Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 17

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

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EARLY BUSINESS INTERESTS.

The first frame building in Rockford was erected in 1836, by Sidney, Twogood and Thomas Lake. It was a story-and-a-half structure, and stood on the southwest corner of State and Madi- son streets, and faced east. It was first occupied as a general store by Harry W. Bundy and George Goodhue. Many years later this build- ing was removed to the lot adjoining the rail- road track on the same side of the street, where it remained until a few years ago, when a stone building was erected on the site. The second frame structure was built for Daniel S. Haight, on the northeast corner of State and Madison streets, and while this building was in progress, Mr. Haight employed a force of carpenters in constructing a small frame dwelling house on lot 9 of the same block. He lived in this as soon as it was enclosed. This was the first frame house in Rockford occupied by a family. Mr. Haight had vacated his first log house for the Miller family. James B. Martyn, who came from Alabama upon Mr. Haight's solicitation, claimed to have built the first frame house in the county, in 1836, on his claim on the State road, one mile east of the intersection of State and Third streets. Mr. Martyn died at Belvi- dere in 1881.

The first theatrical performance was given October 29, 1838, in the old Rockford House. The manager of the company was the elder Jef- ferson, father of the world-renowned Joseph Jefferson. "Joe" was but a youth, and acted in "Lord Lovell," then a new play. The company was weather-bound in Rockford while en route from Chicago to Galena. The river was not passable by reason of heavy moving ice. The last time the famous impersonator of "Rip Van Winkle" was in Rockford he related this inci- dent to a local reporter.

The first tailor in Rockford was William H. Tinker, who came from Massachusetts. He was in the village in 1836, but he did not consider the

outlook very promising and left the field. In June, 1837, Parson King Johnson, from Bran- don, Vt., came to Rockford, and found Mr. Tinker's cutting board in the rear room of Bundy & Goodhue's store. Mr. Tinker returned to Rockford, and the firm of Tinker & Johnson be- came the first in that line in the village. The firm occupied the upper room in a building on the site of 111 South Madison street. The first shoemaker was Ezra Barnum. He was father of Anson Barnum and Mrs. James M. Wight, and grandfather of Mrs. Sherratt. Mr. Barnum came from Danbury, Conn., in the summer of 1837. The first brick was made in the autumn of 1837 by Cyrus C. Jenks, in Guilford, about three and a half miles northeast of the town. The larger portion of this brick was used for chimneys. The first brick house was a small, square structure, one story, on the southeast corner of block 18, on First street, opposite the public square. It was built in 1838, by John H. Morse. The first carpenter cannot be determined with accuracy, but it is probable that Thomas Lake and Sidney Twogood were the first skilled workmen. The first saloon was opened in 1837, by Samuel Little, an Englishman. He put up a small one-story building near 316 East State street. The first blacksmith was probably one of the men employed by Mr. Kent. The second was William Penfield. His frame build- ing was on the northeast corner of Madison and Market streets. William P. Dennis was the first house-painter, and in 1837 he displayed his skill on Mr. Haight's first frame house. The first drug-store was opened early in the summer of 1838, by "Dr." Marshal, a Scotchman. It was on the north side of State street, about 80 feet from the river. He was once called to pre- scribe for Dr. Haskell, who refused to take his medicine. It proved to be seventy grains of calomel. The first bakers were Ephraim Wy- man and Bethuel Houghton, who did business in 1838 as partners on South Main street. The first store was kept by John Vance, in a log cabin on South First street, opposite the city hall. He subsequently started a provision store at Winnebago, when that village seemed likely to become the county seat.

TOWN INCORPORATED.

Early in 1839 the little village aspired to the dignity of an incorporated town. The general

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law of 1831 provided that "whenever the white males over the age of twenty-one years, being residents of any town in this state, containing not less than one hundred and fifty inhabitants, shall wish to become incorporated for the bet- ter regulation of their internal police," it should be lawful for them to do so. The ambition of the village was sustained by the required popu- lation. A meeting of the citizens of Rockford was held, pursuant to public notice, at the Rockford House, April 1, 1839, and it was re- solved that the two villages of Rockford, east and west sides of Rock River, be incorporated into one town. Committees were appointed to ascertain the number of inhabitants within the prescribed boundaries of Rockford; to draft an act of incorporation for the town; and to confer with Mr. Brinckerhoff concerning free ferriage for the citizens of the county, These matters were satisfactorily settled, and on April 4, 1839, the town was incorporated. Dr. Goodhue, Daniel S. Haight, Samuel Little, Ephraim Wyman and Isaiah Lyon were the five trustees chosen, The statute provided that the boundaries of a town incorporated under its provisions should not ex- ceed one mile square. The trustees restricted the limits as thus prescribed by the law. They organized by the election of Daniel S. Haight, president ; Anson Barnum, clerk ; John C. Kem- ble, attorney. Isaiah Lyon was elected collector and treasurer; Henry Thurston, assessor for the first district; John Haskell, for the second ; Nathaniel Wilder for the third; S. D. Preston, for the fourth. Rockford continued its simple municipal life under this system until January, 1852. These years were quite uneventful, so far as municipal affairs were concerned, The com- plete records of the proceedings of the board of trustees for those twelve years are contained in a single small volume.

