church. His death occurred in 1885, and his funeral was held June 1st, from the Westmin- ster church. Dr. Curtis' son, Edward L. Curtis, is a professor in the Yale divinity school. Prof. Curtis married a sister of Rev. B. Vj. S. Ely, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. The senior Curtis was succeeded by Rev. Oliver W. Norton, who was pastor from September, 1842, until some time in the following year. He possessed that argumentative type of mind which was common among the clergymen of the old school. Rev. Lansing Porter served a brief pastorate from February, 1844, to April, 1846. In the spring of 1846 the church dedicated a new house of worship on the East side. It was a brick structure, and stood on the northeast corner of South First and Walnut streets, on the site of the engine house. Its dimensions were forty by sixty feet; the walls were twenty feet high. A projection at the rear formed a recess for the pulpit. The roof was one-quarter pitch, with a square tower on the center of the front, rising about twenty feet. From this tower a bell called the people to their public devotions. The bell belonged to Rev. Norton, and he REMINlSrENCES OF THE BRICK CHURCH. 91 took it with him when he went away. W. A. Dickerman, as agent for the church, subsequently purchased a Meneely bell in New York, weighing six hundred and forty pounds. When it was brought to town by team it was first delivered in a ware- house. So anxious were the people to hear a bell in Rockford, that a platform was extemporized, so that it rang out loud and clear, and attracted all the parishioners, before it was taken to the church. No picture of this church is known to have been preserved. The exterior was finished nearly in the Tuscan style of arch- itecture, and it presented a very attractive appearance. A vestibule extended across the interior front, with a choir gal- lery overhead. In this vestibule were held the prayer- meetings of the church. Two aisles extended from the vestibule to the pulpit at the reai- of the church. The pews were shut in by doors in the old-fashioned way. This building had a seating- capacity of about three hundred and fifty, and cost not farfrom eight thousand dollars. Galleries were subsequently built, with aseating capacity of onehundred and fifty. This church contin- ued to be the house of worship for this congregation until 1870. The construction of a new house of worship is frequently, and perhaps generally, followed by a change in the pastorate. Such was the experience of this society soon after the dedication of its new church. The I'esignation of Rev. Lansing Porter was followed by a call to the Rev. Lewis H. Loss, whose pastorate began in August, 1846. Many recollections of those early days are recalled by citi- zens who are still residents of the city. "Everybody went to church in those days," said H. H. Waldo on one occasion, while in a reminiscent mood. "1 sang with the ladies, the Misses Silsby and others, in the First Congregational church, when it was where the East side fire station is now. I could write a book of the pranks and jokes of the members of that choir and mv earl v friends. I remember oneSundav Jason Marsh came to church wearing the first pair of prunella shoes that we had ever seen. He stuck them up conspicuously on the railing. I came in from the country with my boots all covered with mud. and espying those prunella shoes, put mine up beside them. He took his down, and was never known again to sit with bis feet on the choir rail. "Catlin Spafford," continued Mr. Waldo, '"used to be door- keeper at the First church, and while the minister was praying, 92 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COONTT. would allow uo one to take a seat. I reached church one cold day just as Dr. Loss had started prayer, and it was no fun standing outside. 'Cat.,' says I, 'how much lono;Gr will he be? ' He pulled out his watch. 'Fifteen minutes; he's just praying for the Mexican war,' Mr, Spafford answered." In reply to the question as to whether he remembered any of the girls of those days, Mr. Waldo said: "Well, 1 should say so. There were a lot of them, but they are all dead and gone to heaven now. There were Mrs. Knowlton, Mrs. Hitchcock, Mrs. George W. Barnes, Mrs. General Chetlain, who was Miss Edwards, and others." Upon the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the church, Dr. Goodwin prepared a memorial address, which abounded in those felicitous character sketches for which he was noted. A few of those personal allusions to the members of the church and congregation who worshiped in the old brick church are quoted herewith. E. H. Potter was indeed a pillar both of the church and the community, a granite column whose firmness and solidity of character no force of circumstances or opinions of others could shake. His place in the sanctuary was as fixed and constant as that of the seasons, and his support of the gospel and all Christian charity was relied on with a confidence like that we repose in the laws of nature. Joel Potter, his brother, was also a pillar, but of a somewhat different type. He was of a more gentle and flexible mould, more delicate in feeling and sensibility, less self-poised and resolute, at least in manner, though not wanting in strength of conviction and of character. He was a leader in the spiritual concerns of the church, as the other was in its material affairs. His wise spiritual exhorta- tions came from a soul that knew how to commune with God and had learned the ways of the Spirit. Deacon Skinner w^as undemonstrative, humble-minded, plain and even rustic in his nature and habit, but disclosing, like certain rough minerals, a hidden ore of gold to those who examined it. Deacon Crosby was one of those silent, modest, thoughtful and steadfast souls whose power lies in their character, rather than in what they say and do. Deacon Baker was familiarly known and revered as "Good Deacon Baker." Dr. Goodwin's memory of him was like that of a long, mellow, sunshiny afternoon in autumn, when the sun seems to shine lovingly and hngeringly on all things, and to impart a golden luster to everything on which it shines. Bela Shaw was a man whom to know at all was to esteem. His FIRST PIPE ORaAN.-in'FUS HATCH, ORGANIST. 98 urbanity of manner, the combined inteorrity and gentleness of his bearing, his uniform kindness and courtesy, and the soul of honor and integrity that shone throujih it all, and gave to his character a diamond luster — these traits marked him as the true gentleman, Volney A. Marsh was a devoted member, and superintendent of the sabbath-school. William H. Townsend proved his faith by his works. He was modest and sensitive as awoman, retiring and almostshy in his disposition, and shrank from all display or publicity. He was the very soul of honor and integrity. He felt the slightest breath of suspicion as a deadly miasma that infected the seat of life and struck at the vitals of his character. David S. Penfield, a member of the society, was highly esteemed for his Christian character. He was one of the pillars upon which the church and society leaned for support. Samuel I. Church was one of its earliest and most constant supporters. AVilliam T. Wallis was distinguished for his generous social qualities, refined courtesy and gentleness of spirit. He was a true Christian gentleman and helper .. The pipe organ used in the church was built byH. H. Silsby and his brother. The organist at one time was Rufus Hatch, who subsequently removed to New York, and became one of the most famous operators of Wall street. During his residence in Rockford he was engaged in the dry goods business, on East State street, near the site of Mr. Coyner's drug store. His home was on South Madison street, where Miss Kate O'Connor's residence now stands. Mr. Hatch removed from Rockford about 1856. His house was purchased by Dr. Hale, who lived in it until he built another on the corner, where Mrs. Hale now resides. W^hen Mr. Hatch became wealthy, he presented the pipe organ which is now in use in the present house of worship, to Dr. and Mrs. Goodwin. The Doctor was pastor when this church was dedicated. This splendid gift, which cost about four thou- sand dollars, was Mr. Hatch's personal token of esteem for Dr. Goodwin. Some time later Dr. Goodwin preached a sermon on Music, in which ho referred to its high place in Christian wor- ship. At the cloHe of this discouise Dr. Goodwin said that he and Mrs. Goodwin relinquished all claim to the organ. "It is henceforth neither mine nor yours, but the Lord's, to whom I now dedicate it." Mrs. E. P. Catlin recalls the time when the young people were not so prominent in the devotional meetings as in these later years. Upon this point Mrs. Catlin writes this interesting 94 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. reminiscence : "The social life of the church was of a very sedate and discreet quality in those days. The prayer-meeting could hardly be called a social function. I heard one of sainted mem- ory liken it to a pole under a sagging clothes-line. It always braced her up at the right point. AVe young people rarely invaded its sacred precincts, and I recall how we admired the courage of the sisters who dared to say a few words in these meetings. I am sure we could detect a little apprehensive quiver in their voices, lest they receive merited rebuke, but the sweet words of counsel or admonition uttered by Mrs. Mary Potter, Mrs. Mary Penfleld and Mrs. Sarah Catlin are among those beautiful early memories. The singing by the church choir was truly a part of the worship, and not a musical entertain- ment merely. Prominent and dignified members of the church were willing to assist in the singing. We can recall the clear soprano of Miss Sill, principal of the seminary, and the deep bass of 'Squire Marsh, whose position as one of the first lawyers did not prevent his giving his services gladly. The little wheezy melodeon contributed its quota when the day of the tuning-fork had passed. In all this the children andVery young people had noplace. . . . In comparing this social life with the present, nothing is more marked than the absence of young people in the church membership, as well as in its relations. While some of our church entertainments bring and deserve criticism, the younger element is certainly more in evidence now, and adds very materially to our efficiency and enjoyment." Dr. Loss' pastorate continued until November, 1849. He was a man of ability and thorough education. He went from Rockford to Joliet, where he had charge of a church until 1856. His last pastorate was at Marshalltown, Iowa, where he died. In his last illness he longed to see his old friend and physician, Dr. Lucius Clark, of this city ; and his church sent for the Doctor and paid his traveling expenses. Dr. Loss was succeeded by the Rev. Henry M. Goodwin, D. D., who perhaps gave to the church its most distinctive pastor- ate. It extended from August, 1850, to Januarj^, 1872. This period of more than twenty-one years constitutes fully one- third of its entire history. The interim between the departure of Dr. Loss and Dr. Goodwin's acceptance of a call was sup- plied by Prof. Joseph Emerson, of Beloit college. Dr. Goodwin was a native of Hartford, Connecticut. He was graduated from Yale, and the Rockford church was his first parish. A lU'JV. IIF.SRY M. GOODWIS, D. I). 95 long and close acquaintance with Dr. Goodwin was necessary in order to form a correct estimate of his character. With the reserved quiet of the scholar, he "opened not his heart to each passer-by." His people enjoyed his sermons, and carried thoughts from them through the busy week; thoughts that inspired to high endeavor, and stirred a feeling of reverence toward the pastor. The intellectual quality and literary finish of his sermons did not always insure general appreciation. He did not aspire to be a "popular preacher," in the modern use of the term. Some of his admirers would have been surprised if they had been told that Dr. Goodwin possessed a keen sense of humor, and that he could tell a bright storv in acharming wav. He was criticised for not always recognizing acquaintances on thestreet; vetthis same abstracted scholar knew the littleones of the flock by name; and no one could be more tender in his ministrations when sickness and sorrow came into the home. Dr. Goodwin was a progressive thinker; and in certain lines he was far in advance of his time. On one occasion he remarked that the name of one of the church papers, the /lc7r<7nce, should be changed to the Retreat. Had the term "higher criticism" been in vogue in his day, he would have been classed with such critics. His broad Christian charity caused some anxiety among his more conservative friends. This fact was illustrated during revival services about 1800, when Dr. Goodwin invited a Unitarian minister, with others, to join in the meetings. The censure thus incurred was not nieasui-ed or unspoken. One zealous man gave utterance to his amazement and indignation at the service in (question. He was allowed free and full expres- sion of his feelings without protest. After he had finished, Dr. Goodwin arose, and in gentle, dignified tones, repeated Leigh Hunt's famous poem, "Abou Ben Adhem" — may his tribe in- crease. Ben Adhem truly loved his fellow men, and so the angel, who came to him by night, recorded his nameamong the first of those whom the love of God had blest. The moral was obvious; and the silencp that followed this recital was of that quality that could be felt. Xo finer illustration of Dr. Good- win's all-embracingand forgivingchnrity could have been given. Dr. Goodwin was an enthusiastic disciple of Dr. Horace Hushnell. In his work. The Vicarious Sacrifice, Dr. liushnell formulates in a clear and forcible nmnner the moral influence theorv of Christ's atonement. Dr. Hushnell and Dr. Goodwin believed that the substitutiouarv and the governmental views 96 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. were inconsistent with an enlightened conception of God. For this position they were not infrequently charged with heresy. Dr. Bushnell's later book, Forgiveness and Law, is believed to contain some modification of his former radical views. But Dr. Goodwin reverently and earnestly preached this doctrine of the divine sacrifice during his entire pastorate ; and since his day it has been taught by many progressive thinkers in the Congregational church ; and during the last ten years it has gained rapidly in other evangelical bodies. Dr. Goodwin testi- fied to his regard for his illustrious teacher by naming his son Horace Bushnell Goodwin. Dr. Goodwin's pleasant home while in Rockford was on Kishwaukee street. His lots extended from the corner on First avenue to Col. Lawler's home. The house, which stood near what is now 206 Kishwaukee street, now stands in the rear of the Carpenter Block, and fronts on First avenue. Mrs. Goodwin was an aunt of Mrs. Clara G. Sanford and Miss Blanche Goodall. Before her marriage she was a teacher at the seminary. Many of the young men and women of that period, whose faces are now turned toward life's setting sun, are sure that of Dr. Goodwin it could be said : "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Soon after leaving Rockford, Dr. Goodwin wrote a book entitled Christ and Humanity, which was published by the Harpers. It was dedicated to his friend in these noble words : "To Horace Bushnell, my revered friend and teacher, whose pro- found and sanctified genius has made the world his debtor, and whose eminent services to Christianity in the reconciliation of faith and reason await the verdict of the future ages, these later studies of Christian doctrine are filially and affectionately in- scribed by the author. * ' This work was written while the author was enjoying an extended sojourn in Germany. In 1875 Dr. Goodwin was called to the chair of English literature by the college at Olivet, Michigan, which he filled for several years. His death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Weld, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, March 1,1893. Dr. Goodwin was seventy-one years of age. His remains were brought to Rock- ford for burial. CHAPTER XIX. FIRST PATltlOTIC CELEBRATION.— THE POSTOFFICE.— FIRST COURTS. THE patriotism of the little village did not differ essentially from the prevailing type. It necessarily found its expres- sion in more primitive ways than it does at the present time. There was such a display of eloquence and gunpowder as the times afforded; and the amusements differed somewhat from those of today. The morning of July 4, 1837, was welcomed with the boom of all available artillery. William Penfield's blacksmith's anvil did heroic service. The "boys" spentalongtimeindrillingahole for priming. One held a drill down with a lever, while another drilled. (The subsequent owner of the anvil would not allow the patriots to use it in later years for salutes ; but they took it, nevertheless, and made it ring.) A hickory liberty-pole was raised near what is now 310 East State street. Patriotic exer- cises were held in Mr. Haight's barn, which stood in the grove near the intersection of State and Third streets. The bay was floored for the speakers, and the threshing-floor was occupied by the ladies. Charles I. Horsman read the Declaration of Independence, and Hon. John C. Kemble was the orator of the day. Dinner was served in the old Rockford House, by the proprietor, Henry Thurston. The main part of the building- had been covered with a roof, and was sided to the first-story windows. Loose boards were laid for a floor, tables were arranged, and, in the absence of crockery, the cold meat was served on shingles. The tickets for this dinner were sold at one dollar each, and this feature of the celebration was a financial success. J. Ambrose Wight, in a letter written many years later, referred to the celebration in this wise: "The seventeen- year locusts were on hand and gave us such music as they had ; sufficient at least in quantity. And in seventeen years again they were on hand in the same vicinity ; that is, their successors were. After the celebration there wasadinner with toasts given 98 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. and liquors swallowed. But a temperance society was organ- ized in the barn during the afternoon. The elder Mr. Potter, Eleazer or Herman, I forget which — but who lived near by in the grove, was the leader in the movement." The celebration was concluded with a public ball, the first in the county, given in Mr. Haight's barn. John H. Thurston, in referring to this event, says: "Some shirting was tacked to the studding about one room for a ladies' dressing-room." The orchestra consisted of three pieces. In this day they would be called violins ; but sixty-three years ago they were simply com- mon fiddles. The leader, Mr. Thurston says, was "old Jake Miller, whose only dancing tune was 'Zip Coon.' " Thus passed the first celebration of the national holiday in Rockford. This observance of the day, however, was not the first in the countj'. July 4, 1836, when Belvidere was in Winnebago county, the citizens of that village let loose their patriotism in quite unconventional fashion. Dr. Daniel H. Whitney has given this vivid pen-picture of the day : "Young Morn shook from her purple wings as glorious a Fourth as ever kissed Aurora's cheek when she unbarred the gates of light, and no more patri- otic and grateful hearts beat in American bosoms on that glorious day than did those of the citizens of Boone, as with all available material at our command, an old rifle, a tolerable shot-gun and a pocket pistol, the old settlers took their position on the mound, raised a liberty-pole, from which fluttered in the breeze a pocket handkerchief having the portraits of the presi- dents around its border, and being the nearest approach to a national flag of anything in these 'diggings.' We read the Dec- laration of Independence, fired a national salute, gave three times three that frightened the Indian from his wigwam, and the red deer from his covert." The first postmaster was Daniel S. Haight, who served from August 31, 1837, to June 26, 1840. The first mail arrived about September 15th. Previous to this time the small pack- ages of mail had been brought from Chicago by parties who made trips to that city for supplies. An order for mail upon the postmaster at that ofiice, to which each man attached his name, was left at Mr. Haight's house. The first mail was brought on horseback, the second by a carrier, and the third by open wagon with two horses. After the postoffice had been established, the contract for carrying the mail was made with ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST MAIL. 99 John D. Winters. About this time Winters became associated with Frink, Walker & Co. Still later Winters was on the line west from Rockford, and finally Frink, Walker & Co. carried the mail on the through line. Previous to January, 1838, the mail arrived from Chicago once a week. In 1839-40 the mails arrived from the west and east each three times a week. The northern and the southern mails came once a week ; the mail from Mineral Point arrived on Saturday, and the mail from Coltonville came on Wednesday. The first mail, in September, arrived with no key, and it was returned unopened. When the second mail arrived a key had been provided, but the postmaster was not equal to the combination, and he turned it over to Giles C. Hard, who solved the problem. Its contents, about a hatful, were received with a general handshaking. The postage was twenty-five cents for each letter, and stamps wereunknown. That amount of money then represented the highest respectability; the mail-bags were therefore lean, while the letters were plump. These missives were read and re-read until they were almost committed to memory. They came from loved ones far away, and were regarded with a degree of sanctity. Letters from the east were from fifteen to thirty days in transit. Should the postmaster find that letters had been written to several persons, and enclosed in one envel- ope as a measure of economy in postage, he was supposed to collect twent^'-five cents from each person so receiving a letter. Mr. Haight erected a small building sixteen by twenty-six feet, one and a half story, in the summer of 1837, for a postoffice, near 107 South Madison street. There were about twenty-five boxes. This building was used until the following year, when Mr. Haight erected a more commodious structure, near 312 East State street, with ante-room and boxes. This building was used for this purpose during several administrations. The act establishing the county had provided thnt until public buildings should be erected, the circuit courts phould be held at the house of Mr. Kent or Mr. Haight, as the county commissioners should direct. At the first session of this court it was ordered that, pending the location of the county seat, the circuit courts should be held at the house of Mr. Haight. An examination at the circuit clerk's office reveals the almost incredible fact that no records of this court previous to 1854, except the simple dockets of the judge, have been preserved. 