USA > Illinois > Rock Island County > Past and present of Rock Island County, Ill., containing a history of the county-its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late Rebellion, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 16
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
GROWTH AND BUSINESS OF THE CITY.
Rock Island is an active growing city. For many years her progress has been steady and substantial. Within her limits are located the works of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, the Peoria and Rock Island, the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis, and the Western Union Railroads. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Company have a large round house and machine works here, which have brought to the city a large force of operatives. The following will convey some idea of the general business of the place: one woolen mill, two implement factories, two flonring and two saw mills, four steam planing mills, two machine works, one stove manufacturing company, four carriage and wagon factories, two iron works and foundries, one glass factory, one establishment for making glue, eleven hardware firms, ten meat markets, one large brewery, eleven merchant tail- or's stores, fifteen boot and shoe dealers, nine dry goods, twenty-one grocery stores, six drug stores, ten hotels, three daily, weekly and semi-weekly newspapers, nine law firms, ten physicians, and seventeen churches.
These and other branches of business are constantly increasing, and new enterprises being added: Within the past few years some very fine and substantial business blocks have been erected, and two fine hotel build- ings-the Harper and Rock Island Honses. These furnish accommodations for the traveling public unsurpassed in any western city. From a report made in 1874, it appears that over one hundred buildings had been erected the year previous; among the more prominent of these may be mentioned the Star Block, a new planing mill, wagon factory, and a score or more residences worth from $5,000 to $10,000 each.
ROCK ISLAND MANUFACTURES.
The manufacturing industries of Rock Island are doing as well as those of any other city, under the reign of the hard times, from which the country seems to be emerging. Though these are not as numerous, in proportion to her population, as those of her near neighbor, Moline, still they make a very handsome showing, and their products have made the name . of Rock Island familiar in many a household and on many a farm in the far West, as well as on this side the river.
PLOW WORKS.
The Rock Island Plow Works of B. D. Buford & Co. is one of the leading industrial establishments of the city. The manufacture of plows at this place by B. D. Buford & Co. was commenced as long ago as 1855, though on a very modest scale as compared with the present large and flourishing establishment. The popularity of the plows turned out by this company demanded a constantly increasing production, and a corresponding increase of capital, and in 1871 the Rock Island Plow Works were incor- porated as a joint stock company. The buildings of the company now cover three full blocks, and are furnished with all the latest improved machinery, and all the appliances for the successful prosecution of the business. A monster steam-engine of 250 horse-power furnishes the motive power that drives all the machinery in this great establishment. Over 300 hands are constantly employed, who, with all the modern labor-saving machinery, are
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enabled to turn out an immense number of implements. Over fifty differ- ent styles of steel plows are manufactured, besides cultivators, harrows, road scrapers, etc. Among the plows turned out we may mention the "Buford Old Ground Plow," with iron and wood beams, with steel blocks instead of cast-iron, and being made of patent cast-steel are evenly and perfectly liardened on the face, and the large sizes have the adjustable three horse clevis ; about thirty varieties are made with slip shares, which are in duplicate and interchangeable. They also turn ont numbers of sulky and gang plows. The "Browne" iron sulky plow, which, with the new and im- portant improvements for 1877, is said to be superior to anything in its line. It is made entirely of iron and steel, is durable, easily managed by one lever, and in a moment is set to plow any depth. Among the cultiva- tors is the well known Black Hawk Cultivator, made entirely of wrought- iron and steel, with open tongue and either high or low hitch. The Defi- ance is a single tongue low hitch cultivator, similar in construction to the Black Hawk, both being combined riding and walking cultivators. They also manufacture a tongueless cultivator which has many admirers. Their Gang Plow for four horses does good work, as well in quality as in quantity.
LUMBER MILLS.