SOCIAL STANDARDS.

The aristocracy of a community is always founded upon what its people believe to be the chief good. Whenever the emphasis is placed upon noble family descent, the aristocracy is founded upon blood. If intellectual culture is the summum bonum, the charmed circle will be composed of artists, poets and literati. When money is considered the first object of pursuit, wealth will be the basis of aristocracy. In the social life of ancient Rome, the patricians were

the descendants of the first settlers. From that day to this aristocracy has rested in a measure upon good birth. The fact that a man is well born is accepted as a letter of credit the wide world over.

The "open sesame" to good society in the early days of Winnebago County was not noble blood, nor culture, nor wealth. If any aristocracy had developed, it rested upon common respectability. The society of Winnebago County from sixty to seventy years ago was of the highest class. It was characterized by a delightful Arcadian sim- plicity. The settlers were not burdened with the care of large houses, and costly furniture, and expensive wardrobes. The axiom that one might as well be out of the world as out of fashion was the invention of a later date. Meetings for benevolent purposes were held at private houses, and substantial refreshments were served which the guests could eat. So- cieties were then founded which still have an existence. Hospitality was of the true and gen- uine sort. A walk of two or three miles did not require much effort, although there were no sidewalks nor street lamps, even in Rockford. A hand lantern, brilliantly illuminated with a candle or oil lamp, and cheerful company, would dispel the most dense Egyptian darkness. Some- times a little company would go in lumber wag- ons three to five miles into the country for a rehearsal of church music with a friend. The music and the social converse were alike enjoy- able. Literary entertainments were occasion- ally given at the courthouse. Weddings were the large social gatherings, and the invitations were quite general,

A BRILLIANT WEDDING.

The wedding of Charles H. Spafford and Miss Abby Warren was solemnized March 8, 1842, at the residence of Jason Marsh, and the party was large and representative. The bride had come to Rockford in the autumn of 1841, to keep house for her brother, Edward Warren, the sec- ond postmaster of the village. Mr. Warren had built the upright part of the present residence of Dr. Lichty, on the corner of Third and Walnut streets. It was built of brick, and entirely fin- ished in black walnut. Mrs. Spafford's father, Joseph Warren, was a son of Dr. John Warren, who was surgeon-general in Washington's army, and a brother of General Joseph Warren, who

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was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. Mrs. Spafford's father received his education at Cam- bridge. His death occurred when his daughter was five years of age. Mrs. Spafford was also descended from Governor John Collins, the last colonial governor of Rhode Island. She was educated in the east and upon her settlement in Rockford she became prominent in the social life of the village. Her religious sympathies had always been with the Unitarian church.

RELATED TO WASHINGTON IRVING.

There was considerable social intercourse be- tween Rockford and the neighboring towns. The settlers of Belvidere and Rockford were of the same general class. Prof. Whitman, who was a stated supply at one time in one of the local pulpits, was widely known as a Baptist clergy- man and educator. Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. R. S. Molony, also of Belvidere, were nieces of Miss Matilda Hoffman, the young lady to whom Wash- ington Irving was engaged. She died in April, 1809, at the age of eighteen. By way of a di- gression it may be said that Irving slept with. her Bible and prayer-book under his pillow, and they were his inseparable companions. His de- votion to her memory caused him to remain a bachelor. In his private note-book he wrote: "She died in the beauty of her youth, and in my memory she will ever be young and beautiful." In St. Mark's Eve, in Bracebridge Hall, he plain- tively says : "There are departed beings whom I have loved as I never again shall love in this world-who have loved me as I never again shall be loved !" Miss Hoffman died in the arms of Rebecca Gratz, a beautiful Jewess of Phila- delphia. Irving visited Sir Walter Scott in 1817; and upon the strength of his vivid description of this lady, Sir Walter made her the heroine of Ivanhoe, Rebecca, the most romantic creation of female character that the author ever con- ceived.

