USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 39
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Among the notable events of recruiting week was the marriage of F. F. Wormwood, Jr., first sergeant of Company K, son of F. F. Worm- wood, president of the People's Bank and Trust Company, and Miss Jean Nelson, of Gwynn, Mich. The rooms of the Wormwood liome were decorated in red, white and blue flowers; a
large flag was also conspicuous to give the military touch to the nuptial setting. Officers of Company K in full uniform were present together with fifty intimate friends and rela- tives. The ceremony was performed at 9 o'clock by the Rev. John Gordon. Mrs. Worm- wood is the first "war bride."
· On the evening preceding the departure of the militia, the National Guard Relief Associa- . tion was organized. Its purpose is to raise a fund for the aid of families of guardsmen who may need assistance. Within forty-eight hours $540 had been pledged.
SOLDIERS BURIED AT ROCKFORD.
Up to October 1, 1915, there were 585 soldiers buried in the four cemeteries of Rockford. They represent all of the five wars in which the United States has been engaged. There is one soldier of the Revolutionary war, seventeen sol- diers of the war of 1812, four of the Mexican war, 526 of the Civil war, and thirty-seven of the Spanish-American war. These heroes of the republic are buried in the several cemeteries as follows :
West Side-Revolutionary, one; 1812, four- teen ; Mexican, three; Civil, 321; Spanish-Amer- ican, fourteen.
Cedar Bluff-1812, three ; Mexican, one; Civil, 145; Spanish-American, five.
Catholic-Civil. fifty-eight ; Spanish-Ameri- can, ten.
Scandinavian-Civil, two ; Spanish-American. eight.
The soldier of the Revolution, Jehiel Harmon, was born in Suffield, Conn., October 5, 1762, and died March 3. 1845. There are two other revo- lutionary soldiers buried in Winnebago County. Samuel Campbell. a native of Connecticut, was born October S. 1762, and died November S. 1844. He is buried in the Hulse cemetery, Peca- tonica. Ephraim Palmer, a native of Massa- chusetts, was one of the soldiers assigned to guard the notorious Major Andre. He is buried in Kishwaukee cemetery, Kishwaukee. Tlie graves of these revolutionary heroes have been marked by the Rockford chapter of Daugliters of the American Revolution. One of the sol- diers of the Mexican war was William McClay, who died April 8, 1915.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
CHAPTER XXII.
THE MEDICAL AND DENTAL PROFESSIONS.
MANY PHYSICIANS AMONG THE PIONEERS-SHORT BIOGRAPHIES OF WELL-KNOWN PRACTITIONERS- WINNEBAGO COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY-LIST OF PHYSICIANS AT ROCKFORD-OSTEOPATHIC PRAC- TITIONERS - CHIROPRACTORS - DENTISTS WELL REPRESENTED.
PHYSICIANS AMONG THE PIONEERS.
The pioneers of Winnebago County included a number of physicians, some of whom attained local distinction, and all beloved by their re- spective patients. Doctors J. C. Goodhue, A. M. Catlin, Alden Thomas, Levi Moulthrop, C. H. Richings, George Haskell, A. E. Goodwin, R. P. Lane and Lucius, D. S. and L. A. Clark have been mentioned in previous chapters. Dr. Charles Church, grandfather of the writer, set- tled in Guilford Township about 1844, and later removed to Belvidere. Between those early-day physicians and those who are now in practice, was another generation which has also passed away. Some of these may be briefly noted.
Dr. Clinton Helm was widely known as the "silent surgeon." He was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., February 21, 1829. He came with his parents to Illinois, and settled in Ogle County in 1837. He read medicine with Dr. Lucius Clark and was graduated at Keokuk, Iowa. Dr. Helm was commissioned a surgeon in the Ninety-second Illinois Infantry by Gov- ernor Yates, September 4, 1862. He was a pris- oner of war in Libby at Richmond, where he remained two months. After the war he en- gaged in practice in Beloit, Wis., and came from there to Rockford in 1878. On February 25, 1902, the Winnebago County Medical So- ciety gave a banquet in honor of Dr. Helm's fiftieth year of continuous practice. He died January 13, 1914, in his eighty-fifth year, fifty- five of which were devoted to his profession.
