Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 27

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 27

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).

In the autumn of 1853 the Young Men's As- sociation was organized, for the purpose of bringing to Rockford the most popular lectur- ers of the day, and it continued in this field until 1860. Among the members were: Rev. H. M. Goodwin, C. H. Spafford, H. H. Waldo, H. P. Holland, E. W. Blaisdell, J. E. L. South- gate, William Lathrop, R. A. Sanford, E. H. Baker, Rev. J. Murray, E. C. Daugherty, A. S. Miller. The first course was provided for the winter of 1853-54. It began with two lectures, November 29 and 30, by E. P. Whipple, in the First Baptist Church.

The third lecture was given December 10, at the Baptist church, by Horace Mann. His subject was "Young Men." The Democrat, in "reporting" the lecture, took this flattering unc- tion to its soul : "As we looked around over the large assemblage of youth, beauty, intellect and fashion, and noted with what anxiety the sea of heads were turned toward the speaker, as if to catch the words ere they left his lips, we experienced a deep feeling of pride, and thought to ourselves, few places in any land, of equal age, population, etc., can boast of a more highly refined, intellectual community than are to be found in our own little embryo city."

The fourth lecture was given in the City Hall, by George William Curtis, December 12. His subject was "Young America," and for an hour and a half the speaker entranced his audi- ence with his noble thought and pure diction.

Horace Greeley followed Mr. Curtis. His theme was "The Reforms of the Age." He spoke of the abolition and temperance move- ments, woman's rights, and the abolition of the death penalty. Mr. Greeley wrote his im- pressions of the Rock River Valley at some length for the New York Tribune, from which this characteristic paragraph is taken : "I have traversed the Roman Campana (which is only a great wet prairie surcharged with malaria and ruins), glanced at the great pastures of Belgium, and ridden across the prairies of central and northern Indiana by daylight, lamp- light, and moonlight; but still I was nowhere in a discussion of the value and attractiveness of prairies-for I had never been on Rock River. But now, gentlemen! I give you fair warning that I take a back seat no longer when

the felicities of western life and the genial fertility and Eden-like character of the prairies is under discussion-for I have been on Rock River ! I should like more springs, more running streams, and less lime in the water; but then Paradise is beyond Jordan, or some other stream, and is not wisely sought even on Rock River."

The next speaker was Prof. Joseph Emerson, of Beloit, who spoke on "Greek Civilization." W. H. Channing was announced for January 27, but no reference to the lecture is found. Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered the seventh lecture in the course February 3, 1854, in War- ner's Hall. His subject was "History."

Lectures were also given during this season by Bishop Potter, Chancellor Lathrop, Judge Doolittle, and Bayard Taylor. On March 27, 1854, Ole Bull and Patti were in Rockford.

The course for 1854-55 included Rev. E. H. Chapin, Josiah Quincy, John G. Saxe, John Pierpont, James Russell Lowell, and Bayard Taylor. Dr. Chapin spoke on "Modern Chiv- alry;" Mr. Saxe a poem-lecture on "Yankee Land;" John Pierpont's theme was "The Golden Calf ;" Lowell spoke on "English Ballads," and Bayard Taylor, on "India." The course of 1855-56 was opened by Henry Ward Beecher, who spoke on "Patriotism." He was followed by Wendell Phillips. T. Sarr King and Dr. Chapin were engaged for this course. During the next few years Rockford was fa- vored with P. A. Shillaber, Parke Godwin, John B. Gough, and Professor Youmans.

CHAPTER XVII.

ROCKFORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

FIRST CIRCULATING LIBRARY-FIRST PUBLIC LI. BRARY IN 1858-IN 1872 LIBRARY ESTABLISHED UNDER LIBRARY LAW-FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD-"FATHER OF THE LIBRARY"-APPOINT- MENT OF LIBRARY OFFICIALS-CHANGES IN LOCA- TION-LIBRARIES PLACED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS- GIFT OF CIVIL WAR BOOKS-TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM L. ROWLAND-PRESENT LIBRARIAN-FIREPROOF

758

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

BUILDING ERECTED-GIFT FROM ANDREW CARNE- GIE-NEW BUILDING OCCUPIED IN 1903-A MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTED BRANCH LIBRARY OPENED-DEPOSIT STATIONS- NUMBER OF VOLUMES IN LIBRARY-PRESENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

FIRST CIRCULATING LIBRARY.

The agitation for a public library began in 1852. Several years elapsed, however, before a library was established, and information con- cerning these early efforts is very meager.

