USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 51
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132
Mandeville park has the largest elm tree in Rockford, and several hundred people can be gathered under the shade of its branches. The Mandeville house, one of the oldest in the city, has lately been reconstructed, and is used by the Nature Study club.
SOUTHEAST PARK.
In the spring of 1911 the park board acquired by purchase all of block 28 in Budlong's subdivi- sion, consisting of three acres. This small tract has been provided with a ball diamond, a one- sixth mile running track, and two tennis courts. The problem of shade has also been considered and a row of elm and linden trees has been planted on each side of the walk around the entire block. The land cost $6,002.
SMALLER ACQUISITIONS.
John Spafford triangle, directly north of the First Congregational church, has been turned over to the park board by the trustees of the church for park purposes.
Franklin place, in the center of a street of the same name, is the prettiest small park, with the single exception of Vogt. Previous to com- ing under the control of the board, Franklin place had been maintained by residents in the vicinity. Mrs. George D. Roper provided for the lighting of the park by setting up four boule- vard lights, and the expense of the lighting is also paid for by private property owners.
Northwestern park has passed into the control of the park board, under a ten-year lease se- cured from the officials of the road. This tract was vacated by the company when its east side depot was removed to Seventh street.
Boilvin is a third triangle on Auburn street. It derives its name from Nicholas Boilvin, to whom reference was made in a preceding para- graph, as the purchaser of a section of land from Catherine Myott.
Lovelace point is a small triangle at the junc- tion of North Second and East streets.
Longwood point is at the intersection of Long- wood and Greenmount streets.
Beattie park was presented to the Rockford district in 1915 by Mary and Anna Beattie. It is situated between East and Longwood streets and contains three and three-quarters acres. The parks are so scattered that no section of
Namu h MCCartney
895
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
the city is favored at the expense of another. By way of a recapitulation it may be said the Rockford district now comprises twenty-five parks, squares and triangles, with a total area of 255.37 acres.
COST OF PARK SYSTEM.
As noted in a preceding paragraph, the first bond issue, iu 1910, was for $100,000. The fol- lowing year another bond issue of $100,000 was authorized, which bears four per cent interest. The tax levy for 1909 was $35,999.59; for 1910, $57,312.21 ; for 1911, $41,414.02; for 1912, $55,000; 1914, $50,960; 1915, $64,500. The maxi- mum tax is four mills on the dollar of assessed valuation. On this basis the park board can levy a tax of about $80,000.
OFFICERS OF PARK DISTRICT.
The statute provides that one commissioner shall be elected annually at the April township election. In April, 1910, Napoleon Levasseur was elected to succeed Fred E. Carpenter. George D. Roper's term expired in 1911, and he was succeeded by Dr. O. Alfred Olson. H. W. Williams' term expired in 1912 aud he was re- elected. Levin Faust, who drew the four-year term, was re-elected in April, 1913. R. H. Tinker was re-elected in 1914; Frank L. Cleveland was elected in 1915, and Frank S. Horner in 1916. The officers are : Levin Faust, president; Frank J. O'Brien, secretary ; W. E. Burwell, treasurer ; Robert Rew, attorney ; Paul B. Riis, superin- tendent. L. W. Thompson served as playgrounds director, for several years, from May to No- vember of each year. A park district is a municipality in itself, and its commissioners are vested with large powers. The board is a taxing body, buys and condemns land for park purposes and makes all rules for the regulation of these resorts.
CHAPTER XXXI.
ROCKFORD IN BASEBALL.
CRADLE OF BASEBALL-GAME SUCCEEDED CRICKET- COMPOSITION OF FIRST BALL-FAMOUS NAMES-
FIRST TRAINING GAINED AT ROCKFORD-FOREST CITY BASEBALL CLUB-SPALDING AND ANSON MEMBERS-SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF ALBERT G. SPALDING, WILLIAM T. BROWN-MUCH AMATEUR TALENT-FIRST MINOR LEAGUE ORGANIZED-PARK PROVIDED-ROCKFORD A MEMBER OF THE I-I-I LEAGUE.
CRADLE OF BASEBALL.
