Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 9

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 9

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).

Duncan Ferguson was born in Glasgow, Scot-

Jacob M. Best & Family

657

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

land, in November, 1810. He attended the Uni- versity of Glasgow two seasons; was employed several years in the land surveys, and soon thereafter was engaged in the trigonometrical surveys of Great Britain, which he continued for ten years. He was employed most of this time in Ireland. In 1837 he left his native land and came to the United States. He first settled in Pennsylvania, where he remained two years, in the employ of two railroad companies, as draughtsman, and removed with his family to Rockford in 1839. In 1840 he was elected sur- veyor and justice of the peace, and held the office of surveyor until 1856. In 1862 he was appointed assessor of internal revenue and held this position eight years, and then resigned. For ten years Mr. Ferguson was supervisor from the Seventh Ward of the city. In 1873 he was elected chairman of the county board and re- tained this position until 1881. In 1877 he was elected mayor of Rockford, and served one year. He held the offices of city engineer, assessor, county treasurer, and commissioner of the county under an act of the legislature for the improvement of Rock River. Mr. Ferguson was a member of the First Baptist church until the schism led by Dr. Kerr, when he became identified with the Church of the Christian Union. He was a genial, courtly gentleman, of high character. His death occurred May 14,

1882.

Thomas D. Robertson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, March 4, 1818, and accompanied liis parents to London when he was a small child. He lived with a brother for a time on the Isle of Sheppey, at the mouth of the Thames, where he attended school. He was subsequently engaged with an older brother in the publication of the Mechanic's Magazine, and came to the United States in 1838. He stopped for a time in Chi- cago, and arrived in Rockford in December of the same year. Mr. Robertson studied law in Rockford and at Madison, Wis., was admitted to the bar, and was a prominent practitioner for some years. In 1848 Mr. Robertson and Jolin A. Holland opened the first banking house in Rockford in a building adjoining the European Hotel site on West State street. From that time he gradually abandoned the practice of law, and devoted his attention to banking and real es- tate. Mr. Robertson was a leader in the move- ment to secure the extension of the Galena & Chicago Union railroad to Rockford. He had

charge of the collection of the subscriptions to the capital stock in Boone, Winnebago and Ogle counties. Mr. Robertson continuously resided in Rockford for sixty-three years. No other person was as prominent in its business circles for so long a time. The church and Christian education always received his finan- cial support. He was a trustee of Beloit Col- lege and Rockford College. His career was signalized by strict integrity and exceptional business ability. Ilis children are : William T. Robertson, president of the Winnebago National Bank, and Mrs. David N. Starr. Mr. Robertson died February 4, 1902.

Deacon Ira W. Baker arrived on Rock River, October 6, 1838, on Saturday, at sundown, with his family of eight, from a grandmother of sev- enty to a babe of four. At half past ten the next morning all went over the hill a mile away to attend church, at the house of Mr. Batch- elder. It was a double log house of two rooms. The door between the rooms was the pulpit. The Rev. Hiram Foote preached. No scene could better depict the early sabbath in church, Organ and choir, long-drawn aisle and fretted vault waft no truer praise. The soft sky and the air of the Indian summer, silent woods of gorgeous hues, the reverent worshipers, strangers in form but kindred in heart, the solemn and touching service, and the polite and tender greetings and farewells were home and church to the true and earnest pioneers.

Edward H. Baker, a son of Deacon Ira Baker, was born in Ferrisburg, Vt., April 5, 1828, and when ten years of age came with his father to Winnebago County. Mr. Baker received his edu- cation at Knox College and Illinois College at Jacksonville. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and at one time was in partnership with his father-in-law, Jason Marsh. Upon the organization of the Rockford & Kenosha Rail- road, Mr. Baker was chosen secretary of the company. He was elected mayor of Rockford in 1866, and served one year. At the time of his death Mr. Baker was a director of the pub- lic library. His death occurred January 26, 1897. The Circuit court, which was then in session, adjourned, out of respect to his memory. Hon. Charles A. Works pronounced a eulogy, and the bar attended his funeral in a body. Mr. Baker excelled as a toastmaster. He was a thorough student, and acquired a large and varied fund of information. IIe was an au-

658

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

thority upon Masonic matters, and iu colonial and local history. Henry N. Baker, another sou of Deacon Baker, was also a native of Ferrisburg, Vt. For many years he was engaged in the real estate aud loan business iu East Rockford. Mr. Baker was for some time presi- deut of the board of education. He removed from the city in 1899.

ENTERPRISING BUSINESS MEN.