Dr. E. P. Catlin was a son of Dr. A. M. Catlin. He was born in Chester, Ohio, July 1, 1837, and came with his father's family to Winnebago
County when he was six months old. He was graduated from Rush Medical College in 1865, and in February of that year he was commis- sioned assistant surgeon in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. Dr. Catlin died September 26, 1904. He had a quiet dig- nity and represented the best traditions of the old school. Dr. S. R. Catlin, the third physician in a direct line, is a son.
Dr. E. C. Huse was one of the most familiar figures on the streets of Rockford for many years. He was born in Newburyport, Mass. Sep- tember 20, 1835; was graduated from Harvard University in 1856, and from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York March S, 1866. He came to Rockford a short time later and most of his subsequent life was spent here. Dr. Huse died May 14, 1900. He had a splendid intellectual equipment for his profession.
The Journal of the American Medical Asso- ciation for December, 1905, announced the death oť a Rockford practitioner, as follows: "Rob- ert Edwin Coy, M. D., Chicago Medical Col- lege, 1891; a member of the American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Winnebago County Medical Society, and a mem- ber of the attending staff of the Rockford City Hospital, died at his home in Rockford, Ill., November 21, from pneumonia, after an ill- ness of about one week." Dr. Coy was born in Guilford Township July 10, 1848.
Dr. Thomas M. Butler was born in Lycoming County, Pa., June 21, 1833, and was graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College in May, 1857. He began practice in Rockford, Ill., but tried other fields, and finally settled in Peca- tonica, where he practiced sixteen years. In 1876 Dr. Butler was elected circuit clerk and held the office twelve years. He removed to Milwaukee, Wis., in 18SS, but returned to Rock- ford, where his last years were spent. Dr. Butler died in December, 1912.
Dr. Albert S. Green died in Rockford June 1, 1911. He was born in Jo Daviess County, Ill., April 9, 1853; studied at Mt. Morris Seminary, Northwestern University, University of Michi- gan, and was graduated from Chicago Medical College in 1878. He came from Wisconsin to Rockford in 1894. Dr. John A. Green, of Rock- ford, is a son.
Dr. Rockwood Sager was born in Belvidere, Ill., July 2, 1856, and was gradnated from Rnsh Medical College in 1878. He spent two years
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HISTORY OF WINNEGABO COUNTY
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in Chicago, and came to Rockford in 1SS0, and opened an office on the South side. Dr. Sager established a large practice, and was for four years a member of the board of education. He died December 2, 1913.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The Winnebago County Medical Society was organized October 1S, 1SS1, and reorganized February 12, 1894. The society meets the sec- ond Tuesday of every month except July and August. It is the plan of the society to have one speaker outside the city each month, and often the following meeting is devoted to a dis- cussion of cases suggested by the address of the last speaker. The officers of the society are: H. M. Starkey, president ; F. H. Kimball, vice-president ; C. M. Ranseen, secretary. The society lias its rules governing the conduct of its members, and a regular scale of prices for services rendered. The society has a member- ship of about eighty, about three-quarters of whom are from the city of Rockford. There are, however, nearly one hundred physicians registered in Rockford alone. The physicians residing in the several towns will be noted in the historical sketches of the townships.
The following is a list of the physicians resid- ing in Rockford: H. W. Ackemann, J. E. Alla- ben, S. C. Andrus, R. E. Anthony, R. C. Bour- land, W. A. Boyd, F. C. Brooks, M. S. Brundage, W. P. Burdick, F. W. Calkins, S. R. Catlin, E. J. Clark, C. E. Crawford, T. H. Culhane, W. H. Cunningham, D. W. Day, A. C. Eakin, A. J. Edson, E. J. Farrell, W. H. Fitch, O. M. Ford, Biogio Franceshi, S. D. Francis, W. R. Franklin, W. R. Fringer, G. P. Gill, E. W. Goembel, John A. Green, W. Grant Hatch, J. E. Haughey, I. J. Heckman, W. B. Helm, F. K. Hill, G. A. Howard, O. Baxter Howe, Katherine E. James, D. M. Keith, R. P. Kile, F. H. Kimball, R. G. W. Kinder, T. F. Kinley, A. E. Kroening, Daniel Lichty, Emil Lofgren, J. S. Lundholm, G. W. McDowell, Elizabeth C. Maas, P. L. Markley, R. W. Markley T. N. Miller, H. F. Moore, C. W. Moyer, Olof Nordwall, C. V. Nyman, William J. O'Donnell, E. A. Ochsner, E. E. Ochsner, O. A. Olson, W. E. Park, H. A. Pattison, A. C. Pear- man, D. B. Penniman, J. R. Porter, C. M. Ran- seen. W. L. Ransom, R. A. Reedy, Henry Rich- ings, Rogers & Rogers, E. M. Rundquist, L. O. Scott, L. A. Shultz, H. M. Starkey, Lemuel Tibbets, John E. Tuite, C. V. Urbom, C. A.
