Along the Trail: In Memory of Rock City Pioneers. 1959 Centennial. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/alongtrailinmemoOOrock Cover Design Drawn By Milton Benning ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY Rock City Centennial Program Sunday, June 14 8:00 P.M. — Community-Wide Religious opening of Centennial Program with speaker, combined choir, music, with Rev. Claude Mosher in charge. Wednesday, June 17 6-9 P.M. — Bar-B-Que. 6-9 P.M. - Band Concert by Dakota Unit High School Band. 6-9 P.M. — Historical Display open in the Gagliardi store. 9:00 P.M. — Crowning of the Queen. 9:15 P.M. - Queen's Ball. Thursday, June 18 2:00 P.M.-4:30 P.M. and 6:30-9:30 P.M. - Historical Display open. 7:45 P.M. — Style Show by Sisters of the Swish. 8:15 P. M. — Variety Program of TV and Radio Stars. 10:30 P.M. — Fireworks. Friday, June 19 2:00 P.M.-4:30 P.M. and 6:30-9:30 P.M. - Historical Display open. 7:45 P.M. — Judging of Costumes of Sisters of the Swish. 8:30 P.M. - Pageant, "Along the Trail". 10:30 P.M. — Fireworks. Saturday, June 20 2:00 P.M. — Mammoth Parade. The parade will start at the Rock City schoolhouse; continue eastward to a point two blocks east of Main Street, turn one block north, turn west four blocks, then south one block, then again turn west and continue back up Market Street to the schoolhouse. 3:30 P.M. — Centennial Dedication. 3:00 P.M.-9:30 P.M. — Historical Display open. 7:45 P.M. — Judging of Beards. Variety Program. Awarding of Prizes. Modern and Old Time dancing. Fireworks and Grand Finale. Tri-State shows and Rides on the Midway Compliments To Rock City On Their Centennial STATION PHONE CH 8-2130 DURAND, ILL. Spelman Implement Company MHtCCr TRACTORS AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT GARAGE PHONE CH 8-2130 f PLLISCHflLMERS ^ V " SALIS AND SfAVJCf M DURAND CORNERS PHONE CH 8-2990 greene & McCartney implement co. Durand Durand Service & Equipment Company jm£ CARS & TRUCKS i JOHN DIf»«J TRACTORS & MACHINERY CREAMERY PACKAGE BULK COOLERS JAMESWAY BARN EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICE PHONE CH 8-3800 Rock City Thanks You ann. W President's Message Because I have faith in the future of my home town, Rock City, I have built my business here. In travelling through Canada and thirty-six of the states of the United States, I have never found a spot that appeals to me as much as the "Garden Spot of America", Rock City! It's a little village which will never grow too large. If it did, it would lose f its neighborly charm and \\ hjjj^ ^^ friendliness. Its people mi- grate less and change loca- tion less often than most any other area of the United States. •*5W\ Warren D. Lapp When away at college, I made up my mind to cast my lot with my hometown. I knew it had short- comings, but I also knew that if we, its citizens, worked hard we could amount to something and, in so doing, the village, being the sum of its inhabitants, also would benefit. It is a debt of gratitude I owe the people for choosing me as Chairman of the Centennial Celebration. Knowing full well that I can be of service by so doing, I am happy to act in that capacity. I have enjoyed working with the many up and coming citizens who have manned the var- ious committees. I have become better acquainted with hosts of people so that truly I can say "Thank you everyone" for working together. May the spirit of cooperation remain in the years to come to make Rock City the friendliest, best little town in the U. S. A. It's up to us! Warren D. Lapp Centennial Chairman Mr. and Mrs. Feena and their home in Old Rock Grove. Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial METAL SPECIALTIES CO. You Wreck Them We Fix Them 406 S. Adams St., Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-6126 A. H. BEARDSLEY BARBER SHOP 110 West Main St. Freeport, ill. SERVICE BODY CO. We Fix Wrecks 1 14 N. Walnut, Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-3516 McCULLOCH MOTOR CO. Dodge Sales & Service 1535 South West Ave. Freeport, III. EAST SIDE CREAMERY Cream-I-Sweet Ice Creom 717 E. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. GRAHAM SUPPLY CO. Grain - Coal - Feed & Seeds Durand, III. JOHNNIE & MARIE'S TAVERN Durand, III. VIOLA REED BEAUTY SHOP Durand, III. DURAND GAMBLE STORE Durand, III. Betts Clover Farm and Dry Goods Store Durand, III. Pierce Hardware Co. and Pierce Furniture Mart Brodhead, Wis. MITCHELL GARAGE Dakota, III. American Breeder Service GENE HAMILTON, Tech. Dakota, III. Phone Dakota 79 HI WAY CO-OP CHEESE FACTORY Dakota, III. MGRS. TRUESSELL & FEHR Durand Seed & Feed Store Across From The Bank Durand, III. Durand Cheese Factory Mgr. Joe Buerkle, Jr. Durand, III. Phone CH 8-2840 Rock City Thanks You Centennial Committees The following is a list of the Centennial Committees: Novelties- Robert Klitz, Chairman, Mrs. Robert Klitz, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Schuepp, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Wilson, Ross Zimmerman, Don Wilson, Verna Nott, Royal Otterstein, Bob Ferris, Warren Lapp. Centennial Book Advertising- John Pela, Chairman, Willard Thoren, Rob- ert Klitz. Brothers of the Brush- Donald Wilson, Chairman, Nathan Kubly, Arthur Daughenbaugh, Warren Meier, Darrell Wilson, Darrell Tielkemeier, Willard Keister. Lunch Stand- Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Keister, Co-chairmen, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Bouray, Mr. and Mrs. David Hillman, Alfred Miller, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Wenger, Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Fiene, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Tielkemeier, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Fiene. Publicity- Ferdinand Donker, Chairman, Roy Hofmei- ster, Marion Hoover, Antonia Horstmeier, Delia Miller, Ruth Fiene, Vera Meinert. Hospitality- Mr. and Mrs. Harry Holste and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fulton. Fireworks- Robert Thoren. Transportation Committee- Harold Nott, Chairman, Joe Fulton, Vernon Toelke, Chester Bouray, Delbert Fehr, Ralph Hill- man, Lee Meinert. STEERING COMMITTEE Standing, left to right, Roy Nott, John Charles Wenger (Sec.) Robert Klitz (Treas.), Clarence Fiene, Eden Coleman, Vernon Keister. Seated, War- ren Lapp (Pres.), John Pela (Vice Pres.). Construction Committee- Walter Fiene, Chairman, Richard Koester, Arnie Anderson, Martin Cole, Lester Gill, Harold Schlueter, Robert Gill, Earl Fiene, John Babler, Roger Schoch, Marvin Niedermeier, Loran Meier, Richard Brubaker, Clarence Goeke, Russell Mein- ert, Earl LaFurge, David Heithecker, Kenneth Fiene, Dan Schleuter, Clifford Clark, Martin Meinert, Dale Clark, Charles Toelke, Richard Meinert, Robert Keister, Gail Goeke, Robert Clark, Edwin Webster, Robert Otterstein, Albert Bingner, Danny Fiene, Larry Fiene and numerous others whose names are not available. Program Committee- Eden Coleman, Chairman, Mrs. Warren Meier, Emerson Runte, Milton Benning, Mrs. Ross Zimmerman, Robert Thoren. Bar-B-Que Committee- William Beckmeier, Chairman, Kenneth Nott, Joe Lucht, Clifford Nott, Ross Zimmerman, Irvin Buss, Richard Buss, Clem Spelman, Vernon Spel- man, Robert Keister, Robert Peterson. Baby Picture Contest- Mrs. Vernon Keister, Chairman, Mrs. Clarence Fiene, Mrs. Walter Fiene. Bingo Stand- Clarence Fiene, Chairman, Lee Meinert, War- ren Meier, John C. Wenger, Robert Klitz, Virgil Brown. Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Rock Grove Cheese Co. ROCK GROVE, ILL. Cheesemaker GERALD DAUGHENBAUGH SHIPPY'S TAVERN ORANGEVILLE, ILL Stop In For Sandwiches And Popular Beverages Cheese By The Pound Brick or Wheel The Baumgartner Cheese Supply Store BOB HAHLEN, Prop. MONROE, WIS. PHONE 157 REED AND SON SINCLAIR SERVICE STATION Cedarville, III. Dial JO 3-4318 SNIVELY TOWN & COUNTRY BROWNTOWN ROAD PHONE 480 Furniture - Carpet You'll Always Do Better At Snively's WEST-SIDE SALES CARS - MOBIL HOMES - TRUCKS We Sell The Best - And Fix The Rest We Buy Cars & Trucks LEO McGRATH - WERNER BUHOLZER Monroe, Wis. Phone 50 Green County Auto Co. OLDSMOBILE - GMC TRUCKS Make A Date With The Rocket Eight 412 Hwy. 1 1 West Monroe, Wis. Phone 764 BUCHSCHACHER'S Auction and Real Estate Agency Farm Auction Finance 47 Years As An Auctioneer Monroe, Wis. Phone 745 Rock City Thanks You Centennial Committees Pfcjf*** 4 MMftflkt A L * COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Standing, left to right: Clarence Fiene, Vernon Keis- ter, Russell Miller, Robert Klitz, Harold Nott, John C. Wenger, Donald Wilson, Roy Nott, Eden Coleman, Walter Fiene and Royal Otterstein. Seated: John Pela, Clara Keister, Verna Nott, Vilette Nott, W. D. Lapp and Willard Keister. Decorating Committee- Royal Otterstein, Chairman, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Miller, Gene Hamilton, Francis Tielke- meier, Harold Suess, Rhinehart Jeschke, Theo- dore Rockey, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mohns, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Trimble, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Can- field, Robert Degner, Eugene Shoemaker, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Shockey, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Halstead, Marvin Meinert, Mr. and Mrs. Miles Wolf, Robert Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. Clay Zimmer- man, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Krause, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Leather, Robert Otterstein, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Germain. Rock Collection and Memorial- Glenn Wise, Chairman, Ferdinand Donker, Emerson Runte. Keystone Kops— Willard Keister, Chairman, Anthony Stamp- fli, Ralph Jones, James Niedermeier, Arthur Daughenbaugh, Russell Miller, Donald Wilson, Nathan Kubly. Pageant Committee- Warren Lapp, Chairman, Harold Vincent, Mr. Martin, Joe Scofield. Centennial Ball- Roy Nott, Chairman, Gerald Harnish, Russell Meinert, John Pela, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Schuur. Rides and Concessions- Russell Miller and John Pela. Sisters of the Swish— Verna Nott, Chairman, Mrs. Russell Miller, Mrs. Theodore Rockey, Mrs. Leo Tielkemeier, Mrs. Elmer Wilson, Mrs. Ross Zimmerman, Mrs. Marvin Meinert, Mrs. Ralph Elmer, Mrs. Ralph Hillman. Historical Display- Mrs. Harold Nott, Chairman, Mrs. David Hill- man, Mrs. Guy Gill, Mrs. Robert Thoren, Mrs. Elmer Niedermeier, Mrs. Jack Gagliardi, Mrs. Chester Bouray. Centennial Queen Contest- Maurice Place and Willard Thoren, Co-chair- man, Lester Fiene, Robert Klitz, Roy Hofmeister. Traffic Committee- Don H. Niedermeier, Chairman, Ralph Elmer, Chester Wyss, Ralph Hillman, Lee Meinert, James Niedermeier, Vernon Schleuter, Elmer Lapp, Way- ne Schleuter, Wesley Lawver, Donald J. Nieder- meier, Robert Wise. Electrical Committee- Robert Thoren and Fred Elmer. History and Centennial Book Committee- Warren Lapp, Chairman, Walter Horstmeier, David Hillman, Violet Houston, William West- phal, H. I. Barr, Marion Laube, Florence Moore, Ella Raker. Parade Committee- Don Beckmeier, Chairman, Theodore De- Haven, Virgil Brown, Charles Bennehoff, Connie Bosshart, Stanley Altenbern, Dewey Meier, John Kramer. Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Coca-Cola Bottling Company 639 E. STEPHENSON ST. FREEPORT, ILL. DIAL AD 2-5712 CHAPIN' Furniture & Funeral Home DURAND, ILLINOIS Mrs. Floy Chapin Wm. McCorkle 3% On Certificates of Deposit for 1 2 Months 2% On Savings Accounts with Interest Paid Quarterly Bank By Mail It's So Convienent THE COMMERCIAL AND SAVINGS BANK MONROE, WISCONSIN Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Rock City Thanks You Rock Run Mills Along the swift, rushing waters of Rock Run Creek, lived a tribe of Winnebago Indians, hunt- ing the bison and the deer, the rabbit and the squirrel; gathering butternuts, walnuts and hic- kory nuts from which to make pemmican to sus- tain them through the winter. Also, little fields of Indian corn and pumpkins on the flat bottom land beside the stream helped them through the cold days and nights of the hunting moon, the harvest moon, the deep snowy and cold, icy days of winter. Even today we can find their arrowheads and stone hatchets, as well as their pestles and grinding rocks upon which they ground their corn. Many pioneers went through Rock Run coun- try to the lead mines at New Diggings and Ga- lena. Some finally returned here to settle. The first to take up residence in this area was the widow Swanson and her tribe of growing chil- dren, one of whom was Narcissa, the bride in the first wedding of the township. Mrs. Swanson and her family made their home about a mile and a half northwest of Davis, in the year 1835. The first sawmill in this country was con- structed at the mouth of the Rock Run, in 1836, by Thomas J. Turner, who later became the builder of the mill at Mount Pleasant. This mill subsequently was owned by Nelson Salsbury and James Epley. Seeing the abundance of water power fur- nished by the swift flowing Rock Run, Stock- house, Carrier and Albert Flower started a saw- mill on its banks in the woods now owned by i ihe Walter Lapps. This was begun in 1837, the same year that Stephenson County was set apart from JoDaviess County. 1838, H. G. Davis purchased the Rock Run Sawmill, located on the Rock Run, southeast of the present site of Rock City, near the present Glen Mullican farm. He paid $4,000 for 500 acres of land with the sawmill on it. The next year he completed the mill, built a house and a small building to be used as a postoffice and Roc'c Run Mills came into existence. Later, his brother, John, built and operated a store about a half-mile west of the location of the mill. In 1841 the postoffice was moved to his store and remained there un'il 1848, when it was moved to the then thriving new town of Jamestown. All that remains of this mercantile business, which was on the main road from Rockford to the McConnell crossing of the Pecatonica River, is ihe basement a^d an old well at the corner one-half mile easi and one mile south of Rock City, on the land now owned by Milton Benning. It was during this time that many new set- tlers arrived in this vicinity, making Rock Run the most cosmopolitan township in the county. There were groups of Yankees, Irish, Germans, Pennsylvania Dutch, Norwegians, as well as, a few French and a few Scots. In the western part of the township settled the Boydens, Eilerts, Webbs, Carnifixes, Darts, Seeleys, Rowes, Snyders, Keagles and Mallorys. The southeastern corner of the Township was populated mostly by Irish settlers. In 1836 the Thomas Flynn, E. Mullarkey, Henry Huse, M. Welsh, William Lee, Leonard Lee, Nathan Black- amore and Aaron Baker families were farming this area. They were soon joined by the Pat Giblins, Miles O'Briens, Thomas Foleys, Martin Gillams, John Glynns and a Corcoran family, who later moved to Rockford. To the north was the German settlement. It centered in the locality, to be known as Mount Pleasant, commonly referred to as Epplyanna. To remind them of the castles back in the Father- land, generally built on high ground, these set- tlers picked the highest spot of ground in their vicinity on which to build their church. Some of the first German families to live there were the Henry Meiers, Christ Feenys, Henry Schleuters, Christopher Schleuters, Jacob Orths, Michael Blimm, Charles Haas', Jacob Keehnens and Con- rad Knoups. Some of these latter named families lived near the confines of the Irish Grove settle- ment as they were Catholic by faith and could more easily attend the church in that area, built in 1838. The families of Pennsylvania Dutch included the D. B. Snively, David Cable, H. D. Cole, Sam- uel Strong and R. E. Cotherman families who lived in the extreme southern part of the town- ship. The S. E. Fosters, the John Grahams, the John Hoags, the Michael Wolfs and Roan John- sons settled closer to the Jamestown area. The J. Lauebs and the William Templetons were among the earlier settlers and they claimed the properties of the western part of the township. In the spring of 1839, a Norwegian Colony came from across the sea and after landing in this country continued on to Illinois, settling in Rock Run Township. They had, before setting sail from their homeland, had an advance agent come to America and find a likely spot in which to settle. Due to his findings these people chose Rock Run Township. They were the first of their people to come to the United States to remain. Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Moth & Palmer Garage 507-509 Main St. Pecatonica, III. EDDIE DWYER A & P MARKET Pecatonica, III. Clover Farm Super Market Pecatonica, III. Brownie's Coffee Shop Pecatonica, III. Stop In For A Bite GAMBLE STORE RUSSEL BINNING, Dealer Pecatonica, III. Dial CE 9-2251 ANDERSON - LEISER TAP Pecatonica, III. Andereck Chevrolet Sales & Service Juda, Wis. Juda Lumber & Fuel Co. Everything In Building Materials Feed & Fuel Juda, Wis. THE PECATONICA NEWS Winnebago County's Foremost Weekly Newspaper Job Printing - Publishing Pecatonica, III., Dial CE 9-2850 Johnson Service Station Oklahoma Products Pecatonica, III. Dial CE 9-2280 LIVE BETTER ELECTRICALLY Central Illinois Electric and Gas Co. Pecatonica, III. Dial CE 9-2330 GALLUP & HAGEMAN Jewelry - Gifts - Housewares EXPERT WATCH REPAIRING Pecatonica, III. Dial CE 9-2125 Anderson and Lofgren JAY C. LOFGREN, Mgr. COAL « FEED « SEEDS FARM SUPPLIES Implements - Fertilizer - Roof Coating Fencing - Poultry & Livestock Remedies - Pipe Telephone CE 9-2210 Pecatonica, 111. THE BANK OF JUDA JUDA, WIS. HEIN'S TAVERN JUDA, WIS. Stair's I.G.A. Store Brodhead, Wis. Where Your Dollars Have More Cents 10 Rock City Thanks You Rock Run Mitts (Continued) They began their settlement on the Ridge Road, just east of the Rock Run Creek. Included among these people were the Ole, A. O., and Syvert Andersons, the C. B. Johnsons, the Thurston Knudsons, the S. Olsons, the Stabecks and Ever Eversons. Mostly, they farmed but the first black- smith shop was operated by Canute Canuteson, and the first wagonshop was run by Ole Civert- son. It is obvious why this group chose the heav- ily wooded area of this section. There was abun- dant wood for their houses, plenty for fuel, nice wood for fences and furniture, even supplying plenty of wood ashes for use in making their homemade soaps. The first supervisor of this motley group was C. G. Epley, elected in 1850. The troubles encountered by these early set- tlers were many. The Indians, who were dis- placed, often saw things in the pioneer cabins which they coveted and ofttimes appropriated for themselves. Claim jumping was a common crime. Wor- den Fletcher, known as "Pony" Fletcher, was accused of same. He came to the county in 1830 and in that year was arrested and brought to trial before Justice Richard Hunt in his office at the corner of Galena and Van Buren Streets in Freeport. At the close of the trial "Pony" was declared guilty as charged and the justice meted out rather stringent punishment. Fletcher objected to this, pleading that claim jumping was a common crime and nominal offense. He was an eccentric character and, not having too much respect for the law, decided to take the affair into his own hands and at once made an attempt audience consisted of men having no love for claim jumpers. They took immediate measures to to escape. In this he made a bad guess as the restrain the man from taking sudden leave. En- raged at his plight, and seeing his escape shut off, Fletcher seized his pistol and fired at the justice. The aim of the prisoner was bad, luckily, and no injury was done except to the vest of the justice. Fletcher was pounced upon and disarmed and court was resumed. He finally gave bail to appear later. Present in the courtroom that day were Fredrick Baker, Isaac Stoneman and Allen Wiley, among others. After this brush with the law, Fletcher home- steaded a farm in Rock Run Township and later married one of the daughters of the widow Swanson and became a good citizen. His marriage to Narcissa Swanson was the first wedding to take place in this township. Other firsts were the birth of a boy, Albert, born to Mr. and Mrs. Flowers at Rock Run Mills in 1836 and a girl, Mary Jane, born August 12, 1837 to Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Lee at Epplyanna. The first recorded death was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Webb in the fall of 1848. Epidemics of diptheria, typhoid and cholera beset these settlers. Often, entire families of children were wiped out as is attested to by rows of tiny tombstones in the old cemeteries of this region. Snakes, at that time, were a great hazard. The bite of the Black Rattlesnake, Racer or Mas- sascuga was fatal if known remedies were not promptly applied. There was much excitement and hustling if a farmer picked up a sheaf of oats and found one of these snakes in it. One such incident occurred when, with his family and friends, a man in Rock Run was out fishing. One of the lads suddenly cried out in great pain, thinking he had stubbed his toe. Upon closer investigation it was plain that he had been bit- ten by a venomous snake. The father hurried the boy home and summoned the doctor but, alas, it was too late, for the boy died before night. On another occasion, an Irishman was plow- ing his field, near Rock Run Mills, and while so occupied was bitten in the calf of the leg. At such a distance from medical supplies and rea- lizing the danger encountered by delay, he whipped out his knife and cut out that portion of his limb, continued his labors, and lived many years thereafter. Men were often injured working in the woods. Runaway horses sometimes accounted for injured or killed persons. Then, too, lightning sometimes found a victim. So, life was not easy for these early settlers, but, great was the re- ward in contentment and pride to be the owner of a prosperous farm or business here as op- posed to the famine-stricken existence, forced army service or the laws which decreed that only the elder son could inherit properties, con- ditions which many had faced in the old world. They, therefore, felt that life was good in Rock Run. The fertile valleys of the creek and its tri- butaries furnished a good living for those hardy souls who braved the dangers and gambled on a start in this new land. This was the start of the move along the trail. 11 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Iverson Chevrolet Co. 1104 1st Center Ave. Brodhead, Wis. Dial TW 7-2250 Sales & Service MERCK & SPRINGER Dealers In CHOICE MEATS FISH & POULTRY Home-Made Sausage A Specialty Tele. Main 316 1 16 So. Chicago Ave. Ridott Clover Farm Store Here To Serve You Ridott, III. Vic Crowley See Me For Fertlizer Pecatonica, III. Brodhead Department Store For All Your Needs Brodhead, Wis. ARTHUR & RUCHTI IMPLEMENT CO. John Deere Sales & Service We Employ No Salesmen Brodhead Dial TW 7-2494 BLISS GROCERY Your Patronage Is Appreciated Durand, III. JOHNSON PONTIAC SALES & SERVICE 602 Highway 1 1 West Monroe, Wis. Picked as car of the year By Motor Trend '59. Pleasant View Dairy REX ALLEMAN, Cheesemaker Rock City, III. Franz-Richards Insurance 123 So. Chicago Ave. Freeport, III. Dial AD 2-1 191 Pecatonica Lodge A Good Place To Eat Pecatonica, III. PAUL MOIST TRUCKING SERVICE Pecatonica, III. Dial CE 9-2507 FLANAGAN'S CLOTHING & SHOES for MEN AND BOYS Brodhead, Wis. OTTO AND BERTHA Good Luck Rock City On Your Centennial STEINMAN'S BAR Brodhead, Wis. DEARTH MOTORS Dodge Sales & Service Monroe, Wis. Make A Profit Selling Our Fine Greeting Cards & Novelties H. R. ZWEIFEL CO. Orangeville, III. Visit Our Display Room 12 Rock City Thanks You Jamestown or Graball «-' tfr ' W.J-apf Little did Uriah Boyden know when he bought Lots 8, 9 and 10 and 23 acres to the north of it, in Block One, Jamestown on October 23, 1851, that some day he would own the en- tire village! He acquired this toehold in the town for the sum total of $500. Two years later, on August 31, 1853, he bought 20 acres from the Carnifix Farm to the north for $200. This little village, which inherited the post- office of Rock Run Mills in 1848, was situated on the present Royal Otterstein Farm. Block One, in which there were 13 lots, lay between the present Harry Hansen corner and the Rock City Cemetery on the north side of the road. Main Street, in this new little Village of Jamestown, ran in front of these lots and Grove Street ran north and south on the road that presently runs south from Rock City School to Ridott. Blocks 2 and 3 were to the west of Grove Street, where the Otterstein buildings now stand. On March 19, 1849 James Epley and Elisha Marsh hired Marcus Montelius to survey and lay out a town plat for the Village of Jamestown. In 1848, when the postoffice had been moved to this settlement, land values rose. At the begin- ning Lot 3 was purchased by Ichabod Andrews for $25. R. W. Beall bought his small lot west of the road for $7.25. The Charles T. Muffleys paid $10 for Lot 4 in 1850. Two years later, in 1852, James W. Goddard bought the Muff ley Lot for $175 and also purchased Lots 5 and 6, adjoining it, for $20. R. W. Beall sold his lot to W. S. Gray for $125 on May 18, 1849. Mr. Gray sold this same lot to George V. Ewing for $1,000 in 1854. The increase here was represented by his nice, if not spacious, new home which he had built in the meantime. Records show that on November 1, 1851 James Epley finally paid Michael and Mary Eilert for the land in Block 1 of Jamestown which he had cheerfully been subdividing for two years. On October 21, 1853 Elisha Marsh sold his home south of the intersection to L. Estes who, three months later, sick of his bargain, sold it to Uriah Boyden to increase his holdings in the area. During the year, 1852, Louis Dubois bought Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, east of the road for $100. Upon the death of the farmer David Wiley, his heirs sold 86 acres south of the corner to 13 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Freeport Carburetor & Electrical Service 209-211 West Spring St. Phone AD 2-2617 WILSON'S GROCERY Rock Grove, III. Trade With Us Wayne's Standard Service How About A Boat Or Motor Or The Best Tire Deal In Midwest Brodhead, Wis. Dial TW 7-2882 Durand Service Station Gulf Oil Products Main Street Durand, III. C. V. SMITH DAKOTA, ILL CLAIR KLEVER Sand - Gravel - Crushed Rock No Order Too Big Or Too Small Davis, III. Dial UN 5-2720 LEONA'S TAP DAVIS, ILL. Sugar Bowl Restaurant ORV & MARG Dinners - Short Orders - Steaks Pecatonica, III. HERRMANN'S SPOT-LITE MARKET Ouality Groceries & Meats Cedarville Hiway 26 Lied Feed & Supplies Cedarville, Illinois Dial JO 3-4567 Davidson & Noble Mobil Service & Repairs Cedarville, III. Dial JO 3-4430 ED'S TAVERN Orangeville, III. Meet Your Friends At Ed's Best In Refreshments FARM SERVICE GARAGE General Repairing Davis, III. Dial UN 5-2161 ZIMMERMAN'S CLOVER FARM STORE Davis, III. Dial UN 5-2850 H. I. BARR Honey For Sale Rock City, III. HOBSON'S DEP'T STORE Pecatonica, III. Phone CE 9-1 100 14 Rock City Thanks You Jamestown or Graball (Continued) Jeremiah Marsh, one of the town's founders. He paid $1,806 on March 5, 1855, at the height of Jamestown's heyday, for these 86 acres. Cater- corner across the street, Ashbill and Sara Inman sold Lot 2 in Block 2 to Thomas Longabaugh for $10. Now here in 1855 we meet a kind-hearted man, the person of Jacob Weaver, of Rock Run. When Ichabod P. Andrews died and left a widow with two sons, Ichabod Jr. and Jonas, and two daughters, Eunice and Marion, in the sad posi- tion of having to sell their home on Lots 3 and 4 at public auction, this Mr. Weaver made it pos- sible for Mrs. Andrews to buy her home back by making her a loan of $850. By 1857 Thomas Longabaugh and his wife, Catherine had encountered some tough sledding and were forced to mortgage their home (the lot they had orginally bought for $10). The mortgage was dated December 14, 1857 and amounted to $64.74. In 1858, on March 27, they were fortunate enough to sell the property for $70 and were able to pay off their $64.74 loan. The farm, now owned by Lee Meinert, was sold by Elbridge G. Freeman, who had acquired it by Land Grant through the Land Office at Dixon, III., to Robert and Jane Foster in 1847. When the Eldridge Freemans sold the farm they had homesteaded to the Robert Fosters, they bought the lot on the northwest corner of Main and Grove Streets. In this year of the Centennial you can still find roses and lilies, planted by Mrs. Freeman, growing along the west side of the road. During 1856 Uriah Boyden heard that the Racine and Mississippi Railroad was building a line through this territory so he mortgaged his farm to the tune of $1,000 and pledged that amount toward the construction of same. His neighbor, Robert Foster, granted the railroad 100 feet of right-of-way through his property and also made a substantial monetary contribution toward its construction. On December 25, 1858 (Christmas) Joseph Taylor paid $100 to Jacob and Marian Weaver for Lots 4, 5, and 6 in Block 1 of Jamestown, little knowing that one month later George Ray- mer and Thomas Wilcoxin would plat the Village of Rock Run — now known as Rock City — and withdraw from Jonestown its very life, even the United States postoffice which gave Jamestown its status as a village. James Snyder, brother of Mrs. Uriah Boyden, sensing a chance to make some money, bought the land south of the Freeman Farm to the corner, about 15 acres. He paid $100 for a two and one- half acre tract in the area, $1,350 for ten and three-quarters acres and $500 for another two and one-half acres. He also bought one acre on the East side of Grove Street, opposite his hold- ings in West Jamestown for $20.50. In 1870 he bought one acre of the Freeman farm for $5. This one acre is still part of the Otterstein farm and juts up into the present farm of Lee Meinert. Snyder's grabbing all the land he could get is quite possibly the basis for the nickname of Graball, a label which has stuck to the area as well as, or better than, the true name of James- town. Another version is that the innkeeper in Jamestown charged such high prices that one traveler said you might as well grab all we got when presented with his bill. Donatus Swinick and his wife, Anna, who had bought the Longabaugh property, finding it impossible to find work any longer in James- town, hired out as farm help on a farm near Rock City and sold their property to Louis Legren, later to be known as Legrand, for $75 in 1860. Mr. Legrand made hand organs and repaired watches for his livelihood. Joseph and Eleanor Taylor sold their lots to Paschal Chambers in May, 1862 for $360 after holding it two years. On September 8, 1866 the town, so promis- ingly started by James Epley and Elisha Marsh, was dissolved and declared vacated by Uriah and Almira Boyden, B. D. and A. F. Bobb, Louis and Catrina Legrand, Jane W. Chambers (widow of Paschal Chambers), Jacob and Marian Wea- (Continued On Page 79) 15 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial HAROLD NOTT P. O. BOX 121 ROCK CITY, ILLINOIS JEEP TRENCHING - BACKHOE WORK EXCAVATING - BASEMENTS - GRADING TRUCKING Water Line — Sewer — Drain Field — Drainage Control — Excavating MAC'S TRENCHER SERVICE RURAL ROUTE NO. 4 FREEPORT, ILLINOIS DALE McFERRIN PHONE AD 2-2718 2% Interest 30 Days. Fully Insured 16 Rock City Thanks You Beginnings of