Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 46

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 46

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).

The death of G. A. Shoudy occurred March 29. He came to Rockford in 1868, and engaged in the manufacture of soap, in which he de- veloped a successful business.

FIRE AND FLOOD.

On November 1, 1886, Rockford was visited by one of the most destructive fires in its his- tory. The A. M. Johnston oatmeal mill, J. B. Agard & Company's office and buildings, J. W. Bartlett's office and warehouse, A. L. Bartlett's elevator, N. C. Thompson's warehouse and sev- eral residences were destroyed. The loss was estimated at $100,000.

The most disastrous storm in the history of the city up to that time occurred June 13, 1890. Rock River and Kent's and Keith's creeks over- flowed their banks and the yards of the Illinois Central were flooded. Ten bridges were swept away. Plants on the water-power suffered great loss and inconvenience and many families were driven from their homes.

The notable building operations of 1890 in- cluded the Stewart dry goods block on South Main street and the Third National Bank on East State street.

The religious event of the year was the evangelistic campaign conducted by Dwight L. Moody. It was a united effort on the part of the churches, and resulted in a general awaken- ing. Mr. Moody preached his first sermon in Court Street Methodist Church October 26, and completed his labors November 5. Here, as everywhere, Mr. Moody gave evidence of re- markable endurance. He told the writer he was able to do his work because he was system- atic ; when he left the church he ceased to think of his work, and when he retired to his room he instantly fell asleep.

CHAPTER XXVII.

MANUFACTURING.

ROCKFORD HYDRAULIC AND MANUFACTURING COM- PANY-BUILDING OF THE DAM-ACCIDENTS TO THE DAM-FIRST BRIDGES AT ROCKFORD-FIRST FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP -- ROCKFORD WATER POWER COMPANY-ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF' EMERSON-BRANTINGHAM COMPANY-ADVENT OF JOHN H. MANNY-CLARK & UTTER MANU-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

FACTURE HIS FIRST REAPERS-SUIT IN FED- ERAL COURT-FAMOUS LEGAL TALENT ENGAGED

ABRAHAM LINCOLN ONE OF THE LAWYERS-

DEATH OF JOHN H. MANNY-FIRM NAME BE-

COMES TALCOTT, EMERSON & COMPANY-SUBSE- QUENT CHANGES IN FIRM STYLE-PRESENT NAME

ADOPTED IN 1909-LARGEST MANUFACTURING PLANT IN ROCKFORD-HISTORY OF THOMPSON

MANUFACTURING COMPANY - MENTION OF EARLIER MANUFACTURERS - ROCKFORD BOLT WORKS-HESS & HOPKINS LEATHER COMPANY-

ROCKFORD BRASS WORKS-W'. F. AND JOHN

BARNES COMPANY-ROCKFORD WATCH COMPANY -DOBSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY-UNION

FOUNDRY AND MACHINE . COMPANY-ROCKFORD SILVER PLATE COMPANY-ANDREWS WIRE AND IRON WORKS-ECLIPSE GAS STOVE COMPANY- WARD PUMP COMPANY-SPENGLER-LOOMIS MANU- FACTURING COMPANY - INGERSOLL MILLING MACHINE COMPANY - FREE SEWING MACHINE