Walker, Hamlin J. Walters, G. A. Weirick, Edward H. and Anna Weld, F. J. Weld, Sidney Wilgus, C. S. Winn, G. L. Winn, C. E. Wright, John R. Young
The following osteopaths are practitioners at Rockford : J. P. Gordon, M. M. Alden, C. A. Gustafson, Mrs. Minnie Hodge, A. S. Loving, C. E. Medaris, A. C. Proctor, D. C. Richards, M. Elizabeth Schupert, Flora M. Swengel and H. T. Wise. J. P. Gordon, C. A. Gustafson and J. A. Schellenbarger are chiropractors. dental association.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY DENTAL ASSOCIATION.
The dentists of Winnebago County have main- tained an organization for many years. Den- tists who are affiliated with the local organiza- tion by the payment of dues are thereby identi- fied with the state and national bodies. Nearly every dentist in the county is practicing in Rock- ford. Not every dentist, however, is identified with the local society. Dr. E. E. Walker is president of the association and Dr. M. L. John- son is secretary. The following dentists are now practicing in Rockford :
L. J. Andrew, B. H. Biglow, O. A. Crossan, A. B. Culhane, H. F. Delmore, D. O. Duncan, Edward Eakin, F. A. Eastman, J. H. Elliott, Benj. F. Ells, H. P. Fahr, A. C. Gray, L. A. Grigsby, M. L. Hanaford, James E. Harned, M. R. Harned, A. M. Harrison, Hayes Dental Office, C. B. Helm, C. S. Helm, O. R. Holmin, P. C. Howland, M. L. Johnson, P. G. Laon, C. B. Mead, R. G. Nordgren, J. L. Palmer, P. H. Plummer, A. F. Quick, F. E. Salisbury, R. L. Shanklin, H. G. Shumway, C. J. Sowle, J. F. Stokes, E. S. Tebbets, United Dentists, E. E. Walker, H. M. Wettengel, E. J. Witherstine and O. G. Wolfrum.
CHAPTER XXIII.
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BANKING AND INSURANCE.
A FINANCIAL GIBRALTAR-OLDEST ROCKFORD BANK- WINNEBAGO NATIONAL BANK-BANK OF ROCK- FORD-SPAFFORD, CLARK & ELLIS BANK-FOUND- ERS OF THIRD NATIONAL BANK-SECOND NA-
Duer & Johnson
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
TIONAL BANK-E. L. FULLER & COMPANY, BANK- ERS-E. H. POTTER & COMPANY, BANKERS-ED- WARD N. KITCHEL, BANKER-PRIVATE BANK OF N. C. THOMPSON-FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ROCKFORD-SECOND NATIONAL BANK-THE OLD- EST NATIONAL BANK -THE THIRD NATIONAL BANK-THE ROCKFORD NATIONAL BANK-THE PEOPLE'S BANK - THE MANUFACTURERS' ŅA- TIONAL BANK-THE FOREST CITY NATIONAL BANK -ROCKFORD'S YOUNGEST BANK-THE SWEDISH- AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK - INCREASING DE- . POSITS-ROCKFORD CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION
-PRESENT OFFICERS-INSURANCE-ROCK RIVER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY-REAPER CITY IN- SURANCE COMPANY-ROCKFORD INSURANCE COM- PANY-AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY- FOREST CITY INSURANCE COMPANY - MANUFACTURERS' AND MERCHANTS' MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY -SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY-RELIANCE IN- SURANCE COMPANY - INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS-MUTUAL COMPANIES IN CITY AND COUNTY - LIFE INSURANCE - FOREST CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY-ROCKFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY - MANUFACTURERS' AND MERCHANTS' LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.