100 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. The conclusion must be drawn that this docket was the only record made at the time. Memoranda kept by individuals have given facts upon which the offlcial records are silent. The first circuit court convened at the house of Daniel S. Haight, October 6, 1837. This is the frame building which stood on the northeast corner of Madison and State streets, and a part of which is now on the northeast corner of Second and Walnut streets. At that time there was no elective judic- iary. Under the old constitution, the justices of the supreme court and the judges of the inferior courts were appointed by joint ballot of both branches of the general assembly. Un- der this same fundamental law, these courts appointed their own clerks. The state's attorney was also appointed. The statute of 1835 provided that the general assembly, on joint ballot, at that session, and every two years thereafter, should choose one state's attorney for each judicial circuit. At this first court Hon. Dan. Stone, of Galena, was the pre- siding judge. Seth B. Farvvell was appointed state's attorney pro tem; and James Mitchell, then of Jo Daviess county, clerk. Mr. Mitchell held this position until 1846, when he was chosen superintendent of the lead mines. He was succeeded as clerk by Jason Marsh, who was appointed by Judge Thomas C. Brown. The offices of circuit clerk and recorder were separate until the second constitution went into effect, when they were united, and this officer was made elective. The petit jurors on duty at the first term were: Edward Gating, James B. Martyn, Joel Pike, William Pepper, Richard Montague, Isaac N. Cunningham, Thatcher Blake, Henry Thurston, Charles 1. Horsman, David Goodrich, James Jack- son, and Cyrus C. Jenks. There were but two trialsby jury, and these were of very little importance. The sessions of May, 1838, and April 18, 1839, were also held at Mr. Haight's house; although, for convenience, a room in the Rockford House, on the corner west, was actually used when more room was required. The first grand jury was impan- eled at the May term, 1838. The names of this jury were : Anson Barnum, Lyman Amsden, Isaac Johnson, James Sayre, H. M. Wattles, .\sa Daggett, H. W. Gleason. Samuel Gregory, Asa Crosby, Daniel Beers, Walter Earle, Isaac Hance, Benjamin T. Lee, E. H. Potter, Paul D. Taylor, Lyman B. Carrier, Aaron Felts, Cyrus C. Jenks, James B. Martyn, Livingston Bobbins, Henry Enoch, and Luman Pettibone. Anson Barnum was EMINENT liARRlSTICRS. 101 appointed foieiiian. At this term the usual order was reversed, in that the judge occupied one of the few chairs in the house, while the jury "sat on the bench." The first building erected for the use of courts and religious meetings was built by Mr. Haight, in the summer of 1838, on the southeast corner of Madison and Market streets, on the site of the American House. It was a frame structure, about sixteen by thirty-two feet, with one story. This house, with additions, is now the residence of William G. Conick. In this building were probably held the sessions of November, 1839, and April, 1840, Several of the lawyers who attended the courts in those days attained distinction in their profession. Among these may be mentioned Judge Drummond, then of Galena, who removed to Chicago and became a judge of a federal court; Thompson Campbell, of Galena; Joel Wells, who canvassed the district for congress; Norman B. Judd, of Chicago; and Seth B. Farwell and Martin P. Sweet, of Freeport. The famous John Went- worth, "Long John," made his maiden speech in Rockford, as attornej^ in a case that promised to bring him prominently before the public. Mr. Wentworth made frequent visits to Rockford in later years; and for several terms he represented the Belvidere district in congress. September 12, 1840, the county purchased the abandoned building on North First street, which had been commenced b3^ the First Congregational church two years before. The considera- tion was six hundred dollars. The deed was executed by H. B. Potter, E. H. Potter and S. D. Preston. Since the building had been abandoned by the Congregationalist people it had been used as a carpenter's shop. When the county obtained posses- sion the building was partially finished so that the courts could be held there. The session of September 10, 1840, and subse- quent sessions were held at this place, until the transfer of the court house to the West side. CHAPTER XX. THE STAGE COACH.— EARLY HOTELS.— VILLAGE PLATS. THE state roads naturally prepared the way for the stage coach. The railroad had not then reached this western region, and the only common carrier was "the coach and four." Stage lines were then running from Chicago in several direc- tions. They carried mails, passengers and light parcels. Frink, Walker & Co. became famous throughout this region as the proprietors of the one stag© line which connected Chicago with Rockford. It is impossible to determine the precise date when the stage coach began to make regular trips on this line as far west as Rockford. It is certain that it had thus become an established institution not later than January 1, 1838. On that day the arrival of the stage coach in Rockford attracted the attention of the people of the village, and large numbers came from the surrounding country to witness the spectacle. The stage office in Chicago was for a long time at 123 Lake street, and later at the southwest corner of Lake and Dearborn. Frink, Walker & Co. first ran their stage lines only from Chicago to Rockford. The coaches were always drawn by four horses. In 1840 the schedule time from Chicago to Rockford was advertised to be twenty-four hours. Horses were changed at intervals of fifteen miles, at stations built for this purpose. Frink, Walker & Co.'s stage barn in Rockford was the well known barn near the intersection of State and Third streets, and faced north and south. It was built in 1836 for Mr. Haight by Sidney Twogood and Thomas Lake. Few buildings in the county have served more diverse uses. It was there the first patriotic exercises were held ; there the First Congregational people first held public services on the East side. When Frink, Walker & Co. purchased the building, it was moved a few rods west, and turned to face east and west. There the first quar- terly meeting of the First Methodist church was held in the summer of 1838. Coaches left the main office in Chicago every Sunday, Tues- day and Thursday, and returned on alternate days. The fare from Chicago to Rockford was five dollars. Mrs. Charles H. THE FIRST TAVERNS. 103 Spafford writes as follows of ber first journey : "From Chicago I traveled by stafte, oue of the old'Frink & Walker's,' stopping at night in one of the extremely primitive wayside inns of that early period. The accommodations were not extensive nor luxurious in these little hostleries. I was awakened in the night by a light in my room, and saw a man at the foot of my bed, busy with two large mail bags. It was the postmaster chang- ing the mail. Remembering the limitations of the place, I immediately took in the situation, and made no outcry. It was a dreary ride from Chicago to Rockford in the old stage, and I was very glad to arrive at the end of my journey, where my brother was waiting for me at the Rockford House." From Rockford to Galena the stage line was conducted for a time by John D. Winters, of Elizabeth, a little town south of Galena. The route first passed through Elizabeth, but subse- quently the more direct route was by way of Freeport. The first stopping-place west of Rockford was Twelve-Mile Grove. Mr. Winters retired from the business after a time, and then Frink, Walker & Co. had the entire line from Chicago to Galena. William Cunningham, who still resides in this city, was in the employ of this firm at one time as a driver between Twelve-Mile Grove and Freeport, The first hotel in Rockford was the Rockford House. The early public houses were more generally called taverns. Before the Rockford House was built, Mr. Kent and a number of the other settlers had entertained strangers, but not as regular hotel-keepers. The Rockford House was built by Daniel S. Haight and Charles S. Oliver. It stood on the site of the Young Men's Christian Association building. The wing was finished in the autumn of 1837, when the house was opened by Henry Thurs- ton. The third story, which was divided into two rooms, was reached by a ladder, which was made by slats nailed to two pieces of the studding, in the first story of the main building. The proprietor's son John was an important functionary. He made the beds and escorted the guests up the ladder when they retired. He was admonished by his sire not to drop the melted tallow from thedip upon his guests. Mr. Thurston's successors as landlord wereLathrop Johnson, Daniel Howell, Andrew Brown, J.Schaeffer, Abel Campbell, E. Radcliff, Major John Williamson. The second hotel, the Washington House, was built in 1838 by two brothers, Jacob B. and Thomas Miller, and opened to 104 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. the public the following year. It stood sixty feet front on State street, with large additions in the rear, with basement kitchen, dining-room, and sleeping apartments above the dining-room. The street in front was graded down, and ten or twelve steps were built. This elevation above the street-level proved quite a serious objection, and the house was abandoned, and it stood vacant for some years. The ground was then excavated, the house turned to the street, and lowered to the grade. The name of this hotel was changed to the Rock River House. A part of the building stands on 307 East State street, and is occupied as a fruit store. Another part is the saloon building on the southeast corner of State and Madison streets. The successive proprietors of the house were : Jacob Miller, David Paul, Mc- Kenney & Tyler, E. S. Blackstone, W. Fulton, H. D. Searles, L. Caldwell. The Log Tavern, known as the Stage House, was opened in 1838. It was built on the old Second National Bank corner. Brown's Cottage was opened in 1850, by Andrew Brown. The name was changed to the American House in 1852 by G. S. Moore. The Waverly and the Union House, near the North- western depot, on the West side, were opened in 1852. The Inn, which was located where the Chick House now stands, was opened in 1840 by Spencer & Fuller. The Eagle Hotel was opened in 1841. It was located on South Main street, in the third block below State. In 1837-38 several towns were projected in Winnebago county. One was on the east side of the river, on what was called Big Bottom, nearly opposite the stone quarry. A man named Wattles staked out his farm into lots and streets, and called it Scipio; but even its classic name did not give it pres- tige. The proprietor built the only house ever completed. The stakes remained for several years, until they were plowed under by the owner, who could not give away his lots. Another town was started by the river, at what is known as the old Shumway place. At one time there were from thirty- five to forty frames erected there ; but only a few of them were ever enclosed. This fact gave the place the appropriate name of "Rib-town." Later many of these frames were torn down and removed. Several were taken to new farms, and others were brought to Rockford. It is certain that two or three "Rib-town" frames were re-erected in the city. One was owned HON. EI'HRAIM SUMNER. lOf) by Jonathan Hitchcock, and located on North Second street; and another by a Mr. Ricard, on the same street. One frame was placed beside the Shumway house, as a part of it. Mark Beaubien finished one two-story house, and occupied it with his family for two or three years, when they removed to Chicago. In 1839-40 George W. Lee platted a town on the west or upper side of Kishwaukee river, at its junction with Rock river, in what is now New Milford township. Quite a town was act- ually built, with two stores and a blacksmith shop. A large building for a seminary was enclosed and partially finished, but it was never used for this purpose. Although an excellent building, and standing in a sightly place, it was allowed to remain until all the windows were broken out. The frame was finally torn down and the lumber hauled away. This first attempt to found a seminary in Winnebago county will be considered in the next chapter. Both "Rib-town" and Mr. Lee's plat were named Kishwaukee; but the former was abandoned before George W, Lee platted the second. The latter was some- times called Leetown, in honor of its founder. Colonel James Sayre, a settler of 1835, projected the village of Newburg. He built a sawmill and afterward put up a grist- mill in the same building, which began to grind early in the winter of 1837-38. Colonel Sayre carried on the business for several years. It was the first gristmill built in the northern counties, and was of great value to the settlers. Mr. Thurston saj's he went there with a bushel of wheat on his pony the third day after the machinery started. There was no bolting appa- ratus, and the meal was sifted by hand. The machinery was crude, and the mill was abandoned. Newburg is today only a cross-roads, with nothing to remind the visitor of the time when it was considered a rival of Belvidere and Rockford. Perhaps few persons now living have ever heard of the Yanceborough postoffice. Vanceborough was another name for Twelve-Mile Grove, on the State road, about halfway from Rockford to Freeport. Ephraim Sumner settled near there in 1835. Mr. Sumner was born in Winhall, Vermont, February 9, 1808. In 1810 his parents removed to Darien, New York, where they remained until 1821, when they settled in Massachusetts. Mr. Sumner engaged in milling and farming near Twelve-Mile Grove, and became an extensive land-owner. He represented this district in the twenty-sixth general assembly, and held several minor civil offices. Mr. Sumner married a sister of 106 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. Thatcher Blake, Their children are Hon. E. B. Sumner and Mrs. Annie S. Lane. Mr. Sumner was one of the very few early settlers who accumulated a large fortune. His last years were spent in Rockford. Mr. Sumner died October 18, 1887. February 11, 1845, Mr. Sumner was commissioned postmaster at Vance- borough. He was to retain the office during the pleasure of the postmaster-general. The commission is signed by C. Wickliffe, who was postmaster-general during the administration of John Tyler. The seal is the figure of a man on horseback, with a small mail-bag upon his back. Both man and horse are apparently in great haste to reach the next station. This commission, now in possession of Hon. E. B. Sumner, is well preserved, although it was issued fifty-five years ago. The elder Sumner built a stone house at Vauceborough, which is still in a good state of preservation, and has well nigh outlived the memory of the town. These primitive villages along the old stage lines were superseded by the railway station, and they now scarcely live in memory. CHAPTER XXI. DR. A. M. CATLIN. — THE FOOTE BROTHERS. — FIRST SEMINARY IDEA. DR. A. M. CATLIN emiorated to Illinois from the Western Reserve, in Ohio, in February, 1838, in company with the Rev. Hiram Foote and Silas Tyler. This party traveled the entire distance in wagons. They were of New England stock, and were part of a movement to found an institution of learn- ing similar to the one then flourishing at Oberlin, Ohio. The brothers, Hiram, Lucius and Horatio Foote, all clergy- men, were prominent in this movement. They w^ere more or less influenced by the example of the Rev. Charles G. Finney, the famous revivalist and founder of the Oberlin institution. Mr. Ira Baker, Rev. Lewis Sweasy, James S. Morton, a Mr. Field, and others moved from the Western Reserve toRockford about the same time, and under the same influences. Upon their arrival in Rockford, the only hotel to be found was a double log cabin, and the only bed discovered by Doctor Catlin for himself and boy was a thinly covered, dislocated and dislo- cating stratum of oak shakes, supported at the sides bj'^ the naked logs— a Spartan bed for a cold night. Horace, a fourth brother of the Footes, had preceded the others by a year, and secured a log cabin on Rock river, about two miles above Rock- ford. Into this single room, with a small loft, were crowded three families, with several children. Dr. Catlin moved to a log cabin on the bluff overlooking Big Bottom, four miles north of Rockford. A Hoosier by the name of Shores had worn a slight track between his home back on the hills and a plowed field on the Bottom, and this was the only road near the Doctor's new home. A small, inconstant, near-by stream, like the road, lost itself in the dr^' prairie. At that time Dr. Catlin intended to abandon the practice of medicine. To feed his little family, he hired a broken prairie of Herman B. Potter, who lived two miles south of Rockford. This land, six miles from home, the Doctor cultivated under difficulties, for it soon became known to the scattered people that he was a physician, and, like Cincinnatus, he was called from the plow. He was not a man to deny the necessities of 108 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. others; aud alit thousand dollars. Peake's hall was the first public hall i[i Uockford. This block was destroyed bv fire in November, 1857, and the side and rear walls were left standing. The corner store was occupied at the time by C. A. Huntinj2;ton and Robert Barnes, as a book-store, at a rental of four hundred and fifty dollars per year. ElishaA.Kirk and Anthony Haines purchased the property in the autumn of 1858, for four thousand dollars, and rebuilt the block the followint^ year. In 1841 Mr. Peake built the small brick house directly west of Mrs. Anthony Haines' residence, on the same lot, where seven of his twelve children were born. In 185G he built the substantial stone house which is now the residence of Mrs. Haines. Mr. Peake died November 8, 1891, at the age of eighty-four years. He was the father of L. Peake, the harness-dealer on West State street. Mrs. Peake resides in East Rockford, and is eighty-three years of age. William Hulin was a native of Salem, Massachusetts. He settled in Rockton township in 1837 or '38. August 5, 1839, he was chosen a justice of the peace, and from that time he was continually in the public service. He resigned from the office of clerk of the county court a few days before his death, which occurred December 10, 18G9. Mr. Hulin was about sixty-one years of age. In the early forties he removed to Rockford. His home in this city was the residence of Dr. C. H. Richings, on North Main street. In 1855 he married the widow of Merrill E. Mack. Mr. Hulin was a high-minded gentleman, in whom those who knew him best placed perfect confidence. Mr. Hulin preserved files of early Rockford papers, which are now in the public library. He edited a work on school law, with forms, which was of value to teachers. Daniel Barnum was a native of New York, born in 1778. In 1838 Mr. Barnum, with his wife and six children, came to Winnebago county, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Cherry Valley township. Mr. Barnum removed to Rockford and spent his last days in retirement. He died Nov- ember 8, 1870, at the age of ninety-two years. Harris Barnum, son of Daniel Barnum, was born in Dan- bury, Connecticut, September 8, 1819. He came with his fat her to Rockford in 1838. His early manhood was spent on his fath- er's farm. In 18G6 he engaged in the shoe business in Rockford with the late Daniel Miller, but soon sold his interest. From 130 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 1870 to 1874 he was associated with Duncau Ferguson, now of Denver, in the real estate and loan business. In 1874 Mr. Barnum was one of the organizers of the Forest City Insurance Company, of which he served as treasurer until incapacitated by illness. Mr. Barnum held the offices of alderman and super- visor. Mr. and Mrs. Barnum have had five children, three of whom are living: Mrs. Alta Williams, and Misses Blanche and Emily. Mr. Barnum was a man of excellent business ability and strict integrity. With these qualities he acquired a large estate. Mr. Barnum died February 26, 1899, in his eightieth year. Hon. Horace Miller was a native of Berkshire county, Mass- achusetts, and was born in 1798. He came to this county in 1839, and settled on a large tract of land near the mouth of the Kishwaukee river, which in an early day was known as the Terrace farm. At one time he owned twelve hundred and fifty acres. From 1850 to 1852 Mr. Miller represented this county in the state legislature. He resided on his farm until about 1861, when he came to Rockford and lived a retired life until his death August 5, 1864. Mr. Miller was father of WilHam H. Miller, a well known citizen. Mrs. Brown, widow of the late Judge Brown, is a daughter. Mr. and Mrs. John Benjamin came from Canada in 1839, and settled in Guilford township. Mr. Benjamin's step-daugh- ter, Mrs. Sarah A. Cook, who still resides in East Rockford, has the distinction of being the first matron of Rockford semi- nary. She served in this capacity from 1849 to 1852. The students were served with meals in a frame structure directly opposite the first seminary building, on the east side of North First street. Among the other pioneers of 1838 were : Alfred P. Mather, William Hamilton, Levi Monroe, and Richard Marsh. In 1839 there came Courtland Mandeville, Frederick Charlie, Thaddeus Davis, Sr., Stephen Crilley, D. Bierer, Chester Hitchcock, John Bull, H. Hudson. Others who came previous to 1840 were: Sylvester Scott, James Gilbert, Artemas Hitchcock, John W. Dyer, Samuel C. Fuller, Newton Crawford, Jonathan Hitchcock, Dr. D. Goodrich, Hollis H. Holmes, Stephen Gilbert, and Bela Shaw. Judge Shaw died suddenly May 31, 1865. Five broth- ers, Thomas, William, John, Robert and Benjamin Garrett, with their parents, settled in Guilford township. Thomas died January 20, 1900. He was a Manxman, born on the Isle of Man, February 11, 1827. CHAPTER XXV. TRIALS OF THE PIONEERS.— SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS. ONE of the greatest privations of the early settlers was the scarcity of provisions, which at that time were obtained from the older settlements in the southern portion of the state. The pioneers possessed limited means, and few were individually able to bear the expense of a journey of such distance. Sev^eral neighbors would unite their small sums, and send one of their number for supplies. The difficulties of travel were great; there were rivers to cross, either forded or swam ; streams and sloughs to be waded ; muddy roads and ponderous wagons. Under these circumstances, the time of the messenger's return was uncertain. Later, when a trade in provisions had been estab- lished, the same obstacles kept them at almost fabulous prices, and the settlers were sometimes reduced to the verge of absolute destitution. Flour sold from sixteen to twenty dollars per barrel, and on one occasion Thomas Lake purchased three bar- rels at twenty-two dollars each. Pork was thirty dollars per barrel ; wheat sold from three to four dollars per bushel ; New- Orleans sugar twenty-five cents per pound ; and other provis- ions in proportion. This condition rendered it impossible for the great majority of the settlers, with their scanty means, to scarcely procure the necessities for their support. For six weeks in the winter of 1837-38 there was atobaccofamine, which was a terrible privation to the slaves of the filthy weed. "Judge" E. S. Blackstone said the people in the early forties were too poor to cast a shadow. Mr. Thurston ventures the assertion that in 1841-42 there were not twenty farmers in the county who possessed a suit of clothes suitable to wear at church or at court, which they had purchased with the fruits of their labor on their farms. Some who had passed the prime of life became discouraged and returned to their homes in the east to die. Barter was practiced ev^en in payment for performing the mar- riage ceremony. Abraham L Enoch, a justice of the peace, once took a bushel of beans as his fee. Joel B. Potter, a clergyman, was compensated for two ceremonies in wheat, and one day's breaking. Ephraim Sumner swam Pecatonica river twice one cold night, to perform the rite, and received fifty cents. 132 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. Had it not been for a beneficent Providence, who stocked the woods and prairies with <:i^ame and the rivers with fish, many would have suffered for the necessities of the barest subsistence. As late as 1841 the scarcity of fruit was a great trial. There was little, and often none, not even canned fruit. There were dried apples, and the housewives made "mince-pies" of them. Sometimes, in case of sickness, the ways and means looked rather dark, and the mother and her whole family might be involved. In such cases none filled a more important place than Miss Betsy Weldon, whom a few will remember. Strong and well herself, she could fill the place of nurse, housekeeper, dressmaker, milliner, and general repairer of clothing. She was ever ready to respond to cases of need. The late Judge Church once told this story : "I have in my mind one who is now among the most prosperous farmers, who found himself without the means of procuring for his family a single meal, and he, with one of his neighbors similarly situated, determined to try their luck at fishing. The}'^ proceeded to Rock river, and met with success entirely beyond their expectations. When returning, each with as many fish as he could well carry, said one farmer : 'Well, we have got our fish, but what have we to fry them in?' 'Fry them in!' replied his hopeful and satisfied companion. 'Why, fry them in water!' And could you in those days have visited the log cabins scattered over these prairies, that are now groaning under the load of a boun- tiful harvest, and covered with all the evidences of comfort that wealth can purchase, you would have found many a man going to his hard day's toil from as scanty a breakfast as of suckers fried in water." It is well that Winnebago county was settled by such a class of sturdy pioneers ; men of will and purpose, who knew no such word as fail; who pushed out in advance of civilization, with the determination of the old Norse baron, who engraved upon his shield, as heraldic device, a pickax, surmounted by the motto, "Where there's no hole for me to pass, I'll make one." It must be evident to the casual observer that only a small portion of the human family possess the qualifications for pio- neers. It is not the business of the pioneer to seek good society ; but to make it. Contrary to Mr. Carlyle's dictum, the society of that day was not founded upon cloth. The social status was based upon respectability. In the rural districts a family would sometimes drive twenty or twenty-five miles in a lumber TRinUTE TO PIOSEER WOMEN. 133 wagou, to visit a "iiei«»libor." In the villajre amusemeiita were extemporized to dispel the lonesoinenesH of the long; winter evenings. Among the most popular was the "mock court." The sessions of the court were held in Mr. Miller's store, where "pent-up Uticas" of s])read-eagle eloquence were allowed full expression. Each member of the court had hi.s sobriquet ; some of these were not suggested by the muses. Another popular summer amusement with a certain class was the "awkward squad," which performed frequent evolutions around Sam Little's saloon. They always produced a "smile." The noble band of women displayed the fortitude of true heroines. They shared the toils, endured the privations, coun- seled in difficulties, encouraged in despondency, and nursed in sickness. At the first reunion of the Society of Early Settlers, held at the Holland House, February 2, 1871, Charles I. Hors- man responded to the toast, "The Mothers and Daughters of the West, in which he paid them this tribute: "I don't know whyl have been selected to respond to this toast, only that the ladies and I have always been good friends, and I find them my best friends in prosperity and in adversity. '* 'Man works from sun to sun, Woman's work is never done.' "Mr. President, the truth of this old adage was literally verified in the early settlement of this county'. It was the women that carried the laboring oar, and it was to their untiring industry by day and night that we, the men, mainly owe the measure of success we have achieved. It was her words of encouragement, and smiles of approbation that cheered us on in the darkest hour of trial. They were not the effeminate angels that Willis writes of. 'with lips like rose-leaves torn,' but sterling women that met the stern realities of life, and were equal to the occa- sion; . . and, Mr. President, what would we poor fellows have done when burning up with fever, or chilled to death with the ague! But for the kind offices of wife and mother and sister to smooth our pillow, bathe our fevered brows, and moisten our parched lips, many of use here tonight in robust health would be lying under the clods of the valle^'. All honor, say I, Mr. President, to the mothers and daughters of the west, those who, with their enterprising fathers and husbands, left their own pleasant hills and vallej's to tread upon the receding footsteps of the red man." CHAPTER XXVI. EOCKFORD HOUSES IN 1838.— LATER BUILDINGS.— H. H. SILSBY. IN April, 1838, there were only four houses north of State street, in West Rockford : the ferry house on the site of the public library building; Abiram Morgan's lo^ house, on or very near the site of theHorsman residence; a log cabin on the bank of the riv^er, about one hundred and thirty rods above State, occupied by Rev. John Morrill, and D. A. Spaulding, the government surveyor ; a board and plank house near the site of A. D. Forbes' residence, occupied by John and Calvin Has- kell, nephews of Dr. George Haskell. South of State street there were quite a number of cabins. Nathaniel Loomis and his son, Henry W. Loomis, lived in a log house near the south- east corner of State and Main streets ; and much of the valuable property in this block still belongs to the Loomis estate. On the west side of Main, D. D. Ailing had an unfinished house. Directly north was a two-story frame house, which remained unfinished for several years. On the same side, opposite the government building, still stands the residence of George W. Brinckerboff. On the corner north of the Chicago & Northwest- ern depot, Nathaniel Wilder hadahouseof one and a half story. On the east side of Main, opposite the new depot, Wyman & Houghton had a story-and-a-half building used as a bakery and boarding house. South of the C, B. & Q. depot, on the west side of Main, James Mitchell had a small house. On the same side of the street, near the bank of the creek, stood Mr. Kent's house and sawmill. There was a log hut eight or ten rods below the mill that had been used as a blacksmith's shop, and a store near the river. William E. Dunbar had lived in a log cabin about one hundred yards south of the creek, and twelve to fifteen rods east of Main street. Sanford & Piatt's store was on the river bank, south of State. BenjaminKilburnhadaframe house on the site of the Hotel Nelson, There was a total of eighteen buildings in the village on the west side of the river, beside the cabin built by Mr. Blake in the grove to the west. EAST SIDE HOUSES. The East side was somewhat larger. The Rockford House was for some time the only hotel between Belvidere and Free- port. On the southwest corner of State and Madison streets stood Bundy & Goodhue's store. Directly south was a build- ing erected by Mr. Haioht. The first floor was the postoffice, and the second was occupied by Tinker & Johnson as a tailor shop. On the northwest corner of Madison and Walnut was a ball alley owned by Charles Oliver. On the southeast corner of State and Madison was Potter & Preston's store. They suc- ceeded Rundy & Goodhue on the opposite corner, where they remained until the death of Mr. Preston, when Mr. Potter con- tinued the business alone for a time. East of Potter «& Preston's first store was the foundation of the Washino-ton House. On the northeast corner of State and Main was Daniel S. Haifjjht's unfinished frame house. On East State street Mr. Haight was putting up a one-story building for a postoffice, which a few years later was occupied by Worthington & Searles as the sec- ond drug store in the village; this building is still standing- near the Kenosha depot. East of the postoffice site, on the alley, was Mr. Haight's first log house, occupied by John Miller as a boarding house. East of the alley, on State, was Samuel Little's saloon. On North First street was a story-and-a-half house occupied by Samuel Corey, a brother-in-law of Mr. Haight. North of Mr. Haight's frame house was a story-aud-a-half house owned by William Hamilton; and at the northeast cor- ner of Madison and Market was William Penfield's blacksmith's shop. Between the "swell-front" and the brick house south on South Second street owned by Samuel I. Church, stood a house with a story and a half, owned by Dr. David Goodrich. In the rear of this, on the alle^', was a log structure occupied as a schoolhouse about 1837-38. On the site of the streetcar barns on Kishwaukee street, was Anson Raruum's double log house. At the southeast corner of Second and Walnut was John Phelps' house, afterward owned by William P. Dennis. On the west side of First street, opposite the tire station, was John C. Kem- ble's house; and on the river bank, north of Walnut, James Clark was building a store, in which he kept a general stock. The "stage barn" built for Mr. Haight in 183G by Tiiomas Lake and Sidney Twogood, stood near the intersection of State and Third streets. John Vance'e log structure, built for a store, was on South First street, opposite the hay market. There w^as a log house about ten rods southeast of the "stage barn," 136 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COirNTY. occupied by a Mr. Kingsley, who came from Belvidere to work for Mr. Haight on the Rockford House. James Boswell's cabin was near the Peacock estate. Jacob Posson's cabin was in the vicinity of block twenty-one, Gregory & Penfield's Addition. These, with the East side ferry house, and a small log hut used for a stable, were all the buildings within half a mile of theinter- f-ection of State and Madison streets, on the east side of theriver, in April, 1838. Mr. Haight erected at least seven buildings on the East side, beside three barus, and one-half of the Rockford House. In 1839-40 he build the large two-story brick house east of Longwood street, which is still standing. Mr. Haight claimed that one hundred thousand brick were used in its construction. In the spring and summer of 1888 Harvey H. Silsby, Mowry Brown, William Hull and William Harvey built the house now standing north of Mrs. W. A. Dickerman's residence, for Dr. Haskell, who afterward sold itto John Edwards. In the autumn was erected by Dr. Haskell the brick building which was known later as the Winnebago House, on Andrew Ashton's corner. When laying out the ground for the cellar Mr. Silsby persuaded Dr. Haskell to set his building six feet from the line of the street. The Winnebago House was the. first brick store built above Rock Island on Rock river. Into this store Dr. Haskell moved the stock of goods from the building on the river bank which had been occupied by Piatt & Sanford ; and he and Isaiah Lyon continued the business. In 1843 Mr. Lyon closed out the stock, and converted the building into a hotel, under the name of the Winnebago House. Mr. Lyon's successors as pro- prietor were N. Crawford, C. C. Cobern, P. C. Watson, James B. Pierce, Isaac N. Cunningham, and D. Sholts. The building- passed into IVIr. Seaton's hands in 1854, and was afterward rearraged into stores. After finishing Dr. Haskell's brick block, Mr. Silsby and Mowry Brown built a house for G. A. Sanford near the center of the block, south of Porter's drug store, on Main street. This house is now standing near the Chestnut street bridge. Ben- jamin Kilburn built his house near the Trask bridge road that season. The rear of the Beattie house was built the same sum- mer. In September, 1839, Mr. Silsby and Phineas Howes entered into a contract to build a trestle bridge over the Kishwaukee DEATH OF MR. SlLSBl'. 187 river at Newburp^, once called Sayreavillc, after its founder, (yolonel Sayres. Newburg was then in Winneba}j[;o county, on the mile-strip. The bridge was built of heavy timbers framed totrether, and floor timbers laid from one bent to another to support the floor. This bridge extended several hundred feet south of the river across a marsh to solid ground. Thirty-two years later Mr. Silsby crossed this bridge with a loaded wagon. Mr. Silsby rendered great service to the writer in locating these buildings of the early days. His trade, that of contractor and builder, doubtless fixed the dates of their erection in his mind. No other individual furnished a more valuable fund of information in the preparation of this work. He knew the village from the beginning, and he retained his excellent mem- ory unimpaired to the last. Mr. Silsby died suddenly April 7, 1899, in Kansas, after having spent the winter with his daughter in Rockford. He was eighty-one years of age. Mr. Silsby was born in Acworth, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, November!, 1817. He went in 1837 to Upper Alton, where he remained until he cameto Rockford the following year. After working at his trade for some years, he embarked in mercantile business. Mr. Silsby was survived by three daughters, two of whom reside in Rockford. They are Mrs. Harriet Griswold and Mrs. Levi Sanders. George A. Silsby, of Mitchell, Soutli Dakota, formerly in the shoe business in Rockford, is a son. CHAPTER XXVII. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.— JACOB KNAPP.— DR. THOMAS KERR. THE oldest Baptist organization west of Chicago is the First Baptist church of Belvidere. On a Sunday in March, 1836, Rev. John S. King preached the first sermon in the Kishwaukee country, at the primitive home of Timothy Caswell. The First Baptist church was founded in July, 1836, and was the first religious organization in Belvidere. Its first pastor was Prof. Seth S. Whitman, who served ten years. Prof. Whitman was a native of Shaftsbury, Vermont. He was graduated from Mad- ison university; and later, in 1827, he was one of the three who formed the flrstgraduatingclassfrom Newton Theological insti- tution. Immediately after his graduation, he was called to the chair of Biblical interpretation at Hamilton Theological insti- tution. This chair he occupied seven years, until his health failed, when he came to Belvidere. Prof. Whitman also per- formed duty as a civil oflBcer in that early day. In 1841 he was clerk of the circuit court under the appointment of Judge Dan. Stone, and postmaster of the village. Belvidere, in 1836, was included in this county; hence a reference to the church in that village has a place in this chapter. The First Baptist church of Rockford was organized Decem- ber 22, 1838, at the home of Dr. Haskell. It is thus the second Baptist church planted in northern Illinois, and the third relig- ious orga^zation in Rockford. Prof. Whitman and Deacon Nathaniel Crosby from Belvidei'e were present. Prof. Whitman was chosen moderator, and Dr. Haskell, clerk. A declaration of twelve articles of faith and a church covenant were adopted. Sixteen residents of Rockford presented church letters, as fol- lows: James and Martha Jackson, from Indianoplis, Indiana; Abiram Morgan, from the First Baptist church, Springfield, Massachusetts; Pierce and Evelina Wood, from Conneaut, Ohio; John and Susan Emerson, Machias Point, Maine; Wil- liam B. Brainard, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Ransom and Lucy Knapp, George and Eunice P. Haskell, Mowryand Lucy Brown, Isaiah Lyon, and Caleb Blood, from Upper Alton. cossriruENT members. 