David S. Penfield was the first of three brothers to settle in Rockford. He was a na- tive of Pittsfield, Vt., and was born in 1812. Mr. Penfield and the late Shepherd Leach were schoolboys together in their native place, and the friendship then formed continued through life. Together they emigrated to Michigan, where they remained a short time, and then continued their journey on horseback to Illi- nois, and came to Rockford in 1838 by way of Dixon. There was then no stable currency. Large numbers of private banks furnished a cur- rency of more or less value, and each state had its own issues. The exchange of money in traveling from state to state was therefore at- tended with not a little difficulty, and consider- able risk. The unsettled country was infested with baudits, and travelers were never sure, when seeking entertainment for the night, whether they would escape the snare of the fowler. Mr. Penfield and Mr. Leach adopted a rule that is very suggestive. Whenever they came to the house of a settler where flowers were cultivated, there they concluded they would be safe. Upon their arrival iu Rockford, Mr. Penfield and Mr. Leach purchased a large tract of land on the West side. They were also in mercantile business on the site of 322 East State street, and there employed the first tinner in Rockford. Their stock included hardware, groceries and other lines, and invoiced about $3,000. Mr. Penfield formed a partnership with his brother, John G., in the real estate and loan business ; and subsequently became a mem- ber of the banking firm of Briggs, Spafford & Penfield, which was merged into the Third National Bank. He died May 20, 1873, at the age of sixty-one years. Some years ago Mrs. Penfield gave the site to the Young Men's Chris- tian Association on which its splendid building was erected. Their children were : Mrs. Henry

Robinson, deceased ; Mrs. C. R. Mower, of Rock- ford; and Mrs. Stephen A. Norton.

Shepherd Leach, to whom reference is made in the preceding paragraph, was an extensive landowner, and amassed a large estate. Mr. Leach was gifted with keen business sagacity, and was successful in nearly every enterprise. He had' an extended acquaintance amoug busi- ness men ; was straightforward in his dealings ; and withal, was a mau who possessed many qualities worthy of emulation. Mr. Leach died July 9, 1885. Mrs. Edgar E. Bartlett, Mrs. J. B. Whitehead and Mrs. W. L. Frisbie are daugh- ters. The late Mrs. Frauk Waxham was also a daughter.

Willard Wheeler came from St. Thomas, Up- per Canada, in September, 1839. He was the second tinner in the town. Mr. Wheeler was a brother of Solomon Wheeler. He built the house on South First street where Mrs. Julia A. Littlefield resided. To Mr. Wheeler belonged the honor of being the first mayor of Rockford. He died April 24, 1876.

The Cunningham brothers were among the last survivors of that early period. Samuel Cunningham was born August 15, 1815, iu Peter- boro, Hillsboro County, N. H. This was Daniel Webster's county, and where he and his brother Ezekiel practiced law. Mr. Cunning- ham heard Mr. Webster deliver an oration, and voted for him for president in 1836. Mr. Cun- ningham came to this county in the spring of 1839. His active life was devoted to agriculture. He served one term as county commissioner. Mr. Cunningham died September 28, 1902. His brother, William Cunningham, came to Rock- ford iu the spring of 1838. He spent much of the intervening time on the Pacific coast, but later lived a retired life in Rockford. The writer is indebted to these brothers for valu- able historical information. Another brother, Beujamin Frankliu Cunningham, preceded Sam- uel to Rockford in the spring of the same year. He owned a beautiful home below the city, on a rise of ground which commands an extended northern and southeru view of the river. A fourth brother, Isaac Newton Cunningham, pre- viously noted, came to Rockford at an earlier date.

Joel B. Potter was born in Fairfield Couuty, Conn., in 1810. From there the family removed to Orleans County, N. Y. He received a col- legiate education and prepared himself for the

659

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Presbyterian ministry, but his health failed and lie never resumed this calling. In 1839 he came to this county, where his brothers Herman B. and Eleazer had preceded him. He carried on a farm for some years, and was subsequently & engaged in the drug business on East State street. He conducted the store alone for a time, and later with his son-in-law, J. F. Harding, as a partner, until the death of Mr. Harding, in 1867, when Mr. Potter retired from business. Mr. Potter and his family were members of Westminster Presbyterian church. Mr. Potter died November 30, 1880. Mrs. Caroline A. Bra- zee, Mrs. E. S. Gregory and Miss Frances D. Potter, of Rockford, and Mrs. Harriet J. Hard- . ing, of St. Joseph, Mo., are daugliters.

