Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 42

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 42

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).

Bradley & Carpenter, Rockford architects, made the plans, and June 16, 1902, the city entered into a contract with W. H. Cook for its construction for $49,746.

JOHN BUDLONG ASKS INJUNCTION.

At this point Hon. John Budlong filed a peti- tion in the Circuit court, asking for a temporary injunction to restrain the city council from erecting the library building on the "gas site." Mr. Budlong contended that the library board had exclusive authority, under the law, to select a site, approve plans, and award contracts. Several other points set forth by Mr. Budlong were purely technical. One of these was to the effect that the city council had accepted the site by resolution, rather than by ordinance. His attorneys were Hon. Samuel Alschuler, who is now a federal judge, E. D. Reynolds and C. W. Ferguson.

The case was argued before Judge Donnelly, in chambers, at Woodstock, July 7, 1902. R.

842

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

K. Welsh was counsel for the city, and A. D. Early appeared for Contractor Cook. Mr. Welsh made a comprehensive argument. He main- tained that Mr. Carnegie's offer was made directly to the city of Rockford, that the city had accepted it, and that it was not within the province of the library board to act in the premises. Mr. Welsh emphasized his conten- tion by quoting a letter addressed to Mayor Hutchins by Mr. Bertram, secretary- to Mr. Carnegie, in which he said the donor could not go beyond the documents forwarded by the city authorities.

INJUNCTION IS DENIED.

Judge Donnelly, in a decision filed July 29, 1902. denied an injunction, and thus decided the case for the city. His opinion was written with a lead pencil on a small piece of unruled print paper, and is on file in the circuit clerk's office. The library board may have possessed the legal right to refuse to accept the building from the city, but it never seriously considered such drastic action.

The general law for the incorporation of cities, villages and towns made minority repre- sentation in the common council optional with the voters. It provided that on petition of the voters equal to one-eighth of the vote cast at the next preceding election, the council shall submit the question to a popular vote. Early in 1902 prominent citizens of East Rockford agitated the question of minority representation. This action was taken in the belief that the East side would secure rights proportionate to its larger population. A petition was presented to the council February 3, 1902. A special election was held September 30, of the same year, and the innovation was adopted by the overwhelm- ing vote of 3,35S to 9SS. Such a decisive vic- tory was not expected by the most ardent pro- pagandists. February 23, 1903, the city coun- cil passed an ordinance dividing the city into five wards, each to be represented by three aldermen. The first election under the new system was held in April, 1903. The candidates for mayor were Charles E. Jackson and C. L. Dewey. The latter was nominated. by the So- cialist party, Mr. Jackson was elected by a vote of 4,191 to 2,2SS, with a plurality of 1,903. H. C. Scovill was elected city clerk ; L. M. Reck- how, attoney ; and W. F. Woodruff, treasurer.

WARD BOUNDARIES.

The ward boundaries under minority repre- sentation were :

First Ward embraces all that part of the city north of Fifth avenue and Charles to east lim- its and east of Sixth to State, east to North Second, North Second from Rural to Caroline and north of Caroline to limits.

Second Ward all south of Bluff, College avenue, Fifth avenue and Charles from the river east to limits.

Third Ward north of Bluff, College avenue and Fifth avenue to Sixth, west of Sixth, East and North Second to Caroline, west to river, south of Fisher avenue to Winnebago, east of Winnebago to Kent Creek and east to the river.

Fourth Ward all north of State west of Win- nebago to Fisher avenue and east to the river. Fifth Ward all south of State west of Win- nebago to Kent Creek and east to the river.

The adoption at the election of 1903 of a law passed by the legislature provided for the ap- pointment of a board of fire and police com- missioners. This act removed these depart- ments from the direct control of the mayor and council, and placed them under civil serv- ice. Mayor Jackson appointed as first members of this board, A. E. Crowell, Dr. D. Lichty and A. V. Comings. This board was the first or- ganized in the state under the new law. C. W. Ferguson was chosen corporation counsel. A notable feature of Mayor Jackson's adminis- tration was the erection of the city hall in 1904, at a cost of about $100,000. A school on Sum- mit street, named in honor of Mayor Jackson, was completed the same year at a cost of $37,- 000. Mayor Jackson was re-elected in 1905.

