Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 11

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972

USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 11

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

An instance occurred in Rockford in the winter of 1838-39, in which the "jumper" refused to submit his pretensions to the determination of this tribunal, but persisted in completing his building upon land which had been previously recognized as belonging to another. The neigh- bors turned out almost en masse, carefully raised the building and placed it upon ox-sleds, and with their teams hauled it into town. On the top of the building sat Mark Beaubien, a young

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

man, who tied together a number of red hand- kerchiefs iuto a flaming banner, which he waved in triumph over that portion of the "land of the free." One either side of the cabin, which was now playing the role of a circuit-rider, marched the citizens in procession, oue hundred or more in number. Their destination was the residence of George W. Brinckerhoff, who, it was alleged, had counseled the jumping of the claim, and who would be interested therein should it be se- cured. They quietly deposited their freight iu Mr. Brinckerhoff's front yard, and told him they had fouud his property astray on the prairie ; and, fearing some injury might come to it, they had deemed it their duty as good neighbors, to return it to him. They also expressed the hope that he would exercise police regulations over his wayward property. The citizens then quietly dispersed ; and it is said no further trouble arose from that source.

Another case occurred at Twelve-Mile Grove, in 1844, which resulted in the death of one of the claimants. - Two men started at the same time to pre-empt forty acres of land iu that neighborhood. One of them, named Pierce, found on reaching the place that Andrus had fore- stalled him, and was putting up a cabin. Pierce immediately started for Dixon on horseback. By hard riding he reached his destination the same day, made his entry at the land office, re- ceived his certificate, and immediately returned. When he arrived on the tract in dispute, he found thereon the cabin which had just been completed. His opponent had labored all night and had finished his cabin, and was now away at breakfast. Pierce quickly summoned two or three of his friends; and, on the principle that possession is nine points of the law, they entered the shanty, locked the door and awaited devel- opments. When Andrus returned he found that he had been locked out of the cabin, and he im- mediately rallied to his aid a number of neigh- bors. Terms of capitulation were offered and refused, and hostilities began. The inmates could not be dislodged ; aud as a last resort, the assailants tried to overturn the cabin. They had raised one side several feet, when a shot was fired from within, and they dropped their load. As the cabin recovered its perpendicular with great force, the board which covered the window fell in, and one of the attacking party fired through. Pierce sprang through the win- dow, rau a few steps and fell dead, shot through

the heart. The participants in the disturbance were apprehended for riot. One of them was tried for murder ; but it could not be proved who fired the fatal shot, and all were acquitted.

The treatment of a Mr. Brown, who came to Rockford in the winter of 1837, with a large fam- ily and a very small purse, has been told by other writers. Brown built a log cabin, and moved from his wagon into his new home. He was thereupon told that his castle must be pulled down, as the claim belonged to Mr. Spaulding, who was then at St. Louis. Mr. Brown was not easily intimidated, and defended his rights. One day a crowd, under the influence of liquor, be- sieged his cabin. Brown confrouted them with a musket. Terms of settlement were proposed. "If you will leave this claim, we agree to get you a better oue, build a house, and furnish you with provisions." The ruse was successful. The terms were accepted, and the barricade removed, when the goods were ejected from the cabin, which was torn down, and the logs rolled to- gether and burned. Brown's effects were hauled into the woods, and his family exposed to the elements on a cold, stormy night, until compas- sionate friends gave them shelter. Upon Mr. Spaulding's return, he denied all pretension to the ownership of the claim. Other instances oc- curred in the county ; but as land titles became settled, these controversies ceased.

Jonathan Weldon, who settled at Westfield, was among the early residents. Mr. Weldon was intellectual and shrewd, though physically dis- abled. In one instance he successfully opposed the entire bar of the county when it was pro- posed to open a road through his land. In a letter to the late Hon. E. H. Baker, from Eu- reka, California, under date of November 24, 1886, C. A. Huntington, formerly of Rockford, wrote in part: "Without exception he was the most remarkable man I ever knew. He settled without a dollar in the grove near Rock River, and took up a large farm well chosen with both prairie and timber. His children, when young, two sons and two daughters, while yet in their childhood so plied their young hands to work, that in a few years under the prudent manage- meut of the parents, both of whom had judg- ment and tact, they had fields fenced and plowed, a good stock of horses, mules, swine, cattle, poultry, and money in abundance. Mr. Weldon was a man of education, and in spite of all the impediments of frontier life, he edu-

of Hilton Bijby

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

cated his children, all of whom took rank among the best settlers of the county, and one, his oldest son, became a clergyman."

