Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 92

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 724

USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I > Part 92

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

to every State and National Convention of his party from 1868 to 1896. In 1874 he was elected State Treasurer, the candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction on the same ticket being defeated. In 1876 and 1880 he was an unsuccess- ful candidate for his party's nomination for Gov- ernor. Three times he consented to lead the forlorn hope of the Republicans as a candidate for Congress from an impregnably Democratic stronghold. For several years he was a Director of the McCormick Theological Seminary, at Chi- cago, and, for nineteen years, was a Trustee of the Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbon- dale, resigning in 1893. Died, at Shawneetown, Nov. 17, 1897.

RIGGS, James M., ex-Congressman, was born in Scott County, Ill., April 17, 1839, where he received a common school education, supple- mented by a partial collegiate course. He is a practicing lawyer of Winchester. In 1864 he was elected Sheriff, serving two years. In 1871-72 he represented Scott County in the lower house of the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, and was State's Attorney from 1872 to 1876. In 1883, and again in 1884, he was the successful Democratic candidate for Congress in the Twelfth Illinois District.

RIGGS, Scott, pioneer, was born in North Carolina about 1790; removed to Crawford County, Ill, early in 1815, and represented that county in the First General Assembly (1818-20). In 1825 he removed to Scott County, where he continued to reside until his death, Feb. 24, 1872.

RINAKER, John I., lawyer and Congressman, born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 18, 1830. Left an orphan at an early age, he came to Illinois in 1836, and, for several years, lived on farms in Sangamon and Morgan Counties; was educated at Illinois and McKendree Colleges, graduating from the latter in 1851; in 1852 began reading law with John M. Palmer at Carlinville, and was admitted to the bar in 1854. In August, 1862, he recruited the One Hundred and Twenty-seconu Illinois Volunteers, of which he was commis- sioned Colonel. Four months later lie was wounded in battle, but served with his regiment through the war, and was brevetted Brigadier- General at its close. Returning from the war he resumed the practice of his profession at Carlin- ville. Since 1858 he has been an active Repub- lican; has twice (1872 and '76) served his party as a Presidential Elector-the latter year for the State-at-large-and, in 1874, accepted a nomina- tion for Congress against William R. Morrison, largely reducing the normal Democratic major-

ity. At the State Republican Convention of 1880 he was a prominent, but unsuccessful, candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor. I. 1894 he made the race as the Republican candi- date for Congress in the Sixteenth District and, although his opponent was awarded the certifi- cate of election, on a bare majority of 60 votes ou the face of the returns, a re-count, ordered by the Fifty-fourth Congress, showed a majority for General Rinaker, and he was seated near the close of the first session. He was a candidate for re-election in 1896, but defeated in a strongly Democratic District.

RIPLEY, Edward Payson, Railway President, was born in Dorchester (now a part of Boston), Mass., Oct. 30, 1845, being related, on his mother's side, to the distinguished author, Dr. Edward Payson. After receiving his education in the high school of his native place, at the age of 17 he entered upon a commercial life, as clerk in a wholesale dry-goods establishment in Boston. About the time he became of age, he entered into the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad as a clerk in the freight department in the Boston office, but, a few years later, assumed a responsible position in connection with the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy line, finally becoming General Agent for the business of that road east of Buffalo, though retaining his headquarters at Boston. In 1878 he removed to Chicago to accept the position of General Freight Agent of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy System, with which he remained twelve years, serving successively as General Traffic Manager and General Manager, until June 1, 1890, when he resigned to become Third Vice-President of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. This relation was continued until Jan. 1, 1896, when Mr. Ripley accepted the Presidency of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, which (1899) he now holds. "Mr. Ripley was a prominent factor in securing the location of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and, in April, 1891, was chosen one of the Directors of the Exposition, serving on the Executive Committee and the Committee of Ways and Means and Transportation, being Chair- man of the latter.

RIVERSIDE, a suburban town on the Des Plaines River and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, 11 miles west of Chicago; has handsome parks, several churches, a bank, two local papers and numerous fine residences. Pop. (1890), 1,000; (1900), 1,551; (1910), 1,702.

RIVERTON, a village in Clear Creek Town- ship, Sangamon County, at the crossing of the

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

Wabash Railroad over the Sangamon River, 61/2 miles east-northeast of Springfield. It nas four churches, a nursery, and two coal mines Popu- lation (1880), 705; (1890), 1,127; (1900), 1,511; (1910),-1,911.

