USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 40
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FOREST CITY INSURANCE COMPANY.
The Forest City Insurance Company was organized in August, 1874. The original officers were : Gilbert Woodruff, president; Harris Barnnm, vice-president; C. W. Sheldon, secre- tary; Horace Brown, treasurer. The late John H. Sherratt was secretary many years, and was succeeded by his brother, A. H. Sherratt. The company insured farm and village property. It limited its field to Illinois, and did a large business. In March, 1914, the Forest City was sold to the National Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., but still retains its own corporate identity, under the name of the Forest City Insurance Agency. Hon. Frederick Haines is the resident manager.
MANUFACTURERS' AND MERCHANTS' MUTUAL.
The Manufacturers' and Merchants' Mutual Insurance Company was organized in 1SS1. H. W. Price was president, and Major George S. Roper was chosen secretary on the day he came from Springfield, Illinois, to make Rockford his home. Major Roper held the position until his death, February 3, 1897. He was a courtly, old-school gentleman, and his passing was deep- ly mourned. The insurance company went into liquidation in 1901, with Fred E. Sterling as receiver.
SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY.
The western department of the Security In- surance Company of New Haven, Conn., was established in Rockford in 18SS, with Mr. Charles E. Sheldon, who at that time was secretary of the Rockford, as manager. After the reinsurance of the Rockford in the Ameri- can, both companies were managed conjointly until 1907, when a separate department for the Security was established, with J. A. Daggett as manager. Mr. Daggett died in 1909, and W. D. Williams was appointed as manager. The company operates in thirteen of the middle-west states, writing fire, lightning, windstorm, hail and thresher insurance. The Security estab- lished its office in its new building in 1912. The company employs about forty-five people.
Associated with the Security is the Reliance Insurance Company, of Philadelphia, the west- ern department of which was established at Rockford in 1911.
INSURANCE COMPANY STATE OF ILLINOIS.
The Insurance Company of the State of Illi- nois was incorporated April 2, 1895, and was managed entirely by Rockford men. George L. Wiley was secretary for several years. The company is now in process of liquidation, with C. F. Henry and C. C. Lane as receivers. They expect to close its affairs in the latter part of 1917.
MUTUAL COMPANIES.
The Rockford Farmers' Mutual Tornado In- surance Company was chartered in November, 1896, and began business the following month.
William Johnson
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Hon. David Hunter has been president from the first, and S. F. Wray has been secretary with the exception of the first few months. The company insures in twenty-five counties of Illinois, and its present volume of business is $15,000,000. The Rockford Swedish Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated in 1872. Frank G. Stibb is secretary. There are six farmers' mutual insurance companies in Winnebago, outside of Rockford, as follows: Burritt, incorporated in 1873; Durand, 1874; Guilford, 1874; Manchester, doing business in Manchester and Leroy, in Boone County, and Roscoe, in Winnebago County, 1874; Winne- bago, organized iu 1874, reorganized in 1875, and doing business in Winnebago and Seward townships ; and Pecatonica, organized in 1895.
LIFE INSURANCE.
The Forest City Life Insurance Company was organized July 21, 1909. On December 31, 1915, the company had $3,031,000 of insurance in force, a gain of over half a million for the year. T. V. Engstrom was presideut up to his death iu January, 1916, and was succeeded by A. D. Warner. George W. Brearley is secretary.
The Rockford Life Insurance Company was organized February 17, 1909, and began business in March, 1910, as an old line legal reserve company. Its insurance in force December 31, 1915, was $2,910,248. Hon. A. J. Lovejoy is president : C. J. Lundberg, secretary ; H. S. Burpee, treasurer; F. L. Brown, agency man- ager.
The Manufacturers' and Merchants' Life Insurance Company was incorporated in Janu- ary, 1908, and began business in April, 1909. N. C. Bement is president and manager.