Rock City Center: George Raymer founder of Rock City. Clock- wise around him: Rose Raymer Bokhoff, Lydia Ray- mer Stabler, Mary Raymer Lashelle (wife of Gra- ham Lashelle) and Lucy Raymer Pfluke (wife of Chas. Pfluke). Seated in front of the present Vincent home built by George Raymer in 1848. As the heir to the postoffice of Rock Run Mills and Jamestown, or Graball, Rock City owes its existence to the completion of the Racine and Mississippi Railroad into Freeport in the year 1859. It was about seven miles between the Vil- lages of Dakota and Davis, which in the days of horse and carriage was a great distance for hauling stock to market and distributing the U.S. mail, so George Raymer, Samuel E. Madison Carnifix and Samuel Hutchison, owners of the land which later became the village, entered into contract with T. S. Wilcoxin and William Peterson on January 10, 1859 for the transfer of the Southwest corner of the Northeast Quarter of Section 29, containing 50 acres, for town pur- poses. This was the first move toward establish- ing Rock Run City. By June 8 the town was sur- veyed and platted, 180 lots being laid out, fronting on Jackson, Washington, Main, Con- gress, Clay Center and Market streets and one avenue, Jefferson. These lots commanded prices ranging from $10 to $50 each, when the town began to build up, which it did upon the com- pletion of the railroad as previously mentioned. On June 14 the postal authorities suggested the name Rock Run City be shortened to Rock City. This was shortly accomplished by consent of the proprietors. As evidence of this change of name there is this extraction from a letter writ- ten by Warren Dart to his sister-in-law, Mary Raymond, dated October 2, 1863, "I forgot you wanted to know what made Sarah (his wife) put Rock City on her letter. I will tell you about it. One mile and a half or two, Davis town or vil- lage stands. Some wanted to call it Rock Run and some, Davis, so they got mad and had two little villages instead of one but the Rock Run part got the postoffice, so they had to call this place Rock City. You think we are trying to be grand calling this a city but if rags are grand then I'm the grandest chap here." However, mail continued to come through the office during the Civil War days and later, addressed Rock Run as attested to by letters still held by old residents. In the fall of 1859 Samuel Hutchison and S. E. M. Carnifix donated an addition to the south part of town. This area was vacated in 1860 and remained unimproved. This explains why Center Street, the street running past the present homes of the John Schleuters, Elmer Nie- dermeiers and Clarence Fienes, is not the center of town but actually the southern border. Three stores were built and quite a number of homes. The stores were owned by John Gra- ham, David Wilcoxin and Perry Duncan. The rail- road depot was located and built the same year. Tilden's 1880 History of Stephenson County con- cluded that "Some day, not far distant, Rock City might be made the resident portion of Freeport," while later in 1910 in Fulwider's History of Stephenson County he writes, "The settlement never suffered the throes of a boom. No con- siderable inducements were ever offered to set- tlers in Rock City and settlers never came there in considerable numbers. Rock City presents a commonplace appearance quite like that of any other unprogressive country village of the pre- sent day and age. The fact that the village is hemmed in between Davis and Dakota pre- cludes any possibility of growth." He further states that "it is doubtful if a spot more com- pletly devoid of life is existent in the county." Let's show him, and all other critics, that they are wrong. A community is what the inhabitants thereof make it, so, "get on the ball" everybody. Get to work and your town will always be some- thing other than a "wide spot" along the trail! 17 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial One Twenty Tap 120 South Galena Ave. Freeport, III. Z. E. LUTZ DISTRIBUTOR of SINCLAIR OIL PRODUCTS 130 N. Henderson St. Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-2421 VANCO PRINTERS Printing Of All Kinds 1 15 N. Galena Ave. Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-6104 SIEG ILLINOIS CO. Auto Parts & Supplies 120 N. Van Buren Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-6107 Messing & Becker Sporting Goods Store 18 South Galena Ave. Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-0614 FREEPORT GARAGE General Garage Work International Trucks Fruehauf Trailers Route 4 Highway 74 Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-1111 WFRL 1570 On Every Radio Freeport, III. QUALITY LIQUOR STORE 211 West Main Street Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-2200 18 Rock City Thanks You Civil War Days From left to right: Thomas Allen, John Long, Hayes Crawford, Robert Long, Herman Bokhoff, Thomas Briggs, unknown man, Carl Tielkemeier, Mr. Perrigo, unknown man, Aaron McCauley, Thomas Bell Young, Jacob Louck and Enos Schoch. John Davis, keeper of the store one-fourth mile east of the present Walter Lapp home, was instrumental in rasing a regiment of about 1,000 men from Stephenson county. Recruiting meet- ings were held at various points throughout the county to entice young men to join the colors. One such meeting was held at the old "Gets Me" schoolhouse, one-half mile north of the present Berlin building. Many, fired with patriotic fervor at such meetings, volunteered. Of these there was Norton Mitchell who was but 16 years old. Most of the volunteers from Rock Run and Rock Grove townships became members of the 46th Regiment. John Davis was well liked by all un- der his command. He died before the war was over, a victim of his wounds and illnesses. The following men were taken from Rock Run: George W. Andre Thomas Allen Charles W. Butterfield Christopher Benning Alfred Cade Frederick Buticofer Conrad Fry Dewitt C. Mallory Joseph Brinker Jack Barker Jacob Breithaupt L. Moss Cable Uriah Boyden Charles Spader Charles W. Nichols William H. Brubaker Ferdinand Bren John Bellman Karl Tielkemeier Nelson Bittner William Cable John A. Raymer William H. Raymer Henry Roush Thomas J. Hathaway Thomas J. Hood William J. Reitzall John E. Hushey James From Henry Frize Halver Anderson William Kerr Thomas Young William McElhaney Norton Mitchell Robert Wardlow John H. Moses Ambrose Miller George McClenahen John Petre Jacob Stottler George Sprague Robert Long Mister Perrigo John Foster Frederick Barmington The men from Rock Dudley Barker Miller Ziegler Jay Barker Isaac Bolender Cyrus Ashenfelter Charles Arnold Franklin Boyd Frankin Crawford Joseph Chambers Jacob Ernst Jerome Goodrich Robert T. Cooper Emanuel Faust Eli B. Frankeberger Adam Guiter Cornelius Henrich John Hay Jeremiah Hathaway James B. Hathaway Jacob N. Krider George Kraemer Frederick Koller Jacob Koller Charles M. Long William Long Jacob Long John Long William E. Shane David Springer Abram Brandt Herman Bokhoff Enos Schoch John Barr Thomas Briggs Charles Raymer George Raymer, Jr. Grove included: David J. Mingle John H. Mingle Julius Potter James Pierce John H. Runkle John C. Van Metre George Vincent George Wilson George West John S. How Aaron McCauley Josiah K. Brenizer Jackson Bolander John P. Bolender Henry Carroll George W. Cooper Hayes Crawford William Gill Oliver Gill Jacob Louck 19 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial MONROE CHEVROLET SALES 101 West Spring Street Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-5121 FEHR'S GENERAL STORE Hardware & Groceries Dakota, III. Phone Dakota 4102 YOUR CLOVER FARM STORE FREEPORT ANIMAL HOSPITAL 321 E. South Street Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-4916 DOTY MOTORS FORD Sales & Service Bee Line Front End Service Philco Appliances Zenith Television & Radio Phone CH 8-2800 Durand, III. LIVESTOCK TRUCKING LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE Hauling- To The Chicago Union Stock Yards Insured Carrier Dial ADams 2-4919 Res. - ADams 2-9303 HERB MUNZ RFD 4 - 3 Miles East of Freeport on 75 HARRY DeGROFF Trucking & Excavating Sand & Gravel Limestone Spreading Dakota, III. Phone 5810 Dakota MURPHY & GUSTAFSON John D eere DeLavel Farm Equ ipment Milkers Phone AD 3- 1216 724 Youngs Lane Freeport, III. BLUFF VIEW PARK DANCE PAVILION Brodhead, Wis. Have Your Parties Here 20 Rock City Thanks You The Seventies Farmers often growl about prices and some- times they have the right to do so but, in 1875, according to the records of the old Graham Elevator and T. B. Young, livestock buyer, Char- ley Meyer sold wheat for $1.02 a bushel and barley for 78c. H. Nott sold wheat for $1.01 and barley for 77c. Whether there was a difference in quality or better bargaining by Mr. Meyers, it is hard to tell. Oats, at this same time, brought 30c, rye, 70c and corn, 40c. Records show that Valentine Hose sold oats for 30c a bushel, bought a hat for $1.00 and shirting and thread for $1.20. In October, 1875 Fred Hofmeister received only 96c for wheat and William Loss received 31c for his oats. Jacob Fisher sold wheat for only 90c. The names of many ancestors of present day inhabitants were found in this day book. S. R. Foster, who lived on the present Lee Meinert farm, got $5.70 a bushel for homegrown clover seed. Andrew Marsh, two weeks later, received $5.55 for the same commodity. By October 23 George Raymer, one of Rock City's founders, received only $5.40. Hogs sold by J. B. and L. Angle brought $6.60 per hundred. H. Bennehoff was paid $37.75 for three hogs and D. Rockey received $191.25 for 12 head; Warren Dart, $181.35 for ten,- and L. Keister $395.55 for 25. A. Meyers sold nine steers for $50.00 apiece. James Barr sold two steers at 6V2C a pound and a cow for $22.00. W. Gill received $105.45 for six hogs; Phillip Holste sold his clover seed for $6.25 per bushel; Mr. Pehl sold 15 bushels of clover seed for $100 and S. Messman got only 85c a bushel for wheat in February. Prices were on the way down. In 1877, two years later, oats were but 18c a bushel, hogs were 4V2C a pound; barley sold for from 25c to 28c a bushel; ear corn was 33c; clover seed was $4.60 and rye was 46V2C. Good, fat cows were $22.50; steers were bringing only $37.10 but a barrel of salt cost $1.80. In spite of a falling market, the people in the community built the present Rock City School in the year, 1878. The next year, the Methodist Church was constructed at a cost of $1,500. Much of the work on the church was donated by Robert Long. 21 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Moellenberndt & Casford Garden Center Pet Supplies Phone Adams 2-9711 Freeport, III. KUNZ BROTHERS Automotive Parts Phone Adams 2-41 11 Freeport, III. Frank's Tavern RIDOTT, ILL. Interlocking Farm & Home Store 28-30 W. Exchange St. Freeport, III. Complete Erection Service on Morton Buildings RETZLAFF GARAGE Used Cars & Parts Afolkey, Illinois Phone JO 3-4648 Address Dakota, III. FREEPORT MOTOR SALES BUD & PETE Studebaker & Packard Cars 123 N. VanBuren Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-4315 MANUS MOTORS INC. PLYMOUTH & DeSOTO CARS 9 W. Douglas, Freeport, III. Phone ADAMS 2-9317 Smartest Of The Smart Cars MYERS FORD SALES, INC. 1 1 E. Douglas Freeport, III. Phone ADAMS 2-6167 After We Sell We Service 22 Rock City Thanks You The Eighties The general store of this period rivaled the department store of today, and most of the farmers did a lot of busines by barter, bringing in produce to trade for the necessities of life. Christ Benning brought in 50 lbs. of butter, receiving $12.42 credit. H. Schlueter received 76c credit for 15'/2 lbs of tallow. Chris Goeke, 33c for a half-bushel of onions and 75c for 6V2 lbs of lard. August Giebe turned 4 lbs. of tallow for 20c and a sheep pelt for 60c. Calf hides re- ceived from 40c-50c credit. Eggs were 20c a dozen when sold to the store. Gottlieb Thoren sold 50 head of cattle for $250. Warren Dart re- ceived $2.16 for 12 lbs. of honey. Five sacks of wool brought $9.54 credit. Robert Long received 12c for 12 lbs. of rags and R. A. Young received $1.25 for a coonskin. Prices were not as high as now for groceries. Coffee was 18c a pound, cheese 22c, baking powder 10c, celluloid collars 15c, lamp chimneys 10c, a 49 lb. sack of flour, $1.65. Henry Beckmeier bought 3 lbs, of prunes for 30c, 2 pr. socks for 30c, pair of shoes for $2.20, blueing for 15c, Vi-gal. coal oil for 10c, Vi-gal. vinegar for 13c and Vi-gal syrup for 38c. S. R. Foster paid $1.00 for a lantern. Coal for the school was $9.04 a ton. A violin string cost 20c and a broom 30c. Oysters were 10c a can while the crackers were 1 3c a pound. H. Hofmeister paid 10c for a package of bird seed. Mrs. E. LaShelle paid 10c for 1 ball candle wick. Anna LaShelle paid 42c for 6 flower pots. The folks had trouble with rats in those days as well as today. Charles Pfluke bought "Rough on Rats" for 15c. C. L. Liljequist paid $1.00 for a pair of overalls and Aug. Legrand 60c for a pair of boy's overalls. Louis Heitcker purchased 8 crocks for 88c. August Lohmeier received a pair of boots for $3.00. A 12-year-old boy, Oliver Andre, was paid $1.50 for 3 days of herding sheep. Charles Carnefix was charged $1.20 for a dishpan and C. W. Reed paid $1.65 for a jacket People at that time had to doctor themselves a great deal of the time. Charles Meyer bought '/2-lb. of sassafras bark for 10c. Liniment was 25c a bottle. Uriah Boyden must have been ail- ing at this time. He paid 25c for pills. To repel diseases during this period a bag of asafetida was worn around the neck by the children. It may not have repelled disease, but it did keep people at a distance, thereby keeping the child from getting germs from close proximity to others. M. Blimm went all out to paint his house as is evidenced by his purchase of 4 gallons of linseed oil, 2 kegs of white lead, and one paint brush. 23 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial FREEPORT BATTERY AUTEX CO. SERVICE & GARAGE Appliances - Auto Parts And Accessories 1 1 N. Adams St. Freeport, III. 218-20 W. Stephenson Phone AD 2-2613 Phone AD 2-8817 Freeport Sanitary Laundry Freeport Firestone Service & Dry Cleaning 1 16 E. Stephenson St. Phone AD 2-4192 126-130 E. Exchange St. Phone AD 2-51 15 TIRES FOR PHILCO Tractor Appliances Truck & Car Television The Freeport Hardware Co. FREEPORT GLASS CO. Wholesale & Retail 103-105-109 West Main St. Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-7127 23 E. Main St. Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-9215 UNION DAIRY FARMS STOCKER AIRE FLOW CO. Freeport, III. Quality Dairy Products MILK & ICE CREAM 502 S. Adams St. Freeport, III. Certified Dealer LENNOX RETAIL STORE Warm Air Heating Systems 126 E. Douglas St. Phone AD 2-4218 24 Rock City Thanks You The Nineties In the 1890's a group of farmers banded together, vowing to themselves, that they would have a good time. A large hall was built with the first floor to be used by Thorens as a store. John and Harry Montague and C. A. Larson were the carpenters. J. Koller was the mason and W. Koller was the mud maker. Dances were held here for some time but eventually it petered out and the Thoren Bros, bought the shares, there- upon owning the whoie building. 