USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 26
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"Aurora Leigh," Mrs. Charles Hubbard.
"Romney Leigh," Mrs. A. S. Goodell.
"Caponsacchi," Mrs. William Wells.
"Ulysses," Mrs. Charles Geeting.
"Penelope," Mrs. Frank Anthony.
"A. Winter's Tale," Miss Lizzie Coe.
Miss Elizabeth Emmons read a very brief and witty history of the club.
Miss Clara McCune sang several beautiful selections. She was accom- panied by Miss Emma Sheldon.
These circles in which ladies meet to discuss literary subjects and at the same time enjoy social recreation cannot be too highly commended. After- noons at cards leave no valuable thoughts to occupy the mind, and waste time that should be more profitably employed. The name, too, is full of inspira- tion. None of the nineteenth century poets have done more to ennoble and sweeten the thought of the world than have the Brownings, Robert and Eliza- beth Barrett.
THREE PIONEER MOTHERS.
A mother's love-how sweet the name! What is a mother's love? A noble, pure, and tender flame, Enkindled from above .- Montgomery.
"Mother Wright" is a remarkably strong and cheerful woman for eighty- eight. She gave the writer a cordial reception. Mary Mahaffey was born near Belfast, Ireland, 1819. Queen Victoria's year, for whom she has a warm ad- miration. Her grandfather was a Scotchman. She was married in Philadel- phia in 1847 to Hugh Wright, who died at 51. She has lived 31 years in- Rock Falls. A loyal Presbyterian. No matter what the weather, she crosses the river to attend the church of her fathers in Sterling, shaming the younger people who are afraid to turn out. Somewhat older and also quite bright is Mrs. Asa Emmons, or "Aunt Nancy," who occupies a room with her daughter, Mrs. Hewitt. She was born June 22, 1814, at Beverly, West Virginia. Her father, William Booth, was in the War of 1812. She came with her father to Albany, this county, in 1837, and was there married to Asa Emmons, an . expert stair-builder. A devout Methodist, and happy in her religious hopes. She prefers to receive callers in her own apartments, where she reads, sews, writes, and meditates. In pleasant weather, she takes a walk. This paragraph appeared in a Sterling paper :
Mrs. Asa Emmons, Rock Falls, ninety-three last June, 1814-1907, in a conversation yesterday with W. W. Davis related an incident that gives her
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a remote connection with 1776. Her mother's father, Edward Hart, was a brother of John Hart, signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was from New Jersey, and the Hessians in 1777 burned his property. Singular enough, Mr. Davis happens to have among his curios, a piece of Continental Script with the signature of John Hart.
One morning in February, 1908, the writer called upon Mrs. Phebe Worthington, doubtless the oldest woman in the county. She was born on Long Island, July, 1812, and was in her 96th year. The venerable lady was sitting in a low chair by the window, and readily engaged in conversation. Her sight is failing so that she is no longer able to read the Bible, but her hearing is perfectly good. She retires at nine, and rises at eight, partakes of three meals a day, enjoys oatmeal for breakfast, uses tea instead of coffee. In earlier years, she attended the Baptist church in the pastorate of Elder Mason in Sterling. She came with her husband in 1839, who died long ago, and is now living with her son Alf, on the original homestead. A gracious picture with her kindly face and loving manner.
DEATH OF A PIONEER.
Josiah S. Scott, mentioned in the history of Hume township, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bernard Miller, in Rock Falls, Jan., 1907. As he was born in Ohio in May, 1819, he was in his 89th year. After carrying on his farm in Hume for nearly forty years, in 1883 Mr. and Mrs. Scott removed to Rock Falls, where she died in 1899. Josiah cast his first vote for Van Buren in 1840, but in 1860 he voted for Lincoln and was a Republican , ever since. A carpenter in early manhood. His father had thirteen chil- dren, and he had twelve. Dr. F. J. Scott is a prominent physician in Rock Falls. Josiah united with the Methodist church, and in every relation of life was an honored citizen. A broken hip some months before his death increased the weakness of his advanced age.