On July 10, 1905, the council passed an ordi- nance providing for the annexation of Highland. This accession of territory was apportioned be- tween the First and Second wards. The five- year contract with the Rockford Electric com- pany expired in 1906. No steps were taken to erect a plant, and the contract with the electric company was renewed. A notable event of Mayor Jackson's second administration was the re-organization of the school board. The law of 1879 appeared to offer such improvements as were deemed necessary. It provided for a board of education, composed of two members from each ward, and a president from the city at large. November 19, 1906, after test cases

843

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

had been sustained by the courts, Mayor Jack- son appointed a full board of eleven members. This board is independent of the council, and has the power to levy taxes. The same year the first addition to the high school building was completed.

ORGANIZED LABOR.

Organized labor became a dominant factor in municipal politics for the first time in the spring of 1907. Mark Jardine was its candidate for mayor. His opponents were Mayor Jackson, William Johnson, John M. Clarke and Robert Schmus. The last named was nominated by the Socialists. Mr. Jardine was elected by a plurality of 1,508 over Mayor Jackson. The returns were : Jardine, 3,128; Jackson, 2,620; Johnson, 1,649; Clarke, 416; Schmus, 200. A. Philip Smith was elected attorney; H. C. Sco- vill, clerk; T. L. Sizer, treasurer.

Mayor Jardine was a candidate for re-elec- tion in 1909. Former Mayor Jackson was again his strongest opponent. Other aspirants were E. W. Martin, and John A. Hallden, the nominee of the Socialists. The returns were: Jardine, 4,152; Jackson, 3,075; Hallden, 476; Martin, 44. Mayor Jardine, in his second inaugural, referred to the collection of an annual revenue from public utility corporations as one of the achievements of his first administration. The Interurban company pays a flat rate of $2,000 annually, and the Rockford Electric company and the Home Telephone company pay a per- centage.

FIRST "LOCAL OPTION" ELECTION.

A law of 1907 provided for the creation of anti-saloon territory by referendum vote. The township was made the political unit, rather than the municipality. The first election under this law was held in April, 1908, and the "dry" forces made a clean sweep of Winnebago County. The vote in Rockford Township was 4,807 for, and 4,651 against dry territory, a majority of 156. The "dry" forces were under the general direction of Rev. F. M. Sheldon, pastor of the First Congregational church. His management of the compaign commanded the respect even of his opponents. The question was again submitted in 1910, with the opposite

result. The figures were: Wet, 5,159; dry, 4,949 ; a wet majority of 210.

COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

In the closing days of 1910 it was proposed to adopt the commission form of government for Rockford, and the question was thoroughly dis- cussed in the daily press. A special election was held Jan. 3, 1911, when the proposition was de- feated by the overwhelming vote of 4,028 to 1,097, more than three to one. Only three pre- cincts out of twenty voted for the change. Mayor Jardine's administrations were digni- fied and conservative.

MAYORALTY ELECTION IN 1911.

High license sentiment had been dominant in the council several years. This status was threatened by the fact that Rockford had al- ready held two elections under the local option law, one going dry and the other wet, and both by meagre majorities. It was under these cir- cumstances that W. W. Bennett became a can- didate for mayor in 1911. . He had been actively identified with the temperance forces, and was supported by the Anti-Saloon league, which had a strong and efficient organiation. Other can- didates were Swan O. Widell, Mayor Jardine, Charles Happ and S. L. Nelson. Mr. Bennett was elected by a plurality of 399. The returns were : Bennett, 3,421; Widell, 3,022; Jardine, 1,527 ; Happ, 717; Nelson, 75. E. A. Wettergren was elected city clerk; A. Philip Smith, attor- ney; W. B. Mulford, treasurer; A. B. Louison, police magistrate. Mr. Scovill retired from the clerkship after serving fourteen years. He thus held the record for service in that depart- ment of the city government. Mr. Louison's first term as magistrate expired în 1910; but owing to the change made by the adoption of minority representation, no election for other officials was necessary that year, and he was thus allowed to serve another year. Mayor Bennett appointed C. W. Ferguson corporation counsel, and F. E. Carpenter, C. H. C. Bur- lingame and Charles Malm members of the board of fire and police commissioners. One of the early incidents of Mayor Bennett's ad- ministration was the annexation of the North End, which was done by an ordinance passed May S, 1911.