COMPANY-BARBER-COLMAN COMPANY-NATIONAL LOCK COMPANY-GREENLEE BROTHERS AND COM- PANY-STONEFIELD-EVANS SHOE COMPANY-ROCK- FORD DROP FORGE COMPANY-THE KING COMPANY -BURD HIGH COMPRESSION RING COMPANY- ROCKFORD'S KNITTING INDUSTRY - ROCKFORD SEAMLESS SOCKS FIRST IN THE MARKET-NELSON KNITTING COMPANY-ROCKFORD MITTEN AND HO- SIERY COMPANY-BURSON KNITTING COMPANY- FOREST CITY KNITTING COMPANY-B. Z. B. KNIT- TING COMPANY-S. B. WILKINS COMPANY-THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY-FOREST CITY FURNITURE COMPANY-UNION FURNITURE COMPANY-CEN- TRAL FURNITURE COMPANY-COOPERATIVE FURNI- TURE COMPANY-ROCKFORD CHAIR AND FURNITURE COMPANY-STANDARD FURNITURE COMPANY- SKANDIA FURNITURE COMPANY-WEST END FUR- NITURE COMPANY-MECHANIC'S FURNITURE FAC- TORY-ROYAL MANTEL AND FURNITURE COMPANY -ROCKFORD FRAME AND FIXTURE COMPANY- ROCKFORD CABINET COMPANY-ROCKFORD DESK COMPANY-ROCKFORD FURNITURE COMPANY-EM- PIRE MANUFACTURING COMPANY-ILLINOIS CABI- NET COMPANY-EXCEL MANUFACTURING COM- PANY-ROCKFORD NATIONAL FURNITURE COM- PANY-ROCKFORD PALACE FURNITURE COMPANY- ROCKFORD BOOKCASE COMPANY-ROCKFORD SU- PERIOR FURNITURE COMPANY-ROCKFORD CEDAR CHEST COMPANY-ROCKFORD LIGHT FURNITURE COMPANY-ILLINOIS SCHOOL FURNITURE COM- PANY - OLD COLONY CHAIR COMPANY - MONARCH FURNITURE COMPANY - WORLD FUR- NITURE COMPANY - FORMER FURNITURE COM-

PANIES-PROPOSED SEMI-ANNUAL FURNITURE EX- POSITION - THE PIANO INDUSTRY - HADDORFF PIANO COMPANY-SCHUMANN PIANO COMPANY- KURTZ ACTION COMPANY-LIST OF OTHER MANU- FACTURERS-"MADE IN ROCKFORD"-PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES-A QUARTER CENTURY'S GROWTH.

ROCKFORD HYDRAULIC, AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

The attempt to utilize the water-power was the first step in the transition of Rockford from a hamlet to a manufacturing city. February 28, 1843, an act of the legislature was approved, to improve the navigation of the rapids in Rock River at Rockford, and to incorporate the Rock- ford Hydraulic and Manufacturing Company. The corporation was given power to construct a dam across the river, which should raise the water not more than 7 feet. The company was also required to erect and maintain such locks as might be necessary for the passage of steam- boats drawing 3 feet of water. At that time the navigation of Rock River was an open question, and the government might assert its control of the river as a navigable stream. A dam would obstruct navigation, hence the company was re- quired to construct locks for the passage of boats, whenever they should become necessary. The law specified the rates of toll which the company should be entitled to collect for the passage of boats through the locks, and it was given power to detain such craft until the toll should be paid. Daniel S. Haight, Germanicus Kent, Samuel D. Preston, Laomi Peake, Charles I. Horsman, George Haskell and J. C. Goodhue were appointed commissioners to receive sub- scriptions to the stock. The capital stock was placed at $50,000, divided into 500 shares of $100 each. The corporation was given power to in- crease its capital stock to any sum not exceed- ing $250,000. The law expressly provided that the state might, at any time after the construc- tion of the dam and locks, assume the ownership of the same; the state, however, was to keep them in good repair. All the hydraulic power was to remain absolutely the property of the company. On July 22, 1843, books were opened for subscriptions to the capital stock. By an act of the legislature, approved February 11, 1845, the law of 1843 was amended.

FAMA

SEMPER

LIDDLE COAT OF ARMS

867

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

THE BUILDING OF THE DAM.