A FINANCIAL GIBRALTAR.
The seven banking houses of Rockford consti- tute a veritable Gibraltar. They represent a conservatism born of the failures of a past generation ; an integrity that is above suspicion. Present conditions are unlike those which beset the banker of sixty years ago. That was a day of unstable currency, when "wild-cat" money was abundant, but worthless. Banking was then a precarious business. Only two houses in Rockford weathered the storm and these are in business today. It is nearly twenty years since a Rockford bank has failed, and so far as pres- ent conditions are a criterion, another failure within the next generation is impossible.
OLDEST ROCKFORD BANK.
The first bank in Rockford was opened in 1848 by Thomas D. Robertson and John A. Holland. Their place of business was a low frame build- ing adjoining the European hotel site on West State street. In 1851 J. S. Coleman removed from New. York to Rockford and became a member of the firm, the name of which was changed to Robertson, Coleman & Co. The
firm continued in business in its small quarters until 1855, when the present Winnebago Na- tional bank block was completed. Upon the death of Mr. Holland in 1855, Melancthon Starr was admitted to the firm; and after Mr. Cole- man's death in 1864, the firm name was changed to Robertson & Starr, which continued until the organization of the Winnebago National Bank.
The Winnebago National Bank is the oldest bank in the city, representing an unbroken line since 184S, wlien Robertson & Holland began business in a small and primitive way. The Winnebago opened its doors as a national bank April 3, 1865, with T. D. Robertson, president ; Melancthon Starr, vice-president ; Spencer Ris- ing, cashier. William T. Robertson succeeded his father as president. This bank has been in continuous existence sixty-eight years, and all of this period its presidency has been in one family, in father and son. Chandler Starr is cashier. The capital stock is $250,000, with a surplus of $150,000. Its deposits November 10, 1915, were $1,694,335.75.
In October, 1852, the Bank of Rockford was organized under the general banking law of the state. Charles I. Horsman was president, and Charles C. Wilcox, cashier. A sworn statement of its condition on the first Monday in July, 1853, reported a circulation of $49,995. . The late Levi Moulthrop began his business career as a clerk in this bank, when he was twelve years of age and remained five years. The bank suspended in 1857.
The banking house of Spafford, Clark & Ellis was founded in November, 1854. The firm con- sisted of C. H. Spafford, Dr. D. G. Clark, and E. F. W. Ellis. Dr. Clark came to Rockford in 1848. Two years later he went to California and returned in 1853. Dr. Clark died October 4, 1861. Spafford, Clark & Ellis did business in the old stone building on the alley, on the south side of State, between Main and Church. This building was torn down and replaced by a modern structure by Patrick' Moran, and now owned by his widow. This bank went into liquidation and Mr. Spafford is said to have paid its obligations in full.
In 1854 was also established the banking house of Briggs, Spafford & Penfield in East Rockford, which became the Third National Bank. The members of the firm were C. C. Briggs, A. C. Spafford and David S. Penfield.
On January 1, 1855, the banking firm of
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Dickerman, Wheeler & Company began business on West State street. The firm consisted of W. A. Dickerman, Buel G. Wheeler, G. A. Sau- ford and R. P. Lane. Mr. Wheeler retired, aud the firm name was changed to Laue, Sanford & Company, with Mr. Dickerman as its silent partner. This house became the Second Na- tional Bank.
Fuller & Tomkins began a banking business in the Worthington block, East Rockford, in 1853. The firm consisted of Allen C. aud E. L. Fuller and Enos aud N. C. Tomkins, all of Belvidere, Ill. The firm was later called E. L. Fuller & Company.
E. H. Potter & Company and Edward N. Kitchel were also in the banking business on the East side.
The private bauk of N. C. Thompson was opened about 1860 in the building occupied by the Manufacturers' National Bank. It is said Mr. Thompson had $150,000 on deposit in Chi- cago bauks at the time of the great fire in 1871. Mr. Thompson did a general banking business. He received deposits and issued certificates therefor. This bank closed its doors in 1884.