139 In June, 1888, the church celebrated its semi-centennial. The Rock River Association had been invited to hold its regu- lar session in Rockford. It was proposed to celebrate this anniversary at the time the Association should meet, although the exact date of organization was later in the year. The Association accepted the invitation. At that time the pastor, Rev. W. A. Stanton, Ph. D., prepared an excellent historical address, to which the writer is indebted for many of the facte given in this chapter. Just one-half of the constituent membership of the church came from Upper Alton. This enrollment included several men of sturdy character and progressive ideas. Dr. Haskell has already been introduced to the reader. Isaiah Lyon honored every position to which he was called. Mr. Lyon was born in Woodstock, Connecticut, in February, 1804. He was a cousin of General Nathaniel Lyon, who was killed at the battle near Wil- son's creek, in 18G1. About 1825 Mr. Lyon went to St. Louis, thence to Upper Alton, and from there he came to Rockford. He was in mercantile business, proprietor of the Winnebago House, and for thirty-one consecutive years a justice of the peace. He resigned ou account of declining health, after he was seventy years of age. Mr, Lyon's sterling qualities inspired confidence, and the poor always found in him an adviser and helper. He was prosperous in business, and acquired a consid- able estate. Mr. Lyon died January 22, 1883. His only child is Mrs. S. F. Weyburu, who is now residing in Scrauton, Penn- sylvania. Abiram Morgan was one of the most prominent citizens of early Rockford, and maintained his membership with the church until his death, January 0, 1855. Ransom Knapp was a brother of Rev. Jacob Knapp, the revivalist. Caleb Blood had been a student at Shurtleff college, and became a Baptist clergyman. He was a grandson of Rev. Caleb Blood, whose ministry in New England from 1777 to 1814 was well known. January 12, 1839, three weeks after its organization, the church extended a call to Rev. A. Chapin, of Shurtleff college, at a salary of three hundred dollars a year. He declined the call, and until May, 1841, the church depended upon occasional supplies. Among these were Prof. Whitman, of Belvidere, and Rev. John Sears. Dr. Haskell was deacon and clerk, and withal a pillar of strength. He had built a brick block on the site of Hon. Andrew Ashton's store, with a hall on the second floor for public meetings; and here the church held its services until 140 HISTORY OF ROCKFURD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. May, 184-1. The missionary spirit was fostered. There is a record of a vote, March 9, 1839, to ^ive twenty-five dollars to the Illinois Baptist convention. In December, 1839, the church was legally incorporated, and plans for a house of worship were considered. In the fol- lowing- spring, lot six in block eleven was purchased. This is the northwest corner of Main and Peach streets, and is now owned by the W. A. Knowlton estate. The church had enjoyed no preaching for three months, and in April, 1840, it was decided to have regular services, with or without preaching. A system of benevolence, to begin June 1, was adopted. In July follow- ing a call was extended to S. C. Jameson, a student at Brown university ; but it was declined. September 23, 1840, the Rock River Baptist Association was organized at Belvidere. During 1839-40 churches had been organized at Round Prairie, Roscoe, Pecatonica, and Sugar River. The Rockford church appointed six delegates to attend the Association. Dr. Haskell was chosen moderator, and Prof. Whitman, clerk. The total membership of the six churches of the Association was two hundred and nineteen. The minutes of this first Association were published in full in eight small pages. A copy is preserved in the Rockford public library, and is probably the only one in existence. A complete file of the minutes of the Rock River Baptist Association for fifty-nine years has been preserved in this library. The early numbers were collected by Rev. E. C. Mitchell, D. D., while he was pastor of the State Street Baptist church. The erection of the new house of worship proceeded as rap- idly as possible. This sanctuary stood close to Main street, and faced the east. It was a balloon frame, about thirty by forty feet, clapboarded, with no cupola. There were three win- dows on either side, but none in front or rear. Three or four steps at the front led to a porch, the covering of which was an extension of the gable end of the roof. This projecting roof was supported by four square columns. The interior consisted of a single room. From the door there was one center aisle, and on either side a row of pews which extended to the side walls. At the right and left were seats, slightly raised, for the singers. At the west end was the pulpit, upon a platform securely boxed. The first sermon preached in this church was on May 9, 1841. It was not then completed, and temporary seats were EARLY PASTORS. Ul used. Prof. Whitman was the preacher, and from that time until November 12th of the same year, he re«:;ularly supplied the pulpit, at five dollars a Sunday. As a stated supply. Prof. Whitman may be considered in a restricted sense as the first pastor. The Rock River Baptist Association held its second annual session with the Rockford church September 18 and 19, 1841. The delegates at Bel videre the preceding: year had been instructed to invite the Association to meet in Rockford at this time, and the invitation had been accepted. The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. Luther W. Lawrence, of Bonus. The total membership of the churches in the Association had increased since the first session from two hundred and nineteen to two hundred and sixty. The first resident pastor was the Rev. Solomon Knapp. He came from Des Plaines, Illinois, November 12, 1841, served less than a year, and resigned September 19, 1842. His salary was at the rate of three hundred dollars a year. During his pastorate there were nine additions by baptism and eight by letter. From his departure until the autumn of 1843 the church was without a pastor. A call was then extended to Rev. Warren F. Parrish, of Massilon, Ohio. He was a convert from Mormonism to the Baptist faith; and it is said the threats made b\' the Mormons greatly annoyed him and his wife. The church paid him a sal- ary of three hundred dollars and house-rent the first year ; the second year he received four hundred dollars. Of this amount, the Home Missionary Society paid one hundred dollars. This is the only year, in the entire history of the church, when it received any assistance from this source. The First Baptist society of Rockford was organized January 6, 1845. During the summer of that year there was a lack of harmony between the pastor and people, and September 1st Rev. Parrish tendered his resignation. He continued his residence in Rockford, and his membership with the church until June 15, 1860, when he was excluded. He had preferred charges against Dr. Clark, who was then pastor, for preaching heresy as to the Biblical teaching about usury. The church exonerated Dr. Clark, and rebuked Rev. Parrish. He continued to agitate the matter, however, until he was excluded. Upon his confession of error, he was restored January 4, 1862. In 1866 he removed to Kansas, where he became insane, and died. 142 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. About a month after the resio;nation of Rev. Parrish, the church invited Rev. 0. H. Read, of Porta^eville, New York, to supply six months, from October 13, 1845. The terms were : "one hundred dollars in money, a. cook stove, delf, and furniture with which tokeephouse; but he was to pay his own house rent." Rev. Read was unwilling to remain longer than the six months. Rev. Luther Stone came from Rock Island and served as pastor from June, 1846, to June, 1847, with a salary of four hundred dollars. In October, 1846, the church granted letters to eight members, to form a church at Harlem. Deacon R. T. Mabie was one of the number. After a struggle of two years the Harlem church disbanded, and Deacon Mabie reunited with the church November 18, 1848. From July 18, 1847, to October, 1848, the church was again favored with Prof. Whitman as a stated supply. His health failed, and he retired for three years from pastoral duties. He then took charge of a Baptist church at Madison, Wisconsin, where he died after eight months of service, January 2, 1852. The Baptists of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin owe a great debt to this cultured Christian gentleman. Dr. Frank S. Whitman, a prominent physician and politician of Belvidere, is a nephew. In the autumn of 1848, Elder Jacob Knapp removed from the east, and November 18th he united with the First church by letter. The church was then without a pastor, and arrange- ments were soon made with Elder Knapp for holding revival meetings. The little frame building was too small, and the church secured the use of the court house, where it continued to hold services until the new stone structure was completed. Elder Knapp continued his labors until June, 1849. At the annual session of the Rock River Association, held that month, the church reported sixty-two additions by baptism and seventeen by letter. These accessions increased the membership to one hundred and sixty. Elder Knapp was one of the most remarkable men of his time. He was born in Otsego county. New York, December 7, 1799. He was graduated at Hamilton Theological seminary in June, 1825, and ordained in the following AugusJ; at Spring- field, New York. After serving the church at Springfield for five years, and the church at Watertown for three years, he began his career as an evangelist. For fifteen vears his home was at Hamilton, New York, and for twenty-five years atRockford. ELDER JACOB KNAPP. 143 Elder Knapp claimed to have preached about sixteen thou- sand sermons, baptized four thousand candidates, and was the means of making one hundred thousand converts by his revival ministry, of whom two hundred became ministers of thegospel. Elder Kuapp's mind was characterized by strong logical tend- encies, and his sermons abounded in homely illustrations, apt quotations from the Hible, and a good knowledge of human nature. The sight of a Unitarian or Universalist had much the same influence upon him that red flannel has upon a certain domestic animal. In commenting upon the cold intellectuality which was supposed to distinguish the Unitarians, Elder Knapp said that when they went to hell, they would so change the atmosphere of the place that all the little devils could skate on the ice. In stature, Elder Knapp was short, squarely and stoutly built, his voice was deeply sepulchral, and his manner self-possessed. He was fertile in expedients and possessed an indomitable will. He was quick at repartee, in which he was a consummate master. An instance is recalled when he was inter- rupted in a sermon by a smart young man in the gallery who inquired as to who was the father of the devil. Quick as a flash came the retort from the evangelist: "Young man, keep your own family record." On one occasion Elder Knapp met two clergymen on the street, when one said to the other, so that the Elder could hear: "Have you heard the news — they say the devil is dead." Elder Knapp reached out both arms, placed one hand upon each minister in fatherly compassion, and exclaimed : "Poor, fatherless children ! " He sometimes drew comparisons which were not complimentary to his own denom- ination. He charged certain members with inconsistency in their doctrine of never falling from grace and their practice of continually so doing; whereas the Methodists believed in falling from grace, and lived up to it. Tothisday the widest differences of opinion prevail astothe sincerity and true Christian character of Elder Knapp. Many of his fellow citizens believed his daily life was quiteinconsistent with the higher ideals which he taught from the pulpit; while others considered him the very incarnation of godl^* zeal ; as a veritable John the Baptist, warning the people in terms of awful grandeur to flee from the wrath to come. President Knott, of Union college, testified : "Elder Knapp is unequaled among uninspired men." Dr. Thomas Armitage, in his History of the Baptists, says: "The writer heard him preach many 144 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. times, and judp^ed him, as he is apt to judge men, more by his pra^^ers than his sermons, for he was a man of much prayer. His appearance in the pulpit was very striking, his face pale, his skin dark, his mouth wide, with a singular cast in one eye bordering on a squint ; he was full of native wit, almost gest- ureless, and vehement in denunciation, yet so cool in his deliberation that with the greatest ease he gave every trying circumstance its appropriate but unexpected turn." Elder Knapp died March 3, 1874, on his farm north of Rockford,and was baried in the West side cemetery, with his feet toward the west, in accordance with his strange request. MissKittie Sher- wood, his granddaughter, has been laboring for many years as a home missionary among the colored people in the south. Elder Knapp's Autobiography was published in 1868. The immediate successor of Elder Knapp was Rev. Ichabod Clark, D. D. He came from Galena, Illinois, in July, 1849, and labored continuously for five years. Mrs. Clark died September 16, 1854. Dr. Clark desired a change of scene and labor, and November 5th of that year he left Rockford to engage for a time as superintendent of missions for the Illinois Baptist Gen- eral Association. During his absence the pulpit was regularly supplied by Rev. Justin A. Smith, D. D., the veteran editor of the Standard, the Baptist publication in Chicago. In August, 1855, Dr. Clark resumed the active pastorate, which he retained until July, 1860. This was the longest pastorate in the history of the church. Four hundred and fifty-two members were added to the enrollment, of whom two hundred and eleven were by baptism. The stone edifice now occupied by the church was completed in 1850, and was then the finest church building in the village. The dedicatory sermon waspreached June 20th,byRev. JirahD. Cole, before the Rock River Baptist Association, which was then in session with the church. The building cost six thousand dol- lars; the total cost of the lots, building and furniture was seven thousand five hundred and eleven dollars and seventeen cents. Among the prominent pew-holders were William Hulin, Charles I. Horsmau, J. B. Howell, H. W. Loomis, Daniel Dow, Isaac Andrus and John Beattie. Not all the pew-holders were mem- bers of the church, and a few were not even included in the congregation. This church is the oldest house of worship in the city. Its solid walls have resisted the tooth of time and the fury of the elements for a full half century. When the old frame LICKSriA TES A ND C L ERKFi. 1 45 church was vacated, it entered upon a career of itineracy. It was sold to the Unitarians, who removed it to their lot. Still later it was used by another church, and for secular business before it was torn down. Revival services were frequently held from 1850 until Rev. Clark's resip:nation. In 1858 there were one hundred and two baptisms. June 6th of that year fifty-eight received the right hand of fellowship. This year the church reached its high-water mark, .\fter fifteen years of long and faithful service, Dr. and Mrs. Haskell adopted Spiritualism, and severed their connec- tion with the church in 1853 and '54, respectively. July 31, 1858, letters were granted to thirty-four members who wished to organize another church in East Rockford. The New Hampshire confession of faith w^as adopted by the First church January 2, 1859. When Dr. Clark closed his pastorate in 18G0, the church had a membership of two hundred and seventy-seven. When he came to Rockford there were one hundred and sixty Baptists in the town ; when he went away there were three hundred and fifty-seven. Dr. Clark died at Lockport, Illinois, in 18G9, and was buried in the West side cemetery. Several members of the church were licensed to preach. Among these was Rev. Samuel Haskell, a nephew of Dr. Haskell, to whom reference was made in Chapter XXIII. Mr. Haskell went from Rockford to Suffield, Connecticut, where he prepared for college. In 1845 he was graduated from Brown university, and in 1 847, from Hamilton Theological institution. From 1847 to 1852 he was pastor of the First church in Detroit, Michigan; from 1852 to 1871 in Kalamazoo, and from 1871 to 1888 in Ann Arbor. In 18GG he was president of the Michi- gan State Convention. He is now retired from the pastorate, and lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Other licentiates were T. Adna Orcott, J. P. Carry, T. L. Breckenridge, J. A. Dobson, Voluey Powell, and George Bornschlegel. Early clerks of the church were: George Haskell, M. I)., December 2, 1838, to November, 1844; Duncan Ferguson, November 2, 1844, to June, 1846; Volney Powell, June, 1846, to June, 1847; Duncan Ferguson, June, 1847, to March, 1848; Volney Powell, March, 1848, to October, 1853; Giles Mabie, December, 1853, to April, 1855; Henry Sears, October, 1855, to July, 1857; 0. A. Goodhue, July, 1857, to September, 1858; S. P. Crawford, September, 1858, to October, 1862; W. G. 146 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. Ferguson, October, 1862, to July, 1865; Ahaz Paxeon, July, 1865, to November, 1866. Dr. Clark was succeeded by Dr. Thomas Kerr, who received a call immediately after the resignation of his predecessor. Dr. Kerr was born in Aberdeen, Scotland , May 24, 1824. He received a liberal education at Gordon's college and the University of Aberdeen. The latter is one of the oldest of two or three universi- ties in Scotland. Dr. Kerr has a brother who for forty years was professor of architecture at King's college in London, and is now professor emeritus. Dr. Kerr came to America in 1844. He arrived in New York September 1st. While in that city he attended a winter's course of scientific lectures in Columbia col- lege. In 1850 Dr. Kerr received his degree in medicine at the Iowa state university, then located at Davenport, but now at Des Moines. The same year the Doctor began the practice of medicine at Elgin, Illinois, where he remained seven years. Dur- ing the latter part of this period Dr. Kerr felt constrained to enter the ministry ; and in June, 1857, he was ordained as a Baptist clergyman at Elgin, by the Fox River Association. Among those who officiated at his ordiuation was Rev. Charles Hill Roe, of Belvidere, an honored name in local Baptist history. Dr. Kerr became pastor of the Baptist church at Dundee, in Kane county, in thelatterpart of 1857. During this pastorate he continued to practice medicine at Elgin, as he found he could not absolutely retire at once from his former profession. In the autumn of 1859 Dr. Kerr was called to Waukegan ; and June 1, 1860, he began his pastorate in Rockford. To Dr. Kerr belongs the honor of preaching the first war sermon in Rockford after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Sunday morning the news came that President Lincoln had issued a call for seventy -five thousand men. It was one of those critical moments in the nation's life. Under its solemn inspi- ration, Dr. Kerr preached an impressive patriotic discourse in the afternoon in the First church, and for the first time in local history the American fiag was displayed from the pulpit. Dr. Kerr preached the first funeral discourse over a dead soldier, a brother of Lucius Day, whose remains had been returned to Rockford for burial. These memorial services were held in the street in front of the old court house. After one year's service, Dr. Kerr was given a vacation of three months, during which time he visited Palestine. In 1864 Dr. Kerr was a member of the Christian Commission for three EXCLUSION OF DR. KERR. 147 weeks, under the appointment of its chairman, George H. Stuart. His commission was signed as secretary by B. F. Jacobs, the famous Sunday-scliool worker. Upon his ret urn Dr. Kerrraised several hundred dollars, by popular lectures on his observations at the front, for the benefit of the Christian Commission fund. Dr. Kerr's official reports were hi<^hly complimented by Chair- man Stuart. These appointments of clergymen were always for a short time, in order that a large number might be invited to serve, and because such appointees were usually in charge of their own local fields. Dr. Kerr's first Rockford pastorate closed November 1 , 1866, when he was called to Hannibal, Missouri. After a brief pastorate by Rev. James Lick, D. D., Dr. Kerr was again called to his old charge in Rockford, and he began his second pastorate July 11, 1869. His discourses were not considered evangelical, and he was charged with not preaching Baptist doctrines. Dr. Kerr tendered his resignation August 28, 1870. In October the church called a council. This council met on the 14th, deposed Dr. Kerr from the Baptist ministry, and advised the church to exclude him from membership. Upon this advice, Dr. Kerr and fort3'-eight members were excluded, who, though owning the larger part of its property, left the church undisturbed in its title to, and possession of it. With his friends. Dr. Kerr organized the Church of the Christian Union, upon a basis of lib- eral rehgious thought. It is now the oldest independent church of its kind in the country ; and preceded by five years a similar movement led by the late Prof. David Swing, in Chicago. Dr. Kerr, with a slight intermission, has preached in Rockford nearly forty years. American church history records compar- tively few parallels of such long service in one community. The career of Dr. Kerr after his radical departure and of his church belongs to a later period of local history. Dr. Kerr is a commanding figure and a strong personality. His presentations of religious thought, though not expressed in evangelical terms, are inspirational, restful and spiritual ; and enkindle a spirit of reverence in responsive hearts. The question as to whether essential Christianity can be permanently maintained in the hearts of men, apart from the historic and personal Christ, is thefundamental point at issue between evan- gelical and liberal Christianity; and upon this question the latter is on trial for its life. / CHAPTER XXVIII. VILLAGE INCORPORATED.— LAND SALE.