USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Rockton > The history of Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois, 1820 to 1898 > Part 12
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Three of the pastors were ordained after accepting the pas- torate here: Rev. C. T. Roe, Jan. 15, 1861; Rev. Wilson Whit- ney, Sept. 20, 1871; and Rev. Henry Topping, July 22, 1891. The Rock River Baptist Association has met with this church three times, 1857, 1876 and in 1887.
PRESENT CHURCH OFFICERS.
F. D. Searls, C. B. Holmes, O. T. Bartholomew and D. N. Grant, deacons. P. Atwood, E. S. Waite, jr., and Frank Graves, trustees. Mrs. J. E. Forward, treasurer. Mrs. Clara A. Graves, clerk. Sunday school superintendent, D. N. Grant.
In addition to the three churches already mentioned, there are over fifty persons who belong to the Catholic church and go to Beloit to worship. There are also a few of the Seventh Day Advents, which years ago formed quite a society. The Spiritualists at one time were quite numerous, but now have scarcely a remnant left.
Charles Hyatt is an old settler of Rockton, coming with his father's family in 1842, when a boy only seven years old. He was born Sept. 17, 1835, married Drewey Smith, April 10, 1866. She was born Oct. 12, 1849, and died April 15, 1874. He married his second wife, Mary Bacon, Sept. 12, 1875. He has been in-
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
dustrious and careful of his savings, and has accumulated a handsome property. He owns the farm in the town of Owen, that his father, Horace Hyatt, deeded from government. His father in connection with his brother, Jacob Hyatt, establish- ed the first brick yard in Rockton, which was carried on by James Preston.
Michael Morrison came to Rockton in 1855. He was born in Ireland, Dec. 8, 1823. He married Joanna Hickey in Nov. 1851, She was born Aug. 10, 1832. He received a good education in his youth, and while living in Ireland was a disciple of Isaac Pitman, the father of phonography, and was secretary of a so- ciety formed in his native town. After he came here and was working in the paper mill, he found in a bale of old papers, the record book that he had used in Ireland. It had followed him across the sea and brought up in Rockton. He retained the old book which he values highly. Healso has a copy of the bible printed in the Irish language, which is a rare treasure.
1858
Frederick Gleasman was born Sept. 19, 1842, came with the family to Rockton township in 1858, when only sixteen years of age. He married Jenette Farmer, a daughter of Thomas Far- mer, and devoted his time to farming, in which occupation he was very successful in accumulating a good deal of property. He has held the office of commissioner of highways for nun- ber of years.
James Shaw was a settler of Rockton about 1858. He lived in the Johnson house just west of E. S. Waite's place. He was in company with Mr. Stearns in rebuilding the Talcott grist mill in 1859, which was destroyed by fire the year before. After living here about ten years he went to Missouri.
Lloyd Stearns was a resident of Rockton for a few years, coming here about 1858, and engaged with James Shaw in re- building the Talcott grist mill in 1859. He lived in the house now known as the Baptist parsonage. He sold out his share in the mill in 1864, to C. W. Robertson, for $7,500. He was in company with E. J. Veness, in the tannery business in Racine for a couple of years. He died in Rockford.
1860.
E. Smith Waite was born in Genesee county, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1832. He visited Rockton in 1854, to see his brother, Dr. Waite.
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
He located here in 1860. He married Lucinda B. Robertson, Dec. 21, 1866. In 1865 he established a stage route to Rockford, and had a contract for carrying the mail for two years. In 1868, he bought the brick hotel of Dr. Houghton. He started a liv- ery stable which he run for several years. He had the only hearse that was ever owned in town. He served three terms as justice of the peace, one term as police magistrate, two terms as president of the village board, and one or two terms as village trustee. He now resides on his farm west of the river.
Sanmel J. Goodwin settled in Rockton in the fall of 1860, and purchased the well-known farm which bears his name, on the Beloit road. He was born in Madison, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1812, and died in Beloit, Feb. 6, 1885, He was a stirring man of busi- ness, and tried to develope the water power between Rockton and Beloit, a sketch of which is here given. He moved to Be- loit in 1868.