Rockford has been called in baseball history, "the cradle of the national game iu the West." The pastime had its inception here iu Civil war days. Young men of the city formed a cricket club for games two or three times a week. John Lewis, an insurance man from Cincinnati, O., who joined the cricket club, suggested that they play baseball instead of cricket. He obtained a book of rules from Cincinnati, the diamond was laid out ou the cricket field and the game entered upon. The ball, which Henry N. Starr and his brother, Chandler Starr, volun- teered to make, had for its core part of a rubber shoe, around which was wound yarn. An orange peel was quartered and utilized for the model for a leather cover. The cover was sewed by George Lane, a pioneer harness-maker, and thus was manufactured Rockford's first ball. The cricket grounds being too small, the baseball team, which was calling itself the Forest Citys, moved to another lot. Other teams were formed, including the Mercantiles, Sinnis- sippis, Pioneers and Unions, some of which were senior and some junior teams. Albert G. Spalding, destined to become a millionaire sport- ing goods dealer and the greatest pitcher of his day, played on the Pioneers, as did Ross Barnes, later a famous infielder.
FOREST CITY BASEBALL CLUB.
The Forest City baseball club, composed of business men whose object was to promote and enjoy the new game, was organized August 10, 1865, with 150 members. The Forest City club at the time Barnes and Spalding were admitted- to membership, consisted of Dr. S. J. Sawyer, pitcher; A. Barker, catcher; H. S. Warner, shortstop; G. E. King, first base ; T. T. Webster, second base; S. Lakin, third base; W. Stearns, left field ; M. L. Wheeler, center field ; J. Brown, right field, and J. H. Manny, scorer. The executive officers of the club were H. H. Waldo, president; I. S. Hyatt, vice-president ; George
896
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
E. King, secretary ; George P. Ross, treasurer. The directors were E. C. Dunn, H. N. Starr and C. G. Maulove.
In the games following the reorganization of the Forest City club, the line-up was changed and the following players appeared : Spalding, pitcher; King, catcher; Cone, first base; Addy, second base; Stearns, Lighthart or Stires, third base; Barnes, shortstop; Wheeler or Warner, right field; Cheney or Osborne, center field ; Barker or Waxham, left field. The Forest City team late in the season of that year played three games, losing two and winning one. Iu 1867 the Forest City team, which had entered upon a public career a year earlier, leaped into national fame by defeating the famous and sup- posedly uubeatable Natiouals of Washington, the score being 29 to 23. Spalding pitched the game and immediately offers poured in on him from Washington, Cleveland, New York and other cities.
The year 1868 saw the Forest City nine's fame spread. For a number of years it ranked among the best in the nation. Adrian C. Anson, for many years a leading first baseman and manager of pennant winners in the National league, played his first professional ball with the Forest City club. The Forest City team continued its winning career into the early 70's. Many other Rockford teams since then have borne that name, but none ever achieved the fame that the parent nine did. Spalding, Addy. Barnes and Cone went from Rockford to the Boston Red Stocking club, which Spalding pitched to victory in the pennant races of the National Association during 1872-73-74-75.
Albert Goodwill Spalding was born at Byron, Ogle County, Ill., September 2, 1850. He came to Rockford in 1863, where he attended the local schools and a commercial college. He was working iu a retail grocery store at $5 a week when, pitching for the Forest City club, he contributed to the defeat of the renowned Nationals of Washington. From Boston's Red Stockings he went to the Chicago club where, as pitcher-captain, lie won the pennant of the newly organized National League of profes- sional baseball clubs in 1876. He then aban- doned the playing end of the game for business, founding the great sporting goods house of A. G. Spalding and Bros, Chicago. He died at his home at Point Loma, Cal., September 9, 1915. William Thayer Brown, treasurer of the
Spalding Company and son of Mis. Horace Brown, of Rockford, died suddenly in Chicago, May 7, 1916.