The Herrick family came from eastern Massa- chusetts in 1838-39. Elijah L. Herrick, Sr., and three sons, Ephraim, Elijah L., Jr., and William, arrived in Rockford in 1838; and the following year there came three sons, Georgc, Edward, and Samuel, and four daughters, Phoebe, Sarah, Martha, and Hannah. About 1849 the father of the family built a cobblestone housc, which was a familiar landmark on Fourteenth avenue. The Herrick family, though typical New Eng .. land people, possess one interesting trait pecu- liar to the Scottish clans. It is said this en- tire family, with one exception, lived in the vicinity of Rockford for forty years, within such distance that all could come togetlier in a few hours' notice. This remarkable fact is seldom paralleled when the size of the family is considered. The father died May 18, 1852; the motlier, March 28, 1876; Phoebe, July 13, 1854 ; Saralı, January 21, 1885 ; William, Febru- ary 13, 1885 ; Ephraim, January 7, 1888 ; Martha, July 18, 1898. Edward died near Newell, Iowa, September 15, 1899. While a resident of this county he lived on a farm in Cherry Valley Township. He removed to Iowa in 1880, and settled on a farm, where he died.

E. L. Herrick was born at Andover, Mass., September 30, 1820. Mrs. Herrick, previous to her marriage, was a teacher in Rock- ford Seminary. She came in September, 1852. and taught three years. Their children werc: Elizabeth L., Charles E. and Frank J. Mrs. William Marshall was a daughter of Mr. Her- rick. The death of Mr. Herrick occurred Feb- ruary 26, 1912. Samuel Herrick was only four years of age when his parents camc to this county, and he has continuously resided here

since that time. He is the last survivor of his father's family, and is believed to be (1915) the oldest resident of Rockford, having lived here seventy-six years. - His daughters, Hattie and Clara M., are teachers in the Rockford schools.

The three Spafford brothers came to Rockford in 1839, in company with their brother-in-law, Jason Marsh. Their father was Dr. John Spať- ford. The eldest son, Charles H. Spafford, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., January 6, 1819. He was educated at Castleton, Vt. He had chosen the profession of the law, but his decision to conc west changed his plans in life. Mr. Spafford performed a conspicuous part in the development of the city, and held the offices of postmaster, circuit clerk and recorder. He was president of the Kenosha & Rockford Rail- road Company. Mr. Spafford, in company with his brother John, and John Hall, built Metro- politan Hall block. The stores and offices were owned separately and the hall was held in common. Mr. Spafford also, with others, built the block now known as the Chick House. Al- though Mr. Spafford made a large amount of money, he sustained reverses of fortune. When tlie banking house of Spafford, Clark & Ellis went into liquidation, he paid all the liabilities of the firm, which were $45,000. Mr. Spafford's splendid service in the early struggles of Rock- ford College will be noted in the chapter de- voted to that subject. On March 8, 1842, Mr. Spafford was united in marriage with Miss Abby Warren, and in 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Spafford cele- brated their golden wedding. Their children were: Mrs. Carrie S. Brett, deceased; Mrs. Charles H. Godfrey, and Charles H. Spafford, Jr., deceased. Mr. Spafford died in September, 1892, at the age of seventy-three years. Mrs. Spafford died in July, 1901.

Amos Catlin Spafford was born September 14, 1824, in Adams, Jefferson County, N. Y. After he came west he followed farming in this county until 1848. About a year later he was interested in a sawmill on the old water-power on the East side. In 1850 he went to California, where he remained two years. About 1854 he became a member of the banking firm of Briggs, Spafford & Penfield. Upon the organization of the Third National Bank in 1864, Mr. Spafford became its president, and held this position thirty-three years, until his death In 1876 he was one of the state commissioners at the cen-

660

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

tennial exposition. Mr. Spafford died suddenly at Adams, New York, while on a vacation, Au- gust 22, 1897. Mrs. Spafford died May 22, 1898. Their children were: Mrs. J. W. Archibald, de- ceased ; Miss Jessie I. Spafford ; George C. Spaf- ford, president of the Third National Bank ; and Mrs. Nellie Staggers.

John Spafford was born November 26, 1821. During his long life in Rockford he was en- gaged successively in farming, grocery, and grain and Inmber trade. In 1856 he became the general agent of the Rockford & Kenosha Rail- road company. Until within two years of his deatlı, Mr. Spafford was president of the Rock- ford Wire Works Company and the Rockford Suspender Company ; he was also interested in manufacturing a lubricating oil, and in a plan- ing-mill. Mr. Spafford died December 5, 1897. His manner was ever gracions toward all sorts and conditions of men.

MORE FAMILIAR NAMES.