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The water power as projected by Mr. Goodwin, includes a
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
dam across the river and a race terminating at the Jameson house. We quote from Mr. Goodwin's specifications:
"The dam will be located at what is known as Carpenter's island, and will be seven feet high above the water, or about eleven feet high from the foundation, and built upon a perfect circle line. The foundation will be three hundred and fifty feet wide and two hundred feet long. The upper end of the foundation will be double sheet, piled its entire width. An- other course of sheet piling in the same manner will be carried the entire width at the spring line of the dam. Substantial stone abutments will be made to support the ends of the spring line of the dam. The guard locks will be eighty feet wide. The race will be eleven hundred and fifty feet long, eighty feet wide, and eleven feet deep at the dam, and fifteen feet at its lower terminus. This gives the power seven feet fall at the dam and eleven feet fall at the end of the race, making an average power of nine feet fall."
Lewis Fairchild was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1825. He came to Beloit in 1855, and to Rockton town- ship in 1860, where he located on a farm west of the river. He married Mrs. Lucinda Quinn, Oct. 10, 1847. She was born in Oct. 1824, and died, April 10, 1892. He married his second wife, Mrs. Laura J. Boone, Sept. 8, 1894. For the past few years he has lived in the village, on the south side of the river. He is a moulder by trade, and during his residence in Beloit, he worked at that business.
1861.
E. S. Waite was born in Genesee county, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1832: He is twin brother of E. Smith Waite. He came to Rockton in 1861, and for a year or so carried on a grocery store. The next two years he was in company with Mr. Joslyn, when the firm for three years following was Waite, Veness & Joslyn. From 1867 to 1880, the business was carried on by Veness & Waite, when Mr. Waite retired from the firm. Since that time he has devoted most of his time to farming. He has held the office of town assessor several years, and been president and trustee of the village a number of terms. For the past few years he has been librarian of the town library. He married Miss Kate Veness, May 1, 1862.
The great event of 1861 was the breaking out of the civil
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
war. Rockton was eminently patriotic as was shown by the number of soldiers they sent to put down the rebellion. The following names represent as complete a list as could be ob- tained. All honor to the brave boys who so willingly rushed to the defense of their country.
ROCKTON SOLDIERS OF 1861 AND '65.
1. Henry Adams, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Mustered out Sept. 13, 1861. Died Oct. 23, 1861.
2. Charles D. Baker, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Died of his wounds, Nov. 25, 1863.
3. Ambrose Banks, enlisted Feb. 8, 1865, Co. G, 44 reg. Muster- ed out Sept. 21, 1865.
4. Arthur Bartholomew, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Served out his full term of enlistment. Dis. at Nashville.
5. James Bartlett, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Re-en- listed as veteran, Jan. 1, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 25, 1865.
6. John Bingham, enlisted in 3rd Wisconsin light battery.
7. William Bingham, enlisted in 3rd Wisconsin light battery. He died at Fortress Monroe.
8. Bruce Blinn, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, Co. A, 74 reg. Transfer- red to infantry corps, March, 1864.
9. George W. Bliss, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. D, 74 reg. Mus- tered out June 10, 1865.
10. Luman N. Carpenter. enlisted in Co. E, 18th Wis. Was in Andersonville prison. Mustered out a captain.
11. David W. Chandler, enlisted Nov. 4, 1861, Co. F, 13th cav. Transferred to Co. C. Mustered out a corporal.
12. John S. Chandler, enlisted Aug. 18, 1862, Co. E, 74 reg. Mustered out a sergeant, June 10, 1865.
13. Cassius M. Clay, enlisted Feb. 16, 1865, Co. A, 153 reg. Mustered out Oct. 16, 1865.
14. C. H. Clay, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, Co. A, 74 reg. Mustered out a corporal, June 10, 1865.