Following the disbandment of the Forest City club of 1871, which was that year a member of the National Association, which preceded the National League, and finished seventh in the field of eight clubs, Rockford was represented for six years by teams of strictly howue talent, which won a majority of their games against amateur nines of the neighboring towns and of Chicago. Players wearing the Rockford colors in those years iucluded: Patrick W. Welch, Thomas W. Griffin, Arthur Fox, William Conners, Charles Conners, B. Frank Barnes, George F. Wilson, Chase Sargent, "Dud" Red- field, Edward F. W. Ellis, Will Dunshee, John McDonough, James A. Toole, Patrick O'Brien, James B. Lane, Charles Will and others. The Bluff Citys, of Elgin, defeated the Forest Citys of 1877, in August, 6 to 3, with Charles A. Comiskey as pitcher, and Rudolph Kemler as catcher.
In 1878 a professional battery, Fred Water- man, pitcher, and Charles Dwight, catcher, was secured and the team put on a semi-pro. basis. The other positions were filled at various times by Hugh Nicol, Johu Whiteside, Thomas W. Griffin, Charles Stocking, Henry Smith, John McDonough, James Griffin, James Toole, Henry Irvine, Patrick W. Welch and Ed Flannery. This team won nearly all its games.
FIRST MINOR LEAGUE ORGANIZED.
Rockford joined with Dubuque, Davenport and Omaha in 1879, in forming the first minor league ever organized. James F. McKee, of Rockford, was president, and T. P. Sullivan, of Dubuque, secretary. The Rockford team, which finished second to Dubuque, comprised: John C. Rowe, David E. Rowe, M. H. Golden, Hugh Nicol, Mike Dorsey, Coons, Creamer, Goodman, and T. W. Griffin.
Interest in the national game during tlie years 1880-81 was kept alive by strictly amateur teams, under the management of Frank Lander, and enlisted the services of Carroll J. Roberts, T. W. Griffin, Ed Flannery, William Nelson, Charles Brown, G. F. Wilson, Frank McArthur, M. H. Golden, James Lane, William Murphy, John Whiteside, Arthur O'Brien, William Coy and Forsythe. In 1882-83 the semi-pro. teams
897
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
put in the field by Frank Lander included : Tony Luck, M. H. Golden, T. W. Griffin, C. J. Roberts, J. C. Griffin, S. A. D. Behel, John Whiteside, Jerry Connors, Girdon Whitely, James Toole, Arthur O'Brien, James C. Golden, William Murphy, William Nelson, Ed Flannery, Henry Bartholomew and Larry Doyle. The years 1884-85 were uneventful in Rockford baseball history. In 1886 she cut a wide swath in semi-pro. fields with a team under the man- agement of Frank Lander. The nine included Varney Anderson, pitcher; Henry F. Hines, catcher ; and the other positions filled by Alvin Watts, George O'Brien, Edward Bidinger, Frank Bidinger, William Merrick, William But- ler, Edward Bradley, Luke Degnan, Frank Snyder, Chris. Beck, William Murphy, Thomas F. Walsh, Hugh J. Gallagher, James Kelley and Den Pendergast.
BASEBALL PARK PROVIDED.
All the games up to 1887 had been played on the fairground. In that year a stock com- pany was organized, with Oscar P'. Trahern as president and W. Henry Allen as secretary. A fine park was provided in the square bounded by North Church, Napoleon, North Main and Johns streets. The team, which was inde- pendent professional, with Frank C. Lander as manager, won thirty-four out of forty-nine games. The players were H. F. Hines, P. Hines, Al Watts, George O'Brien, Carroll J. Roberts, Ed Stapleton, Mortimer McQuaid, George Tread- - way, William Alloway, John Bates, Joe Suther- land, "Bluke" Rosenthal, S. A. D. Behcl, James Turner, T. W. Griffin, McCormick and Duane.
Rockford had a franchise in the Central- Inter-State league in 1888, but it only lived six weeks. W. H. Allen was team manager, and the players were: B. F. Snyder, Bowman, Bates, Lowe, Stapleton, Joe Cantillon, O'Brien, James Cantillon, Truby, William Murphy, Behel, Sayer and Hendricks. Starting July 4, Frank Lander mantained an independent professional team for the remainder of the season, which enlisted the services of B. F. Snyder, William Noll, J. D. Lookabaugh, Bert Dunbar, S. A. D. Behel, Henry O'Rourke, H. F. Hines, George O'Brien, P. Hines, Joe Cantillon, William Murphy, T. F. Walsh and H. J. Gallagher. They played at the same park as in the preced- ing year.