THE G. A. R.
There are thirty-two members. It is known as Will Enderton Post, No. 729, and is named for its first commander in 1891, of the 34th Illinois regi- ment. It was originally a part of the Will Robinson Post, Sterling, but for convenience, the comrades withdrew, and organized their own. The writer met two of the boys in the office of J. G. Limerick, and gathered several inci- dents from their career. H. L. Brewer, present commander of the post, be- longed to the 12th Illinois Infantry, Col. John McArthur, afterwards general. He was a Scotchman, had the boys wear Scotch caps, and the slogan was "Mc- Arthur and his men." Hard fighting. They were in the assault at Fort Donelson, at Shiloh, Atlanta, the march to the sea. Mr. Brewer was in the grand review at Washington, May 24, 1865, the military pageant of the war and the century. Adam Brown joined a battery in Pennsylvania, Capt. Stev- ens was at Stone River, Franklin, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain. He spoke of Grant's marching the 21st Illinois regiment to St. Louis to break them in. He remembers seeing above a shop door in Greenville, Tennessee, the sign "A. Johnson, Tailor." This should be in some Historical Society.
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The latest member of the post to answer the solemn roll call was Captain William Parker, who died at his home in Rock Falls, Dec., 1907. Like Lin- coln, he was born in Kentucky, but spent most of his life in Illinois, as editor of papers in different towns of the state. At the time of his death he was postmaster, and shortly before had sold his interest in the Rock Falls News. He enlisted as second lieutenant of Co. A, 75th Illinois Infantry, was promoted to captaincy, and served until mustered out. A brave soldier. Public funeral services at the Congregational- church, conducted by Rev. Edwin Weary of the Episcopal, and Rev. F. W. Nazarenc, of the Methodist. Burial at the Rock Falls cemetery in charge of the Masonic order, of which he was a member. He was born in 1835.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
From a humble beginning thirty years ago, the school has kept pace with the development of the city. It was started in the brick building now used for city purposes, corner of Second street and Third avenue. The present main edifice, containing eight rooms, was erected in 1888. The other building on the side was erected in 1895. It contains the high school and the seventh and eighth grades. In the year 1907-1908 there were 525 pupils enrolled, with ten subordinate teachers and one musical director. The Board of Education consists of Ward Lincoln, president, A. A. Thome, J. W. Hatch, P. G. Kelsey, C. L. Hubbard, A. L. Coe, and Dr. F. G. Scott, secretary. An excellent corps of teachers. E. O. Phares, superintendent. Mathematics and biology, and principal, Etta E. Grunewald. Latin and German, Madge V. Knevels. Eng- lish and General History, Nellie H. Davison. U. S. History, civics and science, E. O. Phares. In the grades are principal, Mrs. Ella Brown, Myra E. Jen- nings, Margaret Hax, Josephine Dundon, Harriet Scott, Maude E. William- son, Bessie McNeill, Louise Pfulb, Mrs. Genevieve Pierce, Blanche Emmons, Mrs. Nellie Halsted. Music, Miss Muriel Price, Sterling. Drawing teacher to be supplied. Janitor, M. J. McAllister.
"High Life," the new publication of the Rock Falls high school, is a four page folder containing some interesting reading matter for pupils and patrons of the school, and no advertising. The paper is to be published once a month during the school year.
Two quartettes have been organized in the Rock Falls high school and will be in charge of the musical director, Miss Muriel Price.
In the form of maps, globes, charts, apparatus, the school is gradually increasing its equipment as means will allow. In 1907 the Turner Art Loan realized $184, which were invested in pictures for the decoration of the various rooms. The school steadily increases in numbers and efficiency, and already ranks among the best in the county.