The First National Bank of Rockford began business June 15, 1864, with Alonzo Wood as president, and E. H. Griggs, cashier. It occu- pied the second floor of the C. F. Henry block. Mr. Wood conducted a large general store ap- proaching the modern department store, and had the stores now occupied by Mr. Henry and A. C. Deming. Mr. Wood built the block now occu- pied by Mr. Deming. The First National was popularly called "Wood's bank." His son, W. W. Wood, succeeded to the management, with Geo. Stratton as cashier. The bank aud thie store tumbled into a common ruiu in March, 1869. The first currency issued in Rockford under the national banking law was put in circulation by the First National Bauk August 5, 1864. Mr. Wood died in Daysville, Ill., in July, 1887.
The Second National Bank was organized in 1865 as the successor of the banking firm of Lane, Sanford & Company. The principal stock- holders were Dr. R. P. Lane, G. A. Sanford aud W. A. Dickerman. In its prime it was the largest bankiug house in the city, but reverses came and the institution fiually closed its doors in 1896. H. H. Waldo was appointed receiver.
THE OLDEST NATIONAL BANK.
The Third National Bank was organized in 1864 to succeed the banking firm of Briggs, Spafford and Penfield. A. C. Spafford was president until his death in 1897. W. T. Wallis was the first cashier. His successors have been L. A. Trowbridge, George C. Spafford, B. J. Chaney and M. A. Kjellgren. J. H. Sherratt succeeded A. C. Spafford as president, and served until his deathı. His successor and the preseut head of the institution is George C. Spafford. The Third is now the oldest national bank in Rockford. Its capital stock is $250,000, with surplus and profits of $249,093.97. Its deposits, according to its statement made to the comptroller of the currency November 10, 1915, were $1,990,759.45.
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The Rockford National Bank began business iu May, 1871. Gilbert Woodruff was presideut until his death in 1903. He was succeeded by Horace Brown, and the latter was succeeded by William F. Woodruff, a son of the founder, who is now president. H. S. Burpee is cashier. In 1905 W. F. Woodruff and C. F. Henry obtained possession of the old Second National Bank building and site on the corner of West State and South Main streets, and razed the old structure. The Trust building, the largest edifice of its kind in the city, was completed in 1907 by Mr. Woodruff and Mr. Henry, under the name of the Rockford Trust and Safety Deposit Compauy, and the Rockford National Bauk took possession of a part of the first floor. One-fourth of the site is owned by Mr. Wood- ruff and Mr. Heury. The remaining three- fourths are held under a 99-year lease obtained from the heirs of H. W. Loomis. This corner has beeu in possession of the Loomis family eighty years, siuce 1836, when Nathaniel Loomis entered it from the government. Four buildings have occupied the site : The Log Tavern, known as the Stage House, opened in 1838; the old Second National bank block, built about 1843; the later Second National bank building, erected in 1873, and the Trust building. The capital stock of the Rockford National is $100,000, with surplus and profits of $223,033.79. Its deposits at the official report in November, 1915, were $2.086,141.03.
The People's Bank began business July 31, 1873, in the building now occupied by the Dunn Drug Company. The officers were: N. E. Ly-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
829
man, president; A. D. Forbes, vice-president ; D. H. Ferguson, cashier. In 1892 the bank was removed to the first floor of the William Brown building. Mr. Lyman's successors in the presi- dency have been : A. D. Forbes, Harry F. Forbes and F. F. Wormwood. L. E. Scott is cashier. The capital stock is $125,000, with sur- plus and profits of $201,362.30. Its deposits are $1,292,576.81. The present title of the bank is The Peoples Bank and Trust Company.
The Manufacturers' National Bank began business January 2, 1889, and its growth was phenomenal from the first. It occupied the first floor of the building on the northeast corner of East State and North First streets. The Crotty building, diagonally across State street, was subsequently purchased, and the bank now has elegant and spacious quarters. Charles O. Upton was the first president, and his suc- cessors have been W. F. Barnes and N. F. Thompson. A. P. Floberg is cashier. The cap- ital stock is $200,000, with $78,760.34 in surplus and profits. Its deposits are $1,759,729.86.