844

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Iu April, 1912, a third election was held un- der the local option law, and Rockford Towu- ship returned to the dry column by a majority of 307. The vote was 4,720 for anti-saloon ter- ritory and 4,413 against. Mayor Bennett was re-elected in 1913, with a plurality of 440 over C. J. Lundberg. O. H. Ogren and Swan Widell were also candidates. The returns were: Beu- nett, 3,130; Lundberg, 2,690; Ogren, 2,255; Wi- dell, 1,023. D. D. Maddeu was elected city attoruey.

The question of permitting moving picture houses to open on Sunday was submitted to the people, and carried by a vote of 4,712 to 4,066. The city also voted in favor of a special tax for building and maintaining a tuberculosis sanitarium.

In April, 1914, the township again voted under the local option law, and, with the help of the women, was continued in the dry coluiun. The vote: Wet, men, 5,452; women, 1,051; total, 6,503; dry, men, 4,730; women, 6,056; total, 10,786; dry majority, 4,283.

WOMEN VOTE FOR CITY OFFICERS.

For the first time iu the history of Rockford women voted in the municipal election of 1915, after the Supreme court had upheld the suffrage law. The candidates for mayor were: W. W. Bennett and Oscar H. Ogren. The attempt was made to get other candidates into the field, and to raise new issues, but issues are born by the logic of events, and not made to order. Unusual complications became simplified, and on elec- tion day the only issue was Socialism. Mayor Bennett was endorsed for a third term, receiv- ing 8,356 votes.

MINORITY REPRESENTATION REPEALED.

. The proposition to repeal minority representa- tion in the council was carried. The city has been represented for many years by supervisors on the county board, but as their duties do not primarily affect the municipality, the names have not been published in this chapter.

May 1, 1916, the city council divided the city into eight wards to carry out the wishes of the people in repealing minority representation. Each ward will have two aldermen. This ordi- nance goes into effect September 15, 1916. (See

list of city officers at eud of this chapter- Supervisors, Chapter forty ).

The rapid growth of the city has created uu- usual demand for improvements. Two artesian wells have been bored, one at the corner of Eleventh street and Eighteenth avenue, and the other, the largest in the city, in Hulin park. There were more thau two miles of brick pave- ment and over five and one-half miles of ma- cadam laid in 1914. The erection of the P. A. Peterson aud P. R. Walker grade school build- ings and the third addition to the high school are other incidents of Mayor Bennett's admin- istratiou. The southeast end sewer will be com- pleted this year. Mayor Bennett has main- tained a high-minded political consistency in public life. In his advocacy of what he con- siders the supreme issue he has given no quar- ter, and asked no favor. By the strange fortune of politics, however, favors have come to him without the asking.

POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Police regulation is one of the primary func- tions of government, and is therefore one of the first objects for which provision is made iu organized communities. For many years the chief officer in Rockford was known as marshal. As the city became cosmopolitan in all its phases the title was changed to chief of police, about 1894. The succession from May 8, 1852, when the first marshal was chosen, to 1915, is as fol- lows : John Platt, Willard Wheeler, John Travis, James Dame, Ira Barker, William P. Dennis, Joel E. Langdon, Elias C. Roberts, Mor- ris J. Upright, Michael H. Regan, Andrew J. Pennock, Ambrose Halstead, John Fisher, Mor- ris J. Upright, Jeremiah Moshier, Gideon V. Carr, James Damue, Thomas Sully, P. A. Coon- radt, Thomas Sully, A. W. Webb, Frank Peats, E. L. Tisdale, A. E. Bargren.