RIVES, John Cook, early banker and journal- ist, was born in Franklin County, Va., May 24, 1795; in 1806 removed to Kentucky, where he grew up under care of an uncle, Samuel Casey. He received a good education and was a man of high character and attractive manners. In his early manhood lie came to Illinois, and was con- nected, for a time, with the Branch State Bank at Edwardsville, but, about 1824, removed to Shawneetown and held a position in the bank there; also studied law and was admitted to practice. Finally, having accepted a clerkship in the Fourth Auditor's Office in Washington, he removed to that city, and, in 1830, became associated with Francis P. Blair, Sr., in the establishment of "The Congressional Globe" (the predecessor of "The Congressional Record"), of which he finally became sole proprietor, so remaining until 1864. Like his partner, Blair, although a native of Virginia and a life-long Democrat, he was intensely loyal, and contrib- uted liberally of his means for the equipment of soldiers from the District of Columbia, and for the support of their families, during the Civil War. His expenditures for these objects have been estimated at some $30,000. Died, in Prince George's County, Md., April 10, 1864.

ROANOKE, a village of Woodford County, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, 26 miles northeast of Peoria; is in a coal district; has two banks, a coal mine, and one newspaper. Pop. (1890), 831; (1900), 966; (1910), 1,311.

ROBB, Thomas Patten, Sanitary Agent, was born in Bath, Maine, in 1819; came to Cook County, Ill., in 1838, and, after arriving at man- hood, established the first exclusive wholesale grocery house in Chicago, remaining in the busi- ness until 1850. He then went to California, establishing himself in mercantile business at Sacramento, where he remained seven years, meanwhile being elected Mayor of that city. Returning to Chicago on the breaking out of the war, he was appointed on the staff of Governor Yates with the rank of Major, and, while serv- ing in this capacity, was instrumental in giving General Grant the first duty he performed in the office of the Adjutant-General after his arrival from Galena. Later, he was assigned to duty as Inspector-General of Illinois troops with the rank of Colonel, having general charge of sanitary

affairs until the close of the war, when he was appointed Cotton Agent for the State of Georgia, and, still later, President of the Board of Tax Commissioners for that State. Other positions held by him were those of Postmaster and Col- lector of Customs at Savannah, Ga. ; he was also one of the publishers of "The New Era," a Republican paper at Atlanta, and a prominent actor in reconstruction affairs. Resigning the Collectorship, he was appointed by the President United States Commissioner to investigate Mexi- can outrages on the Rio Grande border; was sub- sequently identified with Texas railroad interests as the President of the Corpus Christi & Rio Grande Railroad, and one of the projectors of the Chicago, Texas & Mexican Central Railway, being thus engaged until 1872. Later he returned to California, dying near Glenwood, in that State, April 10, 1895, aged 75 years and 10 months.

ROBERTS, William Charles, clergyman and educator, was born in a small village of Wales, England., Sept. 23, 1832; received his primary education in that country, but, removing to America during his minority, graduated from Princeton College in 1855, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1858. After filling vari- ous pastorates in Delaware, New Jersey and Ohio, in 1881 he was elected Corresponding Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, the next year being offered the Presidency of Rutgers College, which he declined. In 1887 he accepted the presidency of Lake Forest Univer -. sity, which he still retains. From 1859 to 1863 he was a Trustee of Lafayette College, and, in 1866, was elected to a trusteeship of his Alma Mater. He has traveled extensively in the Orient, and was a member of the first and third councils of the Reformed Churches, held at Edin- burgh and Belfast. Besides occasional sermons and frequent contributions to English, Ameri- can, German and Welsh periodicals, Dr. Roberts has published a Welsh translation of the West- minster shorter catechism and a collection of letters on the great preachers of Wales, which appeared in Utica, 1868. He received the degree of D.D., from Union College in 1872, and that of LL.D., from Princeton, in 1887.

ROBINSON, an incorporated city and the county-seat of Crawford County, 25 miles north- west of Vincennes, Ind., and 44 miles south of Paris, Ill .; is on two lines of railroad, in the heart of a fruit and agricultural region, also near to rich oil and gas fields, has water-works, electric lights, banks and two weekly newspapers. Pop. (1900), 1,683; (1910), 3,863.

