USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Rockford > History of Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois, from the first settlement in 1834 to the civil war > Part 24
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We have very pleasant recollections of the Congregational church, a building forty feet square, on the corner of Church and Green streets, which was then attended by all the Congre. gationalists and Presbyterians on both sides of the river, as well as by many Unitarians. The New York friends of Kent and Brinckerhoff, who principally furnished the funds for the erec- tion of the little church, knew but little of its power for good in laying the foundations of a prosperous Christian community. The attendance there embraced all the church-goers except the Baptists and Methodists. Let us go down to the ferry-boat Sunday morning, and see who come across the river. Among our acquaintances who attend this church are: Charles Works and family, James Works, Peter B. Johnson and James B. Johnson and their families, Gabriel Dunning and family, Dea- con Ira Baker and family, Alfred P. Mather, Horace Foote, William E. Dunbar, Jason Marsh, Volney A. Marsh, James M. Wight, Charles H. Spafford, John Spafford, E. H. Potter, Her- man Potter, Joel B. Potter, Asa Crosby, B. G. Wheeler, Dr. A.
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
M. Catlin, and their families ; the Herrick family, Lewis Gregory, Judge Bela Shaw, William P. Dennis, Anson Barnum, Henry Silsby, Mr. Tinker, and H. Burrows and family The statement was made some time ago that the first church bell used in Rockford was placed on the Presbyterian church. I do not know of any such bell; but I do know that Rev. Mr. Norton, who preceded Rev. William Curtis in the Congregational church, brought a bell and had it placed and used in that church. When he left, the church did not purchase it, and he took it away. I also know of a Meneely bell, weighing six hundred and forty pounds, which I purchased in New York. This was for the brick Congregational church on the corner of First and Walnut streets.
On North Main street a brick blacksmith's shop stood on the site of Louck's restaurant, occupied by Stephen Skinner, a good blacksmith, a man of strict integrity, and a deacon in the Congregational church. His residence was just north of the shop. On the west side of Main street, at the north end of the Winnebago House, Cyrus F. and Anson S. Miller had a law office. They were good lawyers. Anson S. was quite promi- nent as a politician. Adjoining their office, in the same build- ing, Isaac Andrus had a small store. He was quite an active man in the First Baptist church. Where the Presbyterian church now stands, Michael Burns, a tailor, resided. He was always posted in the news of the town, attended closely to his business, and was active in church work. Near by was Austin Colton's residence, which may now be seen just north of the Presbyterian church. He was editor and proprietor of the Rockford Forum, a good weekly paper for the time, creditable to himself and to the village. On the north side of North street was John Beattie's residence, where his family still resides. Main street ended at William A. Talcott's residence. A road ran east about a block, then north, following about that distance from the river, to the entrance of Dr. Haskell's residence, front- ing the river, now occupied by George Forbes. He selected the highest part of this ground, which slopes to the west, south and east. There were no buildings to obstruct, and it was a beau- tiful view, surrounded with an orchard of thrifty fruit trees. Apples were in great variety, early and late, and pears, peaches and plums just coming into bearing. I think it extended to Court street, and north to Fisher avenue. The Doctor was closely identified with the interests of the town. He had a fair
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ATTEMPT AT SILK CULTURE.
medical practice, from which he was retiring. It was the cus- tom to be very generous in doses of medicine. His hand-made pills assured his patients that he had not called simply for a visit, As there were no dentists, the only remedy for aching, decayed teeth was to extract them, and that with turnkeys. All physicians were experts in this line of torture. The memory of experience in that line is not at all effaced by years. I made a friendly call at the house, and found Mrs. Haskell and her daughter preparing and knitting silk stockings for themselves. Silkworms had been fed from mulberry leaves grown on their own trees, and the silk wound and twisted from their cocoons. The daughter is the mother of Dr. F. H. and Willis Kimball. The family, were genuine New Englanders, industrious and economi- cal. There had been quite an excitement over growing mulberry trees, for ornamental, shade and fruit trees, and silk culture. They made a quick growth, but did not prove a profitable investment. .