Frank Peats, who was appointed by Mayor Sherratt, served only a few weeks, when he accepted an appointment at the Soldiers' Home at Quincy. Major Peats was succeeded by E. L. Tisdale. August E. Bargren, the present chief of police, was appointed a member of the force by Mayor Sherratt in May, 1890, and four years later was made chief of police by Mayor Hutch- ins, and has given twenty-two years of continu- ous and efficient service in this important trust. He is progressive and has shown constructive

John Me Chen

845

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

ability of a high order. He cannot be lauded for the "enemies he has made," for he has made none. Even violators of the law recognize him as a man among men.

The first police uniforms were ordered May 11, 1881, by Thomas Sully. The suits were made by George R. Atkinson. The first patrol wagon was bought by Mr. Sully in Chicago, September 6, 1883. The city has grown so rap- idly that the efficiency of the police department has been hampered by the inadequate appropria- tion. The addition of the motor patrol in 1914 was of great service to the department, espe- cially in cases of accident and hurry calls. The squad machine has also assisted greatly, espe- cially in making police calls in the residence districts and outskirts. The cost of maintain- ing the department for the fiscal year 1914 was $45,170.39. There were 38 men on the payroll of the department December 31, 1914.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

In 1855 steps were taken for the organization of a fire department. Its need had daily become more apparent. A committee, appointed by the city council, purchased four small engines, named Constantine, Alexander, Sevastopol and Nicholas. The Sevastopol was received in the latter part of October, and February 21, 1856, a public trial was made of the engines, all of which had arrived. The result was not alto- gether satisfactory, and the "machines" with Russian names were discarded. In May and June, Winnebago Engine Company No. 1, and Washington No. 2 were organized, and nearly a year later the efficient engines bearing those names were received. Subsequently Union En- gine Company No. 3 was formed, and an engine procured. These three engines constituted the fire apparatus of the city as late as 1869. The Will- nebago Engine Company was the east side com- pany, and during its existence numbered some of the most prominent residents of the city in its membership. .

The complete roster of chief engineers, or fire marshals, as they have been called in later years, from the organization of the department to date, is as follows: E. F. W. Ellis, Samuel I. Church, M. A. Bartlett, Howard D. Frost, A. G. Springsteen, Gardner S. Allen, Calvin Ford, Charles T. Jellersen, S. A. Granger, Howard D. Frost, James F. Hough, James Chalmers, John

T. Lakin, James F'. Hough, Charles Cavanaugh, John T. Lakin, Edward B. herran and Frank E. Thomas. Fire Inits were established by the council in May, 1864. Volunteer service was rendered a quarter of a century. Early in 1881, during the closing months of Mayor Wilkins' second term, the department was reorganized on a compensation basis. John T. Lakin was ap- pointed fire marshal and served ten years. in 1891 Edward B. Heffran was appointed by Mayor Starr, and served ten years. Frank E. Thomas was appointed by Mayor Hutchins in 1901, and has served fourteen years. He was appointed a member of the department March 15, 1886, and has therefore given thirty years to this branch of the city service. In continuous service Stephen T. Julian, assistant fire mar- shal, is the dean of the department. He was appointed in 1879 and has therefore served thirty-seven years.

The city has six fire stations. The apparatus of the department on December 31, 1914, con- sisted of two motor combination chemical and hose cars, two motor pumping engines and hose cars, four horse-drawn combination chemical and lose wagons, four steam fire engines, one motor aerial 75-foot hook and ladder truck, one squad car and Booster pump, chief's car, assist- ant chief's horse and buggy, twenty-one horses, electrician's horse and buggy, six engine com- panies, one truck company and one squad com- pany. There are 67 men employed in the fire department of the city. The cost of mainte- nance for the fiscal year 1914 was $SS,109.41.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

