Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 29

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 29

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).

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

ing the summer seriously embarrassed the principal stockholder of the Smith Publishing company, which had absorbed the Spectator company, and in August, 1893, the daily was suspended. The following autumn the publica- tion of the Spectator was resumed as a local weekly, and continued until the spring of 1895, when the subscription list was sold to the Monitor company.

The Weekly Recorder was started in May, 1896, by Will J. Johnson. It kept up a spirited existence until October, 1899, when the paper was sold to H. O. Hilton, who issued a few num- bers, and about January 1st the paper was discontinued. It was in the Recorder that Mr. Johnson began his "Knudson column," which has been a regular feature in other Rockford papers for fifteen years. This feature has given the author an extended reputation as a humorist in Swedish dialect.

The Owl has been published nearly every year since 1885 as the paper of the Rockford High school. The editor, business manager and staff have been chosen each year from the senior class. In October, 1915, the Owl was made a weekly. The Rockford Trade Journal and Furniture Review was issued in June, 1891, by the Forest City Publishing company. It was later merged with the Furniture Journal. The Winnebago County Schools, the Agricultural West, the Rockford Labor Journal, and the Con- stitution, all had brief careers. The Journal of Practical Nursing was started in 1888. It was edited by L. C. Brown, M. D. The Rockford Air Brush was started in 1891, in the interest of the company of that name. The Union Printer made its first appearance April 25, 1898. The People's Journal made its first ap- pearance Sept. 21, 1894. It was published by the Calvert Brothers. The Forest City was published in 1895-'6 by Tomblin Brothers. The Advocate was launched in December, 1884, by W. G. Dustin, in the interest of real estate. The Rockford Chief was published for a time by Mrs. E. Hetherington, beginning October 22, 1892. The Rockford Union Record was started October 31, 1903, by John W. Aspegren. It was published in the interest of organized labor. The Hammer, published by Dr. E. S. Tebbetts in the interest of socialism, has ceased to exist.

SWEDISH NEWSPAPERS.

The large Swedish population of Rockford has created a demand for a newspaper published in the language of their fatherland. Attempts have been made to supply this need, as many as eight Swedish newspapers having been started. One of these was the Posten, which was launched by C. Ebbesen, January 4, 1889. It was first published in the Crotty block on East State street. Subsequently the publication office was removed to the Union block, on Kish- waukee street. Mr. Ebbesen was succeeded in turn by C. J. Sjostrom, Fred Swenson, and Prof. C. A. Wendell. The present editor is Charles E. Sandberg. The paper is now called The Svenska Posten.

Nya Sverige was started in March, 1872, by A. W. Schalin. It lived but a short time. Rock- ford's Allehanda was established June 18, 1884, by Otto Pallin. The name was changed to Svenska Fria-Pressen, and was published by C. Ebbesen about four years. Jultomten, by C. Ebbesen, was published Saturdays, 1st, 8th, 15th and 22d of December, 1888. Rockford's Harold was established by Magnus Larson April 12, 1902. One number was issued. Framtiden was first issued April 13, 1892, by the Framtiden Publishing Co. It was published three or four years. Forskaren was started Sept. 4, 1893, by E. Fjellander and F. Malmquist. Folkets Rost was issued by Charles Henry, March 18, 1895. Four numbers were published. Framat was started by Swenson & Bjork, September 15, 1903.

The German population of Rockford has never been large, yet it has for many years supported a church and a newspaper. The Germania was founded as a four-page weekly by John Pingle in 1885. He was succeeded by Herr Ferd Sted- inger, who for many years was head of the German department in the Rockford High school. The Germania is now published by Gustave H. Deppe.

The Catholic Monthly was founded in 1909, with Rev. Thomas Finn and Rev. Martin J. McEvoy as editors, and Rev. Thomas Finn, pub- lisher.

The Labor News was established as a weekly in 1913. W. B. Potter is editor and publisher.

The foregoing is believed to be the first com- plete story of Rockford newspapers ever pub- lished. The list might be continued by the mention of various monthly bulletins issued by

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the churches from time to time, the Y. M. C. A., the Business college, and similar organizations. While these performed a legitimate function in their way, they scarcely have a place in the chronicle of Rockford newspapers.

COUNTRY PRESS.

The press of Rockford has not been the exclusive purveyor of local news. Several news- papers have been started in the other towns of the county.

The Rockton Gazette was established at Rock- ton in 1857, by Funk & Phelps. Mr. Funk retired and the paper was continued about one year by H. W. Phelps. The office and fixtures were removed to Burlington, Wis. The Pecatonica Independent was established in May, 1859, by J. E. Duncan. It was published about one year, when the office was removed to Darlington, Wis.