EARLY FERRIES.

The ferry was the first mode of transit across the river. Ferries were established by special acts of the legislature, with regular charters, in territory not under county organization. The issue of licenses for conducting ferries came un- der the jurisdiction of the commissioners' courts in organized counties. In 1836, at the Septem- ber session of this court for Winnebago County, Germanicus Kent was authorized to establish a ferry at Rockford, at what is now State street. He was required to pay a license of $10 for one year. Rates of ferriage were established as follows : For each carriage, wagon or cart, drawn by two horses, oxen or mules, sixty-two and one- half cents ; the same drawn by one horse, thirty- seven and one-half cents; for each additional horse, twelve and one-half cents; for man and horse, twenty-five cents; each horse, mule, or head of cattle, twelve and one-half cents; hogs, sheep and goats per score, fifty cents ; each foot- man, six and one-quarter cents. These terms were for transients. Farmers were given a yearly rate. Free ferriage was given to the citizens of the county after the village became incorporated. The proprietors were reimbursed from the village treasury.

At the same session of the court Vance & Andrews were authorized to establish a ferry at Winnebago, on the same terms for license and ferriage as given Mr. Kent. C. Doolittle, by his agent, H. M. Wattles, was granted the priv- ilege of establishing a ferry where the line be- tween Rockford and Owen townships crosses Rock River, on the same terms. In the spring of 1836, Harvey Lowe and Nelson H. Salisbury, who had made claims in Howard in the preced- ing autumn, returned with their families, and on May 18 they crossed the river at the point now spanned by Trask's bridge. They were the first to cross in the boat which had been launched that day. They had been detained there about a week, and during that time they had assisted in building the boat. This ferry, which was established through the agency of Love and Salisbury, to enable them to cross their claims, subsequently became the thorough- fare in the direction of Mineral Point, and

formed a convenient crossing for all emigrants to the country north of the Pecatonica.

In 1837 the ferry licenses of Kent and Vance were extended another year, at the same rates. Mr. Kent conducted the ferry at Rockford from 1836 to 1838. In the latter year a license was issued to Kent & Brinckerhoff. The rates of ferriage were changed and the license fee raised to $20. These gentlemen were succeeded by Selden M. Church, who continued the business until the first bridge was built.

Skiffs were used for carrying passengers, and a scow for horses and other property. A scow was made from the halves of large split logs hewn down to proper thickness, and planked in the ordinary manner. A large cable was stretched across the river, supported by posts on either side, whichi kept it in place. From the ends of the scow smaller ropes ran to pulley , blocks running on the cable. By shortening one of these ropes and pushing the boat from the shore so that the current could strike it ob- liquely, the craft was given the required momen- tum, and the rapid current propelled it over. The scow could carry two teams at a time. Teams were driven upon the scow, and if any danger was apprehended from frightened horses, the driver would block a wheel to the scow with a chain. A platform at either end of the boat, supported by levers attached to each side, was lowered to the solid landing, and thus formed an easy entrance and exit. A railing at the sides and base at the ends insured perfect safety. The countersign was "Over!" which, with vari- ous repetitions and infections, always preceded the starting of the boat.

There was a ferry-house on either side of the river. The ferryman resided in the one on the West side. It was a frame structure built on the site of the Register-Gazette building, in 1839, by Allen & Brown, for Kent & Brinckerhoff. Its dimensions were 14 by 14 feet, one story, boarded up and down, with shingle roof. James Taylor, a bachelor, was the first ferryman. He was suc- ceeded by Giles C. Hard, and he in turn by John Fisher, after whom Fisher avenue was named. He was a native of New Hampshire, a strong and muscular man, of strict integrity. Mr. Tay- lor was assisted by Asher Miller. Their combined strength was sometimes severely tested in get- ting a row-boat, loaded with passengers and mails, across through the ice, when the ferry- boat could not run.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

STATE ROADS.

When Germanicus Kent and Thatcher Blake made their settlements, there were no state roads in this vicinity. Indian trails wended their way through prairie and forest, but these did not greatly facilitate the travel of the white man. At that time Chicago and Galena were the only well known points in northern Illinois. The first settlements in the state were made in the southern portion; and as the tide of emi- gration poured from the east into the Rock River Valley, after the Black Hawk war, each session of the legislature laid out a number of state roads.