In the spring of 1844 the Rockford Hydraulic Company was fully organized. The dam was located a few rods above the present water- works. Directly above, the main channel ot the stream shifted abruptly from the east to the west shore. On the east side, at the site of the dam, the water for two-thirds the width of the stream, was about 3 feet deep in summer, with 8 or 9 feet in the channel. This site for the dam was chosen because it was generally believed that if the dam were located at the head of the rapids, the town would be built there. , Had the dam been built at the ford, on the rock bottom, it would have required a larger outlay of cash. This article was scarce, while timber, brush, stone and earth were abundant. Edward S. Hanchett, of Freeport, had charge of the con- struction of the dam when it was commenced. He abandoned the work and he was succeeded by C. C. Coburn. Eighty acres of the best timber land were stripped of material to build the dam and repair the breaks. This brush dam was built to a level with the banks. A framework was then raised on the brush, to which plank was spiked. The work of graveling then began. The rock and gravel were obtained along the bank of the river from 60 to 80 rods above the dam. There were head-gates at either end, built high above the comb of the dam, with gates which opened like the gates of a lock on a canal, wide enough for the passage of steamboats. At each side of these gates were openings to admit the water to the races, which carried it to the mills below. As the water raised on the brush, the fish, coming down the river, would lodge on the dam during the night; and in the morning the people would get sturgeon, pickerel, black bass and catfish. The dam was completed in the autumn of 1845.

The mill-race on the East side extended to Walnut street, and was 20 feet in width. At the head of the race, Gregory, Phelps & Daniels had a sawmill. At the south side of State street was Nettleton's gristmill, the first in Rockford, which was started in 1846. Just below, James B. Howell operated carding and fulling machinery. Wheeler & Lyon's sawmill was at Walnut street. At the head of the race on the West side Thomas D. Robertson and Charles I. Horsman built a sawmill. Just below, Orlando Clark had an iron foundry in a stone building. It is significant

that three of these six plants were sawmills. Pine lumber had not come into general use, and the only available material for frame dwellings were the trees of the adjacent forests.

ACCIDENTS TO THE DAM.

April 28, 1846, the west end of the dam went out. About 200 feet, including the bulkhead, were swept away, and more than an acre of ground was washed out. The Hydraulic Com- pany immediately decided to repair the dam, and the work was completed during the year. March 20, 1847, the dam gave away at the east end, and carried away the sawmill of Gregory, Phelps & Daniels. About 150 feet of the dam were washed out at this time. This break was repaired. Phelps & Daniels sold their interest in the wrecked sawmill to Lewis B. Gregory and A. C. Spafford, who rebuilt it. The mills then had good water-power until June 1, 1851, when the entire dam went out, breaking away at the west bulkhead. Several changes on the East side then followed. Mr. Howell removed his carding machine to New Milford, where he remained until the next year, when he returned to Rock- ford, to the West side, just below the Bartlett flouring mills. Wheeler & Lyon's mill was re- moved across the race near Joseph Rodd's mill, and became a part of his plant. In February, 1849, the legislature provided for the improve- ment of the navigation of Rock River, and for the production of hydraulic power, under a gen- eral law. It appears by an entry on the county records, that under this law the company filed a certificate of incorporation April 13, 1849, before the abandonment of the enterprise.

FIRST BRIDGES AT ROCKFORD.

A decade elapsed from the first settlement of the village before Rock River was spanned by a bridge at Rockford. A bill had passed the legis- lature, approved February 27, 1843, authorizing Daniel S. Haight, George Haskell, S. D. Preston, Charles I. Horsman, and their associates to build a bridge. When completed in a manner so as not to obstruct the navigation of the river, and accepted by the county commissioners' court, it was to be a public highway, and kept in repair by the county. Nothing was done until nearly one year later, when the construction of the county buildings on the West side emphasized