Following the river road from the Beattie grounds north. near the river bank, was a beautiful boulevard, of which we would be proud today. The next house was near T. D. Robert- son's residence. Continuing north on Main street, was a house occupied by James Taylor, an industrious farmer. He did express work about town occasionally, with his oxen and cart. Farther north, on the line of Harlem avenue, near Auburn street, was a large two-story building, erected for a hotel by Charles Reed, who was so confident that the State road from Chicago to Galena would cross the river at this point, that he not only put up the hotel, but had a full section of land laid off into blocks and lots, and called his village Winnebago. In his opinion, it was a very unwise thing when the state road was laid across the river at Rockford. About the 20th of October we had a heavy snowstorm. We fitted up a lumber wagon box on a sleigh, took in a jolly company of young ladies and gen- tlemen, and had a genuine enjoyable sociable, or "sewing soci- ety," as it was then called, at the Reed house.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
THE SOCIAL LIFE OF ROCKFORD IN THE EARLY FORTIES.
THE aristocracy of a community is always founded upon what its people believe to be the chief good. Whenever the emphasis is placed upon noble family descent, the aristoc- racy is founded upon blood. If intellectual culture is the sum- mum bonum, the charmed circle will be composed of artists, poets and literati. When money is considered the first object of pursuit, wealth will be the basis of aristocracy. In the social life of ancient Rome, the patricians were the descendants of the first settlers. From that day to this aristocracy has rested in a measure upon good birth. The fact that a man is well born is accepted as a letter of credit the wide world over.
The "open sesame" to good society in the early days of Rockford was not noble blood, nor culture, nor wealth. If any aristocracy had developed, it rested upon common respecta- bility. The society of Rockford from fifty to sixty years ago was of the highest class. It was characterized by a delightful Arcadian simplicity. The settlers were not burdened with the care of large houses, and costly furniture, and expensive ward- robes. The axiom that one might as well be out of the world as out of fashion was the invention of a later date. It was not considered good form for a lady to make a formal afternoon call when she might suppose that the lady of the house would be absent, and leave her card with the maid, with solemn pro- testations of regret that the lady of the house was not at home. In fact, there were no domestics ; hence the servant girl problem did not threaten domestic tranquility and the general welfare. Instead of a large number of calls in an afternoon, friends would make an afternoon and evening visit. Gentlemen were allowed at these functions. Meetings for benevolent purposes were held at private houses, and substantial refreshments were served which the guests could eat. Societies were then founded which still have an existence. Hospitality was of the true and genu- ine sort. A walk of two or three miles did not require much
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NOTABLE WEDDINGS.
effort, although there were no sidewalks nor street lamps. A hand lantern, brilliantly illuminated with a candle or oil lamp, and cheerful company, would dispel the most dense Egyptian darkness. Sometimes a little company would go in lumber wagons three to five miles into the country for a rehearsal of church music with a friend. The music and the social converse were alike enjoyable. Literary entertainments were occasion- ally given at the court house.
Weddings were not of very frequent occurrence; but they were the large social gatherings, and the invitations were quite general. The marriage of M. H. Regan and Miss Louisa Dewey occurred in 1845. He invited the young people to a wedding supper at the American House in Belvidere. They made quite an attractive appearance, writes Mr. Dickerman, as they started in their private conveyance. There were no top buggies or carriages in Rockford at that time.
The wedding of Charles H. Spafford and Miss Abby Warren was solemnized March 8, 1842, at the residence of Jason Marsh. The Rockford Pilot says the party was large and bril- liant. The bride had come to Rockford in the autumn of 1841, to keep house for her brother, Edward Warren, the second post- master of the village. Mr. Warren had built the upright part of the present residence of Dr. Lichty, on the corner of Third and Walnut streets. It was built of brick, and entirely finished in black walnut. Mrs. Spafford's father, Joseph Warren, was a son of Dr. John Warren, who was surgeon-general in Wash- iagton's army, and a brother of General Joseph Warren, who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. Mrs. Spafford's father received his education at Cambridge. His death occurred when his daughter was five years of age. Mrs. Spafford was also descended from Governor John Collins, the last colonial governor of Rhode Island. She was educated in the east and upon her settlement in Rockford she became prominent in the social life of the village. Her religious sympathies have always been with the Unitarian church.