The Pecatonica News was started as a weekly newspaper December 1, 1872. W. A. and Nate L. Colby were editors and proprietors. On January 1, 1881, W. A. Colby sold his interest to his brother, who continued its publication up to the time of his death, July 11, 1904. Gilbert F., a son of N. L. Colby, is now editor and' publisher.

The Rockton Herald was founded in 1875. It is now edited by R. I. Balsley.

The Winnebago Reflector was established February 11, 1887, published by the Winnebago C. L. S. C. C. W. Mellen is the present pub- lisher.

The Rockton Weekly Echo was established December 15, 1887. L. H. Cook was editor and publisher. There was only one issue. £ The Cherry Valley Courier was established July, 1869, by Dr. L. Foote, editor and publisher. It was published three months.

The Winnebago County Advertiser was estab- lished in 1869 by M. G. Sheldon.

The papers established at Durand have been ; The Argus, established December 29, 1883, by E. E. Pettingill; the Free Press, established March 24, 1888, by Johnson Potter; the Weekly Echo, established June 30, 1887, by L. H. Cook, editor and publisher; thirty numbers issued ; the Weekly Times, established February 7, 1890, by E. E. Pettingill, publisher ; seven numbers issued ; the Record, established April 30, 1890, by John R. Bertsch, discontinued August 1, 1890;

the Weekly Clipper, established April 17, 1891, by E. I. Schoolcraft; and the Gazette, founded in 1907, and edited by Charles A. Bancroft.

CHAPTER XIX.

RAILROADS.

FIRST RAILROAD PROJECTED-CHARTER GRANTED IN 1836-GALENA AND CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD COMPANY-SURVEY OF ROUTE-LACK OF FINAN- CIAL STRENGTH SUSPENDS WORK-INTEREST CONTINUED IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY-FIRST RAIL- ROAD MEETING HELD AT ROCKFORD-CONVENTION AT ROCKFORD IN 1846-GREAT ENTHUSIASM AROUSED SUBSCRIPTIONS TO STOCK-LEADERS IN THE WORK-THE ORIGINAL PLAN-WORK RE- SUMED IN 1847-AN AMENDED CHARTER SECURED -NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED-WILLIAM B. OGDEN PRESIDENT-ENGINES PURCHASED IN 1848-ONE EXHIBITED AT COLUMBIAN EXPOSI- TION IN 1893 - EXTENSIONS OF LINE - ROAD BROUGHT PROSPERITY TO ROCKFORD-SALE OF RIGHT OF WAY-PRESENT CHICAGO & NORTH- WESTERN-LOCAL AGENTS-KENOSHA & ROCK- FORD RAILROAD-ROCKFORD, ROCK ISLAND & ST. LOUIS-ROCKFORD CENTRAL-CHICAGO & SUPE- RIOR-CHICAGO, ROCKFORD & NORTHERN-THE RAILROAD WAR-CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL-CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY-ILLI- NOIS CENTRAL-CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & GARY.

FIRST RAILROAD PROJECTED.

January 16, 1836, a charter was granted by the legislature to the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company, to construct a railroad with a single or double track, from Galena to Chi- cago. The capital stock was to be $100,000, with the privilege of increase to a sum not exceeding $1,000,000. William Bennett, Thomas Drummond, J. C. Goodhue, Peter Semple, J. M. Turner, E. D. Taylor, and J. B. Thomas, Jr., were made commissioners for receiving subscrip- tions to the capital stock. At that time Galena was the leading village of this western country, and this fact explains the precedence given to

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that name in the title of the road. The com- pany was given three years in which to com- mence operations. Either animal or steam- power might be used. The charter was ob- tained mainly through the influence of Ebenezer Peck and T. W. Smith. The Galena & Chicago Union was the first railroad chartered to be built from Chicago, upon which work was im- mediately begun. The road became an impor- tant factor in the great transportation system of Chicago, as well as the towns along the line. Thirteen months after the charter was granted, the survey of the proposed route was begun by an engineer, James Seymour, and was extended from the foot of North Dearborn street as far as the Des Plaines River. Work was suspended in June, 1838, but resumed the following year, and piles were driven along the line of Madison street, and stringers placed upon them. It soon became evident, however, that Chicago's finan- cial strength was not equal to her ambition, and the enterprise was temporarily abandoned. The suspension of operations was a source of pro- found regret to the citizens of the Rock river valley, who had made several attempts to obtain better connection with Chicago, first by means of the contemplated road, and later by canal. These schemes did not prove feasible, and other plans were substituted.