By an act approved January 15, 1836, James Gifford, Daniel S. Haight and Josiah C. Goodhue were appointed special commissioners to view, survey and locate a road from Meacham's Grove, in Cook County, to Galena, in Jo Daviess County. The bill directed that the commissioners should make "Elgin on Fox River, in Cook County, Bel- videre on Squaw Prairie, in the County of La- Salle, and Midway at the ford on Rock River, in the County of Jo Daviess, points on the said road, and shall fix the said road on the most ad- vantageous ground, for a permanent road, having reference to said points." This road was opened without delay, and State street in Belvidere and in Rockford is a portion of this highway, which extends nearly across the state in a general northwesterly direction from Chicago.

By the same act David W. Whitney, Stephen Mack, and John P. Bradstreet were designated commissioners to locate a road from Belvidere to the mouth of Pecatonica River, at Mack- town, which was named in his own honor by its founder, Stephen Mack. By an act of the legislature, approved March 2, 1839, Benjamin T. Lee, of Winnebago County, Ephraim Hall, of DeKalb, and Isaac Marlett, of Kane, were made commissioners to view, survey and locate "a state road from where a certain road terminates at the Will Connty line, to Aurora, on Fox River; thence, by the county seat of DeKalb County, Rockford, in Winnebago County, Trask's ferry, Pekatonikee; thence to the state line, in a direction towards Mineral Point. The said commissioners shall lay out a state road from the town of Winnebago, in Winnebago County, intersecting the State road in the direction to the Will County line." Mr. Marlett, the third commissioner, was the father of Mrs. O. F. Bar-

bour, of Rockford. About 1839 Charles street was opened as a more direct route to Chicago, by way of St. Charles; hence the name. But it was of little value in this respect beyond Cherry Valley.

In March, 1839, an act of the legislature was approved, by which $25,000 were appropriated from the state internal improvement fund, which had been created two years before. This money was distributed among the northern counties. It was to be applied by the commissioners' courts of the counties receiving the same, exclusively to the construction of bridges, and the improve- ment of public roads in their respective counties. Winnebago County received $3,114.83, with the proviso that "the bridge across Cedar Creek, on the State road leading by Bloomingville to the mouth of the Pickatonike, and the improve- ments of the Great Western mail route or road from the east to the west line of Winnebago Connty, shall first be made and paid for from the sum appropriated to said county."

Upon the organization of the county, the com- missioners devoted considerable attention to receiving petitions for the appointment of viewers to locate roads. The rapid settlement of the county, in a day preceding the railroad, demanded the best possible facilities for trans- portation. Every property-owner was anxious to secure a public road near his homestead, and was willing to give whatever land was necessary. The records of the county bear testimony to the fidelity with which the commissioners transacted this important business.

CHAPTER VI.

STAGE COACH AND COUNTRY TAVERN DAYS.

THE STAGE COACH-FRINK, WALKER & CO. LINE PIONEERS IN TRANSPORTATION-PRIMITIVE CON- DITIONS IN OLD WAYSIDE INNS-EARLY HOTELS AT ROCKFORD- TALLOW CANDLES THE ELECTRIC LIGHT OF THOSE DAYS - ROCKFORD HOUSE - WASHINGTON HOUSE-ROCK RIVER HOUSE-WIN- NEBAGO HOUSE- THE LOG TAVERN-THE STAGE

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

HOUSE - BROWN'S COTTAGE -THE AMERICAN HOUSE-THE WAVERLY-THE UNION HOUSE- THE INN-THE CHICK HOUSE-THE EAGLE HOTEL -CITY HOTEL-HOLLAND HOUSE-PRIMITIVE VIL- LAGES WITH CHANGING NAMES-SCIPIO-RIB TOWN-NEWBURG-LEETOWN-A SEMINARY PRO- JECTED THERE-GRISTMILL ERECTED AT NEWBURG -- VANCEBOROUGH-FIRST POSTMASTER OF WHAT IS NOW TWELVE-MILE GROVE-TRIALS OF THE PIONEERS-STURDY TYPE OF SETTLERS-PIONEER WOMEN-FREQUENT SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS- EXCELLENT STORY TOLD BY JUDGE CHURCH-FIRST PATRIOTIC CELEBRATIONS.

THE STAGE COACH.

The state roads naturally prepared the way for the stage coach. Before the railroad had reached this western region, the only common carrier was "the coach and four." Stage lines were then running from Chicago in several di- rections. They carried mails, passengers and light parcels. Frink, Walker & Co. became fa- mous throughout this region as the proprietors of the one stage line which connected Chicago with Rockford. This firm owned nearly all the stage lines in Illinois, and parts of those in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. The proprietors of these lines were politicians, as it was necessary for members of Congress to aid them in securing mail contracts.