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ROBINSON, James C., lawyer and former Congressman, was born in Edgar County, Ill., in 1822, read law and was admitted to the bar in 1850. He served as a private during the Mexican War, and, in 1858, was elected to Congress as a Democrat, as he was again in 1860, '62, '70 and "72. In 1864 he was the Democratic nominee for Governor. He was a fluent speaker, and attained considerable distinction as an advocate in crimi- nal practice. Died, at Springfield, Nov. 3, 1886.

ROBINSON, John M., United States Senator, born in Kentucky in 1793, was liberally educated and became a lawyer by profession. In early life he settled at Carmi, Ill., where he married. He was of fine physique, of engaging manners, and personally popular. Through his association with the State militia he earned the title of "General." In 1830 he was elected to the United States Senate, to fill the unexpired term of John McLean. His immediate predecessor was David Jewett Baker, appointed by Governor Edwards, who served one month but failed of election by the Legislature. In 1834 Mr. Robinson was re- elected for a full term, which expired in 1841. In 1843 he was elected to a seat upon the Illinois Supreme bench, but died at Ottawa, April 27, of the same year, within three months after his elevation.

ROCHELLE, a city of Ogle County and an intersecting point of the Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railways. It is 75 miles west of Chicago, 27 miles south of Rockford, and 23 miles east by north of Dixon. It is in a rich agricultural and stock-raising region, rendering Rochelle an important ship. ping point. Among its industrial establish- ments are water-works, electric lights, a flouring mill and silk-underwear factory The city has three banks, five churches and three newspapers. Pop. (1900), 2,073; (1910), 2,732.

ROCHESTER, a village and early settlement in Sangamon County, laid out in 1819; in rich agricultural district, on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 712 miles southeast of Springfield ; has a bank, two churches, one school, and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 365; (1910), 444.

ROCK FALLS, a city in Whiteside County, on Rock River and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad; has excellent water-power, a good public school system with a high school, banks and a weekly newspaper. Agricultural imple- ments, barbed wire, furniture, flour and paper are its chief manufactures. Water for the navigable feeder of the Hennepin Canal is taken from Rock River at this point. Pop. (1900), 2,176; (1910), 2,657.

ROCKFORD, a flourishing manufacturing city, the county-seat of Winnebago County; lies on both sides of the Rock River, 92 miles west of Chicago. Four trunk lines of railroad-the C. B. & Q., the C. & N., the I. C. and the C. M. & St. P .- intersect here. Excellent water-power is secured by a dam across the river, and com- munication between the two divisions of the city is facilitated by four railway and three high- way bridges. Water is provided from artesian wells, a reserve main leading to the river. The city is wealthy, prosperous and progressive. The equalized value of property, in 1915, was $21,847,043. Churches are numerous and schools, both public and parochial, are well conducted (see Rockford College). In 1909 there were 205 manufacturing corporations and firms, with a capitalization of $22,411,997, employing nearly 10,000 wage earners and about 1,200 salaried officials; number of establishments (1916) about 225. The principal industries are the manufac- ture of agricultural implements, furniture, pianos, hosiery, milling machines, shoes and sewing ma- chines. The city has three daily papers. Pop (1910), 45,401; (1916, estimated), 55,000.

ROCKFORD COLLEGE, located at Rock- ford, Ill., incorporated in 1847; in 1916 had a faculty of 30 instructors with 250 pupils. The branches taught include the classics, music and fine arts. It has a library of 6,150 volumes; en- dowment $210,000. The Campus has 10 acres of undulating and wooded grounds. The pre- paratory department was discontinued in 1912.

ROCK ISLAND, the principal city and county- seat of Rock Island County, on the Mississippi River, 182 miles west by south from Chicago; is the converging point of five lines of railroad, and the western terminus of the Hennepin Canal. The name is derived from an island in the Missis- sippi River, opposite the city, 3 miles long, which belongs to the United States Government and contains an arsenal and armory. The river channel north of the island is navigable, the southern channel having been dammed by the Government, thereby giving great water power to Rock Island and Moline. A combined railway and highway bridge spans the river from Rock Island to Davenport, Iowa, crossing the island, while a railway bridge connects the cities a mile below. The island was the site of Fort Arm- strong during the Black Hawk War, and was also a place for the confinement of Confederate prison- ers during the Civil War. Rock Island is in a re- gion of much picturesque scenery and has exten- sive manufactures of lumber, agricultural imple-

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ments, iron, carriages and wagons and oilcloth; also banks and two daily and weekly and one semi- · weekly paper. Pop. (1900), 19,493; (1910), 24,335.

