USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Rockford > History of Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois, from the first settlement in 1834 to the civil war > Part 9
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In 1845 the legislature passed an act which provided as follows: "That it shall be'lawful for the county commissioners' court of the county of Boone, by an order to be entered upon the records of said court, to require the recorder of the county of Winnebago, and the clerk of the commissioners' court of said county, to transcribe into a book, to be provided for that pur. pose by the county commissioners' court of the said county of Boone, all records of said offices relating to the following de- scribed territory of land, to-wit: Sections six, seven, eighteen, nineteen, thirty and thirty-one, in each of the townships of forty-three, forty-four, forty-five and forty-six, in range three east of the third principal meridian."
This act referred to the mile-strip; and its provisions were faithfully executed. The county commissioners of Boone pro- vided the necessary books, and required the clerk and recorder of Winnebago county to transcribe therein all records and orders relating to the strip. When completed, this transcript was regularly certified and forwarded to the proper official in Boone, and placed among the recorded proceedings of its court. This transaction completed the record of the transfer for that county.
The first tax levy was ordered by the county commissioners' court, atits March term, 1837. One-half per cent. tax was levied on town lots, horses and mares, neat cattle above three years old, watches, carriages, and wagons, and a tax of one-fourth per
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
cent. on stock in trade. Through some technicality, this levy was declared illegal, and a second levy was made. At that time farm lands were not taxable. They were not placed upon the market at the land offices until two years later, and for three years thereafter they were exempt from taxation. It was not until 1842-43 that any county revenue was obtained from this source. The revenue required to meet the expense of the county until the lands became taxable was derived from assessments against personal property. Under this order the total amount levied was five hundred and sixty-two dollars and fifty-nine and one-half cents. Of this sum, two hundred and ninety-eight dollars and twenty-nine and one-half cents were assessed upon personal property; and two hundred and sixty-four dollars and thirty cents on lots in the town of Winnebago, owned by non-residents. At that time the assessment was made by the county treasurer, and the taxes were collected by the sheriff. R. J. Cross, the treasurer, consumed fifteen days in making this assessment. His compensation was thirty dollars, or two dol- lars per day. Hewas also allowed nine dollars and twenty-eight cents, for receiving and disbursing the taxes when collected. This commission was two per cent. on four hundred and sixty. four dollars, the amount actually collected.
The revenue law of February, 1839, changed the manner of assessing and collecting taxes. The county commissioners' courts were authorized to appoint one or more assessors, not exceeding one for each justice's district ; also a suitable person for collector. The Whig county convention of 1840 made nominations for county assessor and collector; but they must have been only as timely suggestions to the commissioners' court. An act of February, 1841, restricted the commissioners' courts to the appoinment of one assessor for the county. From 1838 to 1844, Goodyear A. Sanford collected all the taxes of the county, which aggregated from two hundred and thirty- seven to six hundred and forty dollars per annum during those years. These collections were made in part by virtue of his office of deputy sheriff, and the balance by special appointment. This system was superseded a few years later by the township organization law.
This chapter may properly close with a reference to the day of small things. The first frame building in Rockford was erected in 1836, by Sidney Twogood and Thomas Lake. It was a
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FIRST FRAME BUILDING.
story-and-a-half structure, and stood on the southwest corner of State and Madison streets, and faced east. It was first occupied as a general store by Harry W. Bundy and George Goodhue. The latter was a nephew of Dr. Goodhue. This firm continued in business there only about two years, and then removed to Beloit in the spring of 1838. Many years later this building was removed to the lot adjoining the railroad track on the same side of the street, where it remained until a few years ago, when a stone building was erected on the site. The second frame structure was built for Daniel S. Haight, on the northeast corner of State and Madison streets, and to which reference has already been made. While this building was in progress, however, Mr. Haight employed a force of carpenters in constructing a small frame dwelling house on lot nine of the same block. He lived in this as soon as it was enclosed. This was the first frame house in Rockford occupied by a family. Mr. Haight had vacated his first log house for the Miller family. James B. Martyn, who came from Alabama upon Mr. Haight's solicitation, claimed to have built the first frame house in the county, in 1836, on his claim on the State road, one mile east of the intersection of State and Third streets. Mr. Martyn died at Belvidere in 1881.