It is impossible to determine the precise date when the stage coach began to make regular trips on this line as far west as Rockford. It is certain that it had thus become an established institution not later than January 1, 1838. On that day the arrival of the stage coach in Rock- ford attracted the attention of the people of the village. and large numbers came from the sur- rounding country to witness the spectacle. The stage office in Chicago was for a long time at 123 Lake street, and later at the southwest cor- ner of Lake and Dearborn.

Frink, Walker & Co. first ran their stage lines only from. Chicago to Rockford. The coachies were always drawn by four horses. In 1840 the schedule time from Chicago to Rockford was ad- vertised to be twenty-four hours. Horses were changed at intervals of fifteen miles, at stations built for this purpose. Frink, Walker & Co.'s stage barn in Rockford was the well known barn near the intersection of State and Third streets, and faced north and south. It was built in 1836 for Mr. Haight by Sidney Twogood and

Thomas Lake. Few buildings in the county have served more diverse uses. It was there the first patriotic exercises were held ; there the First Congregational people first held public services on the East side. When Frink, Walker & Co. purchased the building, it was moved a few rods west, and turned to face east and west. There the first quarterly meeting of the First Methodist church was held in the summer of 1838.

Coaches left the main office in Chicago every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, and returned on alternate days. The fare from Chicago to Rockford was $5. Mrs. Charles H. Spafford wrote as follows of her first journey : "From Chicago I traveled by stage, one of the old 'Frink & Walker's,' stopping at night in one of the extremely primitive wayside inns of that early period. The accommodations were not ex- tensive nor luxurious in these little hostelries. I was awakened in the night by a light in my room, and saw a man at the foot of my bed, busy with two large mail bags. It was the post- master changing the mail. Remembering the limitations of the place, I immediately took in the situation, and made no outcry. It was a dreary ride from Chicago to Rockford in the old stage, and I was very glad to arrive at the end of my journey, where my brother was waiting for me at the Rockford House."

From Rockford to Galena the stage line was conducted for a time by John D. Winters, of Elizabeth, a little town south of Galena. The route first passed through Elizabeth, but sub- sequently the more direct route was by way of Freeport. The first stopping-place west of Rock- ford was Twelve-Mile Grove. Mr. Winters re- tired from the business after a time, and then Frink, Walker & Co. had the entire line from Chicago to Galena. William Cunningham, a Rockford pioneer, was in the employ of this firm at one time as a driver between Twelve-Mile Grove and Freeport. As late as April, 1914, Wil- liam Beckman, one of the stage drivers who came to Rockford, was living in Sacramento, California, and was president of the People's Savings Bank in that city. His first run was from a point near St. Charles to Rockford, and later from Rockford to Freeport.

EARLY HOTELS AT ROCKFORD.

The first hotel in Rockford was the Rockford House. The early public houses were more gen-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

erally called taverns. Before the Rockford House was built, Mr. Kent and a number of the other settlers had entertained strangers, bnt not as regular hotel-keepers. The Rockford House was built by Daniel S. Haight and Charles S. Oliver. It stood on the site of what is now the East Side Inn. The wing was finished in the antumn of 1837, when the house was opened by Henry Thurston. The third story, which was divided into two rooms, was reached by a ladder, which was made by slats nailed to two pieces of the stndding, in the first story of the main building. The pro- prietor's son John was an important functionary. He made the beds and escorted the guests up the ladder when they retired. He was admon- ished by his sire not to drop the melted tallow from the dip npon his guests. Mr. Thurston's successors as landlord were: Lathrop Johnson, Daniel Howell, Andrew Brown, J. Schaeffer, Abel Campbell, E. Radcliff, Major John William- son. The last named was father of Miss Lizzie J. Williamson, who was for seventeen years as- sistant librarian at the Rockford Public Library. Mr. Williamson died in April, 1901. The Rock- ford House was destroyed by fire March 7, 1869.