Prof. Phares, who succeeds Prof. Haney, began his career in a country school in Indiana, and after graduating from the Greentown high school, took a four years' course at the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, graduating in the spring of 1901. He spent the summer at Cornell Uni- versity. He has taught in all thirteen years, and is in his second year at Rock Falls.
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SECOND STREET, ROCK FALLS
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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THE CEMETERY.
There is a calm for those who weep, A rest for weary pilgrims found, They softly lie, and sweetly sleep, Low in the ground .- Montgomery.
On the eastern edge of Rock Falls, picturesque with evergreens, ready to receive the rays of the rising sun, is the burial ground with its rows of granite monuments. We were struck with the number of aged people. John L. Mor- rill, 1823-1898. William Ramsay, 1815-1900. George Adair, 1827-1906. G. Rosengreen, 1835-1905. Ramsel Brooks, 1838-1905. Helen Nims, 1835-1888, and John -W., 1831-1895. John E. Durstine, 1842-1900. Lyman Baker, 1818-1892. J. B. Mingle, 1834-1896. Allen Hayes, 1825-1905. Henry Price, 1830-1892.
That familiar name, L. H. Woodworth, pioneer of 1839, has the widest record from 1806-1902, being nincty-six at his death. Also, P. P. Wood- worth, 1807-1844, and A. H., 1820-1902. The names appear of various old families: Worth, Glassburn, McFalls, Payson, James Mason, Paisley, Scot- land, 1830-1892, and his wife, Lois. William Rae, Scotland, 1818-1894, and wife, 1896. Several soldiers. J. E. Van Densen, sergeant Co. F, Third Michi- gan Infantry. George Rae with flag on grave. Also, D. G. Lindsley. Charles Lahram, London, England, 1830-1871, no regiment given. L. H. Linn, Swede, Henshaw's Battery. The freshest heroic mound strewn with wreaths is that of Capt. Wm. Parker, 75th Illinois, 1835-1907.
In its stanch weekly, the young city has always had an ardent supporter. The Rock Falls News was established by Captain William Parker in 1882, and was first located in rooms over the postoffice, still in the same place. In 1884, his daughter, Anna F., became his associate. On her marriage two years later to Charles Lee Mentzer, he purchased a half interest in the busi- ·ness. They then bought the building on the corner of Third avenue and Second street, which was burned with all its contents, Jan. 3, 1896. A new outfit was at once secured, and business was resumed in the Industrial build- ing, until the new office was erected on First avenue, the present site. Here they moved in the summer of 1897, with a new equipment. The business was carried on by Parker and Mentzer until Oct. 1, 1907, when, on account of failing health, Capt. Parker sold his interest to Emery L. Bond, Mr. Ment- zer still retaining his interest. The next change was the formation of the News Publishing Company, E. L. Bond, president and treasurer, and Anna F. Mentzer, secretary. The capital stock is $7,000. With new job type, an improved press, and steam heating plant, the operations will be conducted on a larger scale than ever before.
THE FACTORY DISTRICT.
In every rank, or great or small, 'Tis industry supports us all .- Gay.
"Tis a bad wind blows nobody good, for when Galt and Tracy lost their
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factory by fire near the railroad in Sterling in the summer of 1867, and at once crossed the river to Rock Falls and laid the foundation of new works, they put the young town upon its feet, gave it a place on the map, and made the beginning of that conglomeration of shops, chimneys, and warehouses that are crowded along the river bank. Galt and Tracy grew into the Key- stone Company in 1871, whose cornplanters and other farm machinery had an astonishing popularity for years throughout the west. After the death of George Tracy, several changes occurred, and now the, commercial title is the International Harvester Company. Among the machines made are corn sliellers, mowers, harrows, side-delivery rakes. The plant covers seven acres, and the buildings proper, averaging three stories, occupy five. The yearly production is between 45,000 and 50,000 machines of various kinds. The foundry makes yearly 1,500,000 castings, or eight million pounds of iron.