Dr. R. S. Molony represented his district in Congress from 1851 to 1853, as a Democrat. Chi- cago was then included in that district. Sena- tor and Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas were occasional guests at the Molony home, which was a social centre in the neighboring village.

Whatever may have been the differences be- tween the East and West sides in business af- fairs, in the social life of the community there were no two sides of the river. A common feel-

ing of sympathy made them one people. H. H. Waldo comments in this wise upon Rockford society in the forties and fifties: "Society was free from artificial distinctions. The pioneer days were the red-letter days of my life. I would like to live them over again. There was a more fraternal feeling among men in the same line of business. Competition was not so strong. The popular amusements were instructive as well as entertaining." The larger number of social distinctions are natural rather than artificial. Friendships are formed upon the basis of social affinity, which is as truly a natural law as chem- ical affinity. The public ball was one of the popular amusements among a class of residents of the olden time. These balls were usually held at the Rockford 'House, the Washington House, or the Winnebago House. Christmas and New Year's were usually chosen for these events. Guests came from considerable distance. At a "union" ball held at the Winnebago House, Jan- uary 22, 1845, managers were elected from Rock- ford, Whig Hill, Beloit, Roscoe, Belvidere, Cleve- land, Byron, Grand Detour, Oregon, Dixon, and Charleston. Hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes. Barn-raisings were seasons of social interest as well as of mutual helpfulness. Oc- casionally a marriage would be followed by a charivari, which, happily, has become obsolete in civilized communities.

ONLY SLAVE IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

The Northwest Territory had been conse- crated to freedom by the Ordinance of 1787. This principle was reaffirmed by the first con- stitution of Illinois. When the state had become a member of the Union, however, and was thus given control over its own internal affairs, a desperate effort was made to introduce slavery. Only one man ever lived in Winnebago County as a slave. His name was Lewis Kent, although he was more familiarly known as Lewis Lemon. In 1829, when Germanicus Kent was a citizen of Alabama, he purchased of Orrin Lemon a colored boy named Lewis. He was born in North Carolina, and had been taken by his master to Alabama. He was about seventeen years old at the time he was sold to Mr. Kent for $450 in cash. When Mr. Kent decided to remove north, he proposed to sell Lewis; but the colored man preferred his old master. Mr. Kent made an agreement with Lewis when they

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arrived at St. Louis. It was in substance that Lewis should pay him for his freedom at the expiration of six years and seven months, the sum of $800, with ten per cent. interest. Lewis obtained his freedom, however, in four years and four months. On the 6tb of September, 1839, Mr. Kent executed and placed in tbe hauds of Lewis a deed of manumission. At a session of the county commissioners' court held iu March, 1842, Mr. Kent filed for record the instrument which officially proclaimed Lewis Kent a free man. The transcript of this docu- ment, which is on file in the county clerk's office, is the only evidence in Rockford of the existence of slavery, and that one of its victims here found freedom and a home. After his manu- mission Lewis obtained some land, and earned his livelihood by the cultivation of garden prod- uce. He died in September, 1877. His funeral was attended by members of the Old Settlers' Society.

REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS-1851-1860.

Seely Perry was born at Stockbridge, Mass., in 1822, and was graduated from Union College at Scheuectady in 1815. He came to Rockton in 1849, and in 1851 settled in Rockford. After teaching one year he engaged in the lumber trade, in which he continued for nearly half a century. In 1816 Mr. Perry married Elizabeth Benedict, who died in 1874. She was the mother of Lewis Seely, and Mrs. Eva Moore, of St. Louis. In 1876 Mr. Perry married Marie Thomp- son. They had oue daughter, Mrs. Walter A. Forbes, Mr. Perry was elected mayor of Rock- ford in 185S and served one term ; he also served the city as alderman, member of the board of education, and a director of the public library. Mr. Perry died September 14, 1900.

Jesse Blinn, born in 1809 in Vermont, came to Rockton in 1838; in 1850 he settled in Rockford, and his family a year later. He opened the first exclusive hardware store in the city. His stock invoiced $10,000. He subsequently became a man- ufacturer on the water-power, and died in 1879. Mrs. Blinu was a native of New Hampshire. She was descended from Lord James Louden, whose estate is still preserved iu Scotlaud. Mrs. Blinn had some autograph lines written by Robert Burns, commemorating his visit to Louden cas- tle. Joshua R. Giddings was entertained at Mr.