The second hotel, the Washington Honse, was built in 1838 by two brothers, Jacob B. and Thomas Miller, and opened to the public the following year. It stood 60 feet front on State street, with large additions in the rear, with basement kitchen, dining-room, and sleeping apartments above the dining-room. The street in front was graded down, and ten or twelve steps were built. This elevation above the street-level proved quite a serions objection, and the house was abandoned, and it stood vacant for some years. The ground was then exca- vated, the house turned to the street, and low- ered to the grade. The name of this hotel was changed to the Rock River House. A part of the building stands on 307 East State street, and is ocenpied as a fruit store. Another part is the bookstore building on the sontheast corner of State and Madison streets. The successive proprietors of the house were: Jacob Miller, David Panl, McKenney & Tyler, E. S. Black- stone, W. Fulton, H. D. Searles, L. Caldwell. The Winnebago House was built abont 1838 by Dr. George Haskell, on the Ashton corner, and was a popular hotel for many years.

The Log Tavern, known as the Stage House, was opened in 1838. It was built on the site of

the Trust Company building. Brown's Cottage was opened in 1850, by Andrew Brown. The name was changed to the American House in 1852 by G. S. Moore. The Waverly and the Union Honse, near the Northwestern depot, on the West side, were opened in 1852. The Inn, which was located where the Chick Honse now stands, was opened in 1840 by Spencer & Fuller. The Eagle Hotel was opened in 1841. It was located on Sonth Main street, in the third block below State.

The City Hotel was opened in June, 1852, by James R. Pierce, who had been connected with the old Winnebago Honse, and was familiarly known as "Santa Anna." Mr. Pierce sold the property to John Bingham, and went to Cali- fornia, where he met a severe reverse in fortune. In 1868 the hotel was purchased by W. A. Dickerman and G. A. Sanford, and after a short time Mr. Dickerman became sole owner. He sold the property about 1880 to E. B. Sumner for $7,000. The old structure was razed in 1888, and the brick block now occupied by the Forest City Bank was erected by Mr. Sumner.

In June, 1855, a joint stock company, organ- ized nnder the anthority of an act of the legis- latnre, began the erection of the Holland Honse, an extensive hotel which received its name from Jolın A. Holland. The hotel was completed the following spring, and April 30th an elaborate inangnration festival was given by the citizens to Messrs. Pierce & Bingham, the proprietors. Isaac N. Cunningham, the former landlord of the Winnebago Honse, was chairman of the commit- tee on arrangements, and presided at the tables. Brief addresses were made by Judge Church, Mayor James L. Loop, Jason Marsh, Dr. Lyman, William Hulin, Melancthon Starr, C. I. Horsman and T. D. Robertson. Like most enterprises of this kind, undertaken in the interior cities of the west, the property was unremunerative, and passed into private hands. A man by the name of Baldwin held mortgage bonds, and foreclosed. He bid in the property at the sale, and then sold it to Robertson & Starr. Mr. Starr purchased the interest of his partner, and sold the hotel to his son, H, N. Starr. Later owners were W. B. Sink and C. W. Brown. The Holland House was destroyed by fire Christmas eve, 1896. .

PRIMITIVE VILLAGES.

In 1837-38 several towns were projected in Winnebago Connty. One was on the east side

Just E. Blomgink

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

of the river, on what was called Big Bottom, nearly opposite the stone quarry. A man named Wattles staked out his farm into lots and streets, and called it Scipio; but even its classic name did not give it prestige. The proprietor built the only house ever completed. The stakes remained for several years, until they were plowed under by the owner, who could not give away his lots. Another town was started by the river, at what is known as the old Shumway place. At one time there were from thirty-five to forty frames erected there ; but only a few of them were ever enclosed. This fact gave the place the appropri- ate name of "Rib-town." Later many of these frames were torn down and removed. Several were taken to new farms, and others were brought to Rockford. It is certain that two or three "Rib-town" frames were re-erected in the city. One was owned by Jonathan Hitchcock, and located on North Second street; and an- other by a Mr. Ricard, on the same strect. One frame was placed beside the Shumway house, as a part of it. Mark Beaubien finished one two-story house, and occupied it with his family for two or three years, when they removed to Chicago.

In 1839-40 George W. Lee platted a town on the west or upper side of Kishwaukee River, at its junction with Rock River, in what is now New Milford Township. Quite a town was actu- ally built, with two stores and a blacksmith shop. A large building for a seminary was en- closed and partially finished, but it was never used for this purpose. Although an excellent building, and standing in a sightly place, it was allowed to remain until all the windows were broken out. The frame was finally torn down and the lumber hauled away. This was the first attempt to found a seminary in Winnebago County. Both "Rib-town" and Mr. Lee's plat were named Kishwaukee; but the former was abandoned before George W. Lee platted the second. The latter was sometimes called Lee- town, in honor of its founder.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 11

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 972

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972