CHAPTER XXIV
ROCKFORD MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
CONTEMPORARY EVENTS-FIRST ELECTION UNDER NEW LAW-WILLARD WHEELER FIRST MAYOR --- FIRST BOND ISSUE-SPECIAL CHARTER-NEW
WARD DIVISION-THE LICENSE QUESTION-FIRST HOUSE NUMBERING-SEVEN WARDS CREATED- LICENSE BECAME PARAMOUNT ISSUE IN 1876-A HISTORIC CARTOON - ROCKFORD INCORPORATED UNDER GENERAL LAW-FIRST SUBSEQUENT ELEC- TION-REFERENDUM VOTE-WOMEN'S PETITION- THE SPECIAL BALLOT-HIGH LICENSE LAW- SCHOOL DISTRICTS CONSOLIDATED-PARTY LINES CLOSELY DRAWN-PRICE SET FOR SALOON LICENSES -PUBLIC PARKS URGED-FIRST STREET PAVING --- THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE-WOMEN APPOINT- ED ON SCHOOL BOARD-MAYOR HUTCHINS' CON- TROVERSY WITH FIRE MARSHAL HEFFRAN-IN 1897 CITY COUNCIL SOLID FOR LICENSE-ELECTRIC LIGHT CONTRACT-OTHER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS -CONTROVERSY OVER LIBRARY SITE-REORGANI- ZATION OF SCHOOL BOARD-ORGANIZED LABOR --- FIRST LOCAL OPTION ELECTION-COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT-PRESENT MAYOR-WOMEN VOTE FOR CITY OFFICES IN 1915-MINORITY REP- RESENTATION - FIRE DEPARTMENT - WINNEBAGO ENGINE COMPANY-WASHINGTON ENGINE COM- PANY-UNION ENGINE COMPANY-ROSTER OF FIRE MARSHALS-FIRE STATIONS-MODERN AP- PARATUS-A CREDITABLE ORGANIZATION-POLICE DEPARTMENT-ROSTER OF POLICE CHIEFS-A FINE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE-IMPROVED EQUIP- MENTS - CITY ENGINEERS - STREET PAVING - HEALTH DEPARTMENT-BOARD OF ELECTION COM- MISSIONERS-BONDED INDEBTEDNESS-APPROPRIA- TIONS FOR 1916-CITY OFFICERS, 1852-1916.
CONTEMPORARY EVENTS.
Three nearly contemporary events contributed to the progress of Rockford from the simple village to its more commanding position as a city. These were the advent of the railroad, the organization of the new water power com- pany, and the incorporation of Rockford as a city. As early as 1851 the citizens realized that the local government, organized as a village in 1839, was no longer adequate to meet the needs of the rapidly increasing population. In the autumn of that year steps were taken for the organization of a city government. In pursu- ance of a call signed by Jason Marsh, .G. A. Sanford, Willard Wheeler, Isaiah Lyon, George Wyatt, Newton Crawford, C. I. Horsman, W. A. Dickermau, W. P. Dennis, Jesse Blinn and William Hulin, a meeting was held and it was deemed advisable at this conference to submit the question of city organization to a vote of
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
the citizens. The trustees of the town there- upon ordered an election for this purpose to be held January 3, 1852. The city government of Springfield, Ill., was adopted as a basis of organization.
The first election under the new order was held April 19, 1852. The candidates for mayor were Willard Wheeler and E. H. Potter. The election resulted in the choice of Mr. Wheeler. The first meeting of the city council was held on Monday, April 26, at the counting room of Eleazer H. Potter. William Lathrop was ap- pointed city clerk. An ordinance was passed creating the following city officers : clerk of the council, attorney, treasurer, marshal, assessor, collector, engineer, and two street commissioners. These officers were to be appointed annually by the city council at its first regular meeting after the annnal municipal election. The asses- sors and collectors were subsequently made elective officers. At the second session of the conncil, held May 1, the following city officers were appointed : William Lathrop, attorney ; Hiram R. Maynard, treasurer; Duncan Fer- guson, city engineer.
CITY'S FIRST BOND ISSUE.
An act of the legislature of June 18, 1852, authorized the city of Rockford to borrow money, not exceeding $10,000, for the purpose of constructing a bridge. Bonds were to be issued, in the sum of $100 each, bearing interest not exceeding 10 per cent, and were to be redeemed within twenty years from issue. This sum was evidently insufficient for the purpose; and an act of the legislature of February 3, 1853, authorized the city to borrow a maximum sum of $15,000. Bonds were to be issued in sums not exceeding $1,000 each, payable within twenty years, and to draw interest not exceeding 10 per cent. The act of 1852 was repealed. The second or covered bridge was built in 1854, with the funds derived from the sale of bonds the preced- ing year. This bridge stood until December, 1871, when it was torn down and succeeded by the first iron bridge.
In the election of 1853 Hiram R. Maynard was elected mayor. He came to Rockford in 1837 with his brother-in-law, Benjamin Kilburn. Mr. Maynard conducted a general store in a one- story frame building on South Main street, just below the Masonic temple. It was subsequently
used by C. A. Huntington as an academy, and the Second Congregational church was organized in this building. A daughter of Mr. Maynard became a local Salvation Army worker.
