USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 56
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SINGERS' AND PLAYERS' CLUB.
The Singers' and Players' Club was organized in February, 1915. The nucleus of the club was the participants in a comic opera, "The Girl
and the Governor," given January 27-28, 1915. The membership has been enlarged by invita- tion, but is limited. The club produced the old opera "Pinafore," in October, 1915. Dr. R. C. Bourland was the first president and J. C. Hold- erness, secretary and treasurer.
THE WALTONIANS.
Rockford's first outing club was the Walton- ians. In March, 1865, a small party went to Twin Lakes on a fishing expedition. At that season of the year it was necessary to cut through the ice. In the following August an organization was effected with the following members : A. H. H. Perkins, John P. Manny, John R. Porter, W. G. Ferguson, D. D. Alling, C. I. Horsman, S. W. Stone, E. H. Griggs, H. D. Frost, A. Paxon, G. D. Palmer, G. M. Smith, . H. Chandler, I. N. Cunningham and Elias Cosper. The club was named the Waltonians, in honor of Izaak Walton. About 1868 the Waltonian excursions began to be the social feature of the summer months, and for more than a quarter of a century Twin Lakes were the Mecca of Rockford pleasure seekers. A club liouse was erected in 1885.
The Niposinks, another old outing club, was a contemporary of the Waltonians.
ROCKFORD COUNTRY CLUB.
Rockford Country Club, one of the oldest golf organizations in Illinois outside of the Chicago district, was organized in 1900, when William A. Talcott bought a tract north of the city on Rock River, renting it to the club and giving an option to take title to it at the original purchase price at the end of ten years. The option was exercised and a few additional acres acquired. The club now owns 100 acres, with probably a mile of frontage on the river. A
new club house was erected in 1915 costing $25,000. The club owns a valuable property.
The course was originally of nine holes, laid out by Herbert Tweedie. It is now an eighteen hole course and is called one of the best in the Middle West, having an attractive combination of flat and rolling ground, well trapped and bunkered. The new links were mapped by Tom Bendelow. Water from Rock River is supplied to all the putting greens.
The active membership is 250 and there are as
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
many associate members, composed of women, and a few junior members. Each active member holds a certificate of stock based ou the value of the property. John H. Sherratt, former mayor, was the first president. Fred L. Tritle has been presideut for five years. The club belongs to the Western Golf Association aud the Central Golť Association.
Public golf links were established at Sinnis- sippi Park in 1912. The course is of nine holes, in a sightly location. Sinnissippi Park Golf Club uses the public links. It is a member of the Western Golf Association.
The Motor Club has had a phenomeual growth, due to the rapid increase iu the number of auto- mobile owners. It was organized January 25, 1910, with forty-five members. C. J. Lundberg was the first president, and the office is now filled by J. Edwin Armstrong. E. Arthur Anderson served as secretary six years, aud has recently been succeeded by Cyril F. Boll- man. There are now 500 members. A club house is under construction on a beautiful site six miles below Rockford on the "river road."
The Nature Study Club combines recreation and instruction in outings during the summer and indoor sessions in the winter.
There are more than a score of other clubs devoted to recreation out of doors. Among these are the Motorcycle Club, Gun Club, Soangetaha, and several canoe, boating, athletic and golf clubs.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
FRATERNITIES AND TRADE UNIONS.
ROCKFORD FRIENDLY TO FRATERNITIES-ODD FEL- LOWS - FREEMASONS - MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA-ELKS-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE-VIKINGS-KNIGHTS OF COLUM- BUS-BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YEOMEN- ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA-UNITED WORK- MEN - MODERN BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICA - COURT OF HONOR-GUARDIANS OF LIBERTY-FOR- ESTERS-LOYAL AMERICANS-KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES-LADIES OF THE MACCABEES-LADIES
OF THE MODERN MACCABEES-EAGLES-ORDER OF SCOTTISH CLANS-NATIONAL PROTECTIVE LEGION -NATIONAL UNION-NORTH AMERICAN UNION- HOMESTEADERS-SONS OF ST. GEORGE-NORTH STAR BENEFIT ASSOCIATION-DANISH SISTERHOOD -UNITED COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS OF AMERICA- MYSTIC WORKERS OF THE WORLD-CONTINENTAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION-DANISH BROTHERHOOD- KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR-YEOMEN OF AMERICA-I, O. M. A .- OWLS-ROYAL ARCANUM -INDEPENDENT ORDER OF SVITHIOD - KNIGHTS OF DANIEL-GOOD TEMPLARS-WOODMEN OF THE WORLD-TRIBE OF BEN HUR-TRADE UNIONS- UNION LABEL LEAGUE-UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS-INTERNATIONAL AS- SOCIATION OF MACHINISTS-JOURNEYMEN BAR- BERS' INTERNATIONAL-TYPOGRAPHICAL-PAINT- ERS, PAPER HANGERS AND DECORATORS OF AMER- ICA-NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS -POST OFFICE CLERKS-AMALGAMATED AND BUTCHERS' WORKMEN-PLUMBERS'-IRON MOUL- DERS'-BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS- BRICKLAYERS' AND MASONS' -- SHEET METAL WORKERS -- ROCKFORD MUSICIANS'-TEAMSTERS' -GARMENT WORKERS'-CO-OPERATIVE PLASTERS' AND CEMENT FINISHERS'-LATHERS'-CIGAR- MAKERS'-ICEMEN'S-BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL - PRESSMEN'S - CABINETMAKERS' AND MILL WORKERS-STAGE EMPLOYES' UNION-ALL AFFIL- IATED WITH ROCKFORD CENTRAL LABOR UNION.
There are forty-tour secret orders in Rock- ford, which are represented by nearly one hun- dred independent lodges. They serve mauy pur- poses. Some provide life insurance and sick benefits, while all promote fraternal relations and a real democracy. Some of these orders, by reason of age, numerical strength or other cause, require brief historical sketches. The greater number can only be mentioned ; but it is believed noue have been omitted.
ODD FELLOWS.
The first fraternity to enter the field was the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The charter of Winnebago Lodge No. 31, was issued by George W. Woodward, graud master of Illinois, in 1847, to the following named charter members: Selden M. Bronson, Ansel Kenfield, Dewitt Clinton Briggs, Frederick H. Maxwell, and Rev. Nathaniel P. Heath. The lodge was instituted August 11, 1847. The place
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
of meeting was Horsman's block, on the West side. Theodore W. Van De Mark has been financial secretary seventeen years, and L. M. Billett has been treasurer for the same period. The membership is 175.
Social Lodge, No. 140, Odd Fellows, was in- stituted February 6, 1854. The lodge owns its own hall on North Third street.
Kent Lodge No. 689, was instituted November 16, 1881, with the following as charter mem- bers : Wilson D. Staplin, John R. Freek, O. E. Hammond, William F. Rewoldt, O. B. Shores, S. A. Austin, J. H. Carson, J. T. Savage, William R. Forbes, Joseph Needles, J. W. Warfield, George Wilson. Membership December 1, 1915 was 350.
Tegner Lodge No. 799, was organized by Swed- ish-American citizens, and holds its meetings in its hall at 702 Seventh street.
The dispensation for Rockford Encampment, No. 44, was granted August 5, 1857, to the fol- lowing patriarchs as charter members: James Fleming, J. H. Clark, Hugh Strickland, Enos C. Clark, G. A. Stiles, Joseph Schloss, and Rob- ert Smith. The encampment was instituted by Deputy Grand Patriarch A. E. Jenner, August 26, 1857. The membership January 1, 1916, is 107.
Concordia Encampment No. 195, was insti- tuted February 27, 1904. Anton A. Stenholm was the first chief patriarch, with Victor Daniel- son, scribe. C. G. Rosengren is chief patriarch for 1916; Frank A. Lind, scribe. The member- ship is 105.
There are four lodges of Daughters of Re- bekah : Anchor Lodge, No. 84, Rockford Lodge, No. 31, Rock River Lodge, No. 635, instituted December 9, 1905, and now the largest in the city ; and Temple Rebekah, No. 789, instituted February 5, 1916, with 74 charter members. Canton Eureka, No. 6, is a military organiza- tion. Several citizens of Rockford have been honored by state encampments. Mrs. Mae E. Crowell, a member of Rock River Lodge, was elected vice-president of the Rebekah state assembly in 1908; advanced to the presidency in 1909; elected secretary in 1914, and re-elected in 1915. Mark Jardine, former mayor of Rock- ford, was elected grand patriarch at the grand encampment held in Springfield in 1915. Two other Rockford citizens have held this office : The late J. S. Ticknor and D. C. Stocking. The late John Lake served as grand master.
FREE MASONS.
The Masonic fraternity leads all others in the number of its local organizations, which in- cludes Knights Templar and Shriners. The oldest is Rockford Lodge, No. 102, which was organized February 13, 1851, under a dispensa- tion from C. G. Y. Taylor, the grand master. The following named citizens constituted its first membership: Alfred E. Ames, William Lyman, Henry Carpenter, C. H. Spafford, Wil- liam Hulin, E. H. Baker, Ansel Kenfield, John Fraley, James P. Burns, W. F. Ward, Jesse Blinn, and Buel G. Wheeler. E. H. Baker was the last survivor of this original membership.
Star in the East Lodge No. 166, was organized February 12, 1855, under a dispensation from James L. Anderson, grand master. The charter members were : E. F. W. Ellis, R. H. Cotton, W. M. Bowdoin, William Hulin, S. G. Chellis, Jos. K. Smith, Joseph Burns, C. I. Horseman, B. G. Wheeler, G. W. Reynolds, John A. Hol- land, C. H. Richings, D. G. Clark, Adam Mc- Clure, Holder Brownell. The membership December 3, 1915, was 630.
E. F. W. Ellis Lodge No. 633, was organized December 10, 1868, and is named in honor of Colonel Ellis, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh, in the Civil war.
Winnebago Chapter No. 24, R. A. M., was or- ganized December 12, 1854, under a dispensa- tion from Louis Watson, grand high priest. The following constituted its first membership : A. Clark, Chauncy Ray, W. F. Parrish, H. Milti- more, John A. Holland, L. P. Pettibone, R. H. Cotton, Abiram Morgan, G. D. Palmer, and Ansel Kenfield. This chapter was constituted under another charter in December, 1855. Its present membership is 400.
Crusader Commandery No. 17, Knights Tem- plar, was instituted November 6, 1865, with eighteen members. William T. Smithett was the first eminent commander. The office is now held by Walter P. Hizer ; Thomas Ferguson is recorder. The membership is 260. The annual conclave is held on the second Monday in June.
There are two chapters of the order of East- ern Star : Rockford Chapter, No. 53, with a membership of nearly 500, and Forest City Chapter, No. 500.
Tebala Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, has a membership of 1,300. John T. Buckbee is serving his fourth term as
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
illustrious potentate ; Frank L. Eby is recorder. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Tebala Temple was chartered July 25, 1894, and instituted October 18, 1894, with 128 members.
Oriental Shrine No. 5, White Shrine of Jeru- salem, was organized July 2, 1904, and has a membership of nearly 400. Ceremonial sessions are held the first Thursdays in January, April, July and October. Mrs. Clara M. Savage is worthy scribe.
The Masonic Relief Association of Winne- bago County has headquarters in Rockford. It was organized April 17, 1895. Rockford Council No. 30, Royal and Select Masters meets the first Wednesday of each month.
Rockford Masonic Temple, on North Main street, was completed in February, 1916. The cornerstone of Tebala Mosque, the northern part of the building, was laid September 4, 1914, and the Mosque was formally dedicated May 17, 1916. This building is owned by the Shriners. The southern part, or Masonic Temple proper, was erected by the Rockford Masonic Temple Building Association, composed of Star in the East Lodge No. 166; Winnebago Chapter No. 24, R. A. M .; and Crusader Commandery No. 17, Knights Templar. The cornerstone of the Masonic Temple was laid August 22, 1914, and the building was formally dedicated March 6, 1916. The structure cost $65,000, exclusive of site and furnishings. Besides the lodges above mentioned, the Temple will be occupied by Rock- ford Council No. 30, Royal and Select Masters ; Rockford Chapter No. 55, Order Eastern Star, and Oriental Chapter No. 5, White Shrine of Jerusalem.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
The growth of the Modern Woodmen of America has been phenomenal in Rockford, and there is a membership of 2.365 in the three camps, according to latest reports. Fraternal insurance at moderate expense is the distinctive feature of the order.
Forest City Camp No. 49, was instituted August 15, 1SS4, and is the oldest in Winne- bago County. The first consul was W. R. Mc- Dannell, and J. L. Winnie was the first clerk. The present consul is James O'Brien, and Thomas H. McCann is clerk. The membership January 1, 1916, was 251.
Rockford Camp No. 51, was organized Sep- tember 4, 1SS4. Up to July 1, 1915, the camp had paid $416,621.95 into the Modern Woodman treasury; and the head camp in return had paid $523,031.95 in benefits on the 246 members who had passed away. Camp 51 was for years the largest in the order, with a maximum membership of 1900 in round numbers. The recent rate war affected the entire order. The membership of Camp 51, according to the last published report, was 1,534.
Riverside Camp No. 20 received its charter September 30, 1855, with eighteen members, five of whom still retain membership: E. W. Andrews, W. C. Murtfeldt, Aaron Sanders, J. M. Southgate and Mahlon Case. S. H. Herrick was the first consul. E. W. Andrews was clerk from 1885 to 1905; J. A. Alden, from 1906 to 1912; Aug. Swenson, 1913 to date. B. J. Feldeen is now consul. There are 580 members.
ELKS.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks surpasses all other fraternal organizations oť the city in its social life. The charter for the original lodge was granted in 1SS7, but was returned in a short time to the grand lodge. The lodge was re-organized December 30, 1901, and now has a membership of S00, made up of representative citizens from all walks of life. The following members have served as exalted ruler : David Turkenkoph, C. W. Ferguson, R. K. Welsh, R. S. Chapman, E. H. Keeler, Frank D. Keeler, Fred A. Schlick, Harry L. Whipple, W. T. Robertson, A. Philip Smith, Thomas D. Reber, Carl A. Ross, Frederick Haines, Charles J. Sowle, Alfred J. Holtz, Bruce H. Garrett, and H. B. North, the incumbent. There have been three secretaries: Fred A. Schlick, Charles J. Sowle, Frank E. Humeston.
The Elks have a beautiful club house which was erected and furnished, including site, at a cost of $105,000. Work on the building was begun in September, 1910, and completed in January, 1912. The club house was formally dedicated in January, 1913. A bronze tablet has been placed in the main corridor, in recognition of the services of the building committee, which consisted of Thomas D. Reber, Frederick Haines, Harry L. Whipple, R. S. Chapman, C. F. Henry, D. J. Stewart and George D. Roper.
Augustus Nelson
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
'KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
There are two lodges of the Knights of Pythias, with a combined membership of 361. Arthur-Guinevere Lodge No. 31 is the result of a consolidation. Arthur Lodge No. 31 was in- stituted June 19, 1872, with twenty members. Guinevere Lodge was instituted January 29, 1891, with sixty-six members. The consolidation of Arthur and Guinevere lodges was effected June 30, 1897. W. E. Kelley is keeper of records and secretary. There are 115 members.
John Nelson Lodge was instituted April 22, 1892, with thirty-seven members. Fitch C. Cook, of Peoria, grand chancellor, was in charge, assisted by the vice-grand chancellor, Dr. E. C. Dunn, of Rockford. The lodge has 236 members. Sanford Chinquist is keeper of records and secretary. Two sessions of the grand lodge ot the state have been held in Rockford: October 18, 1892, and October 15, 1912. Dr. A. F. Com- ings, formerly of Rockford, now ot Seattle, Wash., was chosen grand chancellor of the state in 1898.
LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE.
Rockford Lodge Loyal Order of Moose No. 163, is the largest fraternal order in the city, and this position was attained in an unusually short period. The lodge was organized October 9, 1909, with fifty-seven members. Its growth during the early years was slow, and disband- ment seemed likely for a time. An aggressive campaign during the first half of 1915 turned the tide and resulted in increasing the member- ship to 1,500. Under this momentum a Moose temple was projected. The corner-stone was laid August 21, 1915. Arthur H. Jones, of Chi- cago. past supreme dictator and attorney-general of the order, gave the principal address. The temple was completed in January, 1916, and formally dedicated April 10, of the same year. Oscar Holmquist was the first dictator. Thomas D. Tullock now holds the position, with Charles O. Patterson as secretary. The membership is not confined to Rockford.
The Independent Order of Vikings, composed, as the name suggests, of Swedish-American citi- zens, is represented by four lodges: Hilding lodge No. 135, Brahe lodge No. 245, Ellida lodge No. 25, which has recently conducted a member- ship campaign, and Elvira lodge No. 26.
Rockford Council No. 470, Knights of Colum- bus, a Catholic organization, is one of the larg- est fraternal bodies in the city. It has a fine club house on North Main street. There are also four courts of the Catholic Order ot Foresters : St. James' No. 1718; St. Mary's No. 60; St. Agnes' No. 79, and St. Joseph's No. 528.
There are two homesteads ot the Brotherhood of American Yeomen : Progressive No. 1231, and Monarch No. 1885. A third, the Forest City No. 1417, has been consolidated with Progressive homestead.
The Royal Neighbors of America have three camps : the Rockford No. 155, Riverside No. 1739, and Forest City No. 165.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen is one of the oldest fraternal insurance organiza- tions. One lodge is maintained in Rockford, Forest City No. 12.
The Modern Brotherhood of America main- tains two lodges : Winnebago No. 17SS, and the Swedish No. 84.
The Court of Honor has three courts : Rock- ford No. 194, Forest City No. 230, and Social No. 821.
Nelson A. Miles Court No. 64, Guardians of .Liberty, maintains the principles advocated a few years ago under the name of the American Protective Association.
The Independent Order of Foresters support three courts : the Rockford No. 3232, the Valky- ran No. 3645, and Companion No. 698.
The assemblies of Loyal Americans hold regu- lar sessions : the Rockford No. 239, and Equit- able Fraternal union.
The following orders are represented by one lodge each: Knights of the Maccabees, Rock- ford Tent No. 34; Ladies of the Maccabees, Rockford Hive No. 134; Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, Cora A. Nichol Hive No. 963 ; Eagles, Aerie No. 392; Royal League, Rockford Council No. 64 ; Order of Scottish Clans, Clan McAlphine No. 203; National Protective Legion, Sunnyside Legion No. 3066; National Union, Mercantile Council No. 95; North American Union, Loyal Council No. 115; Homesteaders, Rockford Lodge No. 344; Sons of St. George, Forest City Lodge No. 363; North Star Benefit Association, Obser- vatory No. 3; Danish Sisterhood, No. 55; United Commercial Travelers of America, Rockford Council No. 119 ; Mystic Workers of the World, Rockford Lodge No. 175; Continental Benefit Association, Rockford Lodge No. 1; Danish
1
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Brotherhood, Odin Lodge No. 64; Knights and Ladies of Honor, L. B. Lockard Lodge No. 2139: Yeomen of America, Rockford Council No. 157 : I. O. M. A., Oriental Lodge No. 49.
The Order of Owls has two nests: No. 67 and No. 1354. There are also two councils of the Royal Arcanum : Rock River No. 291 and Win- nebago No. 1914; two lodges Independent Order of Svithiod; John Erickson No. 23 and Frede- borg No. 17; and two tribes of the Knights of Daniel : Nos. 2 and 3.
The Independent Order of Good Templars, one of the oldest secret societies, has four lodges : Skandinavia No. 6, Linnea No. 10, Vega No. 40 and Flygia Juvenile Temple No. 1.
The Woodmen of the World support three camps and two circles: Forest City No. 14, Rockford No. 104, Rock River No. 302, Wood- men Circle Rockford Grove No. 76, and Wood- men Circle McCauley Grove No. 54.
There are two courts of the Tribe of Ben Hur, Mizah No. 7, and Linne No. 262.
LABOR UNIONS.
Labor is thoroughly organized in Rockford. Notwithstanding this fact strikes are practically . unknown. Capital is protected, and labor is respected. For some years following the passage of the law making Labor day a legal holiday, it was observed with industrial parades, floats and speech-making. This form of observance has become obsolete, and, as on Memorial day and the Fourth of July, people flock to the parks or more sequestered places for an outing. The following is a list of trade unions: Rockford Union Label League, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners No. 792. International Association Machinists No. 440, Journeymen Barbers' International Union No. 412, Rockford Typographical Union No. 213, Painters and Paper Hangers and Decorators of America Local Union No. 252, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 245, Postoffice Clerks Local No. 79. Amalgamated Meat Cutters' and Butchers' Workmen Union No. 547, Plumbers' Union No. 57. Tron Moulders' Union No. 294. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers No. 196, Bricklayers' and Masons' Union No. 31, Sheet Metal Workers' Union No. 219. Rockford ' Musicians' Union No. 240. Teamsters' Union, Garment Workers' Union No. 64, Co-operative Plasterers' and Cement Finishers' Union Local
No. 382, Lathers' Union No. 114, Cigarmakers' Union No. 157, Icemen's Union No. 22S, Building Trades Council, Pressmen's Union No. 16S, Cabinetmakers' and Mill Workers' Union No. 1523, Stage Employes' Union No. 217.
These unions are all affiliated with the Rock- ford Central Labor Union, which holds two meetings each month.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
COUNTY FAIRS-AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
EARLY INTEREST AROUSED-ORGANIZATION OF AN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-FIRST FAIR A NOTABLE SUCCESS - LAPSE OF INTEREST - WINNEBAGO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ORGANIZED IN 1856-MANY FAIRS WELL ATTENDED-DISTIN- GUISHED MEN ATTEND AS SPEAKERS-THE EPI- SODE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS IN 1875 -LAST EXPOSITION HELD AT ROCKFORD IN 1902-CITY PURCHASED FAIR GROUNDS FOR PARK PURPOSES- FARM IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION-GRANGES AND OFFICIALS-AGITATION FOR IMPROVED HIGH- WAYS- FOOT AND MOUTH SCOURGE.
EARLY INTEREST AROUSED.
As early as August, 1840, a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the Winnebago County Agricultural Society. This committee deferred its report until the next March term of the county commissioners' court, in order to avail itself of the privilege of or- ganizing the society under tlie statute "to in- corporate agricultural societies," which was passed March 2S, 1839. The act required the county commissioners to give due notice of the intention to form such society at that special term only, and precluded a legal organization in this county at an earlier date, under the pro- visions of the statute. The agricultural society was organized April 13, 1841. Dr. Haskell was elected president, Robert J. Cross, vice-president, George W. Lee, secretary, Charles I. Horsman, treasurer ; Horace Miller, Richard Montague, P.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
M. Johnson, James S. Norton, Newton Craw- ford, I. N. Cunningham, Jonathan Weldon, di- rectors. An adjourned meeting was held July 5th, when President Haskell delivered an ad- dress, which has been preserved in full. Early in September a meeting of the officers was held to complete arrangements for the first cat- tle show. It was decided that the fair should be held annually in Rockford, alternating on the east and west sides of the river; that all the available funds of the society be distributed in premiums, and that the premiums be paid in agricultural publications. One fair was held on the site of the present postoffice.
The first exhibition was held on October 13, 1841. The stock was exhibited in the grove near the northeast corner of First and Oak streets, which was known as the Oak Openings. Cattle and horses were tied to the trees; the sheep and hogs were confined in rail pens. The dis- play of domestic articles and garden produce was made in the hall of the Rockford House. Charles I. Horsman exhibited a squash weigh- ing 12S pounds. There were several loads of grain in the street in front of the Rockford House.
In the afternoon of the above day, the society and visitors formed a procession, under direc- tion of Jason Marsh, the marshal of the day, and marched to the courthouse, on the East side. Rev. Joel B. Potter offered prayer, and Dr. Goodhue delivered an address. He was eloquent in his prophecy of the future which awaited the farmers of this fertile valley. After these ex- ercises dinner was served at the Rockford House. At half past five the committee oll awards made its report. The premium list was brief. There were seven premiums offered for horses, six for cattle, four for hogs, and two for sheep ; one for the best cultivated ten acres of land, one for the best twenty-five pounds of but- ter, one for the best cheese weighing over fifteen pounds, one for the best ten yards of flannel manufactured in the county, one for the best fifty skeins of sewing silk manufactured in the county, and one for the best ten pounds of sugar from the beet manufactured in the county. Thus was held, in a single day, the first cattle show in northern Illinois. The editor of tlie Rockford Pilot referred to the event in this unique specimen of primitive journalism : "The cattle show came off yesterday in good style. The day was fine, the women were fine, the pigs
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