The Sinnissippi Division No. 134 of the Sons of Temperance, of Rockford, surrendered its charter to the grand division April 15, 1852. Its former members resolved to reorganize un- der the name of the Rockford Library Associa- tion. All members of the division who had paid their quarterly dues to the close of the preced- ing quarter were to be equal sharers in the library. A request was made in the Forum for the return of all books belonging to the library. Thus, so far as known, the first circulating library was the small number of books owned by the Sons of Temperance. The Forum of October 27 publislied a call for a meeting of the trustees of the Library Association for October 30, and for the annual meeting of the stock- holders on the first Saturday of November. No other reference to the library is found immedi- ately thereafter.

At the annual meeting of the Young Men's Association, September 11, 1855, it was pro- posed to extend its sphere of usefulness by pro- viding a library and reading room. A commit- tee of three was appointed to confer with the old Library Association, with a view of obtain- ing its books. So far as can be learned. this effort to establish a library and reading room was not successful.

It was not until March, 1857. that the first successful effort to establish a library was made. In that month a subscription paper was circulated, with the following statement of its object :

"We. the undersigned, agree to take the num- ber of shares set opposite our names, in an association to be incorporated under the general law of this state, for the purpose of the estab- lishment of a public library in the city of Rockford. Said library to be under the man-

agement and control of a board of trustees, to be elected by the stockholders.

"Shares to be fifty dollars each. Ten dol- lars per share payable upon the formation of the association, and ten dollars per share per annum thereafter, in such amounts and at such times as shall be determined by the said board of trustees. Shares subject to forfeiture by the trustees for non-payment of install- ments."

The first four names upon the list pledged $1,200, and by the autumn of 1858 $6,000 had been pledged. The library was duly organized October 14, 1858. Rooms were secured on the third floor of Robertson, Coleman & Company's bank. James M. Wight, Seely Perry, Selden M. Church, Elias Cosper, and Thomas D. Robert- son constituted the first board of trustees ; Elias Cosper was chairman; Spencer Rising, treasurer ; F. H. Bradley, librarian. The

original board was composed of gentlemen of exceptional literary equipment. Others ren- dered efficient aid in the selection of books. Among them was William L. Rowland, who was subsequently appointed librarian of the public library. The books, although few in number, possessed very high merit. The number of volumes at this time was about one thousand ; number of magazines and newspapers, thirty- eight. During the next few years the library steadily received accessions. Acording to the annual report of the stockholders, made October 11, 1860, there were 1,134 volumes. There had been drawn during the year ending October 4, 1,669 volumes. This was an increase of 396 over the preceding year. Several gentlemen acted as librarian for short terms, and received a nominal compensation. Among those who rendered this service were John F. Squier and Hosmer P. Holland. This library served its purpose several years, but during the Civil war popular interest began to decline. The library was finally closed, and about 1865 the books were sold at public auction in a building on North Main street, directly north of the Ash- ton block. Some of these books are now in the public library, and quite a number, in excellent condition, are in the private library of Robert H, Tinker. The first library was organized under a general law, and was entirely supported by private subscriptions and annual fees. It was not until 1872 that the legislature enacted

MAL. HALL

MEMORIAL HALL. ROCKFORD

PUBLIC LIBRARY, ROCKFORD

STEAMER "ILLINOIS." ROCK RIVER

GIRDER BRIDGE, ROCKFORD

NELSON BRIDGE, ROCKFORD

759

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

a law which provided for a tax for the support of public libraries.

ESTABLISHED UNDER LIBRARY LAW.

The Rockford public library is believed to be the first one established in the state, outside of Chicago, under the library law. In May, 1872, a petition was presented to the city coun- cil, signed by prominent citizens of Rockford, representing all classes of its inhabitants, praying for the organization of a free public library and reading room. The council promptly passed an ordinance, which was approved June 17, 1872. It provided, however, that "no in- debtedness or liability shall be allowed, or con- tracted against the said city, or the 'library fund' ot said city, for any of the contingent or running expenses of said library and reading room, until after the first day of March, A. D. 1873." On the very day the library ordinance was approved, Mayor Seymour G. Bronson appointed the following named gentlemen the first board of directors of the public library : Melancthon Starr, Elias Cosper, S. C. Withrow, D. S. Clark, Rev. F. P. Woodbury, Rev. H. C. Mabie, N. C. Thompson, J. G. Knapp and Charles L. Williams. The board was organized with the election of N. C. Thompson, president, and Major Cosper, secretary. Of this original board only two are living. Dr. Mabie resides in Boston, and Dr. Woodbury is in Washington, D. C.