The Forest City National Bank opened its doors June 7, 1890. It has occupied the same site from the first, and John D. Waterman has been its only president. Paul F. Schuster was the first cashier, and was succeeded by Mrs. E. E. Brumbaugh. Its capital stock is $100,000, with surplus and profits of $170,658.56. Its
deposits are $1,149,674.76.
John Budlong was the prime mover in the organization of a state bank on Seventh street in 1892. The bank succumbed to the financial crash of 1893.
ROCKFORD'S YOUNGEST BANK.
The Swedish-American National is the young- est bank in Rockford, and began business August 1, 1910, on Seventh street. William Johnson is president, and G. A. Peterson is cashier. Its paid-in capital is $125.000 with surplus and un- divided profits of $45,222.87. The bank has deposits of $708,624.02.
The increase in the deposits of Rockford banks by decades is as follows: December 13, 1895, $2,591,608.43 ; November 9, 1905, $6,073,625 ; November 10, 1915, $10,681,841.78; the deposits March 7, 1916, were $11,684,468.41. The banks made an innovation in 1915 by encouraging "thrift deposits" of small sums, which were paid out in December, and were of mutual
convenience to merchants and their patrons during the holiday season.
ROCKFORD CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION,
The Rockford Clearing House Association was organized July 6, 1891. George E. King was president ; Chandler Starr, vice-president ; John D. Waterman, secretary ; C. E. Herrick, treasurer. The association has a constitution, and many questions, formerly settled by the banks in their individual capacity, are now passed upon by this central body. The clearings for the first three years are not available. The clearings for 1894 were $10,159,019.90; for 1895, $10,846,305.33; for 1905, $26,627,161.70. The clearings since 1908 have been : 1908, $31,221,- 374; 1909, $34,928,135; 1910, $41,233,955; 1911, $40,867,113 ; 1912, $45,006,662 ; 1913, $50,889,489 ; 1914, $47,307,653 ; 1915, $48,924,953. The clear- ings for December, 1915, were $48,924,953.
The present officers of the association are : Chandler Starr, president; John D. Waterman, vice-president; F. F. Wormwood, secretary and treasurer.
INSURANCE.
Rockford is an important insurance center. The business began in village days, but it de- veloped slowly, and was firmly established only after several failures. The Rock River Mutual Insurance Company was granted a charter in June, 1852. Allen Gibson was secretary, and the company did considerable business for some years. It failed in February, 1869.
The Reaper City Insurance Company was chartered in 1866, and subscription books were opened April 18, 1867. It had a paid-up capital of $150,000 and was successful for some years. Thomas D. Robertson was president and Melanc- thon Starr treasurer.
ROCKFORD INSURANCE COMPANY.
The Rockford Insurance Company was organ- ized in 1867. William Watson was the prime mover in this organization and became its secretary and manager. The company prospered for a number of years until Mr. Watson's fail- ing health resulted in a decline in the company's business.
In 1882 Charles E. Sheldon was elected secre-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
tary, and continued as such until 1899, when a syndicate of Chicago bankers purchased the stock of the company. Their plans did not develop as anticipated, and on June 12, 1899, the business of the company was reinsured in the American Insurance Company of Newark, and Charles E. Sheldon became western man- ager of that company. At the time the Rockford discontinued business its premium income was in the neighborhood of $700,000. The business of the American as its successor in the west has steadily increased until last year, 1915, when the premiums of the Rockford office amounted, in round numbers, to $2,500,000. This was secured from thirteen states as follows: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michi- gan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wiscon- sin. This comprises the territory of the western department. The American Insurance Company, shortly after its reinsurance of the Rockford, localized its business by erecting its present office building at the corner of North Main and Peach Streets, and elected Mr. Sheldon vice- president of the company. The growth of the business of the company made necessary addi- tional office facilities, and in 1914 the company completed a fireproof addition, 50 by 60 feet, two stories and basement, similar in archi- tectural design to the original building. The American has a large business in the city of Rockford, and also in the state of Illinois. Its total premiums in Illinois approximate $1,000,- 000 annually. Mr. Sheldon is one of the most widely known insurance men in the country.
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