The lumber manufacture is a leading industry of Rock Island, and boasts at least one of the most extensive lumber mills on the river, that of Messrs. Weyerhauser & Denkman. This mill was established on a small capital in 1859, and has grown to its present proportions mainly through the enterprise and energy of its proprietors. The capital invested at the present time is about $250,000, and 220 hands are employed. The mill is 200 x SO feet in size, and two stories high, and in addition to the saw-mill contains lath and shingle mills. The capacity of the saw-mill is 110,000 feet of lumber per day, which would give for last year's product about 24,000,000 feet of pine Inmber, 2,500,000 shingles, and 3,000,000 lath. The value of the productions for 1876 amounted to about $250,000. Lumber, lath and shingles are shipped to Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Texas on the west and south-west, and to Illinois on the east and south-east. Preparations have been made for a large and active demand for the coming season.
Keator & Co's saw-mill was established in 1870. The mill is a two-story building 160 x 50 feet in size ; runs double and single circular saws ; one gang of saws; one edger, planers and moulders. Capital invested, $100,000; employs 100 men, and turns out 11,000,000 feet of lumber per annum.
J. R. Warner, planing mill and flour mill; commenced the business in 1874. The flouring mill is a fine four-story building 66 x 33 feet in size ; is well appointed; has three run of stones, and is worked to the full capacity all the time. Both mills are driven by one powerful steam engine. The planing mill, and sash, door and blind factory, 95 x74 feet, is one of the best arranged and equipped mills west of Chicago. It is fitted with all the best approved machinery for the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and for planing and dressing lumber. The building is heated throughout with steam, and is especially protected against fire, being connected with the Holly Water Works, and supplied with hose that can be turned upon any portion of the building, at a moment's notice. Some 25 hands are em- ployed on full time.
. Wheelock
EX-MAYOR OF MOLINE
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
SAW WORKS.
The Rock Island Saw Works, David Donaldson, proprietor, were es- tablished in 1857, and have grown into very fair proportions. The capital invested is about $25,000. Ten hands are employed, with an annual pro- duction of about $35,000. Mr. Donaldson has a well arranged shop 100x50 feet in size, equipped with all the necessary machinery and tools for his business; is a practical saw-maker himself, and superintends and inspects all his work before shipment. He manufactures all kinds of mill saws; also makes a specialty of the manufacture of Star Rockers (meat cutters) and Western Star Stuffers, used by butchers. This establishment has done a very satisfactory business during the past year, and the prospects for the coming year are very flattering.
GLASS WORKS.
The Rock Island Glass Company was incorporated in 1870, with a capital stock of $100,000. The officers are: W. P. Butler, President; P. L. Mitchell, Treasurer; H. L. Mitchell, Secretary. These works occupy about two and a half acres of ground, and are in all respects first class in their appointment and equipment. They give employment to about 150 hands, with an annual production of 75,000 boxes of window glass, 50 feet to the box, amounting in value to $180,000. They make a specialty of Gen. Pleasonton's blue glass for sanitary purposes; also glass shades.
STOVE WORKS.
The Rock Island Stove Company is doing a large business in the manufacture of cooking and heating stoves, of which they make some thirty different styles and varieties. They also make a specialty of the manufac- ture of hollow ware, which being thoroughly polished, is very popular with housekeepers.
No portion of the West combines so many advantages for manufactur- ing as this locality, including Rock Island, Moline and Milan, which are essentially one in this great interest. It is no exaggeration to say that the manufactures of no part of the country, East or West, have been so pros- perous during the depression of business which has prevailed since the panic of 1873, as those of this locality. The following from the Davenport Gazette of May 2, 1877, may be relied upon as stating the truth on this subject:
THE SOLID TRUTH.
The Argus, of Monday evening, in writing editorially of home trade speaks the solid truth in these words:
" That our home manufacturers are not well patronized is not true. The plow shops are running full handed night and day and cannot fill all orders. The reason is obvious; they make the best goods in the world and sell them the cheapest, and are making money. So of our wagon and car- riage factories. So of the large soap works of Warnock & Ralston, and the same of every manufacturing enterprise in this city, Moline and Milan. No failures take place among our merchants. If some of their trade goes to Davenport there must be some good reason for it,"
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
But in speaking of the solid truth the Argus does not go as far as it might. There are institutions in Rock Island to which even Davenport points with pride, institutions which Davenport patronizes, despite any counter attractions at home. Only yesterday the writer heard one of the oldest residents of Davenport, a citizen whose interests are in that city, say this: "The Harper House is a better advertisement for Rock Island than three times the money it cost invested in any other business in that city." It is.