7c. A good beef roast between 4 and 5 lbs. was only 71 c. Fred Thoren paid 50c for a bottle of hair tonic. Little good it did him as he became bald as a billiard ball. In 1898 Dick Lawler returned from Ohio with his bride and took up the trade of a brick and stone mason. The General store handled wearing apparel. C. Benning got a necktie for 25c. Anna LaShelle bought 2 pr. drawers for $3.00. Homer Thoren paid 30c for a pair of suspenders. A pair of cuff buttons were sold for $1.00 and a lady's breast pin was the same. On Christmas Day, 1893, John Montague and Warren Dart were driving down a country road when, without any apparent reason, a tree fell on them, killing Warren Dart instantly and injuring Mr. Montague so that he limped the remainder of his life. A horse blanket costing $1.25 was needed instead of winterizing your car. And instead of investing a thousand or more dollars in a corn picker, a husking peg cost 25c and you fur- nished the power. Dave Welling became one of the implement dealers in Rock City. David Graham LaShelle, former owner, worked for him. John Graham, prominent businessman of early Rock City, died in 1897 at the age of 72. Charles Raetz bought a mouth organ for 25c for Charles Jr. and Henry Beckmeier did like- wise for Henry Jr. A bedspread cost $1.75, a can of sardines was 14c, and a pair of knitting needles was but Henry Graham, present Durand business- man, was married to Florence Bokhoff in the year 1898, so life and death went on as the pioneers of old, Rock Run struggled along the trail. 25 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Rockford Sausage Co. Purveyors Of Quality Sausage Donahue Rambler Sales 118 E. Exchange St. Freeport, III. Phone AD 3-1517 Ramble in a Rambler KAHL APPLIANCE CO. 120 E. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. K.L Gas "The Better Bottle Gas" City Hall Liquor Store 221 W. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. RIDOTT CORNERS TAVERN Ridott, III. General Auto Parts Co. 223 So. Galena Ave. Freeport, III. BAXTER OIL CO. Distributor Of TEXACO Products Phone AD 2-0618 Freeport, III. ROY J. HOFMEISTER POSTMASTER Rock City, III. LUECKE JEWELERS Registered Jewelers 10 E. Main St. - Freeport, III. W. J. Maurer Motor Co. Chrysler Sales & Service 215 E. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. STAR BOWL 216 E. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. Stop In And Bowl A Game Garrity Rexall Drug Co. 102 E. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-3101 Freeport Auto Supply Inc. 15 W. Douglas St. Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-6164 Deininger Floral Shop Flowers For All Occasions 1 West Main, Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-6191 Brubakers Clover Farm Store 947 E. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. Quality Groceries & Meats Freeport Radiator Works Auto Radiator Specialists 501 West Main St. Freeport, III. 26 Rock City Thanks You The Tarn of the Century A very, very few automobiles were some- times seen on the Main Street of Rock City but for the most part these were still horse and buggy days. The town board and some of the progressive merchants were thinking of improv- ing the hitching rail situation in order to accom- modate the many farmers who came to town to do their trading. Steel hitching posts, connected by chains, were set in concrete up each side of the center of Main Street, on either side of the row of poplar trees purchased from Charles Pfluke and planted by him in the center of these hitching posts. On Memorial days Civil War veterans and school children, carrying flowers, followed the Rock City Cornet Band as they paraded down Rock City streets. Carl Tielkemeier led the pro- cession, carrying the American flag. Such vet- erans as Thomas Young, Robert Long, Ambrose Miller, Hermon Bokhoff, Enos Schoch, Abram Brandt and Tom Allen followed. Warren Dart, was held March 20 at her home south of Rock City. On April 8 Daniel G. LaShelle married Miss Irene Schroder. Jane and Bill Lo- gan arrived from Scotland. D. G. LaShelle be- came rural mail carrier on Route one out of Rock City while H. I. Barr started on Route 2 through Rock Grove. Frank Zimmerman built a beautiful new home on Main Street, the one now occupied by Pauline Neidermeier. Democrats of Rock Run had nominated the following ticket for Township officers: Supervisor, Oliver Snook; Town Clerk, E. Steinestel; Collector, Will Dailey; Highway Comm., Will Runte; Asses- sor, John Germain. John Runte, August Meinert, Andrew Haas and Charles Becker were chosen as petit jurors from Rock Run to hear the trial of J. McDaniel, who was being tried for placing dynamite in the Basswood schoolhouse. Mrs. Ora Snyder, famous candy manufac- turer of the Middle West, made her first batch of candy out of a bit of sugar and the white of an egg. She started this in her home in Rock City, the house now owned by the Elmer Neider- meiers. This was done in an effort to support her family during her husband's illness. This small beginning in our village led to a large factory in Chicago which still manufactures her candies. Mrs. Joe Keagle, the former Lucinda Boyden of Graball fame, died in Rock City in 1902. In the same year Henry Graham was appointed postmaster. In 1905 Harry Montague started his contract- ing business. He later built many of the houses, barns and other buildings in this territory. In 1908 Jacob Koller, who for many years had been the leading stone mason of the area, retired, leaving the field open for Richard Lawler. The funeral of Mrs. Mary Dart, widow of Myrtle Dart, Mary Mullarkey, Blanch Lapp, F. H. Schaffer and Julia Altoff, teachers from this area, attended County Institute at Freeport. House built by George Raymer upon his arrival in this area in 1845 from Milwaukee. Occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Raymer, 11 children, a cook and a seam- stress. 27 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial ECONOMY FIRE AND CASUALTY INSURANCE CO. FREEPORT, ILL. Local Agents F. C. PELA LELAND DIETMEIER ROCK CITY, ILL FREEPORT, ILL JOHN KNOBEL & SON MILLERS OF K&S FEEDS 115 E. Spring St. Freeport, III. WESTER STATES MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. Freeport, III. K&S HOG FEEDS K&S DAIRY FEEDS K&S CATTLE FEEDS SERVICE K&S POULTRY FEEDS SAFETY Your Livestock Will Pay SAVINGS When You Feed Them The K&S Way Buv With Confidence PHONE AD 2-4138 From Your Local Agents 28 Rock City Thanks You Years Between 1910 and 1920 Rock City, as well as the rest of the world, became more conscious of the automobile. Henry Graham, postmaster and secretary of Graham Bros., became the agent or dealer for the "Baby Overland." George Nott saw the possibilitiy that these machines needed repair occasionally, so he bought the old building used so many years as a general store and finally as an implement shop, wrecked it and built a modern garage. Gas pumps were put up before the stores and we en- tered the Gasoline Age. William Wilke took Mr. LaShelle's mail route out of Rock City, Harvey Zeigler became post- master; R. A. Young was a very efficient depot agent; Jacob Marty came to be our first cheese- maker; the Orville and Harry Tracy families came to town to enter the heating business and a bowery was built beside Stadel's Store. Clouds of war began to gather on the other side of the water and many of our boys joined the colors. Roy Hofmeister, who has been our postmaster for 35 years, was one of the boys who joined. David Hillman became a navy man, spending at least part of his time in the sub- marine service. Harry Hufford and Wilbur Kee- hnen joined the navy. Robert Hufford, William Neidermeier, the McHoes brothers, Dwight and Charlie, Jim Veach, Ralph Benning, Roy Meinert and Frank Wunchell, among others, became members of the army. Rock Grove boys, who en- tered service, included Ethan Scheidegger, Mar- tin Rockey, Earl Wagner, Emerson Veach and Bill Iserman. The new bank, which was built in 1911, was by this time a necessary, intregal part of our economy; Claire Bennehoff taught the children in the village school and the sick of the com- munity were well doctored by Dr. Charles But- terfield. Conrad Tielkemeier moved to town and bought the hardware store. Herman Hofmeister also came and became the undertaker for the vicinity. The flu epidemic took many lives, among which was George Nott, the builder of the Rock City Mill and the first Rock City Garage, Mrs. John Thoren, mother of Harold Thoren and Mrs. Arthur Lincoln, another. The situation was made worse here because Dr. Butterfield had been drafted by the armed services and the villagers had to depend upon the Davis and Dakota doc- tors. From this point the trail became a graveled road, thus enabling cars to use it when wet or dry. ROCK CITY ABOUT 1910 29 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial The H. A. Hillmer Co. THE At FREEPORT FREPORT ILL. RIDOTT, ILL. JOURNAL STANDARD DAVIS, ILL. DAKOTA, ILL. PUBLISHING CO. Lumber - Coal - Feeds Freeport, III. Seeds - Cement - Roofing Phone AD 2-1 171 Brick- Fuel Oils Save At HARRY SCHRADER ROCK CITY BANK CONSIGNMENT SALE We Guarantee Interest Un Saving Accounts "Sale Every Tuesday" 2% HOGS BOUGHT DAILY Credited Semi-Annually Certificates Of Deposit Phone 27 3% Dakota, III. 6 or 12 Months Deposits Insured — Member FDIC 30 Rock City Thanks You The Roaring Twenties Silk shirts and the Charleston! But not too roaring in Rock City. Life went on about as usual. The Methodists, having disbanded, sold their church to a group of shareholders to be used as a community hall. In February, 1921, Christ Ko- ber, George Robenheimer and Henry Miller took down the steeple and bell. The interior was re- modelled and a balcony was added to accom- modate the crowds attending the silent movies. Community meetings were held in this new hall. Entertainment for these meetings was fur- nished usually by local talent. A male quartet, composed of Ed Hufford, John Pela, R. A. Young and Richard Lawler, often sang at these affairs. Their accompanist was Mrs. Ed Hufford. April 16, 1921 brought a freak snowstorm to this area. The storm began with hail and rain, accented with thunder and lightning and over- nite bringing huge drifts of snow. A train wreck near Epplyanna on March 12, 1922 was an exciting event which drew every- one, young and old to the scene. Cars of gaso- line, oranges, etc. were derailed because of a broken rail. The story goes that someone saved some of the gasoline by putting it in his cistern but was unfortunate enough to have the fuel contaminate his drinking water. The railroad furnished the town with another interesting event on April 24, 1924, when they switched a flatcar into town loaded with a giant log from the state of Washington. It was ex- hibited here a few days for the pleasure and education of the townspeople. The twenties converted a large percentage of the people from horse-drawn vehicles to the flashy and speedy cars that were on the market. Take your choice. There was the Model T, the Merry Oldsmobile, the powerful Buick, the Stan- ley Steamer, the Maxwell, the Overland — to name a few. Clothes became more streamlined to meet the problems of this new speed age. Milford Bolender, as principal of the school, worked hard to make it a town asset. At his instigation a P.T.A. group was formed. During one season the group presented a play, "The Pioneers" with authentic costumes and included a thrilling Indian attack on the pioneers. At the end of each school year there was always a big school picnic. You would find just about all the folks at this celebration. One year the crowd was entertained by the Orangeville Concert Band. Times change! TRAIN WRECK NEAR EPPLYANNA 31 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Hunter-Hunter & Hunter ATTORNEYS AT LAW 218 West Exchange St. Freeport, III. BENNETT & HOEFER, INC. Freeport, III. Ready-Mix — Concrete Blocks Built-Up and Shingle Roofing We Soften The Water For You SERVISOFT Phone AD 2-4918 210 W. Jackson, Freeport, III. No Equipment To Buy Four Week Service $3.00 WALTER KUEHL JEWELER 17 E. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. GENERAL CASUALTY CO. OF WISCONSIN Branch Office Freeport, III. Local Agent: W. R. THOREN Rock City, III. ROCK CITY GULF SERVICE ROYAL W.OTTERSTEIN Phone Davis UN 5-2377 Your Patronage Appreciated THE OTTO WAGNER STORE 12 W. Main St., Freeport, III. Office Supplies & Stationery M. G. PLACE INSURANCE AGENCY Rock City, III. LIFE -FIRE -AUTO Phone Dakota 0226 32 Rock City Thanks You The Rock City Fire On April 6, 1927 a fire which started in Henry Moellenbrandt's machine shed located back of his residence on the north half of Rock City's main business block, swept southward and northward through the town. Among the build- ings destroyed and the losses were: Graham Bros. Elevator, office, coal yard and lumber sheds -$50,000; E. F. Tielkemeier's Hardware store— $10,000; Hufford Garage-$1 0,000; III. N. Utili- ties Station— $5,000; Henry Moellenbrandt dwell- ing contents— $3,000; Henry Miller dwelling and contents— $1,500; Mrs. J. F. Harris dwelling and contents-$2,000; Walter Pieper barn-$800; C. M. & St. P. R. R. Station and Stock Yards-$2,000; Pfluke General Store damage to the extent of $300; same for Rock City Bank-$300; Pela Con- fectionery damage— $200; Thoren's Store dam- age— $100 and various incidental losses and un- reported damage— $5,000. This made a total of almost $100,000 which would be several times as great if considered by today's prices and values. windmill, 50 ft. high, in the center of Main street. If it had not been for the brick wall of the Rock City Bank, the fire would have swept the entire west side of the street and no one knows how much farther. Also, the timely help of the Durand Fire Department and their two trucks, which played water and chemicals onto the roofs of the remaining buildings, helped to check the flames. Sparks from the burning buildings were seen falling on the roof of the large Graham Bros. Elevator which was 72 feet in height. Because of the inability to reach the fire, it soon spread over the entire roof and into the grain stored within the building. The intense heat kept the firefight- ers at a respectable distance and soon the depot, electrical substation, coalyards and lumber sheds, full of seasoned lumber, ignited. Sparks again spread the fire to the Harris house, oc- cupied by the O'Malley family, south of the tracks. i A spark from a bonfire in the alley is be- lieved to have blown into the Moellenbrandt's machine shed among some waste or oily rags and from there it really took off. During the burning of the garage which was next door oil barrels exploded sending oil as high as the town Pictures of the progress of the fire will be on display at the historical exhibit during the Cen- tennial in the Gagliardi store, the one saved from the flames by William Westphal, who poured salt over the shingle roof thus prevent- ing the flames from starting there. Burned Wreckage of the West Side of North Main Street. 33 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Walter C. Knack Co. Cigars, Tobacco, Cigarettes Importer — Jobber Telephones - 4-1231 - 4-1241 501-512 West First St. Dixon, III. COLONIAL BAKING CO. ROCKFORD, ILL. Colonial Is Good Bread DOUGAN'S Beloit, Wisconsin WISCONSIN CERTIFIED HYBRIDS SEED CORN AND SEED GRAINS DAVID WALLACE Salesman Phone CH 8-3760 Durand, Illinois - Also - WISCONSIN PLASTIC SILO-MATS To Preserve Your Silage JOHN T. LaFORGE CO. ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS Phone AD 2-7917 Freeport, III. We Pick Up Dead Animals Durand Standard Service 24 Hour Wrecker Service Phone CH 8-3555 LOUIS THOMAS A. L. BASSE BULK AGENT All Standard Oil Products Phone CH 8-3020 Durand, III. Since 1883 LYONS Prescription Pharmacy North Side Square Brodhead, Wis. RICHARD KOESTER KOESTER'S KORNER Complete Saw Service Across From School House Rock City, Illinois Phone: Dakota 6303 CIRCULAR SAWS SET AND SHARPENED Cut-Off Dia. Rip Saw Gummed Saw 6&7 .80 * c .35 $1.05 ECKERT, SCHMELZLE & ECKERT ATTORNEYS AT LAW Freeport, III. 34 Rock City Thanks You The Depressed Thirties The great depression struck even Rock City. Our bank closed just as thousands of others in our country. Money was scarce. Jobs were more so. Young people had much less opportunity than usual. To find something for entertain- ment they had to make their own. This was the period when the softball field was started in Rock City and the first Rock City Players Club was started. Plays were produced in the Com- munity Hall until it was sold to Dave Nott for a barn. managed by Harvey Koch with Rex Tracy and Ray Peterson assisting; Glen Shippy and Marie Patterson taught the children. Dr. Oren had a branch dental office in the building south of the postoffice; Ed Hufford as- sisted Willard Thoren in the store; John and Nellie Pela ran the confectionery; Roy Hofmeis- ter was our genial postmaster; Fred Miller was the Standard Oil man and Doctor Hermann cured our ails. The new Rock City bank was opened, run by Frank Mougin and Clarence Helmts; Caeser and Art Raetz worked for John Pela in the garage; Freddie Stutter ran the cheese factory; a barber by the name of McLaughlin trimmed the whisk- ers and beards of the population. Scheffners of Freeport ran the implement shop as a subsidiary of their larger shop; Clarno Lumber and Supply bought the elevator from Graham's and under the name Rock City Lumber and Supply was Carl Raetz ground the feed at the mill; Taylor Thoren was still our tailor; Will Wingert, our blacksmith; R. A. Young, the depot agent; and D. C. Meinert, the shipping association manager. Upon the repeal of the prohibition amendment, Albert Kraul, who at the time owned the corner grocery, changed the part to the north, which is now used by the Gagliardi's as an apartment, into a tavern where 3.2 beer was sold. Fred Tielkemeier and Kraul's wife, Margaret clerked in the store. OFFICE OF DR. BUTTERFIELD 35 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial WAGNER PRINTING CO. Since 1853 1 E. Spring St. Freeport, III. Phone AD 2-2123 C. L. STUBBE AGENCY For Sale Northern Illinois Farms Homes Of All Types Investment Property C. L. STUBBE, Broker And ASSOCIATES EVERSON SPOT-LITE GROCERY Fresh and Frozen Foods Union Dairy Ice Cream Phone Davis UN 5-2770 HESSENTHALER IMPL. CASE IMPLEMENTS - TRACTORS Sales & Service Office Phone UN 5-2790 Home Phone UN 5-2361 Davis, III. DAVIS CHEESE CO. ROYAL EICHENBERGER, Cheesemaker Davis, III. Phone UN 5-2100 MEIER OIL COMPANY Distributor Of CONOCO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS Davis, III. Phone UN 5-2070 OWEN'S REAL ESTATE AGENCY We Specialize In Farms Phone CE 9-2450 Pecatonica, III. Tappa - Nu - Keg TAVERN Davis, III. 36 Rock City Thanks You The Period Between 1940 S 1950 During this decade things began to pick up in Rock City. New houses were built by Harvey Koch, Ray Quick and Bob Wenger. Virgil Brown and Roy Nott each bought houses elsewhere, moved them to town and put on sizeable addi- tions. The Emerson Runtes moved to our village, Emerson having taken over the Standard Oil Bulk Plant from the Dan Griffiths who had moved to Forreston. The Frank Snook and Ray Quick famiiles moved to Rock City; the Gift Mor- tons came to town to take the place of the Har- vey Kochs who moved to Madison; the Ed Hof- fords moved to Missouri; the Harold Notts left for Texas; Dr. Selden and his wife, the former Ruth Tielkemeier, moved to Sterling; the Maurice Places came from Durand to take the position left open by Frank Mougin's resignation. The Mou- gins left for Indiana. The garage, left vacant when Harold Nott sold his limestone and trucking business, was soon taken over by George Kleopping and then, Joe Lucht. The New Standard Service Station and Body Shop was built by Bill Earnest and Carl Schoon- hoven about one-fourth mile west of the village on Route 75. Bernard and Norma Hurless bought the con- fectionery from John and Nellie Pela. Myrtle Carlino later purchased it from them, renting it to her brother, John "Bud" Baldwin. H. I. Barr retired from the mail route. For a short time his son, Howard was temporary car- rier; then, Clyde Rutter was transferred fom the Davis area. For two years he was the carrier, then Howard Barr substituted again until the ap- pointment of Ferdinand Donker in June of 1949. Many young men were called to the service. Among them were Roland Shippy, Donald Nei- dermeier, Melvin and Vernon Schlueter, Clifford Rockey, Merle Niedermeier, Edward Hillman, Wesley Lawver, Arvid Meier, Leslie Taylor, Roy Nott, Emerson Runte, Albert Hufford, Robert Thoren, Elmer Lapp and Russell Meinert. . NEW DEPOT BUILT AFTER THE KOCK CITY PIKE 37 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Congratulations To ROCK CITY For Its Next 100 Years Rock Grove Telephone Co. OTTER CREEK CHEESE CO. FRANCIS MEIER Cheesemaker Phone Davis UN 5-2877 CARL BORDNER OIL CO. Distributor Of GULF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS Dakota, III. Phone 87 DE LARS CLEANING - DYE WORK - LAUNDRY Shoe Sales and Repair Phone CH 8-3700 — Durand, Illinois Phone Dakota 0632 VERNON J. SIMMER R. F. D. Rock City, III. SPECIAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDUSTRIAL CASUALTY INS. CO. Bloomington, III. R. C. MOSS GARAGE WELDING & REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING Dakota, III. - Phone 6102 - VRTOL - AUTO PARTS NEW -USED -REBUILT Millions Of Parts For All Makes and Models Dial ADams 3-21 17 Automobile Wrecking Junk Dealers - Scrap Iron Metals RFD 4 - Freeport, III. Compliments Of SUNBEAM BREAD 38 Rock City Thanks You The Fifties The sounds of the hammer and saw and the trowel dominated the life of the village during this ten-year period. Several new buildings in- cluding the Township Garage, Harold Nott's Garage and home, Water Pumping station, new fire station, the new Chuck Wagon and, of course, the Hoose Gow as well as several new homes, those of Robert Thoren, Gift Morton, Fer- dinand Donker, David Hillman, Harry Holste, Richard Koester, two Alleman houses, and Robert Otterstein were almost enough to make one think a building boom was in progress. fall and winter of 1956 the new city well was drilled. In the spring of 1957 the mains were laid under the direction of W. T. Neiman of Free- port, the professional engineer on the job. On Sept. 7, 1957 water was turned on with 41 users. At present there are 66 users, who find this to be one of the best improvements the village has ever made. Harry Tracy assisted in the installa- tion. Another improvement to be made before the year is over is the blacktop resurfacing of Main Street. March, 1956 was the beninning of the thought of Rock City having a municipal water system. Robert Klitz had just purchased the store from W. R. Thoren and Son, and was thinking of drilling a well. A state engineer had talked to Vernon Keister, the village mayor, and others. Davis had just installed a water system. These things all set the village board to investigating the situation with the result that an election was held, the proposition was passed, and in the Present officers of the village of Rock City are: President of the board, Vernon Keister; Vil- lage Clerk, Harry Tracy who was replaced, be- cause of ill health by Robert Thoren; Trustees, Roy Nott, Harold Nott, Walter Fiene, Charles Toelke, Dan Schlueter and the newly-elected member, John Chas. Wenger. Of course, the Centennial, with all its ac- tivities, was the highlight of the decade. PRESENT DAY ROCK CITY 39 Old Businesses What is now Reed's Cafe, was sold in 1859 to William Peterson for $500, and later the same year was reduced in price to $100, when it be- came the property of Robt. LaShelle. His chil- dren sold the building in 1894 to Edward Young- bludt for $800 but six years later the same pro- perty brought only $335 when sold to Mr. Holste. The Holstes sold it for a $15 increase 18 months later to Jacob Koller who 6 years later sold it to Charles Pfluke for $400. On Nov. 27, 1920 he and his wife, Lucy sold it to Wm. and Emma Stadel for $1,200. It was later sold to Wm. Gross- koff, then to John Pela, Myrtle Carlino, Warren Lapp and finally to John and Helen Reed. Dur- ing this 100 years the building has been a cafe for almost 90% of its existence, but once was used as a drug store, once as a residence and once as a morgue by Frank Zimmerman. Since this is a "hog, cow and chicken" coun- try, grist mills have played an important part in the business of the town. In the 19th century an old grinding mill was located south of the Law- ler house along the railroad tracks. About 1910 George Nott built a mill and run it on the present Virgil Brown property. At various times it was owned by Walter Nott, Will Horstmeier, Fred Pela, H. I. Barr, Mabel Bouray and run by Carl Raetz, Vernon Keister, V. Brown, and Ray Peter- son until finally it was sold to the R. C. Lumber and Supply and moved to the present location in the elevator. The old summer kitchen back of Bertha Tiel- kemeier's house was used once as a newspaper office in Rock City and once as a honey house by Johnathan Stewart. The building, which at pre- sent houses the W. R. Thoren insurance office and the R. W. Thoren TV Sales and Repair, was used for almost 50 years as a tailor shop by Fred Thoren or as he was known — Tailor Thoren. The old Rock City Garage was built by George Nott, Harold Nott's father, soon after he sold the grist mill to his brother. This replaced the old store run by T. B. Young, Steinetzel, and later by Hof- meister and Thoren, then used as an implement shop by Mollenberndt. The present garage build- ing was the one which replaced the first after the disastrous Rock City fire in 1927. The building, presently owned by Eugene and Bertha Schuepp, has been a pool hall, residence, grocery store, postoffice, barber shop, and has had the most varied existence of any in town. The building, now the apartment home of El- 40 Old Businesses mer Lapp, once housed Whitmore Bros., dealers in fresh and salted meats, fish, poultry, game, oysters, hides, and soap grease. Later, it was used as an implement sales shop by D. G. La- Shelle, E. J. Youngbludt, A. H. Mollenberndt, D. F. Welling, John Benning, Ralph Vehmeier and Vernon Keister. Where the highway is now located, R. A. Young, Robert LaShelle, and Bert Price once had a sausage factory, later to be moved to the Arndt Neidermeier home where it is used as a garage. The old elevator, which belonged to Graham Brothers, was one of five owned by them. Be- side the one in Rock City there were elevators at Nora, Durand, Florence Station, and Dakota. The building, which now houses the post- office, was built for a tin shop and harness, heat- ing and furnace store, occupied by Orville and Harry Tracy. The south half was opened as a confectionery by Bert Price who was unable to continue the business. It has been used as liv- ing quarters by the Mortons, Grenzows, Hank TerHarks, and Roy Blunt families, and by Sammy Oren as a dentist office and since as storage rooms, while belonging to the Rock City Lbr. and Supply. The old store on the corner, which started life with the village and was run for almost 50 years by Grahams, was then sold to Wm. Stadel, then to Groskoff and Pfluke, then Pela and Pfluke. Then, for a few years it was run succes- sively by J. A. Meier, Albert Kraul, Oyd Rockey, Roy Blunt, Elvin Zimmerman, Vernon Keister, Bob Wise, and the present owners, Jack and Josie Gagliardi. Blacksmiths have been Mr. Helwig, Cal Mes- singer, Dusty Miller, J. C. Young, Walter Knoup, Jim McRoberts, Columbus Hughes, Jack Brooks, Roy Rice, and Mr. Erme in the old shop. About 40 years ago the present blacksmith shop was built by shareholders for Joe Pierce. H. I. Barr and Roy Blunt followed, then Will Wingert and finally the present owner, Otto Grunder. Even though it seems horseshoeing days are over, they are not, as evidenced by the considerable number of trail ride and riding horses shod every week by Mr. Grunder. The ball diamond occupies the space which once housed the furniture and hardware store run so many years by Robert Long, then Frank Zimmerman, Conrad Tielkemeier and finally El- mer Tielkemeier. The Standard Oil bulk station was built by and for Fred Miller. He was followed by Dan Griffiths and Emerson Runte with David Hillman running it while Emerson was in the service. *-«*!» 41 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial PLUMBING - HEATING ELECTRICAL WIRING DAVIS HARDWARE PUMP SALES & SERVICE Trenching Davis, III. - Phone 13 CONGRATULATIONS TO ROCK CITY On Your 100TH ANNIVERSARY ALBERT & BILL BRAULT BARBER SHOP Davis, III. Freeport Blacktop Construction Company PAVING CONTRACTORS DIAL AD 2-5912 R.F.D. 1 FREEPORT, ILL. 42 Rock City Thanks You Music on the Trad Music was furnished the early pioneers from among their own number. At the close of day, around the campfire, the fiddler would bring forth tunes for the dancing feet of the young and young in heart. In the early 1 900's a group of musicians (shown below) formed a cornet band and pre- sented concerts in the park at the north end of Main Street. They were always called upon to furnish music at the annual Memorial Day Par- ade and Celebration. The early band concerts drew large crowds to town and provided busi- ness for the merchants and pleasure, romance for the romantically inclined and fun and frolic for the 'younguns!' For many years O. J. Buticofer of Davis di- rected the Epplyanna band and many were there who acquired their musical education under his direction. Most music education of that type is now furnished by the high schools. ROCK CITY CORNET BAND Standing, left to right: Walter Horstmeier, Ed Webb, Jim Veach, William Meier, Henry Nott, Ira Allen, H. I. Barr, Henry Pieper, Elmer Sehraeder. Seated: William Grosskoff and Jacob Raymer. THE ROCK CITY SCHOOL BAND AND CIRCUS (ASRECORDED IN THE DIARY OF VIOLET HOUSTON) On June 18, 1926 the Rock City School had, as something special for their closing day, a circus. At 1 1 o'clock in the forenoon a parade was given on Main Street. The children had made animal skins of gunny sacks. There was a lion, giraffe and tiger. Evelyn Nott looked very much like a boy, as she, dressed in a band suit and cap and beat- ing a drum, led the parade. Marjorie Nott and Howard Barr were dressed as Maggie and Jiggs. Marjorie had a rolling pin, false face and hat. Vilette Meier was a riding girl on horseback. She wore a riding suit. There was a clown band led by Mr. Bolender, the teacher. Maurice Westphal was a clown and, last in the parade, came William Westphal, the store- keeper, on his old-fashioned, big-wheeled bi- cycle. He was also dressed as a clown. In the afternoon they held a circus back of the schoolhouse. Fred Sutter was a magician, who charged water into wine,- Evelyn Nott was the circus strong man, lifting cardboard dumb- bells, and Lois Young ran the ice cream stand. 