SPECIAL CHARTER SECURED.
A special character was granted to the city by the legislature March 4, 1854. By this act the general law of 1849 was declared to be no longer in force, so far as Rockford was concerned, except for the purpose of supplementing proceed- ings had or commenced, so as not to impair the legal consequences.of any past transaction. This charter was amended February 14, 1855, April 26, 1859, and February 22, 1861. "An act to reduce the charter of the city of Rockford, and the several acts amendatory thereof into one act and to revise and amend the same," was approved February 15, 1865. Rockford was governed by this charter until the city was reor- ganized under the general law. This general law, enacted in 1872, repealed the general law of 1849, and abolished the system of special charters. Between these dates there appear to have been two methods for the incorporation of cities in force at the same time: by a general law and by a special charter. The evolution of legislation in Illinois, from the special to the general, is an interesting study to the student of political history.
In 1854 national politics played a part in the choice of mayor, and U. M. Warner was elected on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Warner carried on a general store on West State street with Hiram R. Maynard, and later was in business alone. Mr. Warner built the block now occu- pied by C. F. Henry, and Warner's hall was the popular lecture and concert hall for many years. Ralph Waldo Emerson and other cele- brities lectured there. H. S. and Charles F. Warner were sons.
NEW WARD DIVISION.
Edward Vaughn was the fourth mayor of Rockford, and was elected in 1855. Mr. Vaughn was in partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles F. Lewis, father of Fay, Harry W. and C. Herbert Lewis. They conducted a general store on the site of Armstrong's clothing store. Since the last municipal election the city had been divided into five wards, with boundaries as
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
follows: First, all that part of the city lying north of State street and east of the river; second, all that part of the city lying south of State street and east of the river ; third, all that part of the city lying south of State street, west of the river and north of Kent's Creek; fourth, all that part of the city north of State street and west of the river, and fifth, that part of the city south of Kent's Creek and west of the river.
James L. Loop was elected mayor of Rockford in 1856. Mr. Loop came to Rockford in 1852 from Belvidere, where he was a partner in the practice of law with his brother-in-law, Stephen A. Hurlbut. The salary of the mayor was determined from year to year and Mayor Loop's compensation for the year ending in April, 1856, was fixed at $150. In the election of 1857 William Brown was chosen mayor by a decisive majority. Mr. Loop was a candidate for re- election but failed to secure one-third of the total vote. Seely Perry was elected mayor in 1858, receiving 590 votes. His opponent was Dr. R. P. Lane. For the first time the mayor's inaugural address was published in full.
THE LICENSE QUESTION.
The election of 1859 resulted in the choice of Charles Williams for mayor. The sale of intoxi- cants was more of an issue than at any pre- vious election. The council was favorable to " license, but the majorities tor aldermen in the several wards were so divided that they did not actually represent public sentiment as a unit. The incoming council repealed a somewhat stringent ordinance that had been passed a few months before. On March 21, 1859, L. W. Burn- ham, the retiring city clerk, reported that the outstanding bonds of the city amounted to $49,144.95, on which 8 and 10 per cent interest was paid. The tax levies for the first few years under the new municipal regime was as follows : 1854, 716 mills on each dollar of taxable prop- erty, both real and personal; 1855, 10 mills on each dollar; 1856, 134 per cent on cach dollar ; in 1857, 11/2 per cent; 1858, 15/s per cent; 1859, 21% per cent; 1SC0, 2 per cent ; 1861, 2 per cent. It will be observed the rate increased each year up to 1859.
Charles Williams was re-elected mayor in 1860. The election of 1861 occurred within a week after the bombardment of Fort Sumter.
The spirit of unity showed itself in the unani- mous choice of Charles Williams for mayor, for a third term.
Municipal history during the Civil war and for several years thereatter may be briefly told. The elections of these latter years, which are preceded by "campaigns of education," present a sharp contrast to those of half a century ago. The official records at the city hall tell the plain, unvarnished story of victory and defeat; and the burrower into the past turns to the files of the newspapers for the color of flesh and blood that give human interest to all narrative. He is sometimes disappointed; but he remembers that the enthusiasm of the people in the sixties was directed to the supreme issue of saving the union, in which lesser interests were absorbed, as the sea receives lake and river.