Under the restrictions of the ordinance there were no public funds available for the founding and maintenance of the library. Its immediate support therefore came from individual sub- scriptions. The board of directors issued a general invitation for a public reception to be held July 30. Its purpose was to afford the directors an opportunity to make a report of what had already been done, and to consult with reference to future action. At that meet- ing it was resolved to raise by private subscrip- tion a fund of $5,000, to supplement the limited sum to be raised by the tax levy, which would not be available for some time. Subscriptions exceeding $2,000 were made. Among the most liberal contributors were: Thomas D. Robert- son, $500 : Emerson & Talcott. $500; Melancthon Starr, $200; Elias Cosper, $40; N. C. Thompson, $200; Selden M. Church, $50 S. C. Withrow, $50; William Lathrop; $100.

The outlook was not promising, but the citi- zens were determined to have a library, and according to their faith, so it was given unto them. Dr. Woodbury and Melancthon Starr had been appointed a committee to prepare an address to the citizens. It is no disparage- ment of the work of others to say that the most zealous supporter of the project was Major Elias Cosper. He solicited funds and books, and many of the valuable works of reference in the early library came from his private col- lection. Major Cosper earned the distinction of "Father of the library." He served on the board twenty years. Three rooms were leased on the second floor of the Wallach block, which stood on the site of the present Ashton block, and on July 30 Miss Mary E. Rankin was engaged temporarily as librarian. The reading rooms were open to the public August 1, 1872, with a goodly number of daily and weekly newspapers, magazines and reviews. On Sep- tember 2, Thomas M. Martin was tendered the appointment of permanent librarian. A few days later Mr. Martin reported that he could not accept the position ; and September 17, 1872, the board engaged William L. Rowland to fill the place. On the first day of February, 1873, the library was open to the public for the issue of books for home use. The first catalogue of 86 pages was printed a few months later. Miss Frank I. Edson entered the library as an assist- ant in March, 1873. In September following she was succeeded by Miss Elizabeth J. Wil- liamson, who remained eightcen years, until the autumn of 1891. Miss Nellie Rose was then appointed assistant librarian, and served several years.

The first annual report of the board of direc- tors, made June 1, 1873, showed that $1,773.11 had been received on private subscriptions up to that time, with $2,160.50 still unpaid ; mak- ing a total of $3,933.61. There were on that date 2,815 volumes in the library. Of this num- ber 1,603 were donations. The librarian's report showed that for the first four months, ending May 31, 1,252 cards had been issued to borrowers. The total circulation for the same period was 8,777. The first tax levy for library purposes was approved September 16, 1872, and was fixed at one mill on the dollar, which was the statutory maximum. This tax yielded a library fund of only $2,164, a sum quite inade- quate to the needs of the institution.

760

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

The library remained in the Wallach block until June, 1876, when the books were removed to a part of the second floor of the block just completed by Church, Robertson & Emerson. This block is now occupied by the Register- Gazette company and Brown's Business College. For twenty-seven years the library remained in these quarters. Its growth and educational importance kept pace with the rapid advance of the city in population and commercial im- portance. In 1896 the library board leased the entire second story of the building, which nearly doubled the floor area.

In 1890 it was decided to open the reading room three hours Sunday afternoon, for the accommodation of those who were without homes, or who were unable to visit the library during the week. The first response was not very general, but time has vindicated the wis- dom of such action. In 1892 Mayor Starr made an innovation by the appointment of three ladies on the board of directors. These were Mrs. Marie T. Perry, Mrs. Clara G. Sanford, and Miss Sarah Anderson, then president of Rockford College.

The card catalogue for public use was placed in the delivery room in September, 1897. In it were entered all books received since the pub- lication of the printed supplement to the cata- logue in 1894. This was superseded in 1902 by a complete directory catalogue of the entire contents of the library.

In the autumn of 189S the library board voted to spend a portion of the annual appro- priation in the purchase of books to be placed in certain schools of the city. The Rockford library was one of the first in Illinois to place libraries in the public schools. The inaugura- tion of this plan of reaching the youth of the city came from an address by Mrs. Marie T. Perry, then a member of the board of directors, before the Rockford Federation of Women's clubs. Mrs. Perry's address so well incorporated the salient features of the proposed work that from her ideas a resolution was drafted and presented to the board by Henry S. Whipple. On January 5. 1899, libraries were placed in nineteen school rooms, and on January 19 four more schools were supplied. The total circula- tion of these books for the four and one-half months of the fiscal year ending May 31, was 9,808. The school libraries have been increased to fifty cases, containing 2,450 volumes, with a

circulation of more than 25,000 volumes during the last year. Another effort to reach the youth of the city was the publication in June, 1899, of a catalogue of juvenile literature. This care- fully selected list largely increased the use of books by the children.