Early provision was made for conserving the public health. The first health officer was New- ton Crawford, who was appointed June 28, 1854. His successors have been P. B. Crosby, John P. Manny, E. H. Potter, George Haskell, Joel B. Potter, R. P. Lane, A. E. Goodwin, R. H. Pad- dock, G. H. Platner, Thomas Sully, P. A. Coon- radt, Thomas Sully, C. E. Oder, W. B. Helm, W. A. Boyd, G. W. Rohr, C. E. Crawford, Emil Lofgren, C. E. Crawford, W. E. Park. In 1893 the title of the office was changed to commissioner of health. The department of health publishes regular quarterly bulletins, which are distributed throughout the schools of the city, and left at stores, specified by the department to be given out by the general public. The department also

846

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

published in 1914 an instructive circular on the prevention and cure of tuberculosis, and 10,000 of these circulars were distributed throughout the city. The death rate in Rock- ford in 1914, estimating the population at 54,000, as returned by the school census, was 10,4, and the birth rate per thousand was 22.0.

CITY ENGINEER'S DEPARTMENT.

The office of city engineer was among the first created by the municipal government. Duncan Ferguson was appointed July 31, 1852. His suc- cessors have been Edward H. Graves, T. J. L. Remington, Duncan Ferguson, T. J. L. Reming- ton, Duncan Ferguson, H. L. Tupper, Duncan Ferguson, T. J. L. Remington, Daniel W. Mead, D. C. Dunlap, C. C. Stowell, Edwin Main, S. B. Hand, Edwin Main. Daniel W. Mead was ap- pointed in 1884 and was in office during the in- stallation of the artesian water system. He served until 1889. D. C. Dunlap was engineer in 1890-1891; C. C. Stowell from 1892 to 1897; Edwin Main, 1897 to 1907; S. B. Hand from 1907 to 1911; Edwin Main, 1911 to 1916.

The paving with brick of North and South Main streets. West State street and Kilburn avenue in 1914 completes the system of improve- ments planned for the paving of the main thoroughfares leading out of the city, with the exception of Kishwaukee, and plans are under way for this improvement.

Rockford had, December 31, 1914, 84.31 miles of improved streets, divided as follows : Asphalt, 1.83; brick, 10.52; macadam, 71.41 ; concrete, .55. There were 90.29 miles of unimproved streets. The total amount of sewerage was 90.66 miles. Rockford has an area of 6,159 acres. The low- est street level is Loomis street, east of Bu- chanan street, 92 feet above city datum. The highest street level is the intersection of Peach street and Day avenue, 213 feet above city datum.

ELECTION COMMISSION.

Electiors in the city of Rockford are con- ducted according to an act regulating the hold- ing of elections and declaring the result thereof in cities, villages and incorporated towns in this state, approved June 19, 1885, in force July 1, 1885. This act was adopted by the city at the fall election in 1910 and on November 29

of that year the county judge, Louis M. Reck- how, appointed Hosmer P. Holland, John E. Swanson and John E. Rickert commissioners. Mr. Holland died in the fall of 1912, and was succeeded by Charles E. Axt. Upon first or- ganizing the board appointed L. C. Miller as chief clerk and he is still serving in that ca- pacity.

The distinctive feature of the regulative act is the personal registration, with its accompany- ing house-to-house canvass. A new general reg- istration is held previous to the general elec- tions in the even numbered years, and no one is allowed to vote until he or she registers, stating his or her residence, name, nativity, term of residence in the precinct, at present address, in county, state and United States; his age, the fact of whether or not he is naturalized, the time and court of such naturalization. A printed list for free distribution is issued imme- diately after each registration, showing the name and address of every registered voter. This is used by the various party workers, and as each side of every campaign will do its best to prevent anyone from illegally voting for the opposition, the danger of such illegal voting is minimized. Clerks of the board verify every name in their precinct by a house-to-house can- vass on the day after registration. Rockford has approximately 20,000 roters; about 12,000 male and 8,000 female.

BONDED INDEBTEDNESS.