Blinn's home when he made a political address in Rockford in 1854.

Ralph Emerson was the son of Rev. Ralph Emerson, a Congregational clergyman, and a pro- fessor in Andover Theological Seminary, the old- est Congregational divinity school in the coun- try. Another son was Professor Joseph Emerson, of Beloit. Mr. Emerson was born in Andover, Mass .. in 1831, came to Rockford in 1852, and was later a partner with Jesse Blinn in the hardware business until they became interested in the wa- ter-power. The Emerson company has proved one of the most successful manufacturers in the West. This result may be attributed to Mr. Emerson's unusual executive ability. He made a generous use of his large wealth in contribu- tions to various religious enterprises. Mr. Emer- son married Adaliue Talcott, a daughter of Hon, Wait Talcott. They had eight children. Two sons died in infancy, and in 1889 Ralph was killed by falling from a building during a fire on the water-power. Their daughters are Mrs. Adaline E. Thompson, Mrs. Harriet E. Hinchliff, Mrs. Mary Lathrop, Mrs. Belle E. Keith, and Mrs. Dora B. Wheeler, whose husband is a pro- fessor of biology in Harvard University. In April, 1900, Mrs. Emerson was appointed by Governor Tanner to represent Illinois as a com- missioner at tbe Paris exposition, Mr. Emerson died August 19, 1914, and Mrs. Emerson passed away May 3, 1915, on the eighty-fourth anni- versary of her husband's birth.

Hon. Wait Talcott, a son of William Talcott. was born at Hebron. Conn., October 17, 1807, and came to Rocktou in the autumn of 1838. He was one of the incorporators of Beloit Col- lege and Rockford Seminary. In 1854 he came to Rockford and began his career as a manu- facturer on the water-power with his brother, Sylvester, In 1854 he was elected state senator from the district comprising Winnebago, Carroll, Boone and Ogle counties. Upon the passage of the internal revenue act, President Lincoln ap- poiuted Mr. Talcott commissioner of internal revenue for the Second congressional district. This appointment was dated August 27, 1862, aud Mr. Talcott served five years. His death oc- curred November 7, 1890.

John S. Coleman was a native of Delaware Couuty, N. Y. Iu 1851 he removed with his fam- ily to Rockford and became a member of the banking firm of Robertson, Coleman & Company. He built the stone house on North Main street,

ROBERT CUTLER

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

now owned by William Nelson. Mr. Coleman was a trustee of Rockford Seminary and treas- urer of the board, and a member of the city council. He was a man of high character. Mr. Coleman died April 6, 1864, in his fifty-eighth year.

James L. Loop was born in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1815. He settled in Belvidere in 1838, and some years later formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Stephen A. Hurlbut, in the practice of law. He was prosecuting attorney for the northern district of Illinois in 1843-5. From 1846 to 1850 Mr. Loop was secretary of the Illi- nois and Michigan canal, which office he re- signed. In 1852 Mr. Loop removed to Rockford and formed a law partnership with William Lathrop. In 1856 he was elected mayor of Rock- ford and served one term. Mr. Loop's death occurred February 8, 1865, when he was fifty years of age. The remains were taken to Belvi- dere for burial. By the common consent of the Rockford bar, James L. Loop possessed the finest legal ability of any man who had ever practiced in this city.

William Lathrop was a native of Genesee County, N. Y. He came to Rockford in 1851 and was a partner with James L. Loop from 1853 to 1857. In 1856 Mr. Lathrop was elected a mem- ber of the legislature, and served one term. In 1876 he succeeded Stephen A. Hurlbut as mem- ber of congress from the Fourth district, and served one term. During his long residence in Rockford Mr. Lathrop enjoyed a large and lucra- tive legal practice. His clientele came from the influential portion of the community. He had in some respects the finest law library in the city, and the author takes pleasure in acknowl- edging his obligations to Mr. Lathrop for the free use of his library and for information per- sonally given in his first historical work. Mr. Lathrop married Adaline Potter, a daughter of E. H. Potter. Their children are Mrs. Anna Case, Miss Julia Lathrop, chief of the Chil- dren's Bureau at Washington, and Edward, Rob- ert and William. Mr. Lathrop died November 19, 1907.