In August, 1900, by the death of Andrew M. Potter of Philadelphia, a native of Rockford, and a Civil war veteran of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, the library was enriched by the accession of 446 volumes of history per- taining to the Civil war. The Rockford library now has one of the most complete collections of works in Illinois on the Civil war, outside of Chicago. On September 27, 1900, Mr. Rowland passed away, after a brief illness. For twenty- eight years he had been the efficient librarian, and his death was mourned as a great loss to the public. He was admirably qualified for the responsible position of librarian of a growing library. He was born in Augusta, Ga. His father, originally a northern man, removed to Rockford in the early fifties. Mr. Rowland was graduated from Yale, in a class which included several who subsequently became distinguished. Among these was D. C. Gilman, at one time president of Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Rowland, without a home of his own, bestowed an unusual affection upon the books committed to his charge, and the development of the Rock- ford public library became the ambition of his life.

In January, 1901, the board of directors ad- vanced Miss Jane P. Hubbell to the position of librarian. She had been first assistant for several years. Since she became the successor of Mr. Rowland Miss Hubbell has displayed administrative ability of a high order. She has kept fully informed upon the rapid development of library science, and is thoroughly acquainted with the details of the routine work. Miss Mary E. Lowry is reference librarian.

One of the notable events of the years 1901-02 was the reorganization of the library according to more modern methods. On September 16, 1901, Miss Mary E. Gale, an experienced cata- loguer, began the work of reclassifying and cataloguing the books. acording to the decimal classification. Miss Gale completed her work in November, 1902, after fourteen months of the most exacting labor.

For many years the friends of the public library recognized that a commodious, fire-

761

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

proof building was an urgent necessity. The city, however, could not build it, for it had been for many years up to the statutory limit of its bonded indebtedness. When it became known that Andrew Carnegie proposed to dis- tribute a portion of his wealth in public library buildings, an effort was made to enlist his interest in Rockford. Correspondence began in 1899. In March, 1901, Mr. Carnegie, in a letter to O. F. Barbour, made a gift of $60,000. A desirable site was selected after a prolonged controversy. The property was owned by the Rockford Gas Light and Coke company, and was valued at $11,000, of which a gift of $2,000 was made by the company. The balance was paid by citizens. The plans submitted by Brad- ley & Carpenter were approved, and the con- tract for the structure was made with W. H. Cook. In the spring of 1903, when funds were greatly reduced, Mayor Amasa Hutchins asked Mr. Carnegie for an addition to his gift, and he promptly received $10,000. A portion of this sum was expended in the completion of the building, and the balance was used in the fur- nishings. The work of beautifying the grounds was in charge of Robert H. Tinker. The com- pleted Carnegie library building was opened to the public November 21, 1903. The opening of the new library immediately resulted in an increase of 25 per cent in circulation.

In 1895 the library was made a depository for government publications. A large room has been set apart for them, and they are a source of information of great value. One of the most interesting present features of the library is the children's room in the basement. During a busy season of the year more than a hundred little ones have been seen there at one time.

In 1904 the Misses Anna and Mary Beattie and brothers Edward W. and George D. pre- sented to the city of Rockford a rare museum of natural history, conservatively valued at $9,000. The collection was the life-work of Dr. Velie, and he personally supervised its installa- tion. The gift is a memorial of the parents of the donors of the gift, Mr. and Mrs. John Beattie, early residents and highly esteemed citizens of Rockford. The city authorities re- ferred the acceptance of the gift to the library board, who gave it a place on the second floor of the Carnegie building.

In January, 1904, the city council appropri- ated $2,000 for the purpose of establishing a branch library on Seventh street. The furni- ture was generously contributed by factories in the city. The branch was opened June 20, 1904, with 1,704 volumes on the shelves. There are now 6,663 volumes, of which 819 are Swed- ish and 103 Norwegian. The reading room is greatly used, and is often crowded so that there is not a vacant chair. It is open twelve hours daily and three hours Sunday afternoon. The circulation of books at the branch for the last year was 42,922, which is the largest in its history. During the eleven years of its exist- ence it has circulated 360,660 volumes, without any interference with the circulation of the main library, which has increased 60 per cent in that time.

In March, 1913, the first deposit station was opened at Montague House, in South Rockford. Despite inadequate accommodations the work has been a success from the beginning. The possibility of its development into a permanent branch library is assured. In January, 1914, another station was opened in the North Rock- ford W. C. T. U. building, where the library administers a deposit collection in conjunction with the local library. This experiment has been fairly successful, but serves a much more scattered community than the South Rockford .station.