The bonded indebtedness of the city of Rock- ford June 1, 1916, was $402,300. This includes $42,500 of the bridge bond issue of $85,000 au- thorized in April, 1915, but does not include the bridge bond issue of $95,000, authorized by a popular vote in April, 1916, which has not yet become an obligation. Besides its bonded debt, Rockford has a considerable floating indebted- ness in the form of time orders.

APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1916.

The city tax levy for 1916 is $386,686.74 ; the anticipated revenue is $367,863.47. The total appropriation for the year is thus $754.550.21. The school tax levy is $507,933.07; anticipated revenue, $113.770.28, making a total appropria- tion of $621,703.35. Rockford will therefore ex- pend for municipal and school purposes, $1,376,-

847

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

253.56 during the year 1916. In addition is the tax for state, county, township and park purposes.

ROCKFORD CITY OFFICERS FROM 1852 TO 1916.

1852.

Mayor, Willard Wheeler. Aldermen: First Ward, Sumner Damon; Second Ward, E. H. Potter; Third Ward, H. N. Spaulding; Fourth Ward, C. N. Andrews. Clerk, William Lathrop. Attorney, William Lathrop. Treasurer, H. R. Maynard. Police Marshal, John Platt.

1853.

Mayor, Hiram R. Maynard. Aldermen: First Ward, A. Hitchcock; Second Ward, H. D. Searles ; Third Ward, U. M. Warner; Fourth Ward, C. N. Andrews. Clerk, J. K. Farwell. Attorney, L. F. Warner. Treasurer, E. L. Ful- ler. Police Marshal, Willard Wheeler.

1854.

Mayor, U. M. Warner. Aldermen : First Ward, A. Hitchcock; Second Ward, Jason Marslı; Third Ward, T. D. Robertson; Fourth Ward, Newton Crawford. Clerk, L. F. Warner. Attorney, L. F. Warner. Treasurer, B. G. Wheeler. Police Marshal, John Travis.

1855.

Mayor, Edward Vaughn. Aldermen: First Ward, P. B. Crosby ; Second Ward, Jason Marsh ; Third Ward, Henry Fisher ; Fourth Ward, New- ton Crawford; Fifth Ward, John P. Manny. Clerk, S. W. Stanley. Attorney, L. F. Warner. Treasurer, B. G. Wheeler. Police Marshal, James Dame.

1856.

Mayor, James L. Loop. Aldermen : First Ward, P. B. Crosby ; Second Ward, P. Howes ; Third Ward, T. D. Robertson ; Fourth Ward, Isaac Andrus ; Fifth Ward, J. G. Manlove. Clerk, H. H. Hatch. Attorney, Orrin Miller, Jr. Treas- urer, G. A. Sanford. Police Marshal, Ira Barker.

1857.

Mayor, William Brown. Aldermen : First Ward, John Spafford; Second Ward, P. Howes ; Third Ward, D. D. Alling; Fourth Ward, Isaac Andrus; Fifth Ward, J. G. Manlove. Clerk, Edward Vaughn. Attorney, James M. Wight.

Treasurer, G. A. Sanford. Police Marshals, W. P. Dennis, J. E. Langdon.

1858.

Mayor, Seely Perry. Aldermen : First Ward, John Spafford; Second Ward, George Troxell, Jr. ; Third Ward, D. D. Alling; Fourth Ward, H. W. Loomis; Fifth Ward, J. G. Manlove. Clerk, L. W. Burnham. Attorney, H. D. Adanıs. Treasurer, A. C. Spafford. Police Marshal, E. C. Roberts.

1859.

Mayor, Charles Williams. Aldermen: First Ward, R. A. Bird ; Second Ward, George Troxell, Jr. ; Third Ward, Daniel Dow; Fourth Ward, H. W. Loomis; Fifth Ward, J. G. Manlove. Clerk, Porter Sheldon. Attorney, Porter Shel- don. Treasurer, A. C. Spafford. Police Mar- shals, M. J. Upright, M. H. Regan.

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 42

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