Hon. John Early was born in Middlesex County, Canada West, March 17, 1828. In 1846 he removed with his parents to Boone County, Ill., and in 1852 he settled in Rockford. He served three terms as assessor of Rockford. In 1869 he was appointed one of the first board of trustees of the reform school at Pontiac, and in

1870 was elected state senator from the Twenty- third district, composed of Winnebago, Boone, McHenry and Lake counties. After the state had been redistricted he was elected senator in 1872, from the Ninth district, which included Winnebago and Boone counties, and again in 1874, for the full term of four years. By the election of Governor Oglesby to the United States senate and Lieutenant-Governor Bever- idge becoming governor, Mr. Early became act- ing lieutenant-governor of the state. Mr. Early died September 2, 1877. He was father of A. D. and John H. Early.

Edward F. W. Ellis was born at Milton, Me., April 15, 1819 ; was admitted to the bar in Ohio; in 1849 he went to California, where he was un- successful in commercial speculation, and re- sumed the practice of law ; in 1851 was a mem- ber of the California legislature. Colonel Ellis came to Rockford in 1854 and became a member of the banking firm of Spafford, Clark & Ellis. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war Colonel Ellis raised a company for the Fifteenth regi- ment, called the Ellis Rifles. He was chosen lieutenant-colonel, but was acting colonel at the time of his death. At the battle of Shiloh he was in command of the Fifteenth, which be- longed to General Hurlbut's division. On Mon- day morning his regiment was exposed to a ter- rible fire and Colonel Ellis was struck in the breast by a ball, and instantly expired. Colonel Ellis was a tall, noble-looking man, of much decision of character. The city of Rockford mourned his death with profound sorrow. Col- onel Ellis' home was the historic homestead later owned by Dr. W. H. Fitch, on West State street, and now subdivided. His children were: Blanche, now Mrs. Chandler Starr; Alma Hor- tense, now Mrs. Fisher, of California, and Ed- ward, deceased.

Henry P. Kimball, a native of New Hamp- shire, was graduated from Rochester University, came to Rockford in 1852, and taught school for some time. He had a local reputation as a hor- ticulturist. As secretary of the Agricultural Society, Mr. Kimball achieved a unique distinc- tion as a successful fair advertiser. Upon his invitation many of the most distinguished men ot the last generation visited Rockford and made addresses. Among these were General Grant, Attorney-General Taft, Benjamin F. Butler, John A. Logan, Chief-Justice Waite, General Martin- dale, Wade Hampton, James R. Doolittle, Matt

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Carpenter, Benjamin F. Taylor and Will Carle- ton. In 1875 Mr. Kimball invited Jefferson Davis to deliver an address. This invitation created such excitement that Mr. Davis with- drew his acceptance. Mr. Kimball married Miss Ellen, a daughter of Dr. George Haskell. Their sons are : Dr. Frank H., Willis M., and Carl Kimball. Mr. Kimball died May 10, 1889, when sixty years of age.

John Nelson was a native of West Gothland, Sweden, born April 5, 1830. He came to Rock- ford in 1852. His life was uneventful until a short time before his death, when he perfected the Nelson knitting machine, which revolution- ized the knitting of hosiery. After General Grant had returned from his tour around the world, he visited Mr. Nelson's factory, and de- clared that he had never seen such perfect ma- chinery for this purpose. Mr. Nelson died April 15, 1883. The Hotel Nelson is named in his honor.

A. E. Goodwin, M. D., born August 11, 1827, at Chelsea, Vt., was graduated from Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass., and came to Rockford in 1854. During the Civil war he Was a surgeon in the Eleventh Illinois and in the One Hundred and Eighth Infantry. He was wounded at Vicksburg. Dr. Goodwin was a member of the city board of education and of the public library board. Dr. Goodwin died May 14, 1889. His only surviving child is Mrs. Robert Rew.

Chester C. Briggs was born in Dover, Vt., Sep- tember 6, 1817, was graduated from Dartmouth College, and edited the Green Mountain Free- man, an anti-slavery paper. In 1853 Mr. Briggs came to Rockford and became the senior mem- ber of the banking firm of Briggs, Spafford & Penfield. He was subsequently financial mana- ger of the Kenosha Railroad Company. In 1868 he became associated with the firm of Briggs, Mead & Skinner, in the manufacture of agricul- tural implements. The firm name was later changed to Briggs & Enoch. Mr. Briggs died January 24, 1892.

Robert P. Lane, M. D., was born in Bedford County, Pa., in 1818, studied medicine with an uncle in his native state, and came to Rockford in 1851. He was a leader in the organization of the Rockford waterpower company, and gave his personal attention to the construction of the dam. He was a member of the banking firm of Lane, Sanford & Company ; one of the organizers

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 17

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