May 20, 1845, Selden M. Church and Mrs. Mary Preston were united in marriage. Mr. Thurston gives this incident in his Reminiscences: "At one p. m. sharp that day, I drove up to the front of the Rockford House with 'Black Lucy,' the hand- somest horse in the town, hitched in the shafts of an open buggy with wood axles, basswood dash, seat upholstered with a buffalo- robe, and clean harness-the best in town-from the livery of
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
Tyler & Thurston, which equipage I had in charge for the occa- sion, and handed the reins to the Judge. He wasfollowed as he drove off by the benedictions of the assembly. We had no shoes to throw after them, as they were required for personal use, and rice had not yet come into vogue; but God-bless-yous and our best wishes did follow in the wake of the disappearing vehicle."
Isaiah Lyon and Mary Hitchcock were married March 31, 1841. The bride's father was Jonathan Hitchcock. He had recently built the brick house at 111 North First street, now occupied by E. S. Tebbetts as a residence and dental rooms. The bridal party were given a charivari. This is of French origin, and is said to have been introduced into the west by the settlers of that nationality at Kaskaskia.
There was considerable social intercourse between Rockford and the neighboring towns. The settlers of Belvidere and Rock- ford were of the same general class. Prof. Whitman, who was a stated supply at one time in one of the local pulpits, was widely known as a Baptist clergyman and educator. Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. R. S. Molony, also of Belvidere, were nieces of Miss Matilda Hoffman, the young lady to whom Washington Irving was engaged. She died in April, 1809, at the age of eighteen. By way of a digression it may be said that Irving slept with her Bible and prayer-book under his pillow, and they were his inseparable companions. His devotion to her memory caused him to remain a bachelor. In his private note-book he wrote: "She died in the beauty of her youth, and in my memory she will ever be young and beautiful." In St. Mark's Eve, in Bracebridge Hall, he plaintively says: "There are departed beings whom I have loved as I never again shall love in this world-who have loved me as I never again shall be loved !" Miss Hoffman died in the arms of Rebecca Gratz, a beautiful Jewess of Philadelphia. Irving visited Sir Walter Scott in 1817 ; and upon the strength of his vivid description of this lady, Sir Walter made her the heroine of Ivanhoe, Rebecca, the most romantic creation of female character that theauthor ever con- ceived.
Dr. Molony represented his district in congress from 1851 to 1853, as a Democrat. Chicago was then included in that district. Senator and Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas were occasional guests at the Molony home, which was a social centre in the neighboring village.
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SOCIETY LEADERS.
Mr. and Mrs. Abiram Morgan were leaders in social circles. Mrs. Morgan was one whom everybody esteemed. Her kindness, ready sympathy, genuine hospitality and superior housekeep- ing made her log-house as a palace-home, where all loved to visit; and the genius of the place remained to the third gen- eration. Their grandchildren are Mrs. Underwood and Mrs. Ogden, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Horsman. A third daughter died when a child, and was buried in a corner of the homestead grove, where her grave could be seen for many years. The remains were finally removed to the West side cemetery. A grandson of Mr. Ilorsman has developed literary talent, and he has written articles for the magazines, which have been pub- lished during the past year.
Mrs. Spafford says that among her first acquaintances were Mr. and Mrs. John W. Taylor. In their home was the essence of hospitality. Mr. Taylor was always the courtly and attent- ive host, and Mrs. Taylor lent a charm to whatever place she occupied by the sweetness and grace of her manner. Mr. Taylor is now residing in New York City. His sister was the first Mrs. T. D. Robertson.
James Mitchell was one of nature's noblemen. There were Francis Burnap, the ancient bachelor and astute lawyer, with his wig, which never quite covered the natural hair ; Judge Shaw, an old-school gentleman; and David Penfield, whom many remem- ber with respect. The three Potter brothers and their families left their impress upon the community until this day. The kindly nature and ready sympathy of Mrs. Alden Thomas endeared her to all her friends. Volney Marsh, with his tuning- fork and an old-fashioned singing-book, with which he kept time, was a familiar figure in the singing-gallery. "Brad" McKenney was quite a prominent character in those days. It has been said he was heard more in public than any other man in the community. He was known far and wide for his kindness of heart, and he would leave his business to nurse the sick when- ever his services were needed.