The election of 1862 resulted in the choice of every city official for another term. The retiring council had been prudent in the management of affairs, without being niggardly, and the people were satisfied. Charles Williams . was elected mayor for a fourth term and in the election of 1863 Rockford conferred still greater honor on Charles Williams by electing him mayor for a fifth term. Three of these were given without opposition, and were a rare tribute to his per- sonal worth and official integrity. He will be remembered as Rockford's "war mayor."
Albert Fowler was elected mayor of Rockford in 1864, Mr. Williams having declined another term. Mr. Fowler gave the city a creditable administration, with good moral tone, and he was re-elected mayor in 1865 without opposition.
Mayor Fowler declined a third term. The con- test for his successor was spirited and called out a large vote. It was also unique, in that the two candidates came from the same family. E. H. Baker was elected by a majority of 424 over Charles H. Spafford, who was an uncle of Mrs. Baker. Mr. Baker was father of Edward W. Baker, now representing the Fifth Ward in the city council. Mr. Baker was a candidate for re-election in 1867, and was opposed by his im- mediate predecessor, Mr. Fowler, who was elected. In 1868 Mr. Fowler and Mr. Baker were again in the field, with Thomas Butter- worth as a third candidate. Mr. Baker was elected.
In 1868 the council authorized the numbering of houses. The work was done as a private enterprise by Kauffman & Company. A city di-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
rectory was published as early as 1857, but it located residents only by streets.
The campaign of 1869 was unusually spirited and called out the largest vote ever polled up to that time. The issue was license or no-license. A. I. Enoch was the no-license candidate and defined his position in the newspapers. Per- sonally he opposed the license system. Should the council grant licenses lie would sign them as mayor, but in case of a tie he would decide against license. Seymour G. Bronson was sup- ported by the license party, and was elected. The political pendulum swung to the other ex- treme in 1870, and Mr. Bronson was re-elected mayor without opposition.
SEVEN WARDS CREATED.
The year 1871 was signalized by increasing the number of wards from five to seven, each rep- resented by one alderman. An ordinance passed March 6 fixed the boundaries as follows:
First Ward-That part of the city north of State street and east, of the river. Second Ward-From city bridge on State street to Kishwaukee, thence to Chicago and North- Western track, thence to Seventh street, thence south following Seventh to city boundary, thence west to river, thence to city bridge. Third Ward-That part of the city lying south of State street, west of the river and north of
Kent's creek. Fourth Ward -- From the city bridge west on State street to Court, thence to Cherry, thence to Rockton avenue, thence to city boundary, thence east following boundary to river, thence along river to bridge. Fifth Ward-That part of the city lying south of Kent's creek and west of the river. Sixth Ward-From East State following Kishwaukee to center of Chicago and North-Western track, thence to center of Seventh street, thence soutli to boundary of city, thence east to southeast corner of city boundary, thence north on the eastern boundary to State, following State west to intersection with Kishwaukee. Sev- enth Ward-From West State, following Court north to Cherry, thence to Rockton avenue, thence to north boundary of city, thence west along boundary to northwest corner of city boundary, thence south, following boundary to West State, thence east to Court.
In 1872 Mr. Bronson was elected mayor for the fourth and last time. When Mayor Bron-
son retired from office he was presented a watch and chain by the city clerk, Jason Marsh, in behalf of the council. This expression of good ivill was accentuated by the fact that Mr. Bronson was a Democrat, while practically all of his colleagues were Republicans.
Gilbert Woodruff and John Lake were candi- dates for mayor in 1873. The saloons were closed on election day, and a large vote was polled, which resulted in the election of Mr. Woodruff. The custom of appointing a banker or bank attache for city treasurer was established in an early day and the precedent has been con- tinued in rotation to the present. E. L. Fuller, G. A. Sanford, A. C. Spafford, N. C. Thompson, R. P. Lane, Melancthon Starr, D. S. Penfield and George E. King were early-day bankers. The administration of Gilbert Woodruff had given such general statisfaction that he was re- elected mayor in 1S74 without material oppo- sition. In the spring of 1875 there was a movement to abandon the old city charter, and re-incorporate under the general law. A petition was presented to the city council to submit the question to a referendum vote. The committee on ordinances, to which the petition was referred, recommended that action be de- ferred.
Robert H. Tinker was elected mayor in 1875. Mr. Tinker was called the "boy candidate." He was thirty-nine years of age, and was the youngest man who had been chosen to the mayoralty up to that time. He is today the oldest living former mayor in order of service. A change was made in 1875 in the method of filling appointive offices. Up to that time the council had taken the initiative and the mayor had no voice, except in case of a tie. The new law provided that nominations should be made by the mayor and confirmed by the council.