Rockford did not have professional baseball again until 1891, when a franchise was secured in the Illinois-Iowa league. A stock company was formed, capitalized at $5,000. A fine park was secured in the West end, and Hugh Nicol was team manager. Rockford's associates in the I-I league, as it was called, were Daven- port, Ottumwa, Quincy, Ottawa, Joliet, Cedar Rapids and Aurora. The city continued in the same league in 1892 with Peoria, Joliet, Evans- ville, Jacksonville, Quincy, Rock Island-Moline and Terre Haute. The years 1893, 1894 and 1895 saw no league ball in Rockford. In 1895 Rockford entered the Western Association. The other clubs in that circuit at the opening of the season were Des Moines, Quincy, Omaha, Peoria, Lincoln, Jacksonville and St. Joseph. The same league opened in 1896 with Rockford, Peoria, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Quincy, St. Joseph, Des Moines and Burlington. In 1897 the league members were Des Moines, Dubuque, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, St. Joseph, Peoria, Quincy and Rockford.
Rockford was out of baseball in 1898, but in 1899 joined with Bloomington, Cedar Rapids, Rock Island, Quincy and Ottumwa in the Western Association. It was a short-lived sea- son and the city was out of the game in 1900. The year 1901 brought the organization of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League with the follow- ing members: Rockford, Terre Haute, Bloom- ington, Rock Island, Decatur, Evansville, Cedar Rapids, Davenport. In 1902 the members were Rockford, Rock Island, Terre Haute, Cedar Rapids, Bloomington, Decatur, Evansville and Davenport. In 1903 the same league started with Rockford, Cedar Rapids, Bloomington, Decatur, Rock Island, Davenport, Joliet and Dubuque. In 1904 franchises were taken by Rockford, Dubuque, Davenport, Rock Island, Decatur, Bloomington, Cedar Rapids and Springfield. Rockford contented itself with amateur and semi-pro baseball in 1905, 1906 and 1907. In 1908 the city placed a team in the Wisconsin-Illinois League, in which it was rep- resented every season thereafter until 1915, when it returned to the I-I-I league, succeeding Springfield.
ROCKFORD WINS PENNANTS.
Rockford won the I-I-I pennant in 1902 and the Wisconsin-Illinois League pennant in 1910.
898
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
In the list of its managers appear the names of Hugh Nicol, Varney Anderson, Henry Hines, George Bubser, Charles Golden, Frank Richards, Clarence Marshall, Clifford Dulin, Orville Wolf and Howard Wakefield. Four Rockford men have been minor league presidents. They were James F. McKee, Joshua S. Hulse, J. Stanley Browne and Frank S. Edmison.
CHAPTER XXXII.
PUBLIC CHARITIES-INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES.
ROCKFORD HOSPITAL-OFFICIALS-HOSPITAL SUN- DAY ESTABLISHED-MANY GENEROUS DONATIONS -TALCOTT MEMORIAL HOME FOR NURSES-EM- ERSON HALL HOSPITAL ADDITION-TRAINING
SCHOOL MAINTAINED-HOSPITAL COMPLETELY EQUIPPED-ST. ANTHONY HOSPITAL-MUNICIPAL SANITARIUM-A GREAT ENTERPRISE-SWEDISH- AMERICAN HOSPITAL - WINNEBAGO COUNTY HOME FOR THE AGED JENNIE SNOW HOME FOR AGED WOMEN-Y. W. C. ASSOCIATION- Y. M. C. A .- BOYS' CLUB-WINNEBAGO FARM SCHOOL-WORKING GIRLS' HOME-THE CHIL- DREN'S HOME - WINNEBAGO . COUNTY ALMS- HOUSE-LADIES' UNION AID SOCIETY-VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION-PUBLIC WELFARE ASSOCIA- TION-SWEDISH UNION AID SOCIETY-HUMANE SOCIETY-WOMEN'S TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS -CENTRAL WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION - NON-PARTISAN WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE-TEMPERANCE GUARDS- NORTH ROCKFORD W. C. T. U .- SWEDISH W. C. T. U .- UNIONS MAINTAINED ALSO IN SOUTH AND WEST ROCKFORD.