43 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial OLIN & AYRES BUICK and PONTIAC Soles & Service 705 E. Exchange - Brodhead, Wis. Phone TW 7-4222 Arthur Zimmerman & Son 440 West 7th Street Pecatonica, III. EXCAVATING SAND GRAVEL HARRY THEDORFFS FARM BARN DANCE Phone 9-4519 Pecatonica, III. The finest things in life are the friendships gained along the way. T. H. YOUNG D.D.S. Medial Center Bldg. Durand, III. Phones CH 8-2510 - CH 8-2520 BARKER LUMBER CO. Building Materals Of All Kinds Fuel — Paints — Fencing Phone CH 8-2700 Durand, III. GENERAL OFFICE DELAVAN, WIS. Dakota Plumbing & Heating Co. Dakota, III. Plumbing - Heating & Electrical Work Free Estimates Given JEROME DeHAVEN RANSOM FEHR Phone 54 Phone 4102 FREEPORT SILO CO. (Not Inc.) Silos - Storage Bins - Unloaders 22 N. Commercial Avenue, Freeport, Illinois Telephone: Adams 2-4168 V. C. FRAME D.D.S. Medical Center Bldg. Durand, III. Office Phone CH 8-2510 Home Phone CH 8-3560 44 Rock City Thanks You Milk— Its Influence Along the Trail Milk being one of the principal products of this region since its settlement, caused J. P. Younger, of Cook County, to see its possibilities so he built a creamery one-half mile south of Rock City on the Carnifix farm, presently owned by John Babler. Early buttermakers were George Mitchell, Frank Bennet and Jesse Dunham. Jesse, a single man, boarded at the Mary Dart home, paying $3 a week room and board and later marrying the eldest daughter. In 1905 Charles Logan, a Scotsman from Ayreshire, Scotland, came here from Libertyville to take charge of the creamery for the W. S. Moore Co., who had bought a chain of factories from the Younger Corporation. The company failed on September 22, 1909 and Mr. Logan was given the opportunity to buy the business here, which he did, running it until 1916 or thereabouts when it burned. After the creamery burned it seemed advis- able to go into cheesemaking instead of butter- making so a group of area men formed a cheese company. Among the stockholders were S. H. Thoren, John Pela, Thoren Brothers, Henry Gra- ham, Fred Miller, John Benning, William and Clayton Horstmeier, David and Henry Benning, John, George, and Charles Tielkemeier, Dan, Walt, Fred, and John Niedermeier, Ray and Henry Knoup, D. H. and John Schleuter, Veh- meier Brothers, John Vehmeier, Mrs. A. E. Huf- ford, C. H. Weimer, Henry Koch, William Sch- roder, Walter Lapp and Ludwig Passett. With the proceeds from the sale of these shares, a loan of $1,350 and plenty of donated labor the pre- sent cheese factory was erected at a total cost of $5,000. The cheese factory opened in October, 1918 wiih Jacob Marty as the first cheesemaker. He stayed until 1923 when Oscar Sutter too!< his place. Upon Sutter's death his wife and son, Fred became cheesemakers. Albert Brunner worked for Fred Sutter after Mrs. Sutter's death and later became the manager. Beginning in 1943 Joe Sheurman held the job for five years. At that time Alvin Mann became cheesemaker and he later sold his interest to John D. Wenger, the present operator. 45 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial MARKHAM'S MARKET MEATS & GROCERIES Phone CE 9-1304 Pecatonica, III. Pecatonica Produce & Supply Co. GRAIN -COAL- FENCING WAYNE FEEDS - SEEDS ETC. We Deliver 312 Main St. Pecatonica, II We Give S&H Green Stamps GEISER MOTORS 202 W. Third Street Ford Soles & Service Phone CE 9-2470 Pecatonica, III. HOUSE OF LINDBERG Fine Quality Furniture And Carpet Phone AD 2-7107 Freeport, III. JOHN H. DIEKEN FARM & LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEER Phone CE 9-1 127 Pecatonica, III. BANK OF PECATONICA A Bank Of Service Pecatonica, III. FERGUSON'S AGENCY INSURANCE - SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES Telephone CE 9-2510 Pecatonica, Illinois Corn Belt Insurance Co. LIFE -FIRE -AUTO W.R.THOREN, Agent Home Office Freeport, III. Rock City, III. 46 Rock City Thanks You Rock City School Rock City's first schoolhouse was located on the Carnifix farm. Then, when the village was founded, a stone building was erected and used until the present building was built in 1878. Mr. Searles, the first Rock City schoolteacher, taught for $40 per month. In 1884 a lady teach- er, Miss Ellen Raymer, was the primary room teacher. A few years later Hanna McHoes was the primary teacher and Mr. M. Bollinger was principal. P. O. Stiver, later County Superinten- dent of Schools, was an early principal. These early teachers were followed in the 1890's by G. Charles Griffith, James B. Klonz and Frank Zimmerman, all of whom did the job single-handed, having as many as 75 pupils in all eight grades. In 1902-03 J. A. Bolander and Miss Minnie Loss were the teachers. Cupid entered the pic- ture at that time and during their second year here they were married. They were followed by Frank Schaeffer, who ruled with an iron hand. In 1912 John B. Klonz and in 1913 J. E. Roth held the stage for one year each. They were followed in 1914 by Claire Bennehoff. He held the position for four years and turned the rule over to J. J. Schaffer of Rock Grove. Before the end of the school year his place was filled by Milford Bolender, an ex-service man, from Orangeville. For seven years he occupied the teacher's chair, Glen Harrison of Freeport taught for one year when Mr. Bolender was elsewhere. At the end of Mr. Bolender's first full year a primary department was added. Mrs. Alice Barnes taught the Primary Grades for two years followed by Miss Effie Tuell for another two years. A local girl, Miss Delia Thoren, was chosen as primary teacher and taught six years with one year out while Evelyn Clayton took over. Bolen- der taught until 1926 and then Miss Helen Logan became principal for two years. Starting in 1929, James Barr took over the reins for six years. In the meantime Marian Young, having proven herself at Berlin School became primary teacher for four years. In 1935 Glen Shippy became principal and Marie Patterson, the primary teacher, a posi- tion she held for seven or more years. During her leave of absence Olga Vinger, Edith Ruark, Eli- zabeth Siegenthaler, Florence Ditzler and Dor- othy Pfeisterer followed one another as primary teachers while the principalship was given to Orville Brault for two years, Wayne Reeder for four years and Bessie Erdmeier for seven years. At this time Rock City was drawn into Unit 201, Dakota. The building is now being used by the Unit as a kindergarden, having a morning class and an afternoon class. ROCK CITY SCHOOL IN 1915 Standing (left to right) Kenneth Graham, Chris Kober, Harry Holste, Myron Lashelle, Louis Prasset, Ralph Meinert, Miles Lapp, Claire Bennehoff (teacher), Beryl Dennis, Irene Prasset, Luella Thoren, Esther Toelke, Ralph Zimmerman, Clarence Zimmerman, Harry Moellenberndt, Joe Logan. Seated: Laurence Miller, Russell Miller, Jay Miller, Helen Logan, Josephine Trice, Lillian Kober, Leila Barr, Helen Zimmerman, Audrey Bouray, Esther Graham, Genevive Long, Delia Thoren, Elsie Benning, Elizabeth Andres. 47 Compliments To Rock < lity On Its Centennial PHOTOGRAPHS ROCK CITY WEDDINGS GROUP PHOTOS CHEESE FACTORY AND SINGLES JOHN D. WENGER, Cheesemaker EXPERT FINISHING GUARANTEED We Aim To Please A Good Market For Your Milk KENNETH SNYDER Rock City, III. RFD 4 - Freeport, III. Phone Dakota 0212 Phone AD 2-1304 GUMMOW FARMS DAIRY IDLE HOUR MANSION GRADE A DAIRY PRODUCTS Hwy. 69 Va Mile North of Monroe, Wise. Highway 75 - Rockton, III. Dining Room - Cocktail Lounge Phone PH 2-7167 Open 5:00 p.m. — Midnight, Daily For Delivery Noon — Midnight, Sunday Compliments Of Freeport Paint & Spray Co. J$ fek Decorating and Paper Hanging fHMm Brush and Spray Painting 1 WllmMWM Residential - Commercial - Industrial \/f nkiAki f* cn a ir\c \ ROEBUCK AND CO. L A ^B j^^ VERNON C. SPAIDE 251 West South St. Phone AD 2-3617 FREEPORT, ILLINOIS Freeport, Illinois 48 Rock City Thanks You Rock City Churches The first church in the Rock City area was the Rock Run Presbyterian Church which was or- ganized in 1855. A church was built the follow- ing year in what is now the Pioneer Cemetery about two miles southwest of present day Rock City. In 1870 the church was taken over by the Reformed Presbyterians and later abandoned. the past have included the Reverends B. Epley, J. J. Escher, A. Haefele, J. G. Finkbeiner, H. C. Stephan, J. G. Eller, E. Y. Knapp, J. H. Johnson, J. E. Roth, S. C. Boswell, F. Brandfellner, L. M. Phillips, S. G. Eberly, J. H. Walters, A. Reed, H. O. Zimmerman, E. Plapp, E. Schmidt, J. E. Widmer, S. W. Brandyberry, W. C. Hess, W. R. Ebinger and C. Mosher, the present minister. The United Evangelical Church was founded in 1868 and the present building was erected in 1869 at a cost of $2,200 under the pastorate of the Rev. H. Rohland. In 1910 it had only 35 mem- bers but has grown in the past 50 years until it numbers well over a hundred. Pastors during The Methodist Church was founded in 1878 and their church was built in 1879 at a cost of $1,500 and the donated carpenter work done by Robert Long. The first pastor was the Rev. F. W. Nazarene. This church closed in 1920 and was later used as a community hall. Rock City Methodist Church Rock City EUB Church before additions. 49 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Compliments of THE DAKOTAH SCHOOL DAKOTA, ILLINOIS A BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS (grades 1-8) Established 1913 PHILIP L. W. R. THOREN KEISTER Agency ATTORNEY AT LAW "Insurance That Insures" Village Attorney For Rock City All Kinds Written 8 NORTH GALENA AVENUE YOUR INDEPENDENT FREEPORT, ILLINOIS INSURANCE AGENT SERVES YOU FIRST 50 Rock City Thanks You St Paul's E & R Church On the evening of January 30, 1959 fire de- stroyed this beautiful old church which had ser- ved the community for 73 years. The cornerstone of the building was laid in June of 1885 and the dedication was held Feb. 14, 1886. The cost was $7,000. St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church at Ep- plyanna, destroyed by fire in 1959. The young men of the congregation bought the bell, the young women bought the lights, women purchased the altar and the pulpit, and the children, the Bible. In 1934 the basement was put under the church for Sunday School rooms and a kitchen. A new chimney was built in 1937. The church was redecorated, and the pipe organ was moved downstairs and rebuilt in 1940. The kitchen of the parsonage was moder- nized in 1950; a new well was drilled in 1951; and the interior of the church was renovated in 1952. A center aisle was put in, a new hard- wood floor laid, new pews were purchased, and new carpeting laid. Plans were afoot for the building of extra classrooms for the Sunday School but fire chang- ed all that in about an hour and a half from the time it was discovered until nothing but ashes and rubble remined. After members cleared away the debris a new church building was started and is in the process of construction. The bell, which fell from the steeple during the fire, has been repaired and still rings its Sabbath eve message to the countryside, calling the living to worship and the dead in the church yard nearby to peaceful rest and heavenly slum- ber. When one hears the message of the bell on a Saturday eve at 6 o'clock, he knows that work must be suspended to prepare for the "Lord's Day." INTERIOR OF CHURCH 51 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial STARTING? If you are starting a business venture, starting to build a home, starting to buy a car, and for a thou- sand and one new plans and purchases it is wise to see a bank first. We offer expert counsel and advice, and it's all free at . . . First National Bank OF FREEPORT Member F.D.I.C. Federal Reserve System Durand State Bank 'GROWING WITH THE COMMUNITY" STUKENBERG STRUCTURES 19 E. MAIN FREEPORT, ILL PHONE AD 2-6714 52 Rock City Thanks You Mount Pleasant or Epplyanna One of the most beautiful spots in the county was chosen to be the site of the village of Mount Pleasant. The rushing waters of Rock Run Creek, winding under the shadow of cedar clad bluffs; a high but level hilltop crowned by the church, cemetery and parsonage; the old stone mill be- side the mill race; wooded slopes and level, Frederick and Johanna Meier, Pioneer residents of Mount Pleasant. grassy meadows between, have made it so. Of this thriving settlement which grew up around the busy mill, very little remains to re- mind one of the glory of its former days. The mill has been torn down with only a little heap of rubble remaining, the stores and houses moved away or dismantled, the school turned into a dwelling, the church destroyed by fire, the brick yard which prospered for three years, when ran by Jacob Orth, is gone completely. One sees only the kitchen and cooking fireplace of the old Tavern and inn, but the old Rock Run, although dwindled in size, still flows under the stone cliffs, the wooded hills still remain, the soil is fertile and productive and a few of the old residences still stand. One of these is owned by Lena Meier, who came with her parents, Frederick and Johanna Meier, from Germany in 1883. Others are own- ed by descendants of the early pioneers of the region, the old Franz Meier, Chris Schlueter, Fred Tielkemeier, Henry Althof, and Jackson Black- more homesteads are close by; as is a cave in the hillside south of the former village. South still farther is the railroad and highway, both of which are responsible for the decline of this pioneer settlement. PASTORAL SCENE IN EPPLYANNA 53 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial FREEPORT CLINIC 222 West Exchange - AD 2-5161 "Your Family Physician Of Specialists" W. J. EAST, M.D. L. F. ROCKEY, M.D. T. A. HAYMOND, M.D. T. C. DEVLIN, M.D. W. W. MILLS, M.D. L. P. BUNCHMAN, M.D. 1. L. SCHWEITZER, M.D. W. C. KATEL, M.D. W. H. ISHAM, M.D. P. L. WACHTEL, M.D. G. D. FISH, JR., M.D. J. J. CHOSY, M.D. D. L. OLTMAN, M.D. COMPLMENTS OF COMPLIMENTS OF ROCKFORD WHOLESALE SENATOR PAPER CO. MARVIN F. BURT 61 1-613 CHESTNUT ST. FREEPORT, ILL. ROCKFORD, ILL. Good Luck In The ONYOUR100TH Next ANNIVERSARY Hundred Years. 54 Rock City Thanks You Irish. Grove You have heard of "The Luck of the Irish". The luck of the Irish who settled in the portion of Rock Run Township south of Davis and Rock City seems to have been excellent. They were said to be the descendants of the Green Moun- tain Boys, who under Ethan Allen, captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British. Also, they were the backwash from the lead mines near Galena and New Diggins. arrived. In 1841 they established St. Patrick's Catholic Church south of Davis. The Reddys, Bradleys, Stimsons, Hylands, Owens, Ginnen- weins, Spellmans and Fitzpatricks came in the next few years. Their first church, built of rough logs, and having only two pews, was put up in the year 1838. It was followed by another church which served from 1862 to 1895 when the present church was built. In 1836 the Flynns, Mullarkeys, Hulses, Welshs and Lees founded the settlement known as Irish Grove. The next year, Pat Giblin, Miles O'Brien, Mr. Corcoran, Thomas Foley and some relatives of the Mullarkeys came to bolster the new settlement. In 1839, Thomas Bree, Martin Mullen, Patrick Flynn and son, Patrick Jr., Mich- ael Flynn, Thomas Hawley and William Marlowe Another church of a different denomination was located on a hill almost a mile north of the Irish Grove Centennial schoolhouse. A few tomb- stones remain of the churchyard cemetery east of Carnefix Mill. The old mill still stands, a re- minder of these early Irish pioneers, who farmed the land close by, and left the soil to their de- scendants, some of whom hold it even today. I* I Carnefix Mill built by George Kaymer. 