The agitation was continued in Winnebago County for several years. The first railroad meeting in Rockford was lield November 28, 1845, Anson S. Miller was chosen chairman, and Selden M. Church, secretary. The meeting was addressed by Hon. Martin P. Sweet. It was resolved that those counties interested in the construction of a railroad from Galena to Chicago be recommended to send delegates to a convention to be held in Rockford, January 7, 1846, for the purpose of taking incasures for the construction of the road at the earliest pos- sible time. On December 5, 1845, a meeting was held in Chicago to select delegates to the Rockford convention. Mayor A. Garrett pre- sided, and Isaac N. Arnold was secretary. The convention was held at Rockford January 7, 1846. Delegates were present to the number of 319 from the counties proposed to be traversed by the line, Cook, DeKalb, McHenry, Rock, Ogle, Boone, Lee, Kane, Stephenson, Winnebago and Jo Daviess. Winnebago and probably other counties, sent a larger delegation than had been authorized by the preliminary meeting. A com-

mittee of one from each county was appointed to report resolutions which would express the views of the convention. The chair appointed the following committee: J. Y. Scammon, of Cook; George T. Kasson, of McHenry ; Charles S. Hempstead, of Jo Daviess; M. G. Dana, of Ogle; James S. Waterman, of DeKalb; William H. Gilman, of Boone ; John A. Clark, of Stephen- son ; A. B. Wells, of Kane; S. M. Church, of Winnebago; L. G. Fisher, of Wisconsin Terri- tory.

The following resolutions, presented by J. Young Scammon, in behalf of the committee appointed for that purpose, reported the follow- ing resolutions, which were adopted without a dissenting vote :

"Resolved, That the wants of the farmers and business men of northern Illinois require the immediate construction of a railroad from Chicago to Galena. That the value of farms upon the route would be doubled by the con- struction of the road, and the convenience of the inhabitants immeasurably profited thereby.

"Resolved, That in order to accomplish the object of this convention, it is indispensably necessary that the inhabitants and owners of property between Galena and Chicago should come forward and subscribe to the stock of the proposed railroad, to the extent of their ability : and that if each farmer upon the route shall take at least one share of the stock ($100), the completion of the road would be placed beyond contingency."

This action enkindled enthusiasm along the entire line, but before the necessary subscrip- tions had been secured, Messrs. Townsend and Mather, who owned the original charter. offered the same, together with the land and such improvements as had already been made, to the citizens of Chicago, for the sum of $20,000. The terms contemplated the payment of the entire sumn in stock of the new company ; $10,000 immediately after the election and organiza- tion of the board of directors, and the remaining $10,000 on the completion of the road to Rock River, or as soon as dividends of 6 per cent. had been earned. This proposition was accepted. The purchasers subscribed from their own means for the expense of the survey on Decem- ber 6, 1846, and the following year the work was begun. It was decided to open subscrip- tion books at Chicago and at Galena, as well as the several settlements through which the

Quence Q Gustafson

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

road was to pass. The task of canvassing among the farmers between the proposed termini was undertaken by William B. Ogden. J. Young Scammon solicited funds in Chicago, but the subscriptions came in slowly. Only $20,000 was obtained at the outset from all the real estate men and others who might have been supposed to have been especially interested. Certain business men in Chicago opposed the construction of the road on the ground that it might divert business from Chicago to other points along the line. Mr. Ogden met with better success in the rural districts. Even the women were willing to undergo many privations of a personal character, that they might assist in the construction of an iron highway, which they believed would prove of great benefit to the succeeding generations. The citizens of Rockford and farmers in the adjoining districts made liberal subscriptions to stock. John A. Holland and T. D. Robertson were the most active local promoters of the enterprise.

The original plan was to secure as large a local subscription to the capital stock as possible, and then apply to eastern capitalists for such advances, either in the form of sub- scriptions to capital stock or loans, as might be found necessary. The interest in the enter- prise, however, was such that by April 1, 1848, 126 subscribers had taken $351,800 worth of stock. It was therefore concluded that the road should be constructed and owned by resi- dents of the territory through which it was to pass. In September, 1847, a corps of engineers was engaged for surveys, and work was begun. Unexpected obstacles were encountered, and it was impossible for the directors to make tlie first contract for construction until near the close of the year. Contracts for the grading and bridging of twenty-five additional miles were made in March, 1848. Meanwhile, in February, 1847, an amended charter had been secured. under the terms of which a new board of direct- ors was elected and changes were subsequently made. William B. Ogden, the president of the company, and also a member of the city council of Chicago, endeavored in the latter capacity to secure the passage of an ordinance giving the company the right of way into the city, with other incidental privileges. The ordinance failed to pass, but the road was granted the privilege of constructing a temporary track, in order to facilitate the hauling of necessary

material through the city. The first civil engineer of the reorganized company was John Van Nortwick, and in June, 1848, his assistant, George W. Waite, drove the first grading peg, at the corner of Kinzie and Halsted streets.