ROCKFORD HOSPITAL.
During the year 1883 the immediate founding of a hospital for the city of Rockford became an object of much interest, both to the medical profession and to the community at large. Among the physicians especially interested in
the movement were the late T. G. Vincent, W. HI. Fitch and F. H. Kimball. The subject elicited much attention at the meetings of the medical society of the county, and in the autumn of 1883 resulted in the appointment of a committee to secure a corporate existence under the laws of the state. The committee received from the secretary of state a certificate of organization, under date of December 15, 1883. The incorpo- rators were Drs. A. E. Goodwin, Silas A. Austin, Frank H. Kimball, Frank K. Hill, Lemuel Tib- bets, Thomas G. Vincent.
It was the desire of the promoters to secure the co-operation of the churches, and the selec- ยท tion of trustees was made with this end in view. The original board consisted of the following citizens : William A. Talcott, William Lathrop, Norman C. Thompson, William Brown, Jeremiah Davis, H. W. Carpenter, John Z. Rydberg, Thour Munthe, R. P. Lane, B. F. Whipple, Thos. But- terworth, Frances I. Price, Mary H. Penfield, Jane G. Wilkins, Adeline E. Emerson. Upon tlie completion of the organization, the physi- cians, by choice, were no longer officially identified with the 'Hospital association. At a meeting held January 29, 1SS4, a temporary organization was effected by the election of William Brown as chairman, and William A. Talcott secretary of the board of trustees. At a meeting held April S, 1884, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. A permanent organiza- tion was effected by the election of the follow- ing officers: President, William Brown; vice president, Mrs. Jane G. Wilkins; secretary and treasurer, William A. Talcott. Shares were placed at $10 each, and were taken by a large number of the citizens. Selden M. Church took 30 shares ; Dr. Fitch, 30 shares ; Dr. R. P. Lane, 50 shares; Emerson, Talcott & Co., 50 shares; Tlos. D. Robertson, 50 shares; Horatio Stone, 50 shares.
On June 21, 1884, the trustees accepted the proposition of Dr. W. H. Fitch for the purchase of his property, a plat of about 125 feet frontage on South Court street, by 156 feet with a south and east exposure, for $6,800; $300 payable in certificates of membership. The deed was exe- cuted July 1. 1885, at which time the association received possession. The hospital was opened October 1. 1885. Drs. S. A. Austin and F. H. Kimball were the first attending physician and surgeon, respectively. Drs. R. P. Lane and D. S. Clark were the first consulting physicians, and
--
-
-
ROCKFORD HOSPITAL
WINNEBAGO COUNTY HOME FOR THE AGED, ROCKFORD
ST. ANTHONY HOSPITAL, ROCKFORD
899
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Drs. W. H. Fitch and Henry Richings the first consulting surgeons. The first patient was re- ceived October 10.
Mrs. Martha J. Smith, more familiarly known as "Aunt Jane," was the first matron, She as- sumed this responsibility October 1, 1885, and faithfully administered its duties nearly fifteen years, until April, 1900. Miss Lizzie C. Glenn was appointed superintendent March 28, 1900. She resigned April 6, 1901, and Miss Flora B. Patch was appointed. Miss Patch resigned No- vember 1, 1902, and Miss Alma M. Barter re- ceived the appointment. She was succeeded by Miss Elizabeth K. Smith, and she in turn by Mrs. E. M. McWhorter. The present superin- tendent, Miss Elizabeth J. Wright, was ap- pointed in December, 1911.
Hospital Sunday in the churches was estab- lished October 10, 1885, by the trustees, and was generally observed throughout the city for many years. In 1SSS steps were taken to provide a permanent fund for the maintenance of the hospital. In 1887 a new hospital building was erected, fronting on Chestnut street. In 1901 Mrs. Adeline E. Emerson, in memory of her de- ceased son, Ralph Emerson, Jr., contributed the funds for an addition to the hospital for an operating room and office. In 1904 a splendid addition was erected on the site of the first hos- pital building, at a cost of about $50,000.