868

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

this need to the citizens of the East side, where the courts had been held. The entire people felt that a bridge must be built, although few had means enough to conduct their own business successfully. Citizens of the West side, includ- ing the country west of the village, had built the courthouse and jail without a dollar's expense to their neighbors on the east side of the river, hut the progressive citizens were willing to assume another burden. At a meeting held in December, 1843, a committee consisting of E. H. Potter, D. Howell, Willard Wheeler, C. I. Horsman and G. A. Sanford, were appointed to solicit sub- scriptions. A persistent effort throughout the county secured pledges to warrant the construc- tion of an oak lattice bridge. All the money raised at this time was by subscription. The most liberal contributors were Frink, Walker & Co., the stage proprietors. January 22, 1844, the committee let the contract to Derastus Harper. The lumber was cut from trees on government land on Pecatonica River, rafted down the Rock, and sawed at Mr. Kent's mill. The covering for the lattice was basswood boards, cut from logs in Mr. Blake's grove, and sawed at Kent's mill. C. I. Horsman and William G. Ferguson drew the logs. By fall Mr. Harper had sufficient ma- terial on hand to commence laying the bridge. This was done nearly in the rear of the Stewart Block site, on the piece of level bottom. The bridge was of three strings of lattice-work, made from oak planks, fastened with oak pins. There was no iron in the structure, except the nails that held the half-inch basswood boards which covered the lattice when the structure was com- pleted. There were stone abutments on either shore. Christmas night, 1844, the lattice was in place a distance of about 70 feet from the west shore, supported hy temporary trestles. Ice formed about the trestles from the west shore. The water arose and lifted the entire structure, including the trestles, when it toppled over with a crash. Another effort was made in a short time, and promises were again secured. The ahutments, piers and one section were left, and some of the material was saved which had floated down stream. The fallen lattice was taken from the water, and each plank numbered with red chalk; and excepting a few that were splintered, they were again placed in proper order. After the ice went out in March, 1845, the structure was again raised, without accident. Cheerfulness and hopefulness assumed full sway,

and after many discouragements the bridge was open for travel, July 4, 1845. It was an occa- sion of great rejoicing. The public-spirited citi- zens of Rockford felt that Independence Day had been properly celebrated. Perhaps no other public improvement in Rockford ever so tested the courage and financial strength of the com- munity. The burden fell heavily upon the com- mittee. The contract with Mr. Harper was for $5,500. A financial statement made July 15, 1845, showed that only $2,847.90 had been col- lected. The committee had borrowed $500 on their personal credit, for which they were paying 12 per cent. There was also a balance due Mr. Harper of $1,297. The bridge served its day and generation very well, but it was subject to many calamities. The dam broke three times after the bridge was completed. When the west end broke in April, 1846, the pressure of the water on the upper side of the centre and prin- cipal pier removed the foundation on that side, and settled the bridge in the center on the up- stream side nearly to the water, and gave it the appearance of being twisted nearly one-fourth around. The bridge stood in this position for some months, when a contract was made with William Ward to raise it into position. The bridge sustained some injury when the eastern portion of the dam broke in April, 1847. In February preceding, a law of the legislature had been approved, providing for a special tax to be levied upon the taxable property of Rockford Precinct, for the purpose of repairing and main- taining the bridge, and for the payment of the debt incurred in its construction. Newton Crawford, Bela Shaw, Ephraim Wyman and Daniel MeKenney were appointed bridge com- missioners hy the act until their successors should be elected annually at the August elec- tion. When the dam went out the third time, in June, 1851, the bridge withstood the rush of waters, although it was wrenched from its posi- tion. It reminded one of a cow-path or a rail- fence, and had a very insecure look.

FIRST FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP.

The first foundry and machine shop was built in the autumn of 1843, or early in the spring of the following year. It stood on the site of Theodore Van De Mark's residence, on North Second street. The proprietors were Peter H. and William Watson. Their father's family

869

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

came from Canada, and settled on a farm in the Enoch neighborhood in Guilford. Peter Watson was at one time assistant secretary of war during the civil conflict, and at a later period was president of the New York and Erie Railroad. The foundry was running in the spring of 1844. The proprietors obtained a contract for large pumps and pipes for raising water from the lead mines at Galena. March 11, 1845, William Wat- son sold his interest in the business to his brother, and engaged in the manufacture of fanning-mills. Peter H. continued the foundry until August, 1845. His successors in the busi- ness at this stand were in turn : R. F. Reynolds, D. K. Lyon, John Stevens, H. H. Silsby, Laomi Peake, and James L. Fountain. The last named proprietor removed the material and patterns to New Milford about 1852.