15. G. G. Clay, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, discharged for disability, Nov. 5, 1862.
16. James H. Connor, enlisted Aug, 8, 1862, Co. D, 74 reg. Mus- tered out a sergeant, June 16, 1865.
17. Chas. C. Coons, enlisted Aug. 8, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Trans- ferred to vet. R. C. April 30. 1864. Mustered out a ser- geant Sept. 21, 1865. He was in Libby prison awhile.
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
18. Hiram F. Corey, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862, Co. E, 74 reg. Trans- ferred to vet. R. C. Jan. 9, 1865.
19. James S. Cowen, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, Co. A, 74 reg., pro- moted 2nd lieu. March 2, 1863, 1st lieu. Nov. 16, 1864. Mus- tered out June 10, 1865.
20. D. C Craine, enlisted.
21. Richard H. Craine, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. D, 74 reg. Mustered out May 19, 1865.
22. James Craine, enlisted.
23. Henry J. Crangle, enlisted March 15, 1865, Co. D, 74 reg. Transferred to 36 Il1. V. I. June 7, 1865.
24. Lewis Christian, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. He was killed at the battle of Stone river, Dec. 31, 1862.
25. Silas Cummings, enlisted Oct. 23, 1861, Co. B, 51 reg. Mus- tered out May 31, 1865.
26. Thomas Dailey, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861, Co. B, 51 reg. Re-en- listed vet. Dec. 24, 1863. Dis. as serg., Aug. 6, 1864.
27. Edgar J. Davis, enlisted Oct. 1, 1864, 2nd lieu., Co. G, 44 reg. Mustered out sergeant May 22, 1865.
28. George E. Dolphin, enlisted July 30, 1861 as serg. Co. D, 11 reg. Dis. June 5, 1865. Promoted U. S. C. T.
29. Consider K. Davis, enlisted 4th Wis. battery.
30. George H. Duncan, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861, Co. F, 15th cav. Died at Keokuk, Iowa.
31. Samuel Dunham, enlisted May 24, 1861, Co. B, 15 reg. Re- enlisted vet. June 1, 1864.
32. John Dunham, enlisted Co. C, 1st Wis. cav. Mustered out at the close of the war.
33. Melvin Fairchild, enlisted Co. G, 43rd Wis. inft. Re-enlist- ed Sept. 1864. Discharged June, 1865.
34. Henry C. Fackrell, enlisted Feb. 16, 1865, Co. A, 153 reg. Mustered out Sept, 21, 1865.
35. Charles E. Fox, enlisted Co. A, 1st R. I. cavalry. He was thrown from a horse and killed.
36. Mathew Goodrich, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861 Co. G, 44 reg. Died in Andersonville prison, Dec. 21, 1863.
37. David P. Gray, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Died at Rolla, Mo., Dec. 28, 1861.
38. Henry M. Gray, enlisted-died in service, Dec. 17, 1862.
39. George E. Gustin, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. D, 74 reg. Discharged May 15, 1865. 1
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
40. John H. Gustin, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862, C.o. D. 74 reg. Died of wounds at Reseca, Ga., July 6, 1864.
41. Whitman Gustin, enlisted Nov. 13, 1861, Co. D, 74 reg. Died of wounds at Reseca, Ga., June 4, 1864.
42. William H. Hanks, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Discharged Aug. 1, 1862.
43. Edwin A. Harley, enlisted Oct. 1, 1861, Co. F, 13th cav. Discharged for disability, Nov. 4, 1862.
44. John W. Harley, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862, Co. E, 74 reg. Mus- tered out June 10, 1865.
45. A. R. Hart, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G. 44 reg. Dis. Aug. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted vet. Jan. 1, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 25, 1865.
46. Ansel Hartwell, enlisted in 8th Mo.
47. Charles Hicks, enlisted June 2, 1862, Co. C, 67 reg. Mus-
tered out Sept. 29, 1862.
48. Edwin G. Higby, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, Co. A, 74 reg. Died at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 7, 1862.