William Brown served as president from 1884 to 1886, William Lathrop from 1886 to 1887, Horatio Stone from 1887 to January 29, 1896, when his death occurred. William Lathrop was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Stone, which office he held many years. His son, E. P. Lathrop, is now president. W. A. Talcott served as secretary and treasurer of the hospital from its inception to the time of his death, which occurred in Palestine, December 19, 1900. The early success of the institution was in large measure due to his liberality and untiring effort. His son, Wait Talcott, was elected to the position so ably filled by his father, April 6, 1901. Chandler Starr is the present treasurer, and A. S. Ruhl is secretary
Among the large gifts in the earlier years was $27,000 from the estate of Horatio Stone, $12,- 000 from W. A. Talcott and family, $10,500 from A. D. Forbes and family. Other contributions varied from $2,400 to $5,000.
In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Emerson erected a Nurses' Home at the corner of Chestnut and
South Winnebago streets. - This is known as the Talcott Memorial Home for Nurses, and is a me- inorial for Mrs. Emerson's father, Hon. Wait Talcott. In 1912 the home was enlarged by an addition on the east, the expense of which was borne by Mr. and Mrs. Emerson,
In April, 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Emerson made a gift of $60,000 for an addition to the Rockford Hospital. The offer was addressed to the trustees in the following letter: "We desire to make possible the enlargement in the near fu- ture of Rockford Hospital. The addition to provide modern kitchens and dining rooms for nurses, a new surgical operating department and additional rooms for patients. Part of the rooms to be suitable for extreme cases requiring great quiet and every convenience. The addition to be called 'Emerson Hall,' and to cost about $60,000, or a little over. To this end we au- thorize Mr. Sturm to proceed with the plans." This addition, of six stories, was completed in 1915, at a cost of more than $100,000, all of which was borne by the Emerson family.
An important feature of the hospital is the training school for nurses. The first class was graduated in 1890, and since that time 150 nurses have received diplomas, A three years' course is required, and the standard is equal to the best in the state.
The equipment of Rockford Hospital, includ- ing a new X-ray apparatus, is unsurpassed by any of the great hospitals in Chicago. The hos- pital will accommodate eighty-eight patients. The expense of maintaining the hospital in 1915 was $54,472.49, during which time 1,953 patients were received.
ST. ANTHONY HOSPITAL.
St. Anthony Hospital was founded in 1899, and its growth has not been surpassed by any other public institution in the city. The ini- tiative was taken by a number of physicians, who were anxious for a hospital in East Rock- ford. Early in its history the late William Crotty became interested in the project, and gave of his time and money to provide a site.
The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, whose headquarters are in Peoria, were invited to visit Rockford to consider a location. They came to the city and selected the home of the late Leonard Schmauss, on East State street. The house was erected in 1856 by the late
-
900
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Seely Perry, and was known as "Perry's castle." The property was purchased for $12,000, one- half of which was furnished by the Sisters. The sum of $3,000 was the personal contribution of physicians who were members of the staff, and the remaining $3,000 was given by friends in Rockford and Winnebago county. The title to the property is vested in the Sisters. The hospi- tal was opened for the reception of patients in August, 1899. The patronage given was so lib- eral that within two years accommodations could not be afforded all the patients seeking admis- sion. To provide for this an addition was erected at the cost of $60,000. The corner- stone was laid May 22, 1902, and in March, 1903, the new building was formally opened. This improvement enabled the hospital to ac- commodate sixty patients.
In 1914 a second addition was erected, which contains a chapel. St. Anthony will now accom- modate 125 patients. It occupies a commanding site on high ground in one of the finest residence portions of the city. The purity of the air, the quietude of the surroundings, the appoint- ments and the faithful ministrations of the Sis- ters make St. Anthony an ideal hospital.
ROCKFORD MUNICIPAL SANITARIUM.
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.