Orlando Clark, who has been erroneously cred- ited with building the first foundry, came from Beloit in 1847, and established himself in busi- ness on the West side race, where he remained until 1851, when he went into business with Mr. Utter on the new water-power. Mr. Clark built the residence in South Rockford which is now the home of Mrs. John C. Garver.

ROCKFORD WATER POWER COMPANY.

On July 15, 1851, a number of the leading public-spirited citizens of the town associated themselves together under the name of the Rock- ford Water Power Company. These gentlemen were: Thomas D. Robertson, John A, Holland, R. P. Lane, G. A. Sanford, W. A. Dickerman, S. M. Church, Orlando Clark, C. I. Horsman, John Edwards, John S. Coleman, John Fisher, William Hulin, Isaiah Lyon, Melancthon Starr, C. H. Spafford, Lucius Clark, J. J. Town, Henry Potwin, H. R. Maynard, Jas. H. Rogers, B. Mc- Kenney, John Platt, Albert Sanford, Chas. C. Hope, H. P. Kimball Robert Clow, - Vanduzer and - McCoy. This organization was ef- fected in pursuance of the general law enacted by the legislature in 1849, for the improvement of Rock River and the production of hydraulic power. In September, 1851, the owners of the water and land under the old company entered into an agreement with the new company, where- by the two interests were consolidated, and steps were immediately taken for the construction of a permanent dam on the rock bottom of the old ford, from which the city derives its name. In

the spring of 1853 the dam and race were com- pleted and accepted by the company. The length of the dam was between 700 and 800 feet. The water power was divided into 20,000 parts, and was held and sold in this proportion.

ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF EMERSON-BRANTINGHAM COMPANY.

The first great impetus given to the manufac- turing interests of Rockford was the advent of John H. Manny, in 1853. Mr. Manny was born in Amsterdam, New York, November 28, 1825. His father, Pells Manny, settled at Waddam's Grove, in Stephenson County, Illinois. The younger Manny's attention was called to the need of a reaper by his father's purchase of a heading machine, which proved unsatisfactory. The father and son thereupon so reconstructed the header as to practically make a new machine. They obtained a patent on the header and began its manufacture on a small scale. It proved to be too expensive, and was abandoned. Mr. Manny then directed his attention toward per- fecting a reaper, and after many vicissitudes, which brought him to serious financial embar- rassment, his inventive genius and indomitable energy were crowned with success. Mr. Manny built eighty-four machines in 1852.

In July, 1852, a reaper trial was held in Ge- neva, New York, in which Mr. Manny's reaper came into competition with eleven others. The excellence of Mr. Manny's machine was estab- lished.

In the spring of 1853 Mr. Manny was urged to come to Rockford by Orlando Clark. The pre- ceding year Isaac Utter came from the east, and formed a partnership with Mr. Clark, under the firm name of Clark & Utter. In the spring of 1853 there were manufactured one hundred and fifty of Mr. Manny's combined reapers and mowers, in Clark & Utter's factory. It is also said that John A. Holland told Blinn & Emerson, who were then in the hardware business, that it would be desirable to have Mr. Manny come to Rockford for two reasons: first, there was bet- ter water-power ; second, the firm was extending liberal credit to Mr. Manny for stock. The popularity of the Manny reaper demanded larger capital. March 4, 1854, Wait and Sylvester Tal- cott became associated with Mr. Manny as part- ners, under the name of J. H. Manny & Com- pany, and during the year 1,100 machines were

870

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

made. In the autumn of 1854 Jesse Blinn and Ralph Emerson were added to the firm, and its name was changed to Manny & Company. In 1855 the famons trials of the Manny reaper were made in Enrope, which gave to his inventions a reputation abroad. Mr. Manny continned to im- prove his reaper, and obtained 23 patents on new devices.