The Sanford brothers, Albert, Robert, and Goodyear Asa, were representative society men. Robert died November 22, 1871, at Virginia City, Montana, aged fifty years. Mrs. A. C. Spafford, the first Mrs. John Spafford and Mrs. I. N. Cunning- ham were sisters. Mrs. W. P. Dennis was a fine housekeper and a lady of refinement. Shepherd Leach was popular in social circles. Rev. William S. Curtis, pastor of the First Congrega-
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
tional church, was highly esteemed. His wife was Miss Martha Leach, a sister of Shepherd Leach. Jason Marsh was the "Beau" Brummell of his day. Rev. Lansing Porter had a wide personal acquaintance.
There was a scarcity of young society, and young ladies were at a premium. A well known young man of the village went quite a distance into the country to call upon some young ladies. The old gentleman, their father, arose from his chair at nine o'clock and announced that he was the last person up in the house, and that it was his time to retire.
Whatever may have been the differences between the East and West sides in business affairs, in the social life of the com- munity there were no two sides of the river. A common feeling of sympathy made them one people. H. H. Waldo comments in this wise upon Rockford society in the forties and fifties : "Society was free from artificial distinctions. The pioneer days were the red-letter days of my life. I would like to live them over again. There was a more fraternal feeling among men in the same line of business. Competition was not so strong. The popular amusements were instructive as well as entertaining."
The larger number of social distinctions are natural rather than artificial. Friendships are formed upon the basis of social affinity, which is as truly a natural law as chemical affinity. The public ball was one of the popular amusements among a class of residents of the olden time. These balls were usually held at the Rockford House, the Washington House, or the Winnebago House. Christmas and New Year's were usually chosen for these events. Guests came from considerable distance. At a "union" ball held at the Winnebago House, January 22, 1845, managers were elected from Rockford, Whig Hill, Beloit, Ros- coe, Belvidere, Cleveland, Byron, Grand Detour, Oregon, Dixon, and Charleston. The sporting element has been admirably portrayed by Mr. Thurston, in his Reminiscences. They have the genuine flavor of an interesting phase of life in a new com- munity. Hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes. Barn- raisings were seasons of social interest as well as of mutual helpfulness. Occasionally a marriage would be followed by a charivari, which, happily, has become obsolete in civilized com- munities.
CHAPTER XLIX.
PREDOMINANCE OF THE NEW ENGLAND TYPE IN EARLY ROCKFORD.
EMERSON observes that an institution is the lengthened shadow of one man; as, the Reformation of Luther; Meth- odism, of Wesley; and that all history resolves itself into the biography of a few stout and earnest persons. Thus, he says, "events grow on the same stem with persons ; are sub.persons." The larger number of the early settlers of Rockford came from New England. Some emigrated from New York and other states, but the New England element predominated. These pioneers impressed their personality upon this community, and it has remained until this day. The New Englanders, in their native home, were a homogeneous race; even the Chinese were scarcely more so. With the exception of a few Huguenot families, who came from the old world at the close of the seventeenth century, and who, from religious sympathy and other causes, were easily grafted on the primeval vine, they were all descend- ants of English stock.
Industry, thrift, and a high sense of personal honor are prominent traits in the typical son of New England. Soil and climate determine in some measure the character of a people. The rocky soil of New England required the husbandman to practice the virtue of industry. In a speech given at a dinner of the Pilgrim Society in Plymouth, in 1855, Wendell Phillips gave this unique characterization of the Puritans: "How true it is that the Puritans originated no new truth ! How true itis, also, Mr. President, that it is not truth which agitates the world. Plato in the groves of the Academy sounded on and on to the utmost depth of philosophy, but Athens was quiet. Calling around him the choicest minds of Greece, he pointed out the worthlessness of their altars and the sham of public life, but Athens was quiet,-it was all speculation. When Socrates walked the streets of Athens, and, questioning every-day life, struck the altar till the faith of the passer-by faltered, it came close to ACTION, and immediately they gave him hemlock, for the city was turned upside down. Imight find a better illustra-
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
tion in the streets of Jerusalem. What the Puritans gave the world was not thought, but ACTION. Europe had ideas, but she was letting 'I dare not wait upon I would,' like the cat in the adage. The Puritans, with native pluck, launched out into the deep sea. Men, who called themselves thinkers, had been creep- ing along the Mediterranean, from headland to headland, in their timidity ; the Pilgrims launched boldly out into the Atlan- tic, and trusted God. That is the claim they have upon pos- terity. It was ACTION that made them what they were."