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, in the northwestern section of the State bordering upon the Missis- sippi River (which constitutes its northwestern boundary for more than 60 miles), and having an area of 420 square miles. In 1816 the Govern- ment erected a fort on Rock Island (an island in the Mississippi, 3 miles long and one-half to three-quarters of a mile wide), naming it Fort Armstrong. It has always remained a military post, and is now the seat of an extensive arsenal and work-shops. In the spring of 1828, settle- ments were made near Port Byron by John and Thomas Kinney, Archibald Allen and George Harlan. Other early settlers, near Rock Island and Rapids City, were J. W. Spencer, J. W. Bar- riels, Benjamin F. Pike and Conrad Leak; and among the pioneers were Wells and Michael Bart- lett, Joel Thompson, the Simms brothers and George Davenport. The country was full of Indians, this being the headquarters of Black Hawk and the initial point of the Black Hawk War. (See Black Hawk, and Black Hawk War.) By 1829 settlers were increased in number and county organization was effected in 1831, Rock Island (then called Stephenson) being made the county-seat. Joseph Conway was the first County Clerk, and Joel Wells, Sr., the first Treas- urer. The first court was hield at the residence of John W. Barriels, in Farnhamsburg. The county is irregular in shape, and the soil and scenery greatly varied. Coal is abundant, the water-power inexhaustible, and the county's mining and manufacturing interests are very extensive. Several lines of railway cross the county, affording admirable transportation facili- ties to both eastern and western markets. Rock Island and Moline (which see) are the two prin- cipal cities in the county, though there are several other important points. Coal Valley is the center of large mining interests, and Milan is also a manufacturing center. Port Byron is one of the oldest towns in the county, and has con- siderable lime and lumber interests, while Water- town is the seat of the Western Hospital for the Insane. Population of the county (1880), 38,302; (1890), 41,917; (1900), 55,249; (1910), 70,404.

ROCK ISLAND & PEORIA RAILWAY, a standard-guage road, laid with steel rails, extend- ing from Rock Island to Peoria, 91 miles. It is lessee of the Rock Island & Mercer County Rail- road, running from Milan to Cable, Ill., giving it a total length of 118 miles-with Peoria Terminal,

121.10 miles .- (HISTORY.) The company is a reorganization (Oct. 9, 1877) of the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad Company, whose road was sold under foreclosure, April 4, 1877. The latter Road was the result of the consolidation, in 1869, of. two corporations-the Rock Island & Peoria and the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad Compa- nies-the new organization taking the latter name. The road was opened through its entire length, Jan. 1, 1872, its sale under foreclosure and reorganization under its present name taking place, as already stated, in 1877. The Cable Branch was organized in 1876, as the Rock Island & Mercer County Railroad, and opened in De- cember of the same year, sold under foreclosure in 1877, and leased to the Rock Island & Peoria Rail- road, July 1, 1885, for 999 years, the rental for the entire period being commuted at $450, 000 .- (FINANCIAL.) The cost of the entire road and equipment was $2,654,487. The capital stock (1898) is $1,500,000; funded debt, $600,000; other forms of indebtedness increasing the total capital invested to $2,181,066.

ROCK RIVER, a stream which rises in Wash- ington County, Wis., and flows generally in a southerly direction, a part of its course being very sinuous. After crossing the northern boundary of Illinois, it runs southwestward, intersecting the counties of Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside and Rock Island, and entering the Mississippi three miles below the city of Rock Island. It is about 375 miles long, but its navigation is partly obstructed by rapids, which, however, furnish abundant water-power. The principal towns on its banks are Rockford, Dixon and Sterling. Its valley is wide, and noted for its beauty and fertility.

ROCKTON, a village in Winnebago County, at the junction of two branches of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, on Rock River, 13 miles north of Rockford; has manufactures of paper and fanning mills; there is a feed mill and local paper. Pop. (1900), 936; (1910), 841.