The trolley hanger, made by Lawrence Brothers, is the best article of the kind sold in the trade in the United States. It is intended for stable or barn doors, by which they roll smoothly to the side, without binding, stick- ing, or scraping. In the manufacture of door butts they rank second, and for hinges of another type, third, in the entire country. The Messrs. Law- rence, John and Edwin, began operations in 1876, and have steadily enlarged until there is now a floor space of 74,000 square feet in the shops. Both in the prime of life, and reside in Sterling. .
One of the newest works is fast growing into huge proportions. That is the branch of Russell, Birdsall and Ward Bolt and Nut Company, of Port Chester, N. Y. In 1896 the business started here on a small scale in the Industrial building, and four years ago was moved into a new factory built for the purpose, with 60,000 feet of floor space. The business has increased ten fold in a decade, a hundred men are employed the year round, and an enlargement of space will be necessary. The product of this factory is confined to rivets and bolts of small sizes, as can be made cold.
Besides the agricultural implements made by the Keystone branch of the International Harvester company, there is the Sterling Manufacturing Com- pany, who manufacture a large line of corn planters, disc harrows, stalk cutters, hay rakes and loaders, feed grinders, bob 'sleds. A. J. Platt company turn out a superior potato planter, one of the most efficient on the market, and which has a gratifying sale everywhere. Of the five carriage works in the two cities, the Eureka company is the most extensive, turning out yearly 5,000 light vehicles in the form of buggies, surreys and light Concord wagons. Their trade extends over the United States and to foreign countries.
One of the heaviest concerns is the Illinois Straw Products Company in the west end. Eleven and a half tons of straw is used daily in making Manila, rag, and straw wrapping paper, 300 tons a month, 3,600 tons a year. Besides straw, twenty-one tons of paper stock is daily consumed. A welcome opening for the waste paper of offices, stores, houses. A market for the collections gathered by the ladies in various towns, of odds and ends. Although water power is used some months of the year, the average daily consumption of coal is fifty tons, or 18,250 tons annually. The yearly output is between 4,200
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and 5,000 tons. Seventy-five hands are employed, and the mill runs day and night.
The Northwestern Barbed Wire Company, of which W. M. Dillon is a prominent member, manufactures a great variety of ingenious and convenient goods in the shape of square mesh field fence, diamond mesh fence, diamond poultry fence, plain and ornamental gates, portable chicken coops, and other articles handled by the wire trade.
Among the new concerns is the Evan Reed Manufacturing Company, occupying the stone mill of the old Dillon Milling works. Their list is vari- ous and desirable, comprising rat and mouse traps, racks, cracker box covers, automatic pulleys. Thirty men will be employed during the next year, with an expected output of over $100,000.
The First National Bank has a capital of $25,000, and does a general banking business. Four per cent is paid in the savings department, as well as interest on time deposits. Hours from 9 to 4. C. L. Hubbard is president, and O. E. Maxson, cashier.
The Odd Fellows with the customary forethought and thrift of the order, purchased a lot two years ago, corner of Second avenue and Third street, and are considering the erection of a handsome structure, three stories high.
The city of Rock Falls is one of the best equipped towns for sidewalks in this part of the state. It now does not have a board walk or a wooden cross- ing within the city limits.
The bridge over Howland creek east of Rock Falls was completed in 1908. The floor is of concrete and the remainder is of stone and steel. It is said that the bridge is one of the best in this section of the state. It was erected by the Clinton Bridge & Iron works and the work was under the supervision of John Rosengren.
THE OLD BRICK SCHOOL.