LICENSE BECOMES PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
Beginning with 1S76 and continuing several years, the sale of intoxicants was the para- mount issue in municipal elections. For a few years after the city was incorporated liquors appear to have been sold without restriction, like sugar and flour. The first reference in the council journal to an application for a saloon license is that made by John H. Thurs- ton, June 2, 1856. June 27, 1859, the council refused to raise the license from $25 to $100,
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
and as late as 1866 Rockford charged only a nominal license fee. The twenty-third section of the twentieth article of the city charter con- tained the following provision: "The common council shall have power to regulate, tax, license, restrain, prohibit, suppress and punish within said city, the dealing in, sale, or giving away of wine, rum, gin, brandy, whisky, ale, beer and all other ardent spirits, or intoxicating liquors, whether distilled, fermented, brewed or compounded." Thus the power of the council over the traffic was absolute. The real prob- lem was therefore, whether it should be regu- lated or prohibited. Many of Rockford's rep- resentative citizens of that day believed in the license system. It would be unfair to say that they were in sympathy with the business. His- toric justice requires it to be said that they honestly believed that license under restrictions was the best way of regulating the traffic.
Levi Rhoades was the candidate for the no- license party for mayor in 1876. The license party nominated Seymour G. Bronson. The result was a decisive victory for Mr. Rhoades and no-license. He carried six of the seven wards, and received a total of 1,291 votes. Mr. Bronson carried the Third Ward, and his total was 918. Three no-license aldermen were chosen : Gilbert Woodruff, from the Second; E. L. Woodruff, from the Fourth, and Harris Bar- num from the Sixth. Mr. Crawford, who held over from the Seventh, was for no license. Thus the council was four to three in favor of the prohibitive policy. H. W. Rowell was chosen city clerk, to succeed Jason Marsh, who had served nine years; L. F. Warner was made city attorney ; George H. Trufant, treasurer. Mr. Rhoades was a candidate for re-election in 1877, on the platform of the previous year. His opponent was Duncan Ferguson, who was elected. Public opinion is like the ebb and flow of the sea. Changes come when recurrent storms play upon the surface. At such times it is well to remember that beneath the rest- less wave is the calm level of the sea from which all heights and depths are measured. In 1878 the ship of state listed to the license side, after sailing two years in the no-license channel. Levi Rhoades was a candidate for a third time. The license forces nominated Wil- liam Watson, and he was elected. The new council stood: License, 4; no-license, 3. The
license party held a ratification meeting in Brown's hall.
"COLOSSUS OF RHO (A) DES."
The writer did his first newspaper work in Rockford during this campaign, and recalls a memorable incident. In a drug store on West State street there was exhibited a large cartoon, entitled "Colossus of Rho(a) des" which at- tracted the attention of every passerby. It was an up-to-date reproduction of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. There was the gigantic statue standing at the entrance of the harbor, but the form and features were those of Levi Rhoades. Twenty years later the writer called on R. H. Tinker and in referring to "auld lang syne," he went to an old desk and drew out the historic picture. It was not until then that the writer knew Mr. Tinker was the artist.
"Never in the municipal life of Rockford was there such a Waterloo result of an elec- tion as was returned yesterday." This was the comment of the Daily Register of April 14, 1879, the day following the annual city elec- tion. After one year of the license regime the pendulum swung the other way. S. B. Wilkins, as the standard bearer of the no-license party, was elected mayor over Seely Perry. The cam- paign of 1880 resulted in the re-election of Mayor Wilkins.
INCORPORATE UNDER GENERAL LAW.
Ever since 1875, when the petition for in- corporating under the general law had been sidetracked by the city council, the agitation had been gaining momentum. In the spring of 1880 a second attempt was made, which was successful. There were contributions pro and con published in the daily press. The night before election a mass meeting was held at the courthouse. William Lathrop made the prin- cipal address, in which he dwelt upon the complications that had arisen under the old system of a special charter for each munici- pality. H. W. Taylor, L. F. Warner, and John C. Garver also urged the proposed change, and Dr. E. C. Dunn plead for the existing plan. The election was held June 8, 1880. That was the day James A. Garfield was nominated for President of the United States by the convention
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
at Chicago. The intense excitement incident to the breaking of the prolonged deadlock in the convention had its effect upon the vote on the local issue. Every ward in the city, how- ever, voted for the change. There were 1,121 votes cast for the general law, and 510 against it. This total represented only about one-half the voting strength of the city. There were 1,528 votes cast against minority representation and 71 in its favor.
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