Phineas Howes was a native of New York. and was born September 25, 1817. He came to Rockford in 1839, and in that year erected a small honse on East State street. Mr. Howes was a carpenter and joiner, and followed his frade for many years and for about fifteen years was a partner with John Lake in the lumber trade. He purchased a tract of land in Cherry Valley Township. By strict attention to busi- ness, Mr. Howes accumulated gnite a large es- fate. His death occurred October 11, 1894. Mrs. C. II. Woolsey was a daughter. Mrs. Howes was a sister of the late IIarris Barnum. She died December 10, 1877.

William Worthington was born at Enfield, Conn., July 5, 1813, came to Rockford in the spring of 1838, and abont 1840 bnilt a brick black- smith's shop on the sonthwest corner of State and First streets, where the Mannfacturers' Na- tional bank now stands. Later he built a one story wagon shop on the same lot, about the same size, of wood. This was the first wagon shop on the East side. There were then no other buildings on those corners. Mr. Worthington was the next blacksmith on the East side, after William Penfield, and was probably the fonrth in the village. About 1842 Mr. Worthington formed a partnership with IIosea D. Searles, and opened a drug store. This was the found- ing of the business now carried on by Worth-

ington & Slade. Mr. Searles had come from Connecticut the year before, and was familiarly known as "Doc." Mr. Worthington's children are : Miss Jnlia, William, Frank, and Charles. His death occurred April 11, 1886.

Laomi Peake, Sr., a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., emigrated from St. Thomas, Up- per Canada, to Rockford, in September, 1839. He was one of the few pioneers who bronght ready capital. He came with about $5,000 in money, which was a princely sum for that time. Mr. Peake was the first person who made a harness in Rockford, although a man preceded him who did repairing. Mr. Peake purchased the northeast corner lot on First and State streets, 66 feet front on First street, by 156 feet on State street, for $100, and erected a brick building 22 by 35 feet, with two stories and a basement, at a cost of $1,500. The corner of this lot is now occupied by Jackson & Hallock's drug store. In 1852 he completed a second brick block on the same site, and finished a hall on the third floor, at a total expense of about $8,000. Peake's hall was the first public hall in Rockford. This block was destroyed by fire in November, 1857, and the side and rear walls were left standing. The corner store was oc- enpied at the time by C. A. Huntington and Robert Barnes, as a book-store. Elisha A. Kirk and Anthony Haines purchased the property in the antnmn of 1858, and rebuilt the block the following year. In 1841 Mr. Peake bnilt the small brick house directly west of the Anthony Haines residence on the same lot, where seven of his twelve children were born. In 1856 he luilt the substantial stone house which was fo: many years the residence of Mr. Haines. Mr. Peake died November 8, 1891, at the age of eighty-fonr years.

William Hnlin was a native of Salem, Mass., and settled in Rockton Township in 1837 or '38. He was chosen a justice. of the peace August 5, 1839, and from that time he was con- tinnally in the public service. He resigned from the office of clerk of the County court a few days before his death, which occurred Deceni- ber 10, 1869. In the carly forties he removed to Rockford. His home in this city was the residence of Dr. Henry Richings, on North Main street. In 1855 he married the widow of Mer- rill 'E. Mack. Mr. Hnlin was a high-minded gentleman, in whom those who knew him best placed perfect confidence. He edited a work on

Simon ? Best of Wife

661

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

school law, with forms, which was of value to teachers.

Daniel Barnum was born in 1778 in New York. In 1838, with his wife and six children, he came to Winnebago County, and purchased 160 acres of land in Cherry Valley Township. He died at Rockford November 8, 1870, at the age of ninety-two years. Harris Barnum, son of Daniel Barnum, was born in Danbury, Conn., Septem- ber 8, 1819, and came with his father to Rock- ford in 1838. His early manhood was spent on his father's farm; in 1866 he engaged in the shoe business in Rockford with the late Daniel Miller, but soon sold his interest. From 1870 to 1874 he was associated with Duncall Ferguson, Jr., in the real estate and loan busi- ness. In 1874 Mr. Barnum was one of the organizers of the Forest City Insurance Com- pany, of which he served as treasurer until incapacitated by illness. Mr. Barnum held the offices of alderman and supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Barnum had five children, two of whom are living : Mrs. A. G. Parmele and Mrs. Ralph Thompson. Mr. Barnum died February 26, 1899, in his eightieth year.