But Rock Island has other institutions which command even the patronage of Davenport. The idea of buying at home, because it is home, is an hackneyed, exploded notion. A man has the same right to buy where he pleases that he has to vote for whom he chooses. If Milan makes better flour than Davenport, or Moline better paper and malleable iron than can be bought elsewhere, Davenport will buy of them, and Davenport does daily buy largely of Rock Island, Moline and Milan. We think it is true that more money is spent by Davenport parties on this side than Davenport re- ceives from this side. So far as the Gazette is concerned this statement is susceptible of proof. Competition is free; competition is close. The one who sells the best article cheapest will and ought to get the lion's share of patronage.
The one fact which speaks volumes for the prosperity of the manufac- turing interests here is, that while factories have been suspended all over the country and thousands of men thrown out of employment, the factories here have not only been kept running, but most of the leading firms have been improving and enlarging their business by adding new buildings and machinery at an outlay of from $25,000 to $75,000, and in some instances $100,000 per year.
ADVANTAGES FOR MANUFACTURING.
The city of Rock Island can well afford more manufactures, for she possesses the advantages for them in an unusual degree in her cheap and abundant food and fuel, her easy access to the raw material and her unsur- passed facilities for transportation. By the Mississippi River and its nav- igable tributaries she has the option of over twelve thousand miles of in- land navigation, and shipments can be made direct and without break of bulk to and into fifteen States and three Territories. The arrivals and departures of steamers at this point have, in spite of many adverse circum- stances calculated to retard the river business, reached the high figure of twelve hundred per annum. If they should, as in the future they will, swell to twelve thousand, the navigation would not be overburdened, nor the capacity of the river inconveniently affected. The obstruction of the river at this point by ice is several weeks less than above the rapids and some two months less than in Lake Michigan at Chicago.
Add to this the artificial advantages for transportation furnished by the railroads centering here :- the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, the great direct artery across the continent, connecting both the east and west sides of the Mississippi by its magnificent iron bridge across the foot of Rock Island; the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Road, running through a rich agricultural and coal country, from the upper Rock River valley, across nearly all the great eastern and western lines of railroad, on its way to its southern terminus at the city of St. Louis; the Peoria &
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
Rock Island Railroad, connecting the rich valley of the Illinois and its chief commercial city with the Mississippi and the Government Works at this point; and the Western Union Road, connecting Rock Island and the West generally with Lake Michigan at Racine and Milwaukee. The Rock Island & Mercer County Railroad, and several important branch roads, constructed for the special purpose of developing the coal interest of this region, must be included in this system of Rock Island roads. These are all connected by the bridge at this point with the Iowa system, thus bring- ing Rock Island and its neighboring cities into direct communication with the extensive network of roads which cover the Northwest, and are yearly throwing out branches and extending their business into new fields.
Although the city of Rock Island is not directly connected with an im- mense water power, like Moline and the Government Works on the Island, steam power may be made available at this point with greater convenience and at less expense than at any other place in the West. The supply of coal is of the best quality and inexhaustible. The great coal fields of Illi- nois and Iowa extend to within a few miles of the city, and from which two species of coal are obtained, the cannel and the bituminous, the latter of a very superior quality for manufacturing purposes. The deposits are in the river bluffs of this vicinity, in veins varying from three and a half to five and a half feet in thickness. The present draft upon the mines opened is nearly 300,000 tons per annum, and railroad tracks connect the city with the principal mines. . (See article Coal Measures in the Geological part of this work.)
Lumber and wood used for building and manufacturing materials are to be had in great abundance in the vicinity of Rock Island. The wood lands of this section occupy about one-sixth of the entire surface, consist- ing of the different varieties of oak, black and white walnut, yellow poplar, wild cherry, maple, linden, yellow birch, dogwood, etc. Hard wood lum- ber is obtained for about the same prices paid for pine lumber. The latter is supplied here in great abundance, the Upper Mississippi floating down by rafts all the varieties of timber indigenous to that vast region. From 80,000,000 to 100,000,000 of pine timber and lumber are annually brought here and pass this point on the river for market.