That which is purchased at the greatest cost is usually the most highly treasured; and thus the industrious farmer and artisan became frugal. It was a point of honor with a true New Englander to maintain his family and pay his debts. This he could not do except by a persevering industry, and a methodical and prudent management of his affairs. He must be economi- cal if he would be generous, or even just; for extravagance sooner or later weakens the sense of moral obligation. These traits of industry and thrift were pleasantly satirized many years ago by a southern writer, in the following paragraph : "We of the south are mistaken in the character of these people, when we think of them only as peddlers in horn flints and bark nutmegs. Their energy and enterprise are directed to all objects, great and small, within their reach. At the fall of a scanty rivulet, they set up their little manufactory of wooden buttons or combs; they plant a barren hillside with broomcorn, and make it into brooms at the bottom,-and on its top they erect a windmill. Thus, at a single spot, you may set the air, the earth and the water all working for them. But, at the same time, the ocean is whitened to its extremities with the sails of their ships, and the land is covered with their works of art and usefulness."
The early New Englanders have been charged with coldness and severity of manner. For an austere people, however, they have been easily enkindled with noble enthusiasms. There are certain traits prominent in their type of character, such as their love of order and the habit of self-control, which hasty observers have mistaken for tokens of a want of earnestness. But seldom, if ever, has there been a more sublime rage than was shown near Boston, in April, 1775, and for eight years thereafter. The accusation most frequently repeated against those stalwart people is that of religious intolerance. Christian charity, how- ever, has been a slow and painful evolution through the centu-
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THE NEW ENGLAND CHARACTER.
ries ; and the New Englander was buta sharer in the world-wide spirit of intolerance. Perhaps they held their spinal columns too rigidly erect, and carried their heads too high to view with tender sympathy the weak and sinful world about them. Nev- ertheless, they bore aloft the standard of righteousness before a lawless generation, and planted in the new world the seeds of patient, practical and self-denying morality. Their posterity have sold their birthright for the pottage of license and disre- gard of the moral law. Whatever of justice there may be in the strictures upon those ancient worthies, it may be observed that no Channing, nor Sumner, nor Garfield has ever been nurtured in the atmosphere of a Sunday beer-garden.
When Judah was in exile in Babylon, her prophet Ezekiel had a vision of a brighter day. "Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward; for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar." This river was primarily a symbol of the transformation that should be wrought in Canaan to make it a fit dwelling-place for the ransomed of the Lord who should return to Zion. A feature of Messianic prophecy is the promise of the renewal of nature and the reconstruction of society. In the prophet's vision, the stream of blessing proceeded from the temple of Jehovah ; and the virtue of its waters was received as they flowed by the altar of sacrifice. In the mind of the devout Hebrew, Jehovah was always to be found in his visible sanct- uary. The Lord was in his holy temple. So the institutions of an enlightened civilization have proceeded from the Christian church, through the sacrifice of the noble men and women of the past, who have served her with a lover's devotion. The early colleges of this land, with very few exceptions, were the offspring of the church, and consecrated by its prayers.
It could not be said that every settler of Rockford belonged to the highest class; but the determining force in the commu- nity came from those high ideals of culture and religion, and those habits of economy, industry, integrity and temperance which have made the true Englander a representative of the best elements in our civilization. It was ordained in the begin- ning that seed should bring forth fruit after its kind. It is none the less true in social and moral life. The moral status of a city or country as truly indicates the character of its pioneers, as
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
the rich, ripe fruit of the vineyard tells the secret of its seed and culture.
Hon. R. R. Hitt, in an address delivered in August, 1899, before the old settlers of Seward in this county, said the state- ment that the early settlers builded wiser than they knew, was a reflection upon their intelligence. He insisted that the pioneers knew what they were doing, and had some conception of the outcome. Certain it is that whatever Winnebago county is today, is directly traceable to their agency. They have been the architects of her institutions. They laid broad and deep the foundations of her industrial, educational, moral and religious interests, and from time to time they have superintended the superstructure. The large majority of this vanguard have ceased from their labors, and their works do follow them. As the few who remain behold the institutions of learning that have been reared in every town, and the resources provided for the humblest as well as for the strongest; as they look over the prairies reclaimed from barrenness and barbarism through their toil and privations; as they consider the various religious influences that are quietly softening and humanizing the moral nature, they have the satisfaction of knowing that they have not lived in vain.
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