In Boston, the Old South church is still standing, but the Old Brick School, east of Rock Falls, on the Dixon road, is only a dream. On its site is a white frame, 1906, with cupola and bell, vestibule and furnace. Miss Etha Scanlan, with 23 pupils, is teaching her second year. She is a graduate of the Rock Falls high school. In the Historical Society is a large photograph of the early brick, taken at a picnic of the old patrons in 1897. There are twenty-eight men and women, patrons and pupils of the institution, all stand- ing or sitting in front. Grove Wright presented the picture, and has indi- cated by numerals the different people. The faces are life-like, and you can pick every one at a glance. . Among them are Deacon Arey and James Arey, L. L. Emmons, Henry Batchellor, Bird Emmons, Robert McNeill, Alf Worth- ington, Ed Macomber, Nettie Yeoward, Alice Shirley, Mary King, Mary Nims, Walter Fox. Some have already fallen into thic shadow. The old brick had three windows with blinds on each side, and a roof projecting in front for a portico, supported by four square columns. What associations this build- ing and this spot have for these silver heads. Here they studied, played, and enjoyed many a spelling match. Whittier must have gone to just such a place.
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Within, the master's desk is seen, Deep scarred by raps official; The warping floor, the battered seats, The jack-knife's carved initial.
On the back of the photograph is a poem of 26 stanzas, written by Grove Wright, and read by Mrs. Nancy Macomber at this merry picnic. We give the first and last :
This is the lot, and this is the spot Assigned to education ; And here was laid without parade, . The old brick school foundation.
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Whate'er befalls, long may these walls, With reverence still impress you,
Then will your years have scanty tears, And children's children bless you.
John Arey says the Old Brick was erected in 1853, and at nineteen he taught the school that winter.
This tells its own story : 1
First Annual Statement of the ROCK FALLS BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION of Rock Falls, Illinois.
Incorporated February, 1887. Authorized capital, 10,000 shares of $100 each. Officers: A. C. Stanley, pres .; Robt. McNeil, vice-pres .; Isaac I. Bush, sec .; James Pettigrew, treas .; Walter N. Haskell, attorney. Directors: A. C. Stanley, F. W. Wheeler, H. Sterling, W. B. Price, Jas. Pettigrew, J. M. Bickford, Robert McNeil, T. Culver, C. M. Worth. Regular meetings are held the Third Monday of each month for the payment of installments and loaning of money.
The city officers are A. A. Thome, mayor. Aldermen in first ward, Joseph Wright and Henry Longfellow; in second, E. L. Adams and Charles Grady; in third, Samuel Lowry and John Goeffroy. Henry Longfellow claims no rela- tionship with the popular poet. Joseph Wright is a son of Mother Wright, the most active octogenarian in Rock Falls. City attorney, Jacob Cantlin; treasurer, John Kadel; city marshal, Charles Billings; superintendent streets, Richard Arey; health officer, Dr. F. J. Scott; chief fire department, John L. Washburn ; electric light, O. M. Aarvig.
Population about 3,000.
LODGES IN ROCK FALLS.
I. O. O. F .- Hall corner Third avenue and E. Third street.
Ark Encampment No. 143-Meets first and third Friday of each month. E. J. Pierce, secretary.
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Advance Lodge No. 590-Every Wednesday. E. J. Pierce, secretary.
J. H. Montague Lodge No. 202, Daughters of Rebekah-Second and fourth Mondays. Mrs. Lida Woods, secretary.
American Stars of Equity. Rock Falls Lodge No. 16-Meets at call. Dr. C. M. Frye, secretary.
A. O. U. W. Industrial lodge No. 5-Meets at call. J. A. Kadel, Jr., secretary.
B. of A. Yoemen-Meets at call. Dr. C. M. Frye, secretary.
Fraternal Reserve L. A. Rock Falls Lodge No. 83-Third Wednesdays, McNeil hall. Dr. F. J. Scott, secretary.
G. A. R. Will Enderton Post No. 729-First and Third Saturdays, Mc- Neil hall. J. V. McCarty, Adj.
W. R. C. Will Enderton Corps No. 193-Meets first and third Thursday afternoon in McNeil hall. Mrs. Amelia Brewer, secretary.