— FIItST TEMPERANCE CLUB. EARLY iu 1839 the little village aspired to the dignity of an incorporated town. Thegenerallaw of 1831 provided that "whenever the white males over the age of twent^'^-one years, being residents of any town in this state, containing not less than one hundred and fifty inhabitants, shall wish to become incorporated for the better regulation of their internal police," it should be lawful for them to do so. The ambition of the village was sustained by the required population. A meeting of the citizens of Rockford was held, pursuant to public notice, at the Rockford House, April 1, 1839. David Goodrich was called to the chair, and James Mitchell was chosen clerk. It was resolved that the two villages of Rockford, east and west sides of Rock river, be incorporated into one town. Committees were appointed to ascertain the number of inhabi- tants within the prescribed boundaries of Rockford ; to draft an act of incorporation for the town; and to confer with Mr. Brinckerhoff concerning free ferriage for the citizens of the county. An adjourned meeting was held April 3d, but no business was transacted. A second adjourned meeting was held on the following evening. The committee on census reported that the number of inhabitants was two hundred and thirty-five. The committee appointed to confer with Mr. Brinckerhoff made a report to the effect that he would furnish free ferriage to the citizens of the county on condition that the trustees of the town would remunerate him, at the close of each year, with such sum as a committee of three should determine, after ascertaining the receipts and expenses of the ferriage. One member of the committee was to be chosen by the trustees, another by Mr. Brinckerhoff, and these two were to appoint a third. At this meeting, by a two-thirds vote, as required by law, the town was incorporated. An election for five trustees was held April 10th. There were chosen Dr. Goodhue, Daniel S. Haight, Sam- uel Little, Ephraim W^^man and Isaiah Lyon. THE TO WN ONE MILE SQUA RE. 149 The statute provided that the boundaries of a town incor- porated under its provisions should not exceed one mile square. The trustees restricted the limits as thus prescribed by the law. They organized by the election of Daniel S. Haight, president ; Anson Barnum, clerk; eTohn C. Kemble, attorney. Isaiah Lyon was elected collector and treasurer; Henry Thurston, assessor for the first district ; John Haskell, for the second ; Nathaniel Wilder for the third ; S. D. Preston, for the fourth. Rockford continued its simple municipal life under this sys- tem until January, 1852. These years were quite uneventful, so far as municipal affairs were concerned. The complete rec- ords of the proceedings of the board of trustees for those twelve years are contained in a single small volume. This book is well preserved, in the office of the city clerk. Routine business occu- pied the almost exclusive attention of the board; and frequently less than a page is required to record its proceedings. The lands in Winnebago county did not come into market until the autumn of 1839. The lands in Rockford and Rockton townships were not offered for sale until 1843, by reason of the famous "Polish claims,'' which will be considered in detail in a subsequent chapter. The land office for this district in 1839 was at Galena. The opening of the lands to sale and entry in that year was an interestingevent to the settlers of Winnebago county. Some of them had their farms well under cultivation, and had raised a sufficient surplus, so that they were able to secure their farms when the sale began. The uniform govern- ment price for land was ten shillings an acre. Speculators were always around the land office on days of sale, waiting for the first chance to make a claim. A common interest bound the settlers together, and they usually maintained their rights in equity against the sharp practices of the land sharks. Many of thesettlers, however, did not possess ready money. Stock and grain had become plenty by this time, but they could not be sold for cash. Money at one time commanded thirty per cent. Some of the farmers had their claims bid in on shares. Lands were also bid in by men who had money, on condition that their advances should double in three years — thirty-three and one-third per cent, interest ; the money-loaner furnished the money, and gave a bond to the claimant to redeem at the expiration of three years, if the money should be paid on or before that day. The money-loaner supposed his 150 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. title was ^ood, as it was entered in his own name, and paid for in full with his money. It was decided otherwise, however, by the supreme court, which treated it as a mortgage. There was much litigation on this point. The Aberdeen Bank of Scotland purchased large tracts of land in 1839, in McHenry, Winnebago and Boone counties. There were purchased four thousand six hundred and forty acres in Boone county alone. Mr. Taylor, the agent of the bank, a short time after he made the entry, went down the Mississippi river on the steamboat "War Eagle," and when near St. Louis, he was drowned by falling from the boat. It has been said he leaped into the river; but there is no known reason to justify a suspic- ion of suicide. Reference was made in a preceding chapter to the organiza- tion of a temperance society, July 4, 1837. H. B. Potter was chosen president, and M. W. Allen, secretary. The first annual meeting was held July 4, 1838, at Winnebago. Bev. Hiram Foote delivered an address. E. H. Potter was chosen president, and Horace Foote, secretary. The second annual meeting was held in West Rockford, July 4, 1839. Prayer was offered by Rev. John Morrill, and an address was given by Rev. Cyrus L. Watson. The pledge was circulated and sixty-one names were secured, which made the total membership one hundred and sixty-eight. Among the members during the first three years were H. B. Potter, Germanicus Kent, Samuel Haskell, Israel Morrill, I. P. Bartlett, Samuel Gregory, I. M. Johnson, George Haskell, John Emerson, James M. Wight, Dr. J. C. Goodhue. February 22, 1840, it was resolved : "That this society has learned with concern, and deep regret, that several distilleries are about being erected in this and the neighboring counties, by means of which we are led to fear and believe a large proportion of our surplus produce is to be rendered worse than useless; that the kindest gifts of Providence will by this means be trans- formed into the worst of evils." The records of this first temperance society are preserved in good condition, in possession of Mrs. Harriott Wight Sher- ratt. The last entry was made in April, 1842, by James M. Wight, secretary. CHAPTER XXIX. ROCKFORD CEMETERIES. rOUR sites have been used in West Rockford for the purpose of a cemetery. The first burial in the villaf^e of Rockford was that of Henry Harmon, who was drowned at the ferry in Rock river April 7, 1837, on block thirty-five of J. W. Leavitt's plat of the orip:inal town of West Rockford. The Commercial Hotel, South Church street, is on the southeast corner of this block. The second interment was of the body of Sarah Kent, a daup^hter of Germanicus Kent, upon the same block, in 1837. These were followed by the burials of Addison Phillips, who accidentally shot himself in March, 1839, and John Haskell, a brother of Dr. George Haskell, also in that year. Mrs. James Mitchell and some others were buried upon block thirty-five, which was the only place of interment on the west side of the river until about 1840. The proprietors of that portion of the town west of the section line dividing sections twenty-two and twenty-three, then gave to the citizens of West Rockford a plat of ground for cemetery purposes corresponding to block fifty- three in Morgan and Horsman's Addition to the city of Rock- ford, on the south side of State street. This block now includes the estate of Dr. C. H. Richings. Mrs. Montague, wife of Rich- ard Montague, was the first person buried in this ground. She died February 17, 1842. From that time this plat of ground continued to be the place of burial until 1844. The original proprietors of the town, by an agreement with the citizens, exchanged this place of burial for a site corresponding to what would have been blocks thirty-seven and forty-eight of the original plat, on the north bank of Kent's creek. This tract corresponds with the switch-yards, round hoitse and stock- yards of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. The bodies were removed from the cemetery near State street and reburied in the new grounds. In the year 1844 the citizens, after several meetings, organized an association, and in February, 1845, they obtained a charter incorporating the Rockford Cemetery Association. Under this charter they elected their trustees and 152 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. other officers, and kept up the organization in accordance with all the provisions of the act. The first trustees named in this charter were John W. Taylor, Ephraim Wyman, Cyrus F. Miller, Richard Montague and Benjamin Kilburn. From 1844 to 1852 this site remained the place of burial for the Rockford Cemetery Association. During this time the number of graves had increased to about one hundred and seventy-five. The bodies that had been buried on block thirty- five remained there until 1852. The extension of the Galena & Chicago Union railroad to West Rocktord again made it necessary for the Association to remove its cemetery, as the grounds had been selected by the railroad company as the site for its depot. A portion of this tract was condenmed by the company for this purpose. The Association thereupon made arrangements with the railroad company for the sale of the entire property, except seventy feet fronting on Cedar street. The company paid the Association one thousand and nine hundred dollars. The frontage of seventy feet on Cedar street was subdivided into twelve lots, and sold to different persons for three thousand eight hundred and twelve dollars and twelve cents. In April, 1852, the trustees took measures to procure a new charter for their more extended needs. In the following May the Association purchased of Charles Reed, George Haskell and Nathaniel Wilder, the present cemetery grounds. This tract contained thirty-three acres, for which the Association paid twelve hundred dollars. On the 29th of May, 1852, the Asso- ciation made a contract with David D. Ailing to remove all the bodies in the original place of burial on block thirty-five, and those in the later cemetery. At the special session of the legislature in June, 1852, the Association obtained a new act of incorporation. The sum realized from the sale of its former property left a good margin after the later purchase. Quite extensive improvements were made with a portion of this reserve. This cemetery is a beau- ful spot in summer, well kept, and contains many splendid monuments. One of the most noticeable is the plain granite shaft over the grave of Hon. Ephraim Sumner. The granite was quarried at Barre, Vermont. The height of the base and shaft is forty feet, and the weight is twenty tons. This monu- ment was put up in 1894. At an early date Daniel S. Haight appropriated an acre of CEDAR BLUFF CEMETERY. 153 p;rouud for a cemetery on the East side. It was situated ou the east side of Longwood street, about ten rods north of State. The j^round was open prairie. There was no shade from the summer sun, and the wintry windsintensified its desolation. An act approved February 18, 1847, provided for theincor- poi-ation of the Cedar Bhiff Cemetery Association. E. H. Potter, Willard Wheeler, BelaShaw,vSelden'M. Church, IIollisH. Holmes and Lucius Clark and their successors were made a body politic and corporate for this purpose. The Association was not fully organized, however, until November 28, 1851. Twelve acres in section twenty-three were purchased fromBela Shaw, for four hundred dollars, subject to the dower of Rebecca Shaw. The tract was surveyed by Duncan Ferguson, April 3, 1853. It remained the only burying-ground on the East side until the organization of the Scandinavian Cemetery Association. Love that survives the tomb has been called the purest attribute of the soul. This love finds an expression in the mon- uments erected over the graves of the dead. Moreover, the cemeteries of a people are in a measure an index of their relig- ious hope. The funerals of today have less of the gruesomeness that characterized such occasions thirty years ago. Likewise, our cemeteries have been made more beautiful by the cultiva- tion of the artistic sense, and by a deeper realization of the truth that death is but the doorway to a "freer air and a broader view," and an infinite expansion of sanctified power. The cemeteries of Rockford are worthy of the character of its people. CHAPTER XXX. THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR OVER THE SITE OF THE COUNTY SEAT. THE attempt in 1836 to locate the county seat had proven a failure. The county business had been transacted in the meantime in various places in the village. The proprietors of Winnebago did not consider the refusal of their deed of cession to the county, noted in Chapter XH., as a finality. On that very day began the famous controversy over the location of the county seat, which was continued for seven years with great spirit, and not a little bitterness on all sides. The proprietors of Winnebago had expended considerable money in their town plat, and they were anxious to have the county buildings com- menced at once, and thus settle the question. A favorable decision would insure increased value and ready sales of their town lots. On the other hand, the county commissioners opposed the site of Winnebago, and placed every obstacle in the way of such location. Various propositions were made by the proprietors during this and the succeeding year to induce the commissioners to take some action that would secure them in the location that had been previously made. All these over- tures were either refused or evaded. The persistent refusal of the county commissioners led to state legislation. By an act of the general assembly, approved March 2, 1839, the question was submitted to a popular vote. It was made the duty of the clerk of the county commissioners' court to give notice of an election to be held on the first Monday in May, 1839. The law provided that if it should appear that within one hundred of a majority of all the votes cast were in favor of the town of Winnebago, that town should remain the perma- nent county seat. But if any other place, after the first election, should receive a majority of all the votes given, such place should be the seat of justice. If more than two places received votes, and no one place received a majority, there should be an election held on the first Monday of each succeeding month, dropping off at each election, the place receiving the smallest number of votes, until some one place should receivea majority of all the votes polled. SIX ASPIRANTS FOR COURT HOUSE. 155 These provisions gave Wiuiiebago a decided advantage; but even then the town was unable to win the prize. At the election six aspirants received votes, as follows : Rockford, three hundred and twenty ; Winnebago, seventy-live ; Roscoe, two ; Willow Creek, five ; Pecatonica, one ; Scipio, one. Total vote cast, four hundred and four, of which Rockford had a majority over all of two hundred and thirtj'-pix. In commenting on this election, the late Judge Church said: "Whether there was any Osawattomie [evidently another form of the word Pottawat- omie] voting at that election, I am unable to say, but one thing is certain : there were two hundred more votes polled than at the general election in August following." The prospective village of Winnebago reached the highest point of all its greatness on the day when its ambitious claims were rejected by the county commissioners' court. Like Cardi- nal AVolsey, it fell like a bright exhalation in the evening. From that time it began to decline. In April, 1844, many of the lots were sold by the sheriff to satisfy delinquent taxes; and in 1847 the plat was vacated by a special act of the legislature. Some years later Mrs. Campbell, widow of Major Campbell, by her attorney, appeared in Rockford, and made a claim for dower interest, on the ground that when her husband took the benefit of the bankrupt law, he assigned his interest in the Winnebago village property without her consent. Some were intimidated into paying these claims; and others successfully contested tliem. Charles Reed was an excellent judge of land, and traveled from Fox river to Apple river, selecting and making claims. Mr. Reed was a native of Virginia. He served in the war of 1812, and was taken prisoner at Detroit, when Hull surren- dered. He again enHsted, and was in the battle of theThames, when Tecumseh was killed. Mr, Reed first settled in Illinois at Joliet. He was one of the commissioners to locate the county seat of Ogle county in 1836. Mr. Reed was influential in secur- ing the passage of the act for the organization of Winnebago county. From Winnebago village he removed to Rockton, where he died August 20, 1803, at theage of seventy-nine \'ear8. Mr. Reed was highly esteemed as a citizen, neighbor and friend. In pursuance of the popular vote in favor of Rockford, the county commissioners, on June 8, 1839, selected the public square on the east side of the river as the site for the court house. Anson Barnum and Daniel S. Haight were authorized 156 HISTORY OF ROCKFOHD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. to accept stone and other buildiug material. A large quantity of brick and lumber was contributed by the citizens. This material remained on the public square for a longtime, because the county had no money to continue the work. At a special session held June 17, the court selected the southeast corner of block nine as a site for a jail. This is the site now occupied by the Rockford Gas Light and Coke Company. No jail, however, was built upon that location. At the session of September 28, 1841, a proposition was submitted to the commissioners' court, to furnish a suitable jail and quarters for the county offices in West Rockford until permanent buildings could be constructed. This proposal was signed by Messrs. George Haskell, Charles I. Horsman, Abiram Morgan, John W. Taylor, David D. Ailing, Nathaniel Loomis, Ephraim Wyman, Horatio Nelson, Derastus Harper and Isaiah Lyon. Upon executing a bond in the penal sum of one thousand dollars, this proposition was accepted. Decem- ber 11th these gentlemen reported to the commissioners' court that the building for the county offices was ready for use, and the same was accepted by the court. This was a frame struct- ure on the southwest corner of Main and Chestnut streets, opposite the Hotel Nelson. This building was occupied by the court until a court house was built, and only recently torn down to make room for a brick block. The donors, at this December session, were given an extension of five months to complete the jail. This was a log structure, about twelve feet square, with plank door, and window barred with irons set into the logs above and below. It stood east of the present court house, in the same block. Whenever a desperate character was confined therein it was necessary to station a guard. Previous to the erection of this primitive prison, the nearest jail was at Galena. When I. N. Cunningham was sheriff, he owned a substantially built house a short distance from town, and his brother William once prevented a prisoner from escaping at night by fastening one end of a chain to his ankle and the other to the ankle of the prisoner, and both were secured to the strong puncheon floor. Sixty years ago William Cunningham was a dangerous man to resist. The old log jail did duty after a fashion until the brick jail was completed. About this time a controversy arose concerning the precise meaning of the statute under which the election of May, 1839, had been held. That portion of the third section of the law OPINIONS OF THK ROCK FORD 1i.