In September, 1855, C. H. McCormick, of Chi- cago, began suit in the Federal conrt to enjoin the Manny Company from nsing a certain device npon the ground of infringement of patent. The case was heard before Justice McLean and Judge Drummond, at Cincinnati, although the court records were kept in Chicago, which belonged to the same circnit. Attorneys of national repnta- tion were retained. Mr. McCormick's connsel were Reverdy Johnson and E. N. Dickerson. Peter H. Watson, who had obtained Mr. Manny's patents, was given entire charge of the de- fendants' case. Mr. Watson had formerly re- sided in Rockford, and later he became assistant secretary of war. He employed George Harding, Edwin M. Stanton and Abraham Lincoln. It is said E. B. Washburne had recommended Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Manny. When all the parties had arrived at Cincinnati, Mr. Lincoln was informed by Mr. Watson that Mr. Stanton wonld close the case for the defendants. This was a great hu- miliation to Mr. Lincoln. Although he had pre- pared his argument, Mr. Lincoln did not argne the case. Mr. Lincoln first met Mr. Stanton at Cincinnati. Mr. Stanton treated him with great discourtesy during the trial, and referred to him as a railsplitter from the wild west. Notwith- standing these indignities, Mr. Lincoln was im- pressed with Mr. Stanton's great force of char- acter ; and when six years later a man of iron was needed, President Lincoln made Mr. Stanton his secretary of war. No other incident in the life of Mr. Lincoln better illustrates his moral greatness. The trial resulted in a victory for the Manny Company. The decision was an- nounced Jannary 16, 1856. The defendants' ex- penses of the snit were $60,000, and this large snm was made from the business in a short time. Mr. McCormick appealed the case to the United States Supreme conrt, where the decision of the lower conrt was affirmed, and Mr. Manny's rights as inventor were fully snstained.

Ida M. Tarbell's "Life of Lincoln" gives an incident of this trial, which the anthor ob- tained from Ralph Emerson, who says :

"Mr. Stanton closed his speech in a flight of impassioned eloquence. Then the conrt adjourned for the day, and Mr. Lincoln invited me to take a long walk with him. For block after block he walked rapidly forward, not saying a word, evi- dently deeply dejected.

"At last he turned suddenly to me, exclaim- ing: 'Emerson, I'm going home.' A panse. 'I am going home to study law.'

"'Why,' I exclaimed; 'Mr. Lincoln, you stand at the head of the bar in Illinois now! What are yon talking abont?'

"'Ah, yes,' he said, 'I do occupy a good posi- tion there, and I think that I can get along with the way things are done there now. But these college-trained men, who have devoted their whole lives to stndy, are coming west, don't you see? And they stndy their cases as we never do. They have got as far as Cincinnati now. They will soon be in Illinois.' ' Another long pause ; then stopping and turning toward me, his conn- tenance suddenly assuming that look of strong determination which those who knew him best sometimes saw upon his face, he exclaimed, 'I am going home to study law! I am as good as any of them, and when they get ont to Illinois I will be ready for them.'" Mr. Lincoln once visited Rockford on professional business in connection with this snit. On a hot summer afternoon, Mr. Lincoln, with one of the clients sat on an old log on the bank of the river and discussed the matter. Mr. Lincoln wore a long linen coat, and presented that picture of nn- gainliness with which the world is familiar. Mr. Lincoln was a guest at Mr. Manny's home, which was a small frame building that stood on the site of the Milwaukee depot. The company paid Mr. Lincoln $1,000, which was the largest fee he had received np to that time.

The prolonged mental strain incident to per- fecting his inventions and the trial of the snit undermined Mr. Manny's health. He fell a prey to consumption, and January 31, 1856, he passed away, in his modest home on Sonth Main street, when he had just passed his thirtieth birthday. He never realized the wealth which his inven- tions would bring to others, nor the prestige which they would give to the Reaper City, nor the great name which he had made for himself. Financial reverses overtook the company in 1857, but it weathered the storm, and built an ex- tensive plant.

After the death of Mr. Manny the name of the

Carrie S. Lind

Lind

871

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 46

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