55 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial State Bank of Davis YOUR BANK FOR EVERY FINANCIAL SERVICE Member FDIC DAVIS, ILLINOIS DAVIS LOCKER PLANT ALVIN BECK, Manager DIAL UN 5-2300 DAVIS, ILL. ROBERT W. THOREN RADIO & T.V. - SALES & SERVICE ELECTRICAL WIRING ROCK CITY, ILLINOIS R0CKF0RD TIRE - T. M. PETERS Court & e*tl*&$fQfl& Dial Jefferson Sts. W WW W ^ 4-7881 ROCKFORD'S LARGEST TIRE HEADQUARTERS Branch Stores BELVIDERE-DIXON-FREEPORT-STERLING 56 Rock City Thanks You Rock Grove Churches The Evangelical Church of Rock Grove was first established by a group of members who held services and worshipped in the church be- longing to the Lutheran Congregation located about one-half mile west of the center of the village. The present building of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rock Grove was at one time the Re- form Church of Walnut Grove. When the Walnut Grove Church was discontinued, it was pur- chased by the Lutherans of Rock Grove and moved into town beside the Lutheran parsonage. In 1878 the number of members had in- creased to such an extent that it seemed advis- able to put up a church building. Under the di- rection of a building committee consisting of George Meyers, Jere Swartz, Jacob Sullivan, Wil- liam Alexander, and A. Boiender an edifice cost- ing $2,300 was put up and paid for by sub- scription from among the farmers of the town- ship and the villagers. The church was dedicated on the 27th of November and has been in use ever since. During at least part of its existence the Rock Grove Evangelical Church has been in the same charge as the Oakley Church. In 1910 they were presided over by the Reverend G. Eberly and at present by the Rev. Oscar Shinkel. Before that time services were held by the congregation in a church situated in the corner of the Rock Grove Union Cemetery, which was about three-fifths of a mile west of the present St. Paul Lutheran Church. The old church was called the Evangelical Lutheran and was not only used by this congregation but also the Evange- licals before 1878 and the Reformed Congrega- tion which was established in 1908. The latter church was a sister church of the Dakota Re- formed. The last four ministers of the St. Paul Luth- eran Church were the Rev. Fred Heckathorn, Rev. Melby, Rev. Neal and the present one, Rev. K. K. Olafson. Rock Grove Evangelical United Brethren Church. St. Paul Lutheran Church Of Rock Grove 57 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Albert Hugelshofer AUCTIONEER FARM - HOUSEHOLD - REAL ESTATE Phone Dakota 52 MYERS FUNERAL HOME Phones FUNERAL & AMBULANCE Rock Grove 1001 Dakota 4302 or 4303 SERVICE Carter & Cruenewald Co., Inc. HARDWARE PLUMBING SALES • SERVICE Phone 70-D Juda, Wis. 58 Rock City Thanks You Berli LIT. This small settlement, which consisted of only a church, a school, a general store and a few farmhouses, lies about five miles south of Rock City in the southern third of Rock Run Town- ship. The school, which is now a part of Dakota Unit, is closed and has been remodeled for liv- ing quarters. The church, which was Methodist in denomination, has been closed and torn down, the road to Ridott running over its site. A ceme- tery still can be found on the old Brubaker farm just east of this spot. The store started here by Jasper Mallory on Section 18 has long since gone. He and his wife, a girl reared by Josiah Willard, the father of Francis E. Willard, temperance lecturer and author, brought a stock of goods in their covered wagon with which to stock their shelves. The red brick house, just north of the spot where the church was located, was for many years the home of John Hoag and his son, Dr. Edward J. Hoag who later became a prominent Ridott doctor. Berlin School in 1910. Teacher, Miss Mae Bell. Children, standing left to right, Gladys Wise,, Glen Wise, Flor- ence Spaide, Miles Lapp, Clara Daughenbaugh, (back), Elizabeth Marscheno, Leland Lestikow, Arthur Mc- Donald, Mayme Daughenbaugh, Ida Daughenbaugh, Edith Barr, Dale Barr, Ford Wise, (In front of Ford Wise are Harvey McDonald, Lloyd Spaide, Robert Niblo, and Seward Lincoln). Seated, left to right, Bertha McDonald, Clarence Spaide, Russell Spaide, Robert Lincoln, Shuman Daughenbaugh, Mae Daughenbaugh, Thera Wise, Nellie Lincoln. THE BERLIN M.E. CHURCH 59 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Wood row Kurtz ROCK GROVE Cement and Foundation Work BEE LINE SERVICE Ready Mix Concrete BEE LINE GAS FOR LESS 1738 So. West Ave. Dial Adams 3-1812 - Freeport, III. STRUCTO MFG. CO. Toys Highway 75 - Dial AD 2-2111 Freeport, III. ICRO SWITCH A DIVISION OF MINNEAPOLIS-HONEYWELL REGULATOR COMPANY FREEPORT, ILLINOIS H BURGESS BATTERY COMPANY Freeport, Illinois Quality Dry Batteries For Every Purpose Makers Of The Famous Radar Lights Winnebago Auto Wrecking & Parts Co. New and Used Auto Parts 1050 Kilburn Ave. Dial WO 2-0618 Rockford, III. VAN SICKLE'S ASSOCIATED PUBLISHERS, INC. Durand, III. Publishers Of 10 Community Newspapers In Four Counties Of Northern Illinois COMMERCIAL PRINTING 60 Rock City Thanks You Rock Grove Rock Grove and Rock City have been sister cities through the years. They are about the same size and have shared the same mail faci- lities and depot accommodations. Rock Grove is the older sister, however, as she was platted nine years before Rock City. It is one of the old- est villages in the county. This is shown by the curved Main Street as it was a part of the old trail to the lead mines at Mineral Point. Many of the early settlers located on the town site itself, the first house being built in 1838. In 1846 a room in the house of David Marsh was set aside for a school. It was used for two winters when the first schoolhouse of the district was built. The first wedding ceremony by a min- ister of the gospel joined Thomas Chambers and Rebecca Moore. The cabin, where Rev. James McKean joined the happy couple, was on the future Levi Keister property. The house was 20 ft. square, yet 40 guests witnessed the affair, some coming a distance of 18 miles. Following the services, cake, wine and music were dis- pensed with. In 1844, Levi Keister started on the journey overland with 4 horses and 2 wagons. After a journey of ten weeks they pitched their tent in Rock Grove Township. Samuel H. Fisher, a teacher, came to this region, established a gen- eral store, ran it for five years, sold it to his partner, J. D. Smeltzer. Other early pioneers of the region were Adam and Levi Bolender; Hugh Bennehoff, who was a harness maker in the township for 12 years; Robert LaShelle, who ran a store there in 1863; Henry Rockey, merchant in 1888; John, Reuben and Michael Bolender; and George and Jacob Maurer, among others. In 1836 Louisa Frenkenberger was the first white child born in the township. Old Hock Grove Schoolhouse replaced in 1931 hy present building. 61 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Rock Run Township Mutua Fire Insurance Company ROCK CITY, ILLINOIS Organized 1868 OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE POLICYHOLDERS Insuring Form and Village Property including Churches, Schools and Meeting Halls Standard Policy Including The Extended Coverage Perils BOARD OF DIRECTORS JOHN F. PIEPER - President DAN SCHLUETER LLOYD MYERS - Vice President HARRY KUBLY FERDINAND DONKER - Secretary, Treasurer WILLIAM HEITHECKER D. W. BENNING EDWIN MEINERT CLARENCE MEINERT AGENTS LLOYD MYERS WILLIAM HEITHECKER D. W. BENNING DAN SCHLUETER EDWIN MEINERT HARRY KUBLY The Above Agents Also Represent The ROCKFORD DISTRICT MUTUAL TORNADO INSURANCE COMPANY Rockford, Illinois THIRD LARGEST TORNADO INSURANCE CO. IN THE U.S. 62 Rock City Thanks You Rock Run Twp. Mutual Fire Ins. Co. In the days of the early settlers in the rural areas the large insurance companies were not interested in insuring the farm or small village property. For this reason groups of citizens would organize a "Mutual Fire Insurance Company" to protect their property from loss by fire and lightning. August 15, 1868, we, the citizens of the Town of Rock Run, County of Stephenson and State of Illi- nois, do, according to an act passed by the Legisla- ture of the State of Illinois, entitled "House Bill No. 112; 25th Assembly, A. D. 1867," hereby form our- selves mutually into a fire Insurance Company, styled THE ROCK RUN MUTUAL FIRE INSUR- ANCE COMPANY. ■ r* ■ John F. Neisman Neebel & Linderman Peter McHoes Peter Wolf, Jr. Benj Epley S. E. M. Carnfix John Weber Wm. Kryder John Gift Peter Englehart John Gennewein Edward Pratt Jasper Mellory John Gettemy H. D. Cole Michael Wolf J. H. Graham A. Gottbheist J. Stewart Wm. Rhodermier (Four additional names cannot be read due to deterioration of the original document.) September 8, 1932, the following members re- organized under the Act of the Legislature of the State of Illinois, entitled, "An act to revise the law in relation to Township Insurance Companies." William Horstmeier William Grosskop Wm. S. Meier Henry Tielkemeier Clayton Meinzer Charles Tielkemeier David Heithecker D. W. Benning Clayton Horstmeier Otto H. Heitkai.: Daniel J. Meier K. O. Knudson H. Lohmeier D. C. Goeke Fred Pieper Elmer Lohmeier J. H. Meier H. R. Andres D. E. Henze Dan Horstmeier F. L. Benning John W. Brobst John C. Benning Fred D. Neidermeier Arthur Meinert S. W. Miller Fred Welling Rock City Water System Pumping Station In June, 1903, a Rock City County Mutual Live- stock Company was organized, insuring only live- stock. This company merged with Rock Run Town- ship Fire Insurance Company April 27, 1955. The Rock Run Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company has maintained a steady growth through- out its history, having approximately eight hundred members with ten and one-half million dollars of insurance in force. ROCK CITY FIRE HALL 63 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial TURNER -HALL CLUB Monroe, Wis. DANCING & BOWLING Refreshments In Basement CHAS. A. MILLER VAULT COMPANY DURAND, ILLINOIS DURAND BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION Bjork's Restaurant 1107-1 st Center Ave. Brodhead, Wis. Phone TW 7-4303 Jimmie's Tap Room JAMES KEEN, Prop. Brodhead, Wis. THE WAFFLE SHOP Monroe, Wisconsin Good Food CLIFF REASA, Prop. We Appreciate Your Patronage Richard F. Harvey, M.D. Durand Medical Center Durand, III. Dial CH 8-2510 W. T. NIEMAN Consulting Engineer FREEPORT, ILLINOIS 64 Rock City Thanks You Rock City's Ball Team The picture of any Rock City ball team would not tell the story any great length of time as teams always change. The one below changed rapidly. Clayton Horstmeier, Dan Neidermeier, Bob, Harry and Ed Hufford, among others, each took their turn. They won 21 out of 28 games, played with such teams as Dixon, Freeport and Lanark. Some years after the disastrous fire of 1927 the businessmen of Rock City banded together and made the present softball diamond on the lots cleared of buildings by the fire. At that time ours was the only lighted field in a wide area and was therefore very popular. The eight teams that made up the league the first year were Rock City Hornets, with Ar- thur Lincoln as pitcher; Davis with Orv Brault; Dakota with Ranny Fehr pitching and Renis Nei- dermeier as hurler for the Rock City Dodgers; George Kloepping and Milton Otte pitching for the Pleasant View team and Clarence Fiene and M. Lohmeier for Otter Creek. DeGrote threw for the Rock City Hornets occasionally, Harry Fehr for Rock Grove and Clem Spellman for Irish Grove. As time drifted on many teams dropped out and others took their places. Among the replace- ments were the Rock City Rockets, the Night Hawks, the Rock City Braves, the Chevy Boys, Orangeville Yellow Jackets, Juda, Oakley, Du- rand, Afolkey, Lancaster, Ridott, McConnell and Pecatonica. For 25 years hundreds of boys and girls have had healthful recreation and have been out of mischief for a good many hours because of the foresight of these businessmen and the devotion to the youth of the land by such people as those who have spent hours preparing the diamond, keeping it up, providing finances with which to run it, those who have served as umpires and managers and have taken the grief and criticism leveled at any public project of this sort. The story would not be complete without a mention of several of the girls' softball teams which have developed here. There were the Rock City Girls' team who played with Neva Henzie, pitching, The Rock City Chevrolet Girls and Bar- ney's Bees. Left to right, standing — Irvin Afflerbaugh, Henry Miller, Harry Montague, Dr. T. H. (Bert) Young, William Westphal. Seated, left to right — Henry Graham, Henry Rutter, Bert Price, Bob LaShelle. 65 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial STANDARD OIL COMPANY QUALITY OIL PRODUCTS You Expect More From Standard And You Get It. Agent E. W. RUNTE - Rack City, III. SERVICE STATIONS ELMER LAPP -Rock City, III. ROY MITCHELL - Dakota, III. 66 Rock City Thanks You Growth, of Rock City In the very beginning, Rock City had three merchandising stores but the number has now dwindled to one. However, several other types of business houses have sprung up which are necessary to present day economy. 1911 saw the formation of the Rock City State Bank with Samuel Thoren as cashier. Her- man Bokhoff, president and Frank Zimmerman, John Graham and Henry Graham, trustees. In 1931, during the big depression, the bank was closed for a period of six months and then re- organized and opened under the name of Rock City Bank. This new bank was one of the first three to open in Illinois after the moratorium called by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. In recent years the Rock City Fire Protection District has been organized. From 1941 until 1956 the fire truck was stationed in one-half of the Council Hall but at that time the district built a new station on East Market Street. About 20 volunteer firemen operate and maintain the two trucks in service. In 1956 the township built a garage to house the road equipment. Rock City has spread westward to the school- house because the building of Route 75 in 1929 and 1930 called for the moving of three houses from Center Street, of which only one block re- mains. West Market Street was laid out and graded. It received these three displaced houses, many new ones, and several mobile homes be- sides. Two service stations, and the new Chuck Wagon Cafe have sprung up along this artery of trade which can be considered a second Main Street as the potential number of customers is multiplied many times by the steady flow of traf- fic past the doors of these establishments. The building of the Highway opened a new trail to and through our town but also sounded the death knell of the railroad station. Current predictions of great gains in our na- tional population, give us the hope that Rock City, along with all the rest of the great Middle West, will continue to grow and prosper. West Market Street Before The Poplars Were Planted. Building Route 75 In 1929. 67 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial DAVIS CHICKERIES Honegger Associate Hatchery Honegger Leghorns Honegger Feeds Gland-O-Lac Remedies Val-A-Equipment Davis, III. -Dial UN 5-2150 C. L. RINGER COMPANY JEWELERS 113 W. Stephenson St. Freeport, III. Dial AD 3-2012 NORTHERN ILLINOIS TELEPHONE COMPANY REED'S CAFE Main Street Rock City, III. Engels Monument Works GRANITE & MARBLE MEMORIALS Corner West Empire and Demeter Drive AD 2-9119 Freeport, III. Peterson Battery & Electric Inc. 31 1 So. Winnebago St. Rockford, III. Dial WO 3-8437 Crawford Drug Store Expert Fitters Of Trusses 1 1 1 W. Stephenson St. AD 3-2911 Freeport, III. Maico Hearing Service 125 No. Church - Rockford, III. Dial WO 4-0141 A. A. Peterson D. R. Kliendl Otto Grunder Welding - Repairing Horse Shoeing If You Are Broke Down See Otto Rock City, III. aeeemtui, ^ SOCIETY BRAND CLOTHES ^ "Quality" Clelhing and Furnishing* OPPOSITE COURT HOUSE Janssen & Werei's Implement Co. J. 1. Cose Sales and Service Dial CE 9-1245 Pecatonica, III. In Monroe - Its Bob and Wigs Bar 1124- 17th Avenue 68 Rock City Thanks You Do You Remember? When Gypsy Caravans made overnight stops on little used country roads? Many children fro- licked around the gaily painted wagons and nearby farmers found themselves with a few less chickens for their stew and quite possibly minus some oats the travelers had borrowed for feed- ing their numerous horses. The many Chautauqua programs under the big tent in the Park? Saturday night dances in the Bowery east of Stadel's Store? The crowds that attended the softball games between the Durand C.C.C.'s Darky Team and the Rock City Dodgers and All Stars? The Medicine Shows that were held in the Old Community Hall? The Old Woodman Hall that was located on the west side of the street and burned in the big fire? The old row of poplars between the hitching posts on Main Street? When A. G. Tielkemeier and Dan Mainert shipped four to six carloads of stock out of Rock City every Monday and Wednesday? The Shipping Association oyster suppers? How they cut ice at Epplyanna, hauled it on sleds to the ice houses, covered it with sawdust and stored it until summer when it was used in the stores to cool the pop? Milford Bolender's last day of school band concerts which always ended with the "Star Spangled Banner"? When there was a big Livery Barn where the new fire station now stands? The tent shows that William Crowe got up? Plays, such as "Little Miss Jack," "Percy Finds Himself," "Cousin From Coon Ridge" etc. that the old Players Club presented? The Style Show at the garage when the boys modelled the gown and sun suits and carried on with the men in the audience? Coxy's Army, left to right: Julius Peterson, Willian Hillman, David Hillman, Hill Strauss, Raymond Peterson, Henry Hillman, and Charles Giebe. 