The first theatrical performance was given October 29, 1838, in the old Rockford House. The manager of the company was the elder Jefferson, father of the world-renowned Joseph Jefferson. "Joe" was buta youth, and acted in "Lord Lovell," then a new play. The company was weather-bound in Rockford while enroute from Chicago to Galena. The river was not pass- able by reason of heavy moving ice. The last time the famous impersonator of "Rip Van Winkle" was in Rockford he related this incident to a local reporter.
The first tailor in Rockford was William H. Tinker, who came from Massachusetts. He was in the village in 1836, but he did not consider the outlook very promising, and he left the field. In June, 1837, Parson King Johnson, from Brandon, Vermont, came to Rockford, and found Mr. Tinker's cutting board in the rear room of Bundy & Goodhue'sstore. Mr. Tinker returned to Rockford, and the firm of Tinker & Johnson became the first in that line in the village. The firm occupied the upper room in a building on the site of 111 South Madison street. Mr. Tinker is now living with a son at St. Paul, and is about eighty-six years of age. He visited Rockford last year. Mr.
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
Tinker is an uncle of Hon. Robert H. Tinker, and married Miss Elizabeth Barnum, an aunt of Mrs. Harriott Wight Sherratt.
The first shoemaker was Ezra Barnum. He was father of Anson Barnum and Mrs. James M. Wight, and grandfather of Mrs. Sherratt. Mr. Barnum came from Danbury, Connecticut, in the summer of 1837. A history of Danbury shows the Bar- nums to have been an old family of that city. One of the eight founders of the city, with this name, died in 1695. Mrs. M. T. Trowbridge is descended from a branch of this family. The history was written in part by J. M. Bailey, the well known humorist of the Danbury News.
The first brick was made in the autumn of 1837 by Cyrus C. Jenks, in Guilford, about three and a half miles northeast of the town. The larger portion of this brick was used for chimneys. The first brick house was a small, square structure, one story, on the southeast corner of block eighteen, on First street, opposite the public square. It was built in 1838, by John H. Morse. The first carpenter cannot be determined with accuracy ; but it is probable that Thomas Lake and Sidney Twogood were the first skilled workmen. The first saloon was opened in 1837, by Samuel Little, an Englishman. He put up a small one-story building near 316 East State street. The first blacksmith was probably one of the men employed by Mr. Kent. The second was William Penfield. His frame building was on the northeast corner of Madison and Market streets. William P. Dennis was the first house-painter, and in 1837 he displayed his skill on Mr. Haight's first frame house. The first drug-store was opened early in the summer of 1838, by "Dr." Marshal, a Scotchman. It was on the north side of State street, about eighty feet from the river. He was once called to prescribe for Dr. Haskell, who refused to take his medicine. It proved to be seventy grains of calomel. The first bakers were Ephraim Wyman and Bethuel Houghton, who did business in 1838 as partners on South Main street. The first store was kept by John Vance, in a log cabin on South First street, opposite the hay market. He subsequently started a provision store at Winne- bago, when that village seemed likely to become the county seat.
CHAPTER XVIII.
NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONALISM .- THE FIRST CHURCHI.
NI EW England Congregationalism came with the early settlers. This institution was firmly established within three years after the arrival of Mr. Kent and Mr. Blake, and it has main- tained a strong and influential position in Rockford until the present time. The First Congregational church was organized May 5, 1837, with nine members: Rev. John Morrill, Herman B. Potter, Israel Morrill, Richard Morrill, Elizabeth P. Morrill, Mary J. Morrill, Sophia N. Morrill, Minerva Potter, and Eunice Brown. The only survivor of this membership is Richard Morrill, who is now living with his son in Minnesota. Mr. Morrill is ninety-four years of age. He is an uncle of Mrs. A. M. Catlin, of Rockford. The church was founded by Rev. John Morrill, at the home of his brother, Israel Morrill, on the west side of the river. It is therefore the oldest church in Rockford, inasmuch as the First Methodist church, formed the previous year, ceased to exist. The three Morrill brothers and their wives constituted just two-thirds of the original membership. Two weeks later, May 19th, there were five accessions: Edward Cating, Charles Works, Asa Crosby, Mary Crosby, and Mary Danforth. Miss Danforth was a sister of Mrs. Israel Morrill. Their sister Sarah was the wife of D. A. Spaulding, the surveyor. Mrs. Spaulding died at Alton, Illinois, August 22, 1887. She was seventy-six years of age. During the year the following were also received into membership: Mary Works, wife of Charles Works, Deborah Barnum, wife of Ezra Barnum, Eleazer H. Potter, Adeline Potter, Samuel D. Preston, and Mary Preston. The last named mem- ber is Mrs. Selden M. Church, who is the only survivor among the women of that first year's congregation. During its first year the church had attained a membership of twenty souls. Israel Morrill and H. B. Potter were the first deacons.