Home Fraternal League. Rock Falls Lodge No. 18-Meets at call. J. G. Limerick, secretary.
Keystone Relief and Aid-Meets third Thursday, 201 W. Second street. E. J. Pierce, secretary.
Knights of the Globe. Union Garrison No. 21-Second and fourth Tues- day, McNeil hall. R. B. McNeil, Adj.
Eminent Ladies. Betsy Ross Garrison No. 5-Second and fourth Mon- days. McNeil hall. Fay Rodemyer, Adj.
Juvenile K. of G. Cara McNeil Garrison No. 1-Second Mondays, Mc- Neil hall. Dorman Emmons, Adj.
Modern Woodmen. Rapids Camp No. 151-Second and fourth Fridays, McNeil hall. Wm. Hansen, clerk.
Royal Neighbors. Holly Camp No. 100-First and third Fridays, McNeil hall. Mrs. Susie Hamblock, clerk.
Mystic Workers. Rock Falls Lodge No. 32-Meets first and third Tues- days McNeil hall. Dr. C. M. Frye, secretary.
GERMANS AND HOLLANDERS.
Our oath resounds, the river flows,
In golden light our banner glows, Our hearts will guard thy stream divine,
The Rhine, the Rhine, the German Rhine .- Carl Wilhelm.
The Germans and the Dutch form a large element in the population of Whiteside. They are not the same, but are often confounded. The Ger- mans are from Germany, the land of Goethe, Schiller, Humboldt, and Unser Fritz. The Dutch are from Holland, the country of canals, William of Orange, and Admiral Tromp. Sometimes called Low Dutch, by way of distinction.
The Germans are most numerous in Jordan, Hopkins, and Genesee, eastern Whiteside. Many have come since the Civil war. Indeed, they were soldiers, and were anxious to settle down after years of march. Most came directly from the old country with little means, and worked as day laborers
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until they secured enough to make first payment on the land. After twenty or thirty years they owned their farm, often two or more, and were able to spend their declining days in comfort. Their children struggled with the old people, and are cultivating the same soil, or perhaps land they bought for themselves. No race suicide, but families generally like Jacob's.
The German takes to the soil as a duck to water. He is a natural farmer. It seems to be in the blood. He is thrifty. Wife goes to the field, and husks corn in busy times. The children are put to work as soon as they are able. No waste, everything turned to account. They live well, plenty of plain food, no luxuries, work early and late, no rest or visiting except on Sundays.
Plow deep while sluggards sleep, And you'll have corn to sell and keep.
They believe in large barns, spacious corn cribs, warm shelters for stock. Red is a favorite color. Both men and women are portly and ruddy because of outdoor life and generous larders. The smoke house and. the cellar stored with abundance of meat and vegetables.
Next to his comfortable home, the German has a high regard for religion. As a child he was baptized in the church, received catachetical instruction, and must have a place of worship on Sunday. Jordan, Genesee, and Hopkins, all have their churches, where services are regularly held. Part of the time, English service is given in obedience to the desires of the younger generation. It is surprising how soon the children become Americanized, speaking our language as fluently and as correctly as the natives of the east. To show the steadiness of the German, the son of a tenant, who cultivated a farm 25 years, west of Sterling, and left for one of his own, has married, and taken his father's place on the boyhood farm.
The Hollanders are invading Whiteside from the west. They started in Fulton, and have advanced to Morrison. Their church, the Dutch Reformed, is larger than any of the other denominations in Fulton, and the same condi- tion is true in Morrison. The sermons are preached in Dutch morning and evening at the request of the people. Like the Germans, they are farmers, and drive with their families long distances to church. They have brought from the mother country that excessive neatness which distinguishes Holland above the rest of the world. They sct abundant tables, dress well, and are a very estimable class of citizens. Like the Germans they are thriving, and manage to get ahead rapidly in the battle of life.
WHITESIDE IN THE WARS.
In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man, As modest stillness and humility ; But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger:
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