ROE, Edward Reynolds, A.B., M.D., physician, soldier and author, was born at Lebanon, Ohio, June 22, 1813; removed with his father, in 1819, to Cincinnati, and graduated at Louisville Med- ical Institute in 1842; began practice at Anderson, Ind., but soon removed to Shawneetown, Ill., where he gave much attention to geological research and made some extensive natural his- tory collections. From 1848 to '52 he resided at Jacksonville, lectured extensively on his favorite science, wrote for the press and, for two years (1850-52), edited "The Jacksonville Journal," still

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later editing the newly established "Constitu- tionalist" for a few months. During a part of this period he was lecturer on natural science at Shurtleff College; also delivered a lecture before the State Legislature on the geology of Illinois, which was immediately followed by the passage of the act establishing the State Geological Department. A majority of both houses joined in a request for his appointment as State Geolo- gist, but it was rejected on partisan grounds- he, then, being a Whig. Removing to Blooming- ton in 1852, Dr. Roe became prominent in educa- tional matters, being the first Professor of Natural Science in the State Normal University, and also a Trustee of the Illinois Wesleyan University. Having identified himself with the Democratic party at this time, he became its nominee for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1860, but, on the inception of the war in 1861, he promptly espoused the cause of the Union, raised three companies (mostly Normal students) which were attached to the Thirty-third Illinois (Nor- mal) Regiment; was elected Captain and succes- sively promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. Having been dangerously wounded in the assault at Vicksburg, on May 22, 1863, and compelled to return home, he was elected Circuit Clerk by the combined vote of both parties, was re-elected four years later, became editor of "The Bloom- ington Pantagraph" and, in 1870, was elected to the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, where he won distinction by a somewhat notable humorous speech in opposition to removing the State Capital to Peoria. In 1871 he was ap- pointed Marshal for the Southern District of Illi- nois, serving nine years. Dr. Roe was a somewhat prolific author, having produced more than a dozen works which have appeared in book form. One of these, "Virginia Rose; a Tale of Illinois in Early Days," first appeared as a prize serial in "The Alton Courier" in 1852. Others of his more noteworthy productions are: "The Gray and the Blue"; "Brought to Bay"; "From the Beaten Path"; "G. A. R .; or How She Married His Double"; "Dr. Caldwell; or the Trail of the Serpent"; and "Prairie-Land and Other Poems." He died in Chicago, Nov. 6, 1893.

ROGERS, George Clarke, soldier, was born in Grafton County, N H., Nov. 22, 1838; but was educated in Vermont and Illinois, having re- moved to the latter State early in life. While teaching he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1860; was the first, in 1861, to raise a com- pany in Lake County for the war, which was mustered into the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteers;

was chosen Second-Lieutenant and later Captain; was wounded four times at Shiloh, but refused to leave the field, and led his regiment in the final charge; was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and soon after commissioned Colonel for gallantry at Hatchie. At Champion Hills he received three wounds, from one of which he never fully re- covered; took a prominent part in the operations at Allatoona and commanded a brigade nearly two years, including the Atlanta campaign, retiring with the rank of brevet Brigadier-Gen- eral. Since the war has practiced law in Illinois and in Kansas.

ROGERS, Henry Wade, educator, lawyer and author, was born in Central New York in 1853; entered Hamilton College, but the following year became a student in Michigan University, graduating there in 1874, also receiving the degree of A.M., from the same institution, in 1877. In 1883 he was elected to a professorship in the Ann Arbor Law School, and, in 1885, was made Dean of the Faculty, succeeding Judge Cooley, at the age of 32. Five years later he was tendered, and accepted, the Presidency of the Northwestern University, at Evanston, being the first layman chosen to the position, and succeed- ing a long line of Bishops and divines. The same year (1890), Wesleyan University conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. He is a mem- ber of the American Bar Association, has served for a number of years on its Committee on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar, and was the first Chairman of the Section on Legal Edu- cation. President Rogers was the General Chair- man of the Conference on the Future Foreign Policy of the United States, held at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., in August, 1898. At the Con- gress held in 1893, as auxiliary to the Columbian Exposition, he was chosen Chairman of the Com- mittee on Law Reform and Jurisprudence, and was for a time associate editor of "The American Law Register," of Philadelphia. He is also the author of a treatise on "Expert Testimony," which has passed through two editions, and has edited a work entitled "Illinois Citations," besides doing much other valuable literary work of a similar character.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 92

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857- Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 724

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 724