Iron of superior quality is found in inexhaustible quantities in conve- nient proximity to Rock Island, and attainable at reasonable rates. The Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob region in Missouri, on the one hand, and the mines of Lake Superior, on the other, abound in the choicest of ores, which are shown by the severest tests to be superior to any other on the continent, and fully equal in tenacity and maleability to the best Russian and Swedish iron. From both these regions the facilities for transporta- tion, both by river and rail, are, as already stated, cheap, certain and con- venient.
Copper, lead, limestone, building stone, sand, fire clay and brick clay, are also found in inexhaustible quantities and conveniently accessible to this city. And all these give Rock Island superior advantages as a man- ufacturing point.
Already she has made a good start in this direction, but her resources have only begun to be developed. The time is not far distant when the attention of capitalists both in the Eastern States and in Europe will be di- rected to this locality as the place favorable above most others in the great
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
Valley of the Mississippi for the investment of large sums of money in manufacturing interests of various kinds.
Speaking of the three cities-Rock Island, Davenport and Moline-a recent report says: "There is an average for each of the towns of two or three iron and brass foundries and engine shops, which supply machinery of every conceivable kind. Besides these there are three plow factories whose capacity is as great as any similar establishments west of the Alle- ghenies. We have boat yards and docks for building and repairing steam- boats and other vessels. There is also a proportionate number of saw, file, wire, nut, and a general variety of cutlery factories; wagon, carriage, and all other factories for working in wood; tanneries, harness, and all other kinds of workers in leather; manufactories of agricultural implements of every description: in short, we have skilful artisans and places for making every conceivable article usually manufactured in large cities."
THE PUBLIC SCIIOOLS.
The citizens of Rock Island at an early day evinced great interest in education. Through an united effort a law was enacted and a charter ob- tained for the establishment of the present school system as early as Feb- 'ruary 18, 1856. This charter provides that a Board of Education, consist- ing of five members, shall be elected by the people, and that they shall have ample power to establish and foster free schools. It gives them general supervision of all the schools, and power to employ a Superintendent, who shall be clerk of the Board of Education, and ex-officio member, to direct what branches shall be taught, to grade the schools, employ teachers, and to enact suitable rules and regulations for their government. It gives them ample power to levy taxes for school purposes, and to issue bonds for build- ing school houses and purchasing school grounds. Few cities in Illinois provided at so early a day so ample provisions for the education of their youth. The present prosperity of the schools of Rock Island demonstrates the foresight and wisdom of her citizens in obtaining the enactment of this charter.
The present Board of Education consists of the following named gen- tlemen: S. W. McMaster, President ; J F. Everett, Clerk ; David P. Mckown, Esq .; Milo Lee ; C. Trusdale, M. D .; and M. D. Merrill, Esq. Mr. J. F. Everett is the Superintendent of the schools.
The Board have at the present time thirty-four teachers employed, besides the Superintendent. There were during last year over two thousand pupils enrolled, the average monthly enrollment being over fifteen hundred. These pupils are accommodated in five school buildings, viz .: High School Building, on Cable street, between Dock and Adams, a large, three-story brick, and accommodates five hundred pupils. The First Ward School Building, in the western part of the city, on Orleans street, between Ontario and Pearl, is a large three-story brick, and accommodates six hundred pupils. The Second Ward School Building, on the corner of Orleans and Beaver, is a two-story brick, and accommodates one hundred and sixty pupils. The Third Ward Building is a large two-story brick, on Highland between Madison and Jefferson streets, and accommodates two hundred and fifty pupils. The Fourth Ward Building, located on Second avenue, is a two-story brick, and accommodates two hundred pupils.
The Board of Education have purchased of Bailey Davenport a fine
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school-house site on the corner of Otter street and Indian Boundary, upon which they are contemplating building another commodious school building.