The first confession of faith and form of covenant, adopted temporarily at its organization, was that recommended by the Watertown presbytery. One year later, May 4, 1838, this was displaced by the articles of faith and covenant of the Rock
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
River Congregational Association. At the first meeting it was unanimously voted that "all persons, before uniting with the church, should sign a pledge of total abstinence from all intox- icating drinks as a beverage." Under date of August 11, 1837, there is found thefollowingentry : "The resolution touching the slavery question being agitated, it was resolved that for the present the subject be postponed, to receive the attention and action of the church at some future time." No other record upon this subject, however, has been found.
Rev. John Morrill was the first pastor. Very little is known of him previous to his removal to the west. He had come in a farm wagon from New York as a home missionary to this county, where his brother had previously settled. Mr. Morrill served as pastor one year from May, 1837. He officiated at the organization of the Presbyterian church in Belvidere, March 17, 1839, and was its stated supply until March of the follow- ing year. The late Mrs. Eunice Brown Lyon is authority for the statement that Mr. Morrill received no formal call to the pastorate of the Congregational church. He was the leading spirit in its organization, and he may have assumed the work with the understanding, explicit or implied, that he should serve as its pastor for a time. Mrs. Brown also says that the brethren were somewhat slack in paying the pastor's salary. This delinquency, however, was redeemed by the ladies, who secured pledges for a goodly sum. Mr. Morrill was a devout man, who labored for the spiritual growth of the people. He placed emphasis upon pecuniary reward only so far as it was necessary for his support. This pioneer minister died at Peca- tonica February 16, 1874.
Soon after its organization the church held services in the "stage barn," built by Daniel S. Haight, near the intersection of State and Third streets. Only a few years ago this structure was standing on the farm of Isaac Rowley, near the city. In the summer of 1838 the trustees began the erection of a frame structure on the west side of North First street, on a site near the residence of Irving French. When the building had been enclosed and shingled it was learned that Messrs. Kent and Brinckerhoff had obtained about eight hundred dollars from friends in New York, for a church. Instead of turning over this money to the society to complete the church, these gentlemen built an edifice on their own side of the river. This building was raised in the summer of 1838, and enclosed the same sea-
1846
CHAIRCE
ERST M.F.
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH Built in 1846 on the site of the Centennial Church
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Built in 1838 by Germaniens Kent and George W. Brinckerhoff, on the southwest corner of Church and Green streets The building was used as a place of worship by the Second Congregational church from 1849 to 1858
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THE FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE.
son. When it was completed they turned it over to the society for worship, but retained their nominal title. At that time they possessed no legal title to the land from the government. Those eastern friends knew but little of the power for good of this beautiful little church, in laying the foundations of a pros- perous Christian community. The unfinished building on North First street was abandoned, and was never afterward used by this church as a house of worship. It was, however, devoted to other purposes, which will be noted in subsequent chapters.