There are now 62,940 volumes in the public library, with 11,362 borrowers. Five books may be taken on a single card. The library staff numbers twelve. The library is second in the state outside of Chicago in the number of volumes and in circulation. Peoria is first. The state library rate was increased by the last General Assembly from one and two-tenth mills to two mills. The library appropriation for 1915 is $21,700. The board of directors is com- posed of H. S. Whipple, president ; A. R. Haley, vice-president; R. M. Gibboney, secretary and treasurer ; N. E. Catlin, Anthony Haines, C. J. Westerberg, N. P. Nelson, T. R. Sizer and M. R. Shumway. The late Prof. O. F. Barbour was appointed a member of the board in 1876 by Mayor Rhoades, and, with the exception of a brief interim in 1878, during the administra- tion of Mayor Watson, he served to the time of his death in April, 1915, a period of thirty-eight years.

762

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE PRESS.

EVOLUTION OF THE NEWSPAPER-ENLARGED SCOPE OF DAILY ISSUE-ILLUSTRATIONS A MARVEL- SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS COVER EVERY FIELD- NEWSPAPERS OF ROCKFORD WITH INTERESTING COMMENTS - ROCK RIVER EXPRESS - ROCKFORD STAR-ROCKFORD PILOT-BETTER COVENANT- WINNEBAGO FORUM-ROCKFORD FORUM-REPUBLI- CAN-ROCKFORD REGISTER-ROCKFORD FREE PRESS -ROCK RIVER DEMOCRAT-ROCKFORD REGISTER- DAILY REGISTER-ROCKFORD DAILY REGISTER- REGISTER GAZETTE-ROCKFORD WESLEYAN SEMI- NARY REPORTER - CUDGEL - SPIRIT ADVOCATE - ORIENT-DEMOCRATIC STANDARD-DAILY NEWS- CRESCENT AGE-ROCK RIVER MIRROR-PEOPLE'S PRESS-WORDS FOR JESUS ( MONTHLY) -LEAVES FOREST HILL ( MONTHLY)-ROCKFORD GAZETTE- WINNEBAGO CHIEF-GOLDEN CENSER-CHRISTIAN GLEANER-ROCKFORD DAILY JOURNAL-ANDRUS' ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY-METHODIST FREE PRESS - CURIOSITY HUNTER - NOWADAYS - ROCKFORD SUNDAY HERALD-PEOPLES' CHAMPION-OUR HOME AND SCIENCE GOSSIP-ROCKFORD SEMINARY MAGAZINE-ROCKFORD COLLEGIAN-STAMP NEWS -ROCKFORD INDUSTRIAL TIMES-HORNET-TIMES -ROCKFORD DAILY NEWS-WESTERN BANNER- MORNING HERALD - ROCKFORD FURNITURE JOURNAL-MONITOR-CHICAGO LEVER-ROCKFORD MORNING STAR-FARMERS' MONTHLY-REPUBLIC - SUNDAY MERCURY - SPECTATOR - WEEKLY

RECORDER-OWL-ROCKFORD

TRADE

JOURNAL --

AGRICULTURAL WEST - WINNEBAGO COUNTY SCHOOLS-ROCKFORD LABOR JOURNAL-CONSTITU- TION-JOURNAL OF PRACTICAL NURSING-ROCK- FORD AIR BRUSH-UNION PRINTER-PEOPLE'S JOURNAL-FOREST CITY-ADVOCATE-ROCKFORD CHIEF-ROCKFORD UNION RECORD-HAMMER- SWEDISH NEWSPAPERS - THE GERMANIA - CATHOLIC MONTHLY-COUNTRY PRESS-ROCKTON GAZETTE-PECATONICA INDEPENDENT - PECATON- ICA NEWS-ROCKTON HERALD-WINNEBAGO RE- FLECTOR-ROCKTON WEEKLY ECHO-CHERRY VAL- LEY COURIER-WINNEBAGO COUNTY ADVERTISER- DURAND ARGUS-FREE PRESS-WEEKLY ECHO- WEEKLY TIMES - RECORD - WEEKLY CLIPPER - GAZETTE.

EVOLUTION OF THE NEWSPAPER.

One of the greatest institutions in this day of great things is the daily newspaper. Its evolu- tion has been most rapid. Even Horace Greeley, the Nestor of American journalism, if he were permitted to come back to earth, would be ill at ease in his old profession. The fast presses, printing many thousands an hour, the linotype and other inventions that work almost with the precision of the human mind, have produced results far beyond the wildest dreams of half a century ago. Jules Verne's fantastic stories are scarcely more wonderful. Indeed, Verne was something of a prophet, for in other lines of progress some of his fancies have been realized in fact.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 27

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