49. Robert Hunt, enlisted June 2, 1862, Co. C, 67 reg. Mustered out Sept. 27, 1862. Re-enlisted Sept. 28, 1864, Co. D, 17th Ill. cav. Mustered out July 8, 1865.
50. W. J. Hunt, enlisted June 2, 1862, Co. C, 67 reg. Mustered out Sept. 27, 1862. Re-enlisted Sept. 28, 1864, Co. D, 17th Ill. cav. Mustered out July 8, 1865.
51. Horatio Hersey, enlisted Jan. 4, 1864, Co. I, 9th Ill. cav. Killed at the battle of Campbellville, Nov. 24 1864.
52. Henry P. Kennedy, enlisted Nov. 23, 1861, Co. B, 51 reg. Discharged Feb. 4, 1862.
53. Wm. S. Leffingwell, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, Co. A, 74 reg. Trans. I. C. Nov. 21, 1863. Mustered out corporal.
54. Chas. D. Manning, enlisted Jan. 5, 1864, Co. 1, 9th cav. as a saddler. Absent on sick list when reg. was m. o.
55. John Maginnis, enlisted March 2, 1865, Co. 1, 9th cav. Mus- tered out Oct. 31, 1865.
56. Riley J. Meed, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Died at Jefferson City, Mo., Nov. 30, 1861.
57. Benj. F Moody, enlisted Jan. 29, 1862, Co. B, 51 reg. Mus- tered out Feb. 27, 1861.
58. Josiah Morgan, enlisted Jan. 4, 1864, Co. D, 74 reg. Trans- ferred to 36 111. Jan. 7, 1865.
59. Shepard Norcross, enlisted July 26, 1862, as musician, pro-
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moted to drum major, March 26, 1863.
60. Ferris Palmer, enlisted.
61. Robert Penman, enlisted Aug. 14, 1861, 2nd lieu. Co. G, 44rg Resigned Feb. 28, 1862.
62. Thomas Penman, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Mus- tered out Sept. 13, 1861.
63. J. B. Peterson, died in service at Memphis, Tenn., June 27, 1864.
64. Chauncey Pettibone, enlisted May 20, 1861, Co. F, 1st Wis. infantry for three months.
65. Osker Richardson, enlisted July 16, 1861, Battery A, 1st light art. m. o. end of three month. Re-enlisted fall of 1861, in Co. C, 1st Wis. cav. Promoted serg. Nov. 16, 1861. Died in service in 1863.
€6. Timothy Robertson, enlisted June 2, 1861, Co. C, 67 reg. Mustered out Sept. 27, 1862.
67. Charles Rollison, enlisted Co. C, 1st Wis. cav. Mustered out at the close of the war.
68. Eugene Sawyer, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Re- enlisted vet. Jan. 1, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 25, 1865.
69. Willis Sawyer, enlisted June 2, 1862, Co. C, 67 reg. On fur- lough when his regiment was mustered out.
70. Lorenzo D. Shores, enlisted May 24, 1861, Co. C, 15 reg. Discharged for disability, Nov. 26, 1862.
71. Franklin Shores, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862, Co. D, 74 reg. Trans- ferred to I. C. Sept. 1, 1863.
72. Charles M. Smith, enlisted sergeant Co. F, 16th Wis.
73. Henry Smith, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862, Co. D, 74 reg. Discharg- ed a sergeant April 17, 1865, for disability.
74. James Stemps, enlisted Sept. 27, 1862, Co. C, 67 reg.
75. John Spurling, enlisted 8th Mo.
76. C. B. Spurling, enlisted Aug. 9, 1861, Co. C, 44 reg. Dis-
charged in the fall of 1861.
77. Albion H. Stevens, enlisted Jan. 29, 1862, Co. B, 51 reg. Died in service at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 3, 1863.
78. George Stevens, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862, Co. D, 74 reg. Dis- charged for disability, Dec. 26, 1862.
79. H. I). Stevens, enlisted in the 8th Mo. Mustered out a
captain.