The building erected by Kent and Brinckerhoff was the first church edifice in Rockford: It stood on the southwest corner of Church and Green streets. It was a frame structure, clapboarded. in Doric style, forty-five feet square inside, and stood on a foundation of blocks of trees cut in the adjoining grove, with sills resting upon them about three feet above the ground. In fact, the greater portion of the building material was obtained from adjacent lots. The building fronted to the east, and had three windows on each side. A porch about ten feet wide extended across the front, covered by an extension of the roof, which was supported by four fluted wooden columns. On the east end of the roof stood a cupola, or belfry, about , eight feet square, ten feet high, and covered by a hip roof. This cupola had a bell, whose tones seemed sweeter to the worship- ers on a quiet Sabbath morning than any other which they have heard in Rockford since that time. This bell was taken away by the owner, Rev. Cyrus L. Watson, upon the close of his pastorate. The building was plastered, and painted white inside. Two doors led to the sanctuary from the front; two aisles extended from these, which made four rows of pews. The pulpit at the west end was large, high, and enclosed by panel work, and withal was capable of withstanding a siege. The singers' gallery was formed by raised pews at the eastern end of the auditorium. This structure was plain, but neat and substantial, and its pure white exterior, with a background of oak trees in the surrounding forest, made it beautiful for situa- tion, and the joy of its friends. This sylvan sanctuary was occupied by the First church about six years.
The Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society was organized in 1838, just one year after the founding of the church. The orig- inators of this movement, like the founders of the church, were largely from New England, who had been interested in foreign missions and education in their eastern homes, and who had
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
not left their zeal behind them, although they might properly have considered themselves on home missionary ground. The object of the society is briefly stated in its preamble: "In view of the deplorable condition of millions in this and foreign lands, who are destitute of the word of life, and esteeming it a duty and privilege to aid by prayer, contribution and influence the great work of evangelizing the world, we, the ladies of Rockford, feeling that united influence is far the most powerful, agree to form ourselves into a society for the promotion of this object." The first year there were thirty-six contributors. In May, 1838, the society made its first appropriation to a girls' school in Din- degal, in southern India. All sectarian feeling was merged in a common desire to fulfill the great commission. Episcopalians, Baptists and Unitarians were among its early members. As near as can be ascertained, a Sunday-school was organized in the spring of 1839.
The second pastor was Rev. Cyrus L. Watson, who served the church from November, 1838, to May, 1841. He was a genial, social, elderly gentleman, a good pastor, and he was highly esteemed. His death occurred at Battle Creek, Michigan. Rev. William S. Curtis, D. D., supplied the pulpit from November, 1841, to August, 1842. Dr. Curtis subsequently became pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian church. His death occurred in 1885, and his funeral was held June 1st, from the Westmin- ster church. Dr. Curtis' son, Edward L. Curtis, is a professor in the Yale divinity school. Prof. Curtis married a sister of Rev. B. E. S. Ely, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. The senior Curtis was succeeded by Rev. Oliver W. Norton, who was pastor from September, 1842, until some time in the following year. He possessed that argumentative type of mind which was common among the clergymen of the old school. Rev. Lansing Porter served a brief pastorate from February, 1844, to April, 1846.
In the spring of 1846 the church dedicated a new house of worship on the East side. It was a brick structure, and stood on the northeast corner of South First and Walnut streets, on the site of the engine house. Its dimensions were forty by sixty feet; the walls were twenty feet high. A projection at the rear formed a recess for the pulpit. The roof was one-quarter pitch, with a square tower on the center of the front, rising about twenty feet. From this tower a bell called the people to their public devotions. The bell belonged to Rev. Norton, and he
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REMINISCENCES OF THE BRICK CHURCH.
took it with him when he went away. W. A. Dickerman, as agent for the church, subsequently purchased a Meneely bell in New York, weighing six hundred and forty pounds. When it was brought to town by team it was first delivered in a ware- house. So anxious were the people to hear a bell in Rockford, that a platform was extemporized, so that it rang out loud and clear, and attracted all the parishioners, before it was taken to the church.
No picture of this church is known to have been preserved. The exterior was finished nearly in the Tuscan style of arch- itecture, and it presented a very attractive appearance. A vestibule extended across the interior front, with a choir gal- lery overhead. In this vestibule were held the prayer-meetings of the church. Two aisles extended from the vestibule to the pulpit at the rear of the church. The pews were shut in by doors in the old-fashioned way. This building had a seating capacity of about three hundred and fifty, and cost not far from eight thousand dollars. Galleries were subsequently built, with a seating capacity of one hundred and fifty. This church contin- ued to be the house of worship for this congregation until 1870.