\R. 157 enclosed in parenthesis was anibip^uous. The point at issue was whether the law actually authorized an election to select a seat of justice, or merely to decide the general question of remo- val. This question was before the commissioners' court at its September session in 1841. Each commissioner held a different opinion. William Hulin held that the county seat had been removed from Winnebago, but had never been relocated. Ezra S. Cable maintained that all the provisions of the law had not been complied with, and therefore the county seat remained as originally located. William E. Dnnbar believed the county seat had been actually removed to Rockford. This deadlock must be broken before progress was possible. May 10, 1842, the commissioners' court requested the bar of the city to submit opinions in writing concerning the legal effect of the popular vote. Opinions were prepared by Anson S. Miller, Francis Bur- nap. Thomas 1). Robertson, JamesM. Wight and Jason Marsh. Mr. Miller's opinion was quite elaborate. The attorneys were unanimous in the o})inion that the county seat had been changed from Winnebago to Rockford, in accordance with the evident intent of the law. At the session of July, 1842, the commis- sioners' court authorized the judges of election in the several precincts to take the sense of the voters at the August election on the question whether the county buildings should be perma- nently located in East or West Rockford. Several precincts did not vote on the question ; but the general result was favorable to the West side, inasmuch as the temporary location of the county offices on that side had already given it a degree of prestige. This vote had no legal effect, however, because the law had given the commissioners' court full power in the prem- ises. But it did have a certain persuasive influence. In April, 1843, Daniel S. Haiglit, E. H. Potter, Hollis H. Holmes, Laomi Peake, Daniel Howell and John A. Brown, of the East side, submitted a proposition to the county commis- sioners to build a court house and jail, to cost four thousand dollars. This proposal was considered, but complications pre- vented its acceptance. A few days later, April 22d. citizens of W^est Rockford made a similar ])roposition. On condition that the commissioners select the site on the West side, the citizens agreed to erect such buildings as the county commissioners should direct, and according to such plan and finish as the com- missioners should furnish for a court house, county offices and jail, the said buildings to be commenced before the first day of 158 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. June next, and the jail to be finished before the first day of January, 1844. The remainder of the said buildings were to be finished by the first day of November, 1844. The donors were to perfect and convey to the county a good title to the land on which the said buildings should stand, to the amount of two and a half acres. This proposition was signed by Messrs. George Haskell, Charles I. Horsman, H. W. Loomis, M. Burner, Charles Hall, Thomas D. Robertson, George W. Dewey, David D. Alhng, H. R. Maynard, Alden Thomas, S. Skinner, George Barrows, John Fisher, Derastus Harper, Daniel Dow. Nothing had been done on the East side toward erecting county buildings with the material which had been contributed ; and the proposition from the West side citizens was accepted, with five conditions. These were : first, that security be given to the acceptance of the commissioners or any two of them, in term time or vacation within twenty days; second, that the security be a bond for twenty thousand dollars, and the buildings be worth not less than six thousand dollars ; third, that said bond be placed in the hands of the clerk of the court within three days from its acceptance; fourth, that the subscribers to the proposition, or a majority of them, enter into a contract in writing within twenty days to erect the buildings as offered in their proposition; fifth, that the contract be placed in the hands of the clerk of the court within three days from its approval. The commissioners ordered that block twenty-five in West Rock- ford be the site of the buildings. Thus closed a contest which had continued for seven years. An opinion prevails to this day that the cession of the mile-strip to Boone county insured the location of the county buildings on the west side of the river; and that the voters on the strip, if they had remained in this county, would have held the balance of power, which would have been exercised in the election of two commissioners from the east side of the river. The ofl^cial rec- ords are clearly against this tradition. The county seat was permanently located in April, 1843 ; whereas, the election on the mile-strip did not occur until the following month. The result was due to a single citizen. William Hulin was elected a county commissioner in 1841, while a resident of Rockton, on the east side of the river. During his term of office he removed to West Rockford. Mr. Hulin's friends claim that his sympa- thies were always with the West side; while others maintain that this change of residence was quite naturally followed by a AN ERROSEOVS TRADITION. 159 change of sec^tional preference. In either event, Mr. Hulingave the caf^tino- vote in favor of the West side. It is quite certain, however, that the cession of themile-strip had been regarded with favor for years by the citizens of the western part of the county. It is even alleged that the scheme was deliberately planned in AVest Rockford, to reduce the vot- ing strength on the east side of the river. The citizens on the strip petitioned the legislature to be annexed to Boone; and as early as Decenjber 24, 1840, a bill was introduced in the senate, for a change in the boundary line of Boone county. December 30th, the bill was read the third time and passed. The bill came before the house January 13, 1841. It was subsequently amended and referred to a select committee. The Rock River Express of January 16, 1841, published a brief but vigorous protest against the proposed cession. The bill, however, was lost. Had it passed that session, it would doubtless have had its influence in the contest over the county seat. But the bill did not become a law until two years later. In the meantime the question had been settled in a different manner. The brick jail was completed and occupied January 1, 1844. The court house was finished in July of the same year, and wa^ accepted by the county commissioners. Derastus Harper and John Beattie were the architects. It was one story, about fifty- six feet long, thirty-five feet in width, and seventeen feet high. The court room was fifty-four by thirty-three feet ; nine feet in the rear of the bench was partitioned off into jury rooms. Two rows of slips made in the st3'leof those erected in the churches, filled the room outside the bar, and accommodated three hun- dred persons. The entire edifice, including the pediment and four fluted columns in front, was built in the Grecian Doric order of architecture. The public square, jail and court house were furnished by the citizens of West Rockford without the outlay of a dollar by the county. The stone building in which the county records were kept, was built in 1851. All these buildings have been removed from the square. The first term of court held in the new building was in August, 1844. The presiding judge was Thomas C. Brown; James Mitchell, clerk; G. A. Sanford, sheriff. Many bright stars in the legal firmament of that day practiced in Winnebago county. Belvidere, Freeport, Galena and Chicago sent their best talent. The famous "Mat." Carpenter, of Wisconsin, came to Rockford on professional business half a century ago. CHAPTER XXXI. PLAN OF SECESSION AND PROPOSED ANNEXATION TO WISCONSIN. SIXTY years a^o Winnebago county figured prominently in a movement of secession from Illinois, for the purpose of annexation to Wisconsin. The few surviving- settlers of northern Illinois will recall the prolonged controversy over the northern boundary of the state. This agitation covered the entire period between the admission of Illinois in 1818, and the admission of Wisconsin thirty years later. The story forms one of the most interesting chapters in the history of the commonwealth. The final adjustment is a perpetual witness to the prophetic genius of Nathaniel Pope, the territorial representative of Illinois in congress. In the light of subsequent history, it was nothing less than genius that enabled this man, alone and unchallenged, to add fifty miles to the northern boundary of Illinois; and thus make her, with her commercial metropolis on the lake front, the keystone in the magnificent arch of great western states. As a statesman and patriot, Nathaniel Pope is worthy to be placed at the head of the illustrious column which includes Lincoln, Douglas, Grant, Yates and Logan. This movement was widespread, and the feeling at times was intense, and even bitter. The war cry of ''fifty-four forty or fight" did not more thoroughly arouse the enthusiastic Democracy over the Oregon boundary line fifty-six years ago, than did this inter-state controversy enkindle the sectional jjrejudices of the settlers in the disputed territory. The village of Rockford played quite a part in this struggle. There was brought to light in this city about a year ago a copy of the official proceedings of a mass meeting held in Rockford July 6, 1840. This convention was composed of delegates from the northern fourteen counties of the state. Its purpose was seces- sion from Illinois and annexation to the proposed new state of Wisconsin. History has never fully explained the causes of this move- ment. Tradition alone has interpreted its true animus. The REASONS FOR THE MOVEyfENT. 161 apparent motive was a restoration of the boundary line as originally establifslied between the two states that might be formed of the territory north of an east-and-west line running through the southerly bend of Lake Michigan. This line, it was claimed, had been arbitrarily and unfairly extended fifty miles north when Illinois became a state. The real reasons for this movement were two: First, the settlers in the northern and the southern portions of the state had little or no interest in common. The northern portion was settled principally by people who had come from New England and New York. They were industrious, thrifty and progressive. They built towns and cities as by magic. The southern part of Illinois was settled by emigrants from the slave-holding states. They were generally poor, as the well-to-do people did not emi- grate. In those days the poor man in the south was scarcely above the Ne^o in the social scale. This class came into south- ern Illinois from slave-holding states to escape the limitations of their former poverty. Between the people of the southern and the northern portions of the state was a great gulf fixed. Each misunderstood the other. The Illinois and Michigan canal was opposed by the people of southern Illinois for fear it would flood the state with Yankees. This conflict of interest and opinion was a continuation of the struggle between the civilizations of Plymouth and Jamestown. The Puritan and the class distinctions of the cavalier had entered the western arena, where a few years later Lincoln and Douglas fought the historic battle of the century. The second reason for this sectional divorcement was the desire of the northern people to escape the burden of the enor- mous state debt, which had been created by the gigantic scheme of internal improvements. In 1840, during Governor Carlin's administration, the total debt of the state, principal and inter- est, was fourteen million six hundred and sixty-six thousand five hundred and sixty-two dollars and forty-two cents. The treasury was bankrupt; the revenue was insufficient ; the people were not able to pay high taxes, and the state had borrowed itself out of credit. The state never repudiated its debt, but it simply could not pay it at that time. Moreover, the state had little to show for this vast expenditure. Southern Illinois dominated the state, and the people in the sparsely settled northern counties were not responuible for the creation of the state debt. 162 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNKBAOO CODNTT. Such was the condition of affairs when the mass convention was held in Rockford in the summer of 1840. In order to more fully understand the historic situation at that time, it will be necessary to briefly refer to the document which gave a plausible pretext to the separatist movement. This was the ordinance for the government of the Northwest Territory, adopted in 1787. This ordinance provided for the division of this vast area, for territorial purposes, which of course had no bearing upon the present matter. It further provided that not more than two states should be formed from the territory north of an east-and-west line running through the southerly bend of Lake Michigan. In 1818 Illinois Territory petitioned congress for admission into the union on an equality with the original states. The petition defined the northern boundary of the state in accord- ance with the provisions of the ordinance of 1787. When the petition came before congress, Mr. Pope was instructed by the committee to report a bill in pursuance of the petition. Before the bill became a law it was amended by the extension of the boundary line from the southerly bend of Lake Michigan to forty-two degrees thirty minutes. Thus was added to Illinois a territory fifty miles from north to south, which now includes the northern fourteen counties of the state. These important and radical changes were proposed and carried through both houses of congress by Mr. Pope, entirely on his own personal responsibility. The territorial legislature had not petitioned for them, but the great and lasting advantage was so apparent that the action of Mr. Pope received the unqualified endorse- ment of the people. When Wisconsin began to aspire to statehood, it was upon the language of the ordinance of 1787, above quoted, which was declared a compact to remain forever unalterable, that our northern neighbor based her claim to the territory north of the original line. This question of boundary became an issue in local politics, and it was not until 1848, when Wisconsin became a state, that all hope of the restoration of the original line w^as abandoned. In accordance with this widespread movement, which is said to have begun at Galena, a mass meeting was held at the Rockford House, in Rockford, July 6, 1840. One hundred and twenty delegates, who represented the entire territory in dis- pute, were in attendance. Among the supporters from Rockford THE ROCK FORD CO^i VENTION. 1 6 3 and the immediate vicinity were Dr. J. C. Goodhue, William E. Dunbar, Jason Marsli, Thomas D. Robertson, Horace Miller, Dr. Levi Moulthrop, Alonzo Corey, John W. Taylor, and Ger- manicus Kent, of Rockford ; Daniel H. Whitney and James M. Loop, of Belvidere; and Martin P. Sweet, of Freeport. Dr. Goodhue was chosen permanent chairman of the convention. One committee was appointed to prepare an address to the people of the disputed territory. A second committee was instructed to report resolutions declaratory of the right of Wisconsin to the territory in dispute. The preamble declared that it was the general if not the universal belief of the residents of the tract of territory in dispute, that the same by right and by law is a part of the Territory of AVisconsin; and that their interests would be advanced by the restoration of the original line, as defined by the ordinance of 1787. The resolutions declared first, that it was the opinion of the meeting that the intention of the framers of the ordinance of 1787 for the government of the Northwest Territory, was that if congress formed one or two states north of theeast-and- west line above mentioned, that the states south of the line should not extend north and beyond it; second, that congress, in thus extending thenorthernboundary of Illinois, transcended its power and violated the provisions of the ordinance. It was also resolved that if the governor of Wisconsin Ter- ritory should issue a proclamation for an election of delegates to a convention for the formation of a state government, under the resolutions relating to the southern boundary, approved January 13, 1840, the citizens of the territory in dispute should elect delegates to the convention, according to the ratio fixed by the resolution. The sixth resolution provided that a central committee of five be appointed to carry into effect the resolutions of the convention, and to inform the executive of Wisconsin of the status of public opinion. It was finally resolved that a copy of the proceedings of the convention should be signed by the president and secretary and forwarded to the governor of the Territory of Wisconsin, Other boundary conventions were held in various parts of the district. A convention at Oregon City, January 22, 1842, adopted resolutions similar to those approved at Rockford eighteen months earlier. The delegates even went to the point of declaring that the ordinance of 1787 should not be changed 164 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. without the consent of the people of the orij^inal states, and of the Northwest Territory. A meeting was held in Galena, March 18, 1842, of which Charles S. Hempstead was president. Strong resolutions were adopted. One declared that the annexation of the district to Illinois was an unlawful, arbitrary proceeding, and a dangerous precedent. In June. 1842, the commissioners' court of Winnebago county submitted this question to a popular vote of the county ai the August election. The returns were as follows: Forannex- ation to Wisconsin, nine hundred and seventy -one; opposed to annexation, six. A meeting of the citizens of Belvidere was held September 7, 1842, when it was decided to call a special election for the fourth Monday in September, in pui-suance of the recommenda- tion contained in the proclamation of Governor Doty, of the Territory of Wisconsin. Such an election was held, with a result similar to that in Winnebago county. This prolonged agitation accomplished no result. The movement suddenly lost its momentum and became a spent force. The esssential principle involved in the resolutions that were adopted at Oregon City was whether the congress of the United States under the constitution, had no power to amend a prior act of confederated states. In view of the subsequent evolution of the federal idea, under the splendid leadership of Webster and Marshall, it seems surprising that such a prepos- terous claim should have been seriously considered. The beneficent results arising from the policy of Nathaniel Pope and the failure of the separatists are incalculable. No reflections are cast upon those who desired separation. They acted from worthy motives, but they could not foresee the future. Time has shown their error to have been that of judg- ment rather than of heart. The people of Wisconsin, however, have never been fully reconciled to the situation. From the standpoint of state pride, it may be said that in the collapse of the movement was the magnificent city of Chicago, '"the queen of the north and the west," saved to Illinois. The wealthiest, most populous and progressive counties were preserved to our commonwealth, which has become the pride of the nation. In 1840 the people of northern Illinois were more in sympathy with the ideas and institutions of Wisconsin, because they had a common origin in the east. With the lapse of time the two ILLINOIS A PIVOTAL STATE. 