69 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial GREEN COUNTY BANK Brodhead, Wis. Dial TW 7-2151 HOME OF QUALITY CADILLAC Best In Automotive OLDSMOBILE PONTIAC And Appliances FRIGIDAIRE PHILCO MHECIfE'C 207 SO. GALENA IMUC JlYt 3 FREEPORT, ILLINOIS Cliff Bietau Signs Builder Of Rockford's Largest Signs Neon Manufacture - Sign Maintenance Window Lettering - Truck Lettering Gold Leaf Lettering - Interior Lighting Silk Scree Process - Wall and Bulletins Show Cards 1212 Kilburn Ave. Dial WO 2-2922 Rockford, III. BANK OF BRODHEAD BRODHEAD, WIS. M. C. Zimmerman Sales Allis Chalmers Oliver - Gehl - Krause McConnell, Illinois Phone 3006 CROSS BROS. GROCERY McConnell, Illinois Phone 10 TUBBY'S TAVERN Wines - Liquors - Beer McConnell, Illinois STAMM GROCERY McConnell, Illinois Phone 2306 McCONNELL TAVERN McConnell, Illinois Phone 29 Holmes Farm Supply Livestock Bought Daily Feeds - Hardware - Fencing McConnell, III. - Phone 106 Dr. D. M. Dinges and Office Staff Monroe, Wis. Eisen Heating and Air Conditioning Green Colonial Dealer Pecatonica, III. 70 Rock City Thanks You Memories Band Concerts by the Rock City and Epply- anna Bands. Violet Lawler's incidental music for the silent shows at the Community Hall. Heinie Schleuter driving for Dr. Butterfield. Excursions to Sabula and the Dells, sponsored by the C. M. and St. P. Railway and the crowds they lured. The windmill and watering trough in the middle of Main Street. Seeing rats as large as cats scurrying from under the old buildings to the watering tank when dusk fell. Boys hooking rides on farmers' bodsleds in the winter time. How the Civil War veterans showed up for Memorial Programs every year. Dozens of people taking the Saturday noon train to Freeport to do their shopping and re- turning on the four o'clock. Bill Crowe's nicknaming all the boys in town. Harold Nott and Dale Blunt, who were always together, became Herman and Godfrey, after the Legrand Brothers. Stanley Young became Stoner, because of his habit of throwing stones. Warren Lapp became Barney because he rode a horse to high school when Barney Google and Sparky were favorite comic strips. Graham Brothers using Old George to de- liver coal. The tragic Christmas Day when the Sam Thorens and Jake and Ellen Raymer were fatally injured in an automobile accident east of Du- rand. When Joan Daughenbaugh, Norma Hufford and Norma Long broadcast over the Maurice B. Sax Amateur Hour. HARRY HOLSTE AND PETS The Old Bowery with Bertha (on the left) and Dora Pieper riding by. 71 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial Freeport Water Softeners and Filters Automatics Semi-Automatics Hand Operated Mfg'd. By Shepley - Hayner Corp. 1501 So. West Ave. - AD 2-4154 You Won't Be Sorry RIDGWAY APPLIANCE & TV 123 SOUTH GALENA AVE. FREEPORT, ILL. DIAL AD 2-4011 Kegel Cycle and Key Shop JULIUS A. KEGEL, Prop. BONDED LOCKSMITHS Since 1909 Now In Our 50th Year Triumph Motorcycles Schwinn Bicycles Saw Filing & Gumming Eclipse Hand and Power Mowers 120 South Chicago Avenue Freeport, Illinois TRADE IN TRADE UP TRADE AT BOB'S CAMERA SHOP 17 W. Main St. - Freeport, III. Phone Adams 2-5819 Northwestern Illinois' Leading Photographic Headquarters Kodachrome Processing by Eastman Kodak LECIA - BOLEX - KODAK - ANSCO - POLAROID - GRAFLEX - VOIGHTLANDER 72 Rock City Thanks You Recollect Ions Kids walking the tracks to get to high school. Cars plowing through the mud roads. Snow so deep in the railroad cuts that it stopped the trains for as long as three days until crews of men shovelled the tracks clear. George Noggemeier coming to town with his horse and buggy and his dog running between the front wheels under the buggy. Fred Holste, wearing his white rubber boots, driving his big sorrel horse on a two-wheeled road cart. Pranksters in a nearby town putting a goat in the church on Hallowe'en. Jim Keehnen's Pool Hall and Barber Shop. Morning Glory (Banjo Jim) following every Epplyanna Picnic, looking over the grounds for nickels and dimes. A bunch of Hallowe'eners pulling Hank Moel- lenbrandt's steam engine as far as Meinzer's barn and then having to pull it back again. Cheap John, the peddler. Road Cart with the face of a clock on the side and a sign under it stating "No Tick Here". Goldfuss, the peddler who carried his mer- chandise on his back. Little Billy Lynn, the tramp who went through Rock City every year. Fellows from a neighboring town trying to take the Rock City Bandstand out of town. Fox hunting being a favorite winter sport. Now it seems to be coon hunting. The Fox Hunters (left to right): Art Nath, Joe Logan, Bob Hufford, Hank Miller, Heinie Schlueter, and Harry Hufford. 73 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial ROCK CITY TAP SWISS HOSPITALITY SANDWICHES AND YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE Meet Your Friends Here GENE and BERTHA KLITZ QUALITY GROCERIES Work Clothing and Foot Wear Rock City, III. AND MEATS UNION MADE BIG SMITH WORK CLOTHES 74 Rock City Thanks You Did You Know? Rock City started its existence with three gen- eral stores: namely, those owned by John Gra- ham, David Wilcoxin and Perry Duncan. The seventh portion of Uriah Boyden's will read as follows: "I commend all my children and my heirs to the care of the Lord and trust that they may ever walk uprightly before God and man as good citizens and consistent Christians." Mrs. Roy Nott's grandfather, Al Bear, was born in Jamestown to Mr. and Mrs. William Bear. That Davis may be the father of ministers and _ Durand, of railroad men, but Rock City School has produced more school teachers than any other its size. Among them were Jennie Foster, Charles and Irwin Schock, Effie and Myrtle Dart, Milton, John, Ira and Alice Allen, Minnie Nott, Ellen Raymer, Delia and Luella Thoren, Marion Young, Helen Logan, Arthur Weimer, Marguerite Meinert, Warren Lapp, Bonnie Butterfield and David Breed. Such given names as Donatus, Lucinda, Uriah, Jeremiah, Paschal, Pliny, Arminda, Aman- da, Stuart, Almira, Ichabod, Ashbill, Elisha, Mad- ison, Eunice, Elbridge, Marcus, Nathaniel, Ezra and Ithmel abounded in the history of Graball or Jamestown. Bill and Bob Keister's children, as well as Mrs. Edwin Webster's, could belong to the Daughters of the American Revolution as their great grandmother, Mrs. Dr. Bobb, wife of the Jamestown doctor, was the great granddaughter of Andrew St. John, who fell while fighting be- side Lafayette in the Revolutionary War. A French Actress, Virginia Pyro, the toast of New York at one time, retired to Rock City, lived in the house occupied at present by Jay Miller; died here and was buried in the vicinity. 75 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial For The Life Of Your Car Go SMITH OIL & REFINING CO. Throughout SOUTHERN WISCONSIN NORTHERN ILLINOIS EASTERN IOWA MAUERMANN IMPLEMENT SHOP Allis Chalmers Farm Machinery Fox, Gehl and New Idea Sales & Service REXROENNEBURG FLORENCE BEHRENS Phone TW 7-2010 Brodhead, Wis. 100 YEARS OF PROGRESS Rock City Lumber & Supply Co. Many More To Come 76 Rock City Thanks You P re-Centennial Activities Sisters of the Swish Basket Social was held in Pela's Garage on Feb. 28th with a capacity crowd. There were about 28 baskets sold and a lunch served following the program, which was as follows: An accordion trio, Marian, Vicki, and Wendy Nott; a solo by Tommy Kampmeier; a reading by Mrs. Joe Fulton; piano solo by Jo Ann Meinert; a reading by Mrs. Stanley Alten- bern; a trio number by Jo Ann, Darlene and Bar- bara Meinert; several instrumental numbers by the Four Belles; a pantomime by Gene Shippy and Richard Fiene; a saxophone duet by Patsy Altenbern and JoAnn Nott; a male quartet num- ber by George, Richard Harvey and Danny Suess and an instrumental number by Mrs. John Hen- dren and Roy and Kenneth Nott. Brothers of the Brush prepared to feed about 250 people at a ham supper on April 22,, but 470 were fed so the food had to be supple- mented and stretched, reminding one of the miracle of the loaves and fishes of Bible times. About $208 was cleared which was used to buy prizes to be given during the Centennial beard competition, to rent suits for the Keystone Kops, build the Hoosegow, letter the Paddy Wagon and other things. The Sisters of the Swish sold six auto loads of food donated by the generous people of Rock City and Rock Grove Communities at their bake sale in Freeport Saturday, April 25th, clearing $83. On May 1st between 150 and 200 ladies gathered in the Rock City E.U.B. church for the Centennial Tea sponsored by the Historical Dis- play and Sisters of the Swish. Program included a piano solo by Mrs. Mamie Henke; "Let the Rest of the World Go By" by Lorraine Toelke and Donna Wilson; a solo, "Those Endearing Young Charms" by Garnet Schlueter; a reading by Mrs. Chester Bouray; Swiss songs by Mrs. Chester Wyss and Mrs. Kundert, a solo "When You and I Were Young Maggie" by Mrs. Harold Neider- meier. Mrs. David Hillman and Mrs. Walter Horstmeier sang a duet, "Do You Remember," the words of which were written by Mrs. Char- lotte Butterfield. Coffee, punch, tea and cookies were served in the basement following the pro- gram, Mrs. Roy Hofmeister serving the punch, /-and Mrs. Willard Thoren, pouring the coffee and tea. A beautiful table arrangement of antique candle sticks with a large bouquet of tulips, jon- quils and daffodils was the centerpiece at the serving table. The Centennial Ball Committee sponsored a Booster Dance at Bluff View on Saturday night, May 9th. A parade of Brothers of the Brush and Sisters of the Swish and a Kangaroo court com- plete with culprit, judge, defending and pros- ecuting attorney were held. Other events will no doubt fill the time be- tween this book going to press and the actual centennial. Contacting former residents and the Centen- nial Seal contest was sponsored by the publicity committee. The taking of pictures by Kenneth Snyder of Freeport, the selling of novelties, hats etc. by the Novelty committee and conducting the Queen contest ticket sales as well as those of the Decorating committee were carried on. Also, the selling of advertisements in the book, huilding the stockade and the writing of the History and Pageant have filled the time of the citizens of Rock City, making the period since Jan. 8th, when we decided to have the centen- nial, a short time indeed. Results of the Centennial Seal contest were as follows: 1st prize— Mrs. Harold Nott, the stamp used on letters; 2nd prize— Warren Lapp, the de- sign used on the plates; 3rd prize— Arvilla Fiene, Fiag in circle and five honorable mentions with smaller awards to Milton Benning, Mrs. Kenneth Schoc ey, Mrs. Rose Brown, Miss Joann Nott and Mrs. Merrill Welling. The judges for the Centennial Seal contest were: Harold Baltzer, Mrs. John Kramer and Mrs. Emerson Hofmeister. 77 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial I'll Be Seeing You At The CHUCK WAGON JIM QUICK Northern Illinois Corp. "Money For Better Living" 6V2 W. Stephenson Phone Freeport, III. Adams 2-2110 Congratulations To Rock City On It's Hundredth Birthday Warren D. Lapp Owner Of The Chuck Wagon Thanks For Your Patronage Northern Credit Corp. "Money When You Need It" 18 S. Van Buren Phone Freeport, III. Adam-, 2-6154 WEKZ Monroe, Wisconsin DIAL 1260 AM DIAL 93.7 FM WEKZ is proud to be both an AM & FM station. Keep Listenin' To One Of America's Finest Farm Stations First In Music, News & Sports HAVE A PEPSI PEPSI COLA BOTTLING CO. Rockford, Illinois HAWES BOTTLING CO. FREEPORT, ILLINOIS You W/7/ Like Our Drinks 78 Rock City Thanks You School Days In 1922 k. [%; . , *• KwJB "flB^A 1MB'! ^.^bK Rock City Grammar room in 1922. Standing, left to right: Paul Barr, Edwin Tielkemeier, Stan- ley Young, Emerson Hofmeister, Clarence Toelke, Warren Lapp, Rose Marty, Agnes Logan. Seated: Marguarite Meinert, Esther Toelke, Lillian Kober, Floy Hofmeister, Dorothy Pela, Lois Young, Ruth Tielkemeier, Bonnie Butterfield, Margery F'rice and Clara Raetz. JAMESTOWN OR GRABALL (Continued From Page 15) ver, James and Clara Snyder and Mary L. An- drews. By 1867 the properties of Jamestown were gradually falling to Uriah Boyden. For one, Dr. D aniel Bob b and his wife, Arminda, sold the southwest corner of Lot 2 to him on April 8, 1867, thus losing to Jamestown its doctor after a two and one-half year residence. Then, Mary L. An- drews married Pliny P. Warren and, as Mrs. Warren, sold her home, Lot 3, Block 1 to the Boy- dens for the sum of $60 in January, 1869. These transactions were using up Uriah's capital and he borrowed $3,000 from his sister and brother- in-law, the James Snyders, giving them a mortgage on 65 acres of his land. In July, 1870 he acquired two acres in the north corner of section 28 for $260 and in April, 1871 bought lots 4, 5, 6, and 7 for $300 from the Paschal Chambers estate. Finally, on January 12, 1886, Louis and Cath- erine Legrand sold their holdings in Block 2 to Boyden for $40 and so, Jamestown bacame a ghost town, except for the Boydens and their three daughters. Their daughter, Lucinda, Mrs. Joseph Kaegle, who later inherited one-third of the land and eventually bought the balance from her sisters, Caroline Amelia Marsh, widow of John Marsh, and Mrs. Bonebright of Nora, who held the third share. 79 Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial THE W. T. RAWLEIGH CO. It pays to buy from your Rawleigh Dealer BETTER VALUES HAROLD MEADS 1206 So. Oak St. Freeport, III. — SUPERIOR SERVICE DON E. FISCHER 814 So. Maple St. Freeport, III. SOME ROCK CITY FIRSTS FIRST SETTLER: George Raymer FIRST HOME: George Raymer Home FIRST CEMETERY - 1850 FIRST SCHOOL held in 1859 FIRST TEACHER: Mr. Searls FIRST BUSINESS - Grahams General Store in 1860 FIRST CHURCH - the United Evangelical Church in 1869 FIRST RAILROAD - Racine-Mississippi FIRST INCORPORATED AS TOWN - before 1895 FIRST BANK: the Rock City State Bank in 1911 FIRST ELECTRIC SERVICE: the Citizens Utility Co. in 1918 Public Service Company 80 Rock City Thanks You Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial JOHN PELA CHEVROLET Home Of Fine Service RUSSELL MEINERT ROY NOTT ARTHUR RAETZ Rock City, III. Dial Davis UN 5-2998 NEW AND O.K. USED CARS Rock City Thanks You Compliments To Rock City On Its Centennial ROCK CITY BANK WHERE YOUR BUSINESS Is SOLICITED - APPRECIATED - PROTECTED We Offer CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION And PROMPT LOAN SERVICE Choose ROCK CITY BANK As Your Bank FOR COMPLETE BANKING SERVICE DIRECTORS M. G. Place W. R. Thoren M. J. Hoover C. R. Doty Marvin F. Burt Robert Briggs Deposits Insured Member F.D.I.C. Rock City Thanks You fllPI IlISI 1 ilil 1 ft II II sit llilllll