The construction of a new house of worship is frequently, and perhaps generally, followed by a change in the pastorate. Such was the experience of this society soon after the dedication of its new church. The resignation of Rev. Lansing Porter was followed by a call to the Rev. Lewis H. Loss, whose pastorate began in August, 1846.
Many recollections of those early days are recalled by citi- zens who are still residents of the city. "Everybody went to church in those days," said H. H. Waldo on one occasion, while in a reminiscent mood. "I sang with the ladies, the Misses Silsby and others, in the First Congregational church, when it was where the East side fire station is now. I could write a book of the pranks and jokes of the members of that choir and my early friends. I remember one Sunday Jason Marsh cameto church wearing the first pair of prunella shoes that we had ever seen. He stuck them up conspicuously on the railing. I came in from the country with my boots all covered with mud, and espying those prunella shoes, put mine up beside them. He took his down, and was never known again to sit with his feet on the choir rail.
"Catlin Spafford," continued Mr. Waldo, "used to be door- keeper at the First church, and while the minister was praying,
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HISTORY OF ROCKFORD AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
would allow no one to take a seat. I reached church one cold day just as Dr. Loss had started prayer, and it was no fun standing outside. 'Cat.,' says I, 'how much longer will he be ?' He pulled out his watch. 'Fifteen minutes; he's just praying for the Mexican war,' Mr. Spafford answered." In reply to the question as to whether he remembered any of the girls of those days, Mr. Waldo said : "Well, I should say so. There were a lot of them, but they are all dead and gone to heaven now. There were Mrs. Knowlton, Mrs. Hitchcock, Mrs. George W. Barnes, Mrs. General Chetlain, who was Miss Edwards, and others."
Upon the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the church, Dr. Goodwin prepared a memorial address, which abounded in those felicitous character sketches for which he was noted. A few of those personal allusions to the members of the church and congregation who worshiped in the old brick church are quoted herewith. E. H. Potter was indeed a pillar both of the church and the community, a granite column whose firmness and solidity of character no force of circumstances or opinions of others could shake. His place in the sanctuary was as fixed and constant as that of the seasons, and his support of the gospel and all Christian charity was relied on with a confidence like that we repose in the laws of nature. Joel Potter, his brother, was also a pillar, but of a somewhat different type. He was of a more gentle and flexible mould, more delicate in feeling and sensibility, less self-poised and resolute, at least in manner, though not wanting in strength of conviction and of character. He was a leader in the spiritual concerns of the church, as the other was in its material affairs. His wise spiritual exhorta- tions came from a soul that knew how to commune with God and had learned the ways of the Spirit. Deacon Skinner was undemonstrative, humble-minded, plain and even rustic in his nature and habit, but disclosing, like certain rough minerals, a hidden ore of gold to those who examined it. Deacon Crosby was one of those silent, modest, thoughtful and steadfast souls whose power lies in their character, rather than in what they say and do. Deacon Baker was familiarly known and revered as "Good Deacon Baker." Dr. Goodwin's memory of him waslike that of a long, mellow, sunshiny afternoon in autumn, when the sun seems to shine lovingly and lingeringly on all things, and to impart a golden luster to everything on which it shines. Bela Shaw was a man whom to know at all was to esteem. His
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FIRST PIPE ORGAN .- RUFUS HATCH. ORGANIST.
urbanity of manner, the combined integrity and gentleness of his bearing, his uniform kindness and courtesy, and the soul of honor and integrity that shone through it all, and gave to his character a diamond luster-these traits marked him as the true gentleman. Volney A. Marsh was a devoted member, and superintendent of the sabbath-school. William H. Townsend proved his faith by his works. He was modest and sensitive as a woman, retiring and almost shy in his disposition, and shrank from all display or publicity. He was the very soul of honor and integrity. He felt the slightest breath of suspicion as a deadly miasma that infected the seat of life and struck at the vitals of his character. David S. Penfield, a member of the society, was highly esteemed for his Christian character. He was one of the pillars upon which the church and society leaned for support. Samuel I. Church was one of its earliest and most, constant supporters. William T. Wallis was distinguished for his generous social qualities, refined courtesy and gentleness of spirit. He was a true Christian gentleman and helper ..
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