165 portions of the state have beeu wrought into a bond of indis- soluble unity. Moreover, there were national reasons why Illinois should not be dismembered. In all previous confederated republics there had been danj^er of dissolution. Illinois, by reason of her geoo;raphical position, is a pivotal state. With a port on the chain of lakes, her western shore bounded by the Father of Waters, and her southern and eastern borders drained by the Wabash and the Ohio, the commercial power of the Prairie State extends southward to the gulf, and eastward to the sea. Mr. Pope foresaw that none of the states in the west could ven- ture a dissolution of the union without the assistance of a state which nature had planned should be large and powerful. Nathaniel Pope belongs to the roll of forgotten statesmen. The sphere of his activity was limited. He did not in his day receive the recognition to which he was entitled. He builded wiser than he knew. He foresaw possibilities which his genera- tion did not fully comprehend. In the clear light of today, that shines from the grandeur of the Prairie State, it must be said that Nathaniel Pope was a constructive statesman of the first rank. CHAPTER XXXII. rockford's attitude toward repudiation of state debt, THE history of the bonded indebtedness of the states begins with the period from 1830 to 1840. At the bej^inning of that decade the aggregate debt of the several states amounted to only thirteen million dollars. Then began an era of extrav- agance in which certain states made enormous expenditures for internal improvements, and for funding their debts, negotiated large loans on long time. Within the twelve years succeeding 1830 the aggregate debt of the states had arisen to more than two hundred millions, an increase of more than sixteen hundred per cent. As a relief from this burden, several states repudiated their debts. The constitution of the United States prohibits a. state from passing laws "impairing the obligation of contracts;" and the supreme court had repeatedly affirmed that this clause includes cases to which the several states may be parties. These decisions, however, indicated that the value of this contract clause depends upon other laws which provide for the enforcement of contracts. If a state owe a debt, her obligation depends upon existing laws for the enforcement of contracts against the state. If there are no such laws, the contract, though legal, may be practically worthless, if the state chooses to dis- regard its provisions. Under these circumstances, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia actually repudiated their debts. Illinois narrowly escaped the odium of repudiation. At this critical period Thomas Ford became governor. On this point he says in his History of Illinois: "It is my solemn belief that when I came into office, I had the power to make Illinois a repu- diating state." After July, 1841, no effort was made to pay even the interest on the debt; and her bonds declined to four- teen cents on the dollar. Ford was elected governor in 1842; and his title to fame securely rests upon the fact that he stemmed the tide, so that the larger portion of the debt was actually paid during his administration. GOVERNOR FORD. 167 Notwithstanding: the fact that the citizens of Winnebago county desired annexation to Wisconsin, in part by reason of this debt, there was no attempt made to repudiate the debt so long as they remained in the state. On the other hand, the citizens took an unequivocal position against such a ruinous policy. A call was issued for a meeting February 5, 1842, to consider the condition of the public credit. This call was signed by S. M. Church, S. D. Preston, George S. Haskell, Germanicus Kent, D. S. Haight, G. A. Sanford, Francis Burnap and otheis. It had been surmised that Illinois would refuse to pay its debt. This call was endorsed by a vigorous editorial in the Rockford Pilot, which closed with these words: "As this is a question of vital consideration to every citizen, we trust that a full attend- ance will be had on that occasion — that by your presence and your voices you may show to the world your opinion in regard to these surmises. Think not that your individual credit is independent of that of your state and nation. All power and all public acts emanate directly from the people, who are the sovereigns of the republic ; and whatever honor or shame falls to your state, must be shared among you." The citizens' meet- ing was in sympathy with this editorial comment ; and the moral influence of Winnebago county w-as thus placed on record against a repudiating policy that would have brought the state into everlasting disgrace. Governor Thomas Ford, whom the people of Illinois should ever hold in grateful remembrance, was born at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 18U0. He held various civil offices in his adopted state. In 1841 he was assigned as judge to the sixth judicial circuit, and while serving in Ogle county in this capac- ity, he received notice of his nomination for governor by the Democratic convention. He was elected in August, 1842, and was inaugurated in the following December. Governor Ford's History of Illinois is a readable and entertaining book, and will increase in value with the lapse of time. Governor Ford died at Peoria, November 2, 1850. The abject poverty of his last days was declared by the Mormons to be directly due to the curses pronounced against him by their prophet, Joseph Smith. Like many other illustrious men. Governor Foid com- bined intemperate habits with a high sense of official honor. CHAPTER XXXIII. THE LYCEUM, — SETTLERS OF THE EARLY FORTIES. — MINOR NOTES. THE lyceum was oue of the popular institutions in the early days. The lecture bureau was unknown, and the opportu- nities for intellectual improvement were limited. A celebrated Frenchman said that when he wanted a new book, he wrote one. So the earlier residents of the village were dependent upon their own resources for literary entertainment. In this day the debating club is usually a feature of the district school; but sixty years ago the professional men of the village found recre- ation and profit in the arena of debate. Among the questions discussed in the winters of 1841-43 were the following: Is the British government justifiable in waging the present war with China? Would a protective tariff be sound policy for this gov- ernment? Are we morally bound to abstain from all intoxi- cating drinks? Is Rock river a young river? The membership of the lyceum included Dr. Goodhue, Charles Latimer, James M. Wight, Anson S. Miller, Francis Burnap, Jason Marsh, J. A. Brown, William P. Dennis, Cyrus F. Miller, S. M. Church, Charles I. Horsman, T. D. Robertson, W. E. Dunbar, and other representative citizens. During the winter of 1840-41 James M. Wight delivered a lecture on The March of Mind, and Mr. Burnap gave two addresses on The Rise and Progress of Law. The Whig Hill Lyceum considered its organization of such importance as to have it entered on the records of the county commissioners' court. At a meeting held at the home of Milton Kilburn, there was a debate on this grave problem: Which is the better citizen, the thief or the liar? The question never seems to have been authoritatively settled, and it is said the two classes are known to still exist. Another society was the Mechanics' and Artisans' Institute. At one meeting it wrestled with the problem : Ought the con- gress of the United States to enact a general bankrupt law? After a lapse of more than- half a century, and with the light of several experiments, it is still an open question, from a moral point of view. LAWYERS OF EARLY FORTIES. 169 Orriu Miller came to Rockford in 1843, aud en^jja^ed in the practice of law. He was a brilliant and able attorney. Mr. Miller married a daup^hter of Willard Wheeler. About 1871 he removed to the Pacific coast. His death occurred at Pomona, near Los Angeles, in February, 1891. He was about seventy years of age. His remains were brought to llocktord for inter- ment. Mr. Miller was a cousin of Mrs. William Brown. Another early lawyer of the village was Grant B. Udell. His name is occasionally found on old legal documents; but he seems not to have been generally remembered. Anson S. Miller was a prominent lawyer and politician half a century ago. He was elected state senator in 18 iG, was post- master of Rockford under appointment of President Lincoln, and probate judge from 1857 to 18G5. Judge Miller was one of the presidential electors in 18G4, aud was chosen by the electo- ral college to carry the vote of Illinois to Washington. Judge Miller was one of the old-school characters, dignified, slightly pompous, with a fund of good stories which he could relate ad libitum. Judge Miller died January 7, 1891, at Santa Cruz, California. For twenty years precediughis death he had resided in California. Judge Miller was eighty-two years of age. His father was Luther Miller, a native of Connecticut. Cyrus F. Miller, a brother of Judge Miller, was born near Rome, New York. He came to Winnebago county in 1839 or '40, and was for many years a well known member of the local bar, aud justice of the peace. Mr. Miller removed to Chicago in 1871, directly after the great fire. He practiced law in that city until 187G, when he returned to Rockford. His death occurred June 4, 1890, at Beatrice, Nebraska, aud his remains were brought to Rockford for burial. Mr. Miller was about seventy- five years of age. Luther L. Miller, an attorney' in Chicago, is a son; and Mrs. Israel Shoudy, of Rockford, is a daughter. Asher Miller, another brother, now a resident of California, was also an early settler. The father and three sons came to Rockford about the same time. Daniel Dow is a native of Perthshire county, Scotland. He cameto Rockford in 1841, and opened abootandshoestore, and later he carried a general stock of merchandise. He purchased goods at St. Louis, and his first trip to that city was made by team to Galena, thence by the Mississippi to his destination. Mr. Dow continued in business until 1859, when he retired and traveled extensively. Upon his return to Rockford he began 170 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. dealing in ^rain. Mr. Dow served the Third ward as alderman for six years. He is the owner of the valuable Dow block on South Main street. Lewis B. Gregory is a native of Seneca county, New York. He was born in 1820, of New England ancestry. His father was Rev. Harry Gregory, a Methodist minister. Mr. Gregory acquired a seminary education. He came to Rockford in 1843, and began teaching the same year. Mr. Gregory is probably the oldest living teacher in the county. After teaching several terms, he became interested in business on the old water-power on the east side of the river. He was a nephew of Samuel and Eliphalet Gregory, settlers of 1835. Mr. Gregory was married in Rockford to Miss Lucy E. Spafford, a daughter of Dan and Julia Spafford, who settled in Rockford in 1844. Mrs. Gregory died July 2, 1888. Their children are: Mrs. George N. Safford, Edward S. and George B., of Rockford ; Carroll S., of Beloit ; and Louis L., a physician of Chicago. One son, Charles, died in infancy. Mr. Gregory's present wife was Mrs. Stanbro, form- erly of Memphis, Tennessee. George Tullock is a well-known citizen of Scottish birth. He was born in 1815, and came to Rockford in 1841. At Chicago Mr. Tullock hired his passage with a teamster ; but the roads were so bad that he started ahead on foot, and arrived in Rock- ford three days ahead of the team. Mr. Tullock was employed by Daniel Dow nearly four years as a shoemaker. He then became a farmer. In January, 1843, a party of Pottawatomie Indians camped in the woods east of the town for several weeks. They were on their way to Milwaukee. They were straight, fine-looking Indians, mostly dressed in skins. There were about one hun- dred of them. One deeply scarred veteran claimed to be one hundred years old. The winter of 1842-43 is known in local history as "the hard winter." The early settlers of the northern part of the state remember its first snow-fall, which began November 7th, and continued until the 10th ; the extreme cold of the long winter, the scarcity of food for stock, and the loss of many cat- tle from hunger and cold by reason of the scarcity of barns and sheds for protection. The country was new; the settlements were sparse; and it was often miles across the dreary stretch of snow-covered prairie between settlements. Many of the houses THE ''BARD WINTER.' 171 of the settlers were poor and open, without a tree or shrub to protect them from wind and snow. Durinp; this "hard winter" the snow averaged thirty inches in depth. It fell before the ground had frozen, and lay in such a body that the ground did not freeze at all, except in occasional places. The snow drifted to a height even with the top of the rail fences, and then froze so hard that it bore horses and cattle on its surface. During that winter great slaughter was made among the deer. The dogs, borne by the frozen snow, caught such numbers that the forests were cleared of them. In August, 1841, there was a sudden change in the post- master at Rockford. Edward Warren had been appointed in May to succeed Daniel S. Haight. Mr. Warren was a brother of Mrs. Charles H. Spafford. He built the upright part of the house now owned by Dr. Daniel Lichty, on the corner of Third and Walnut streets. Mr. Warren was succeeded in the summer of 1841 by Selden M. Church, who, in turn was followed by Charles H. Spafford, through Mr. Warren's influence, it is said. Mr. Warren and Mr. Church were Whigs. Mr. Warren subsequently went to Paris, and was a student in the Latin Quarter during the revolution of 1848. In the autumn of 1844, Nathaniel Crosby, of Belvidere, con- veyed to the "General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States for Foreign Missions," by deed, lots in blocks five, seven, eight, nine, twenty-eight and forty-nine, the whole of block forty-six, and south park lots two and six in East Rockford. These lots were considered a generous gift. The files of the Rock River Express and the Rockford Pilot show a creditable line of advertisements. In the Express of March, 1841, are found the cards of Tinker & Johnson, tailors ; G. Haskell & Co., dry goods and groceries; John W. Taylor and C. Hitchcock & Co., also dealers in dry goods. In the issue of March 6th S. M. Church makes this announcement as assignee: "All persons indebted to Germanicus Kent are requested to call and adjust the same immediately." The Pilot of January, 1842, publishes an advertisement for Volney A. Marsh, who kept a general store in the north wing of the Win- nebago House; the professional cards of T. D. Robertson^ A. S. & Cyrus F. Miller, Charles F. Latimer, Grant B. Udell and Francis Burnap, attorneys; F. M. Putney, proprietor of Rock- ford House ; David Paul, Washington House ; Wyman cV: Hough- ton, clothing ; Chicago Democrat and Godey's Ladies' Book. CHAPTER XXXIV. ORGANIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. — THE FIRST FAIR. AS early as August, 1840, a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the Winnebago County Agricultural Society. This committee deferred its report until the next March term of the county commissioners' court, in order to avail itself of the privilege of organizing the society under the statute "to incorporate agricultural societies," which was passed March 28, 1839. The act required the county commissioners to give due notice of the intention to form such society at that special term only, and precluded a legal organ- ization in this county at an earlier date, under the provisions of the statute. The Agricultural Society was organized April 13, 1841. Dr. Haskell was elected president ; Robert J. Cross, vice-president ; George W, Lee, secretary ; Charles I. Horsman, treasurer ; Hor- ace Miller, Richard Montague, P. M. Johnson, James S.Norton, Newton Crawford, I. N. Cunningham, Jonathan Weldon, direct- ors. An adjourned meeting was held July 5th, when President Haskell delivered an address, which has been preserved in full. September 8th a meeting of the officers was held to complete arrangements for the first cattle show. It was decided that the fairshould be heldannually in Rockford, alternating on the east and west sides of the river ; that all the available funds of the society be distributed in premiums, and that the premiums be paid in agricultural publications. The exhibition was held on the 13th of October. The stock was exhibited in the grove near the northeast corner of First and Oak streets, which was known as the Oak Openings, where the ground was covered with a beautiful tuft. A few splendid specimens of the primitive oak trees remain in the vicinity. Cattle and horses were tied to the trees ; the sheep and hogs were confined in rail pens. The display of domestic articles and garden produce was made in the hall of the Rockford House. Charles I. Horsman exhibited a squash weighing one hundred and twenty-eight pounds. There were several loads of grain standing in the street in front of the Rockford House. rnhWIII'M LIST. 173 At two o'clock the society and visitors formed a procession, under direction of Jason Marsh, the marshal of the day, and marched to the court house, on the East side. Rev. Joel B. Potter offered prayer, and Dr. Goodhue delivered an address. He was eloquent in his prophecy of the future which awaited the farmers of this fertile valley. After these exercises dinner was served at the Rockford House. At half past five the com- mittee on awards made its report. The premium list was brief. There were seven premiums offered for horses, six for cattle, four for hoos, and two for sheep ; one for the best cultivated ten acres of land, one for the best twenty-five pounds of butter, one for the best cheese weip;hinj2; over fifteen pounds, one for the best ten yards of flannel manufactured in the county, one for the best fiftv skeins of sewing^ silk manufactured in the count v, and one for the best ten pounds of sugar from the beet manufactured in the county. Thus was held, in a single day, the first cattle show in northern Illinois. The editor of the Rockford Pilot referred to the event in this unique specimen of primitive journalism : "The cattle show came off yesterday in good style. The day was fine, the women were fine, the pigs were fine. The display of stock certainly exceeded our anticipations. Surely we live in a wonderful age. Mobs, miracles and morality are developing in a manner that would have bothered the brains of our forefathers. Here we are in a country that six years ago lay in the precise state in which it was moulded in the palm of the great Builder — not a tene- ment had ever been erected in this precinct to cover the head of a white man. Yesterday we saw a thousand people collected for the great object of improvement in thescience of agriculture, and a display of domestic stock that would have been credita- ble to any portion of the United States. We saw silk that had been manufactured by the hands of the ladies of our place, and a variety of products that show the rapid strides that we are making toward perfection in the noble science of agriculture." This society kept up its organization and anniuil exhibits for some years, when it ceased to exist. In 1852 another society was formed, out of which the present organization has devel- oped. The latter was organized under a general law, approved in 1855. Until 1858 the society held its exhibitions on leased ground. In that year, twelve acres of land were purchased of C. I.Horsman, for six hundred dollars per acre. Later purchases were made, which increased the grounds to twenty-two acres. CHAPTER XXXV. THE REIGN OF TERROR. — THE BANDITTI OF THE FRONTIER. THE frontier is always the prey of the banditti. From 1837 to 1845 the Rock river valley was infested with a notori- ous gang- of outlaws. Among the leaders of this band were : John Driscoll, William and David Driscoll, his sons ; John Bro- die, and his three sons, John, Stephen and Hugh ; Samuel Aikens, and his three sons, Richard, Charles and Thomas; William K. Bridge, Norton B. Royce, Charles Oliver, and Charles West. Besides these chiefs of the robber confederacy, there were a large number of subordinates scattered throughout the country. The leaders of this gang were among the first settlers, and thus had the choice of locations. John Driscoll came from Ohio, and settled near Killbuck creek, Monroe township, Ogle county. William Driscoll settled at South Grove, in DeKalb county. David Driscoll resided a short distance east of the old village site of Lynnville, in Ogle county. John Brodie lived in a grove of timber in Dement township. Samuel Aikens and his son Charles and William K. Bridge settled at Washington Grove, and Thomas and Richard Aikens and Norton B. Royce at Lafayette Grove, scarcely half a mile distant. Charles Oliver settled at Rockford, and made his home at the Rockford House. He had a good address, and was given four thousand dollars by his father when he left the parental home. About 1837, while he was an unknown member of this band of outlaws, he came within a few votes of being elected a justice of the peace, over James B. Martyn. Charles West made his home at Inlet Grove, in Lee county. The operations of this band extended through the western and northwestern states. Along the entire line there were con- venient stations, in charge of men who, to all appearance, were honest, hard-working settlers. Such was William McDole, a quiet, industrious resident of Rockford. Under this ar.range- ment, a horse stolen at either end of the line or elsewhere could be passed from one station to another, and no agent be absent JUDG E FORD'S A D VICE. 175 from his home or business for more than a few hours at a time ; and thus for years they remained unsuspected. At that time few counties were sufficiently organized to en force efficient police regulations. This section was sparsely settled ; the pioneers were poor, and money was scarce. There were few jails, and these were scarcely worthy of the name. For several years after the settlement of Winnebago county, the nearest jail was at Galena. There is a story to the effect that the sheriff of this county once took a culprit to Galena, and upon his return to Rock ford his late prisoner was among the first to greet him. This primitive condition of society was the opportunity of the border outlaw. Counterfeiting, horse-stealing, robbery and even murder were of such frequent occurrence that the settlers were driven to desperation. They resolved to adopt radical measures for relief ; for if these outrages were continued, prop- erty was iuvsecure, and life itself was in constant jeopardy. In the spring of 1841, a delegation of reputable citizens of White Rock and Paine's Point, in Ogle county, called upon Judge Ford, who was then holding circuit court at Oregon, for con- sultation. Judge Ford was a fearless man, and naturally well equipped to meet the peculiar conditions of pioneer life. Judge Ford knew that the settlers were at the mercy of the banditti, and that it was useless to invoke the civil authorities. He therefore advised them to organize a company, which should call upon the men whom they knew to be lawless, take them by force from their homes, strip them to the waist, and lash them with a blacksnake. He recommended thirty-six lashes as the first chastisement, and sixty for a second offense ; and that the leaders should be given ten days in which to leave the country. Judge Ford's advice was followed to the letter. A decree from the bench could not have been more faithfully executed. In April about fifteen citizens met at a log schoolhouse at White Rock and organized a company known as the Ogle County Reg- ulators. By-laws and rules were adopted, and the membership increased to hundreds in Ogle and Winnebago counties. Ralph Chaney, then in his twentieth year, was an active member of this organization. Mr. Chaney is now a retired citizen of Rock- ford; and to him the writer is indebted for information of those stirring experiences. John Earle was the first victim of this savage justice. It was proved that he had forced or induced a young nmn under twenty years of age to steal his neighbor's horse. Earle's coat 176 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. and vest were removed, and his arms pinioned. Six or seven men were chosen from the company to administer five lashes apiece. Mr. Chaney relates thab a deacon of thechnrch inflicted the most vigorous strokes. The result was quite unexpected. At the next meeting of the Regulators, Earle applied for mem- bership, was admitted, and became a good worker. The second instance occurred in the afternoon of the same day. The culprit's name was Daggett. Before coming to the west he had been a Baptist minister. He was not a shining example of the perseverance of the saints, a distinctive doctrine of that church ; for he had fallen from grace with a dull, sick- ening thud. The Regulators were not agreed concerning his punishment ; although his guilt was generally believed . A bare majority of one or two voted to release him. That night, however, the minority tied Daggett to a tree and gave him ninety-six lashes. Dr. Hobart examined him occasionally, to prevent fatal injury. This chastisement was denounced by the more conservative Regulators. Soon after their organization, John Campbell was chosen captain of the Regulators. A short time after they had begun their work of extermination, Mr. Campbell received an epistle from William Driscoll, in which he offered battle with the most terrible oaths. The Regulators were challenged to meet him Tuesday, June 22d, at his home in South Grove. Mr. Campbell was generally recognized as the right man to lead such an organization. He was a devout Scotch Presbyterian, who had come from Canada, At the appointed time one hundred and ninety-six men, armed with rifles and muskets, responded to the challenge. They were mounted on good horses; with the stars and stripes unfurled to the breeze, and a bugle, they formed in line, two abreast, and began the march to the field of battle. When they arrived at South Grove they found seventeen members of the gang in a log house, barricaded for defense, armed with fifty- four guns of different kinds. The Regulators halted just outside of gunshot and held a council of war. Before making an attack, it was resolved to send a messenger to the house, to ascertain the plans of the inmates. Osborn Chaney volunteered to beard the lions in their den. When within forty rods of the house the men broke through the door, and ran away; and Mr, Chaney did not get an opportunity to speak with any one of them.' Soon after Mr. Chaney returned to the company he was fol- SECOND NATIONAL BANK BLOCK Built about 1848 by Nathaniel Looniis, on the south-east corner of State and Main streets W. G. CONICK'S RESIDENCE Built in 1838 by Daniel S. Haight, on the present site of the American House. Sessions of the circuit court for November, 183!), and April, 1840, were probably held in this house MURDElt OF JOHN CAMPBELL. 