80. A. G. Stiles, enlisted Oct. 23, 1861, Co. B, 51 reg. Re-enlist- en vet. Dec. 24, 1863. Mustered out serg. June 24, 1865,
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON,
Dis-
81. William Streeter, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. charged March, 1862.
82. George A. Springer, enlisted Nov. 2, 1861, Co. F, 13th cav. Discharged for disability, Dec. 20, 1862,
83. Dwight L. Talcott, enlisted Jan. 5, 1864, Co. I, 9th cav. Mustered out June 3, 1865. He was a prisoner in Ander- sonville.
84. John G. Taylor, enlisted Sept. 30, 1864, Co. D, 74 reg. Mus- tered out June 10, 1865.
85. John C. Thomas, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. F, 74 reg. Mus- tered out June 10, 1865.
86. Orville Thomas, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. F, 74 reg: Mus- tered out corporal, June 10, 1865.
87. George Thompson, enlisted June 2, 1862, Co. C, 67 reg. Mus- tered out Sept. 27, 1862.
SS. A. H. Toal, enlisted Feb. 16, 1865, Co. A, 153 reg. Mustered out Sept. 21, 1865.
89. Henry H. Trowbridge, enlisted Feb. 1, 1865, Co. A, 153 reg. Mustered out Sept. 21, 1865.
90. H. B. Tuttle, enlisted June 2, 1862, Co. C, 67 reg. Mustered out Sept. 27, 1862.
91. Leonard Thurston, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861, Co. F. 13th cav. Discharded for disability, Dec. 12, 1862.
92. James E. Urquhart, enlisted Aug. 4, 1862, Co. A, 74 reg. Dis- charged Feb. 1863.
93. William H. Urquhart, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, Co. A, 74 reg. Killed in battle Dee 31, 1862.
94. Vascoe Van Rensselaer, enlisted Sept. 28, 1864, Co. D, 17th cav. Mustered out July 21, 1865.
95. William Wearthy, enlisted Co. D, 17th cav. Mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.
96. Thomas Willie, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Re-en- listed vet. Jan. 1, 1854. Absent when reg. was 1. 0.
97. Andrew J. Young, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862, Co. D, 74 reg. Dis- charged for disability, July 29, 1863.
98. William G. Young, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Re- enlisted vet. Jan. 1. 1864. Died of wounds, July, 1864. 99. Hiram Young, enlisted.
100. Philip Zorn, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 44 reg. Died in Andersonville prison, March 20, 1864.
Of the one hundred soldiers that were credited to Rockton
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
during the war of the rebellion,
6 were under eighteen years of age,
25 were over eighteen and under twenty-one years,
46 were over twenty-one and under thirty years,
12 were over thirty and under forty years,
4 were over forty and under fifty years,
2 were over fifty years old, and
5 whose ages are unknown.
100 Total number.
SOLDIERS BURIED IN ROCKTOM CEMETERY.
1. Silas Austin, of the war of 1812, died March 31, 1844.
2. Rufus Baker, war of 1812, died May 24, 1870.
3. George Benton, enlisted Co. A, 153 reg. d. Jan. 24, 1892.
4. C. E. Boone, died Jan. 8, 1893.
5. John Brown, of the war of 1812, died Sept. 29, 1861. 6. Orlando Butler.
7. Dr. C. B. Carr, surgeon in a Missouri reg. d. Sep. 2, '68
8. John Q. Chatsey.
9. Edward Collyer, killed in a cyclone, April 18, 1880.
10. Edgar J. Davis, Co. G, 44 Ill. Died Feb. 5, 1882.
11. Leonard Davenport.
12. Theodore Dickerson, died
13. Gen. E. J. Farnsworth, killed in battle July 3, 1863.
14. William Gaylord.
15. John Griffin.
16. Edwin A Harley, Co. F, 15th cavalry.
17. H. H. Helmer, died Dec. 30, 1892.
18. Josiah Morgan, Co. D, 74 I11.
19. Fayette