The gradation of the schools is thorough, there being nine distinct grades below the High School, and each grade containing an A and a B class. In these grades are taught the various branches pertaining to a common school education, including history of the United States, music, drawing, and the elements of science and geometry. At the close of each year classes are promoted from grade to grade as they are able to pass the the required examinations. Monthly examinations are held, and any pupil able to pass to a higher grade, receives a special promotion. By this means, a bright pupil, by close application, can finish the prescribed studies in much less time than is provided in the course of study.
The First Ward School provides instruction in all the grades below the High School. Pupils in the Second, Third and Fourth Ward Schools complete five grades. In the High School Building all grades above the fourth are provided for. There are two distinct courses in the High School-the English Course, embracing arithmetic, English analysis, algebra, physiology, geometry, ancient and modern history, zoology, natural philosophy, botany, chemistry, geology, plane trigonometry, astronomy and intellectual philosophy. This course embraces three distinct grades, and occupies three years of study. The classical and preparatory course is the same as the English, and also provides for the study of Latin and German. There are four distinct grades, and it occupies four years of study. This course is designed to give pupils sufficient mental discipline to enter any of our Western colleges. They were established in October, 1872, and ever since the High School has been growing in numbers and scholarship.
In 1874 five were graduated from the High School, and received diplomas from the Board of Education. In 1875 eleven graduated. The class of 1876 numbered over twenty. The Board of Education have given places in the primary grades to the graduates of 1874, and they have all proved capable and efficient teachers. The graduates from the High School afford a source from which vacancies can be supplied in the corps of teachers as they occur from time to time, and also the means by which any place temporarily vacant, from sickness or other causes, can be filled. The graduates, having passed through all the grades, and learned the workings of the system, usually make efficient teachers.
The Rock Island public schools now possess the means of supplying the future demands for teachers in the lower grades. The present board pro- vides for nine months' school each year. The cost of tuition for each pupil enrolled last year was $11.35. The cost per pupil on the average daily attendance was $17.17. The High School has a piano, school apparatus and valuable reference books.
AUGUSTANA COLLEGE AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
This institution is located in the eastern part of the city. It was char- tered in 1865 by the Scandinavian Lutherans, and is under the supervision of the Swedish Lutheran Augustana Synod of the United States. The special object of its founders was to provide means for the education of young men to become pastors and teachers among the Scandinavian popu- lation of the Northwest. The separation of the Norwegian element in 1870
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
left the institution under the exclusive control of the Swedes. Additional tutors and professors were added to the faculty as its wants required, so that at present seven professors and two tutors are employed in imparting instruction to over one hundred students. The institution was removed from Paxton Ill., to its present picturesque site in September, 1875. The fine edifice was erected at a cost of $35,000.
This institution comprehends three departments, viz .: 1st, The Prepar- atory, of three years, including instruction in the elements of the English, Swedish, Latin and German languages, and in history, geography and arith- metic, comprehending also a practical course for business men; 2d, The College, of four years, embracing the usual college course in the ancient classics, mathematics, the natural sciences, general history, and Swedish and English literature; 3d, The Theological, of two years, in which the Swedish language alone (at present) is used in imparting instruction.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The first library in the city for public purposes was organized Septem- ber 22, 1855, under the name of " The Rock Island City Library and Read- ing Room Association." This association first occupied rooms in the upper story of Mitchell & Lynde's Block. Afterwards the library was moved into Harper's Block, where it remained till the fall of 1872, when it contained 2,000 volumes. On the 25th of November, 1872, the present public library was opened, in accordance with an act of the general assembly, approved and in force March 7, 1872., being the first public library organized in the State under the provisions of the general law. The books of the earlier institution were all donated to the present public library, and suitable rooms were secured in the Post-Office Block, which are still occupied. There are now in the library 5,000 volumes. There are received twelve daily newspapers, and about the same number of weeklies and monthly periodicals. The library and reading rooms are open from 9 A. M. to 9 p. M. on week days, and from 2 P. M. to 5 P. M. on Sundays. Every actual resident of the city is entitled to the privileges of the library. The following are the officers : Librarian, Miss E. Gale ; Directors, S. W. McMaster, President ; E. D. Sweeney, Alexander Steel, C. W. O'Niel, Henry Curtis, W. H. Gest, Dr. C. Trusdale, C. Speidel, H. C. Connelly.
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