177 lowed by a man named Bowman, who said he had a message from John Driseoll, to the effect that if the Regnlators wished to confer with him, he would receive the message from Bow- man, and from no one else. William Driseoll alsosent word by the same messenger that he had three hundred allies at Svca- more, and that they would meet the Regulators on the prairie two hours later. The latter repaired to a level pieceof ground, examined their guns, and awaited developments. In due time Driseoll arrived, with the sheriff of DeKalb county and two other officials, who wished to know the meaning of the demon- stration. Captain Campbell stood in a wagon, and in a vigorous speech gave them the desired information. Meanwhile Driseoll sat on his horse about four feet distant. He was silent, but in a terrible rage. Mr. Chaney says he heard the grating of his teeth, and believes that then and there Campbell received his death sentence from Driseoll. The officials from DeKalb county expressed their sympathy with the Regulators, and the Dris- colls promised to leave the state within twenty days. The Regulators disbanded for the day, and went home. The Dris- coUs did not keep their word. On the contrary, a meeting of the desperadoes was held on the following Saturday night at the house of William Bridge, at Washington Grove, where the murder of Campbell was planned. On Sunday, June 27th, David and Taylor Driseoll, who had been chosen to murder Campbell, accomplished their purpose. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had just returned from church at the log schoolhouse at White Rock. While going from the house to the barn about twilight, he was shot through the heart by David Driseoll. Ral[)h Chaney was making his home with his brother Phineas about three-quarters of a mile distant. He heard the report of the gun and the cries of the family. He and Phineas immediately went to the assistance of the Camp- bell family. Mr. Campbell walked about forty feet, and fell dead. News of the tragedy spread quickly to Rockford and other towns. Mrs. Campbell was a witness of the murder, and there was no doubt about the identity of the assassins. On Monday the sheriff of Ogle county and a posse arrested John Driseoll at the home of his sou David, near Lynnville. Mr. Chaney gives this incident of the arrest: "When he was arrested he said : 'I always calculate to hold myself in subjection to the laws of my country.' A daughter who was stopping there, a woman grown, large and strong, when the sheriff announced that he was 178 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO CODNTT. a prisoner, turned and faced her father, and their eyes met, and there was that kind of a look I can hardly describe, passed between them, and as she held his eye she nodded her head to him. Nothino; said, but such a look I never saw in the world." The sheriff and his posse then went to South Grove in search of William DriscoU. The elder Driscoll was seated in a wagon between two guards. A company from Winnebago county had preceded them, and had arrested William and his younger brother Pierce. The sheriff took his prisoner to Oregon and lodged him in jail. About nine o'clock Tuesday morning a party went to the jail, and with heavy timbers battered down the door. They took John Driscoll from his cell, put a rope around his neck, and dragged him to the river as rapidly as possible. The sheriff pursued, but before he could overtake them, they had entered a boat with their prisoner and were soon on the other side of the river. There they met a man from Washington Grove, who told them there was a party at that place who had taken the two sons, WiUiam and Pierce. They then proceeded with John Driscoll to Washington Grove, where they met the Rock- ford division. By this time, about ten o'clock in the forenoon, the crowd had increased to about five hundred. Nearly every class of people was represented. The horsemen dismounted, secured their horses, and stacked their arms around a tree. They formed a hollow square around the tree, and brought the three Driscolls into the centre. Among the lawyers present was E. S. Leland, who acted as the leader, and conducted an exam- ination of the prisoners. A mob court was instituted. The senior Driscoll was asked how many horses he had stolen in his time ; to which he replied that he supposed he had taken as many as fifty. "Could you not say a hundred?" asked an inquisitor; and the old man, with a faint smile, said : "It might be." He confessed that he had paid young men from fifteen to twenty-five dollars to steal a horse from a neighbor, simply to satisfy a grudge, when he received no pecuniary reward from the theft. William Driscoll was similarly interviewed. Pierce Driscoll was examined, but no evidence was found against him, and he was given his liberty. John and William Driscoll were then told that David and Taylor had been identified as the murderers of Campbell ; also that the evidence had proved them to be accessories in the plot at Bridge's house on the preceding Saturday LYNCHING OF THE DRISCOLLS. 179 evening. After further deliberation, Mr. Leland called for an expression of opinion upon the jjiuilt of the prisoners, by the uplifted right hand. The decision was almost unanimous agiainst them. The vote upon their punishment was equally decisive that they should be hung, then and there; and they were given one hour in which to prepare for death. The con- demned men implored their executioners to change the method of death from hanging to shooting. This request was granted by a unanimous vote. The senior Driscoll had stood in the meantime with the rope around his neck, and he asked Mr. Chane^' to remove it. The arrangements for the execution occupied about an hour and a half. Jason Marsh, of Rockford, was present, and pro- posed to Charles Latimer, as an additional formality, to defend the prisoners, and present their case before the mob court. Mr. Marsh then made the opening plea for the prisoners; "and I must say," writes Mr. Chaney, "he did himself credit, and full justice to the prisoners in his speech. Latimer followed in behalf of the people, and made a very able speech." There were several ministers of the gospel on the scene, who spent the time allowed the prisoners in prayer and conversation with them. It was an occasion of great solemnity. Righteous wrath was expressed in the resolute and orderly execution of mob justice. When the hour for execution arrived, about one hundred and twenty men were drawn up in a line, in single file. This line was divided in the center. John Driscoll was led out by Captain Pitcher, in full view of his executioners. He was made to kneel ten paces in front of the west half of the line. His eyes were blindfolded, and his arms pinioned behind him. At the signal, every gun, save one, was fired in a single volley. John Driscoll fell forward on his face without a struggle or groan, or the apparent movement of a muscle. William Driscoll was then brought out and placed at the same distance before the center of the other half of the line. He was blindfolded, pinioned, and made to kneel upon the ground. As Judge Leland counted three, the volley of more than fifty guns was as the sound of one. William Driscoll was dead. The father and son fell about forty feet apart. A grave was dug between them, about two and one-half feet deep, and fourfeet wide. The old man was first taken and placed in the grave, without coffin or shroud; and then the son was laid by his side. Their caps were drawn over their faces, and thus they were buried, without ISO HISTORY OF ROCKFOPd) AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. the presence of a mourning friend. Mr. Chaney assisted in car- ryinji- the elder Driscoll to the grave, and discovered that the bones of his head were literally broken to pieces, and the region of the heart perforated with bullets. In William Driscoll's vest front were found forty bullet-holes. After their execution one of their gu ard stated that William Driscoll in his prayer confessed he had committed five murders, and prayed to be forgiven. It is said that Just before he was led out to die, William called his brother Pierce and said : "They are going to kill me, and 1 want you to take that money of mine that is hid and give my children a lib- eral education, and spend it for their support until they become men and women and grown. There is a plenty of it." Pierce expressed his willingness to do so, but said: "I don't know where your money is; you have never told me." William tried to tell him, but exclaimed : "0 my God ! 1 can't do it ! " A strange sequel occurred many years later. The farm that had been owned by William Driscoll became the property of a man named Byers. One day in autumn, while he was thresh- ing, three men came on horseback and entered the grove west of the house. After surveying the premises, they located a spot and began digging. Byers ordered them to stop, but he was confronted by a revolver and an order to return and mind his own business. After their departure, Byers went to the spot and found a hole which they had dug in the ground, and beside it a small empty box, and at the bottom of the hole the mark and place from which the box had been dug. No explanation was ever found. A reward of five hundred dollars was offered in August, 1841 , for the capture of David and Taylor Driscoll, by a committee of the citizens of Ogle county. David Driscoll never returned. It was reported that about two years after the murder of Campbell, he was shot dead in Iowa by a sheriff who was attempting to arrest him. Taylor Driscoll was indicted for the murder of Campbell, and kept in different jails nearly two years; and by changes of venue and confusion of witnesses, he was at length given his liberty. Throughout these sti-ange proceedings the Regulators were sustained by the ablest lawyers and best citizens throughout the country. "Doctors and scholars, ministers and deacons" regarded this terrible example of lynch law as a public neces- sity. One notable exception to this general public sentiment was the Rockford Star. In its issue of July 1, 1841, its editor, Mr. Knappen, denounced the lynching in severe terms. He also A FAMOUS ISDICTMEST. 181 published in the same number of the Star a communication of similar import, signed Vox Populi, said to have been written by Jacob Miller, Some months after the execution of the Driscolls, the mat- ter was brought before the attention of the grand jury in Ogle county. Judge Ford then resided at Oregon, and it is said this action was taken at his suggestion. At the September term of the circuit court, indictments were found against one hundred and twelve citizens. Among these were four Chaney brothers, Richard, Phineas, Osborn and Ralph, three of whom became residents of Rockford ; and Horace Miller, Jason Marsh ami Charles Latimer, of Winnebago county. The case was cnlled for trial at the same term of court. Jndge Ford presided, and Seth B. P^'arwell appeared for the people. Some of the jurors were under indictment for complicity in the affair. Several witnesses were called, and pleas made; and without leaving their seats the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty." No one expected a conviction; but it was considered desirable to have the matter settled according to the regular form of law. Thus closed the trial of the largest number of defendants ever indicted under one charge at one session of a grand jury known to the judicial history of this section. CHAPTER XXXVI. ROBBERY OF m'KENNEY AND MULFORD, — COLONEL DAVENPORT. THE execution of the Driscolls was only the beginning of the work of extermination ; although it was the sole instance where such desperate measures were considered necessary to accomplish their purpose. Robberies and murders continued, and the people lived for years under a literal reign of terror. September 19, 1843, the store of William McKenney, near the site of 318 East State street, in Rockford, was robbed of a trunk containing nearly twelve hundred dollars. Bradford McKenney, his brother, who slept in the store at the time, gives a vivid account of the robbery in Mr. Thurston's Reminiscences. The narrative, in its use of adjectives and interjections, requires some revision in order to make it conform to the canons of good literary style. The robber, in his hasty flight, left eight dollars in silver, in the trunk. The next day several dollars were found at another place ; and the next spring James Gilbert found sixty-two dollars only a few rods from where the trunk was rifled of its contents. A reward of two hundred dollars was offered for the apprehension of the thief and the recovery of the money ; but he was an expert, and eluded capture. The community was startled two weeks later by another bold depredation. Monday evening, October 2, one of the four- horse coaches belonging to Frink, Walker & Co. was robbed four miles from Rockford, while enroute to Chicago. It is said the baggage of the passengers was stolen from the rear of the coach while in motion, and that the fact was not discovered until its arrival in Newburg. The next morning the trunks were found a few rods from the road. They had been broken open and all property of any value had been taken. A plan had been laid to secure a large amount of money which had been on deposit in the land office at Dixon, and this was the object which it was intended to accomplish by the robbery of the stage coach at this time. It was known that a considerable sum of money, which had been received from the sales of public WILLIAM MULFORD ROllBEI). 183 lands, was on deposit at Dixon, and was about to be removed. A leader of the banditti had asked the receiver when he intended to go to Chicajxo, where the deposit was to be made. The receiver was a prudent man, and his suspicions were aroused. He therefore replied that he would leave Dixon one week later than he really intended to start; he thus batHed the plot of the robbers. The Rockford Foiuni, in commenting; on this affair, said: "What renders these transactions still more exciting is, that they are performed by those who are perfect scholars in the business movements of the town." No immediate clue to this robbery was obtained. In November, 1844, William Mulford, residing on his farm in Guilford, four and a half miles east of Rockford, on the Cherry Valley road, was robbed of five hundred dollars in money. It had been falsely reported that Mr. Mulford had received about fourteen thousand dollars a short time before; and this rumor had reached the robbers. October 28th a man who gave the name of Haines called on Mr. Mulford and professed to be in search of employment. His real purpose was to obtain money by other means than honest toil ; and he had come to look over the premises. On Saturday, November 9th, about eight o'clock in the evening, three masked men, armed with pistols, knives and clubs, forced an entrance into the house. The leader ordered Mr. Mulford to sit down. He then took the candle from the table, cut it into three pieces, lighted them, placed one in each of the two windows, and with the third he began his search of the house. With the most direful threats the family were forced to submission. The keys to the bureau drawers were demanded. They were told that they were in the stable behind the horses. This was a ruse to give Mr. Mulford an opportunity to reach his rifle in another part of the room. When the men went to the barn he attempted to reach the gun, but anotlier man, who had been stationed at the door, held a pistol close to his head and ordered him to desist. The robbers could not find the keys in the barn, and returned in a rage to the house. They swore they would "chain the old devil," and set the house on fire, and by that time they would tell where the keys were. Mrs. Mul- ford imagined she heard the clanking of chains, and told the robbers where the keys could be found. They unlocked the drawer and found the money in an envelope, just as it had been taken from the bank. One of the gang was identified as Haines, 184 HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY. who had called in search of emploj'ment. It was subsequently learned that two men, armed with rifles, stood outside, and for their benefit the candles were placed at the windows. The long period of border brigandage reached its climax in the murder of Colonel Davenport. On the western shore of Rock Island, overlooking the main branch of the Mississippi, and facing the Iowa side, fifty-five years ago stood a beautiful residence. For more than thirty years it had been the home of Colonel George Davenport. He was generally esteemed for his generous impulses and social qualities. His wealth had been acquired as an Indian trader. Governor Ford gave him the credit of being the author of the life of Black Hawk which pur- ported to be the Autobiography of the old warrior. On Friday, July 4, 1845, Colonel Davenport's family joined the people of the Illinois mainland, in an observance of the national holiday. While alone in his parlor. Colonel Davenport was assaulted by three men, blindfolded, pinioned and dragged up a flight of stairs to a closet containing an iron safe. The robbers obtained between six and seven hundred dollars in money; but they were not satisfied, and demanded more. The old man pointed with a feeble hand to a dressing-table. The murderers missed the drawer containing the money, and opened another, in which they found nothing of value. Believing that their victim intended to deceive them, they beat and choked him until he became unconscious. They revived him by dashing cold water in his face, and again demanded more money, with the same result. They then threatened to "fry him upon coals of fire" if he did not disclose the hiding-place of his money. The old Colonel fell back exhausted, unable to answer. After his assassins left he regained consciousness, related the circum- stances of the assault, and died about nine o'clock of the same evening. Thus far the perpetrators of these bold outrages had eluded capture. But Nemesis was on their trail; and in due time she will summon a cloud of witnesses to bring them to justice. In the spring of 1845 Charles West, of Lee county, was arrested for the robbery of a peddler named Miller, and a portion of the goods was found in his possession. West was committed to jail at Dixon, and during his confinement he proposed to turn state's evidence, and disclose all he knew concerning his confed- erates. It was an instance where "the devil was sick, the devil TRIAL OF CHARLES OLIVER. 185 a monk would be." His proposition was accepted, and West made what he professed to be a full confession, and declared that Charles Oliver and William McDole, of Rockford, were members of the band. He also