In September, 1848, the directors purchased two engines from eastern companies. The first, the Pioneer, arrived in Chicago October 10 following. All engines in those days were given names, as steamers are named today. They were clumsy in appearance and workmanship; but they rendered efficient service. The Pioneer was unloaded from the brig Buffalo, on the Sunday following its arrival in Chicago. At first it ran simply as a motor for hauling material for construction ; but December 15, 1848, it started from Chicago at the head of the first train which left the city over the four miles of track. In the rear of the Pioneer were six freight cars, extemporized into passenger coaches. The engineer in charge was John Ebbert. As the road developed, Mr. Ebbert was promoted until he became master mechanic of the road. His death occurred in Chicago August 21, 1899, at the age of eighty-five years. The first engineer, however, who ran the Pioneer as far west as Rockford was I. D. Johnson. In 1854 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Delia, a daughter of Samuel Gregory. Mr. Johnson died at his home in Chicago February 24, 1899, and was buried in Rockford. The Pioneer was on exhibition at the World's Columbian Exposi- tion in 1893, under the charge of its former master, Engineer Ebbert, and attracted great attention as an example of primitive ideas in locomotive construction. It is now an exhibit at the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago.

The line was extended to Elgin, forty miles west, in January, 1850. Nearly $165,000 had been expended for construction up to that time. The rolling-stock was then an object of admira- tion ; but it is now only of interest as a relic of the day of small things. The track was laid as far west as Belvidere in the spring of 1852, and to Cherry Valley March 10 of the same year. August 2, 1852, a train on the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad arrived in East Rock- ford. Its advent was signalized by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon. The iron horse was greeted by the populace as the suc- cessor of the horse and wagon and oxen and driver and whip. From that day Rockford began to make rapid strides in wealth, popula-

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tion, and commercial importance; and the Forum took the flattering unction to its soul that Chicago and Galena might be soon "look- ing this way with a jealous eye lest they become eclipsed in greatness by the city of the Rock river valley."

On September 1, 1853, the company had extended its main line to Freeport, 120 miles from Chicago. Notwithstanding the fact that there was no little enthusiasm in Galena over the extension of the line to that point, Fate. decreed that Galena should be connected with Chicago by another line. The Galena & Chicago Union sold its right of way to the Illinois Cen- tral. It has been said that had the great Cen- tral system made a connection with Rockford at that early date, the population of the city would have been materially increased. At the close of 1858 the Galena & Chicago Union com- pany was free from a floating debt; but it had a funded indebtedness of $3,783,015. The earn- ings of the Galena & Chicago Union railroad for August, 1854, were $103,000. The earnings for the corresponding month the preceding year were $48,000.

PRESENT CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN.

The system owned and operated by the Chi- cago & Northwestern Railway Company, as it exists at the present time, is a consolidation of not less than forty-five distinct roads. On June 2, 1864, was effected a consolidation of the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago & Northwestern companies, under the name of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. The old Galena & Chicago Union had been legiti- mately built, and was never bonded; and when it was purchased by the Chicago & Northwest- ern, the stock held by the old subscribers in the Galena road was exchanged for stock in the new company. The consolidation was effected by Samuel J. Tilden, who was one of the greatest railroad lawyers of his time. The Galena had been a profitable road; and its consolidation was one of the first in northern Illinois. On the directing board of the present road, Rockford was honorably represented by Thomas D. Rob- ertson, of Rockford, who was a director of the road from 1864 to 1867. Charles H. Spafford was local agent of the Northwestern for several years. He resigned January 18, 1868, and was succeeded by Thomas B. Gault. Later succes-

sors have been : J. P. Perkins, A. T. Golly and J. J. Carty, the present incumbent.

KENOSHA & ROCKFORD. -

In 1856 was projected a railroad to connect Kenosha on Lake Michigan with Rockford. It was a part of the original plan that this line should extend from Rockford to Rock Island. On January 20, 1857, a charter was granted to John M. Capron, Egbert Ayer, Thomas Paul, John Cornell, W. B. Ogden, John Bradley, Jason Marsh, George Haskell, David S. Penfield, Rob- ert P. Lane, C. C. Briggs, C. H. Spafford, A. S. Miller, Jesse Blinn and Seely Perry. The com- pany was to have a capital stock of $800,000, and was authorized to construct a road from a point near the state line in McHenry County to Rockford. This road was built as a means of relieving Rockford from burdens imposed by the high freight and passenger rates of the Galena & Chicago Union. Books for subscriptions to the stock of the road were opened early in November, 1856, and on the 25th of the same month the company was organized by the elec- tion of the following officers : President, C. H. Spafford ; vice-president, R. P. Lane; secretary, E. H. Baker; treasurer, A. C. Spafford ; execu- tive committee, J. Bond, J. M. Capron, R. P. Lane, D. S. Penfield and Seely Perry. The sub- scriptions were made largely by farmers along the line, who gave mortgages on their real estate to secure their payments. The company nego- tiated these mortgages in payment for iron, labor and other expenses in the building of the road. When these obligations matured many of the subscribers could not redeem them, and the holders of the mortgages foreclosed them. The contract for the construction of the road to Harvard was made in March, 1857, and the work was begun shortly afterward. The east- ern division of the road was under the control of another company, organized under a charter from the Wisconsin legislature. The progress of construction was impeded by financial embar- rassments, arising from the great depression which spread over the country in 1857, and the enterprise languished. In August, 1858, the company applied to the council of Rockford for a loan of the city credit to the amount of $50,- 000 to aid in the completion of the road. An election was held September 2, and the measure was carried. This is the only instance in the

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history of Rockford of the loan of the credit of the corporation to a railroad. On November 21, 1859, the road was completed between Rock- ford and Harvard, and the event was celebrated by a banquet at the Holland House the same evening. In 1864, the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company was absorbed by the Chicago & Northwestern, and the Kenosha & Rockford road, as a matter of course, soon came under the same control.

ROCKFORD, ROCK ISLAND & ST. LOUIS.

The citizens of Rockford, at an early period, recognized the value of more than one railroad for their expanding industrial life. The cry of "soulless corporations" was even then a familiar sound. Various projects were elabo- rated on paper, and several charters were obtained from the general assembly, which in those days enacted a vast amount of special legislation. One of the most ambitious of these schemes was the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis railroad, which was chartered in 1865. Thomas D. Robertson and Selden M. Church were among the incorporators. It was proposed to build a road from Rockford to Sterling and Rock Island; thence to a point on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, opposite St. Louis, A special town meeting was held in Rockford in April, 1870, to vote on the proposition of taking $50,000 railroad stock. There were 1,655 votes cast, of which only 503 were against the proposed subscription. The general principle of the validity of township bonds, issued in aid of railroad construction, was subsequently upheld by the state supreme court. Routes were surveyed, but track was never laid above Sterling. Thus Rockford eventually figured only in the title of the road.

ROCKFORD CENTRAL.

The failure of this proposed line did not dis- courage other efforts. The Rockford Central railroad was incorporated March 4, 1869. Dr. Robert P. Lane, G. A. Sanford, Ralph Emerson, Moses Bartlett, Selden M. Church, of Rockford, Marvin T. Ellingwood, Charles B. Johnson, Joshua White and Franklin Corwin were the incorporators and constituted the first board of directors. The capital stock was to be $1,000,- 000, of which Rockford citizens were to sub-

scribe $125,000, The line was to begin at or near Mendota, on the Illinois Central; from there to Rochelle, thenee north through Rock- ford to the state line, to connect with Wiscon- sin roads. The general office of the company was to be in Rockford, where the books of record were to be kept. Dr. R. P. Lane was chosen president. On June 26, 1871, Dr. Lane issued a call inviting the citizens to attend the formal breaking of ground for the Rockford Central railroad. Three days later this cere- mony was performed just west of Kent's Creek near West State street, amid the booming of cannon and the ringing of bells. Mayor S. G. Bronson delivered an address. Grading was done on Cedar and State streets, thence north- ward about two miles. Twelve miles of grad- ing was also completed below the Kishwaukee, between Rochelle and Rockford. This grading, however, was never used for railroad purposes. The construction of this road was well under way when plans were made for merging with two Wisconsin lines. The consolidation of the Rockford Central, Madison & Portage, and the Sugar River Valley railroads was completed at Madison, Dec. 6, 1871. The Rockford line was to extend eighteen miles nearly due northwest from Rockford, to a point thirteen miles west of Beloit. The stockholders of the several lines ratified the action January 3, 1872, and the Rockford Central Railroad passed into his- tory

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 29

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