Horace Miller was a native of Berkshire County, Mass., was born in 1798 and came to this county in 1839, and settled on a large tract of land near the mouth of the Kishwaukee River, which in an early day was known as the Terrace farm. At one time lie owned 1,250 acres. From 1850 to 1852 Mr, Miller repre- sented this county in the state legislature. He resided on his farm until about 1861, when he came to Rockford and lived a retired life until his death August 5, 1864. Mr. Miller was father of William H. Miller, a well known cit- izen. Mrs. Caroline Brown, widow of Judge William Brown, is a daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. John Benjamin came from Canada in 1839, and settled in Guilford Town- ship. Mr. Benjamin's step-daughter, Mrs. Sarah A. Cook, had the distinction of being the first matron of Rockford Seminary, and served in this capacity from 1849 to 1852. The students were served with meals in a frame structure directly opposite the first seminary building, on the east side of North First street.

OTHER PIONEERS.

Among the other pioneers of 1838 were: Al- fred P. Mather, William Hamilton, Levi Mon-

roe, and Richard Marsh. In 1839 there came Courtland Mandeville, Frederick Charlie, Thad- deus Davis, Sr., Stephen Crilley, D. Bierer, Chester Hitchcock, John Bull, H. Hudson. Others who came previous to 1840 were: Syl- vester Scott, James Gilbert, Artemas Hitch- cock, John W. Dyer, Samuel C. Fuller, Newton. Crawford, Jonathan Hitchcock, Dr. D. Goodrich, Hollis H. Holmes, Stephen Gilbert, and Bel; Sla w. Judge Shaw died suddenly May 31, 1865. Five brothers, Thomas, William, John, Robert and Benjamin Garrett, with their par- ents, settled in Guilford Township. Thomas lied January 20, 1900. He was a Manxman, born on the Isle of Man, February 11, 1827.

SETTLERS IN THE FORTIES.

The winter of 1842-43 is known in local history as "the hard winter." Its first snow-fall began November 7, 1842, and con- tinued until the 10th. Much suffering ensued from the extreme cold, the scarcity of food for stock, and the loss of many cattle from hunger and cold by reason of the scarcity of barns and sheds for protection. The country was new ; the settlements were sparse; and it was often mniles across the dreary stretch of snow-covered prairie between settlements. Many of the houses of the settlers were poor and open, without a tree or shrub to protect them from wind and snow. During this "hard winter" the snow averaged 30 inches in depth. It fell before the ground had frozen, and lay in such- a body that the ground did not freeze at all, except in occa- sional places. The snow drifted to a height even with the top of the rail fences, and then froze so hard that it bore horses and cattle on its surface. During that winter great slaughter was made among the deer. The dogs, borne by the frozen snow, caught such numbers that the forests were cleared of them.

Anson S. Miller was a prominent lawyer and politician half a century ago. He was elected state senator in 1846, was postmaster of Rock- ford under appointment of President Lincoln, and probate judge from 1857 to 1865. Judge Miller was one of the presidential electors in 1864, and was chosen by the electoral college to carry the vote of Illinois to Washington. Judge Miller was one of the old-school char- acters, dignified, slightly pompous, with a fund of good stories which he could relate ad libitum,

662

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Judge Miller died January 7, 1891, at Santa Cruz., Cal. For twenty years preceding his death he had resided in that state.

Cyrus F. Miller, a brother of Judge Miller, was born near Rome, N. Y., came to Winnebago County in 1840, and was for many years a well known member of the local bar, and a justice of the peace. He removed to Chicago in 1871, directly after the great fire, and prac- ticed law in that city until 1876, when he re- turned to Rockford. His death occurred June 4, 1890, at Beatrice, Neb., and his remains were brought to Rockford for burial. Mr. Miller was about seventy-five years of age. Luther L. Miller, an attorney in Chicago, is a son, and Mrs. Israel Shoudy, of Rockford, is a daughter. Asher Miller, another brother, later a resident of California, was also an early settler. The father and three sons came to Rockford about the same time.

Orrin Miller came to Rockford in 1843, and engaged in the practice of law. He was a bril- liant and able attorney. Mr. Miller married a daughter of Willard Wheeler. About 1871 he removed to the Pacific coast. His death oc- curred at Pomona, Cal., near Los Angeles, ill February, 1891. He was about seventy years of age. His remains were brought to Rockford for interment. Mr. Miller was a cousin of Mrs. William Brown.

Another early lawyer of the village was Grant B. Udell. His name is occasionally found on old legal documents; but he seems not to have been generally remembered.

Daniel Dow was a native of Perthshire, Scotland. He came to Rockford in 1841, and opened a boot and shoe store, and later carried a general stock of merchandise. He purchased goods at St. Louis, and his first trip to that city was made by team to Galena, thence by the Mississippi to his destination. Mr. Dow continued in business until 1859, when he re- tired and traveled extensively. Upon his return to Rockford he began dealing in grain. Mr. Dow served the Third Ward as alderman for six years. He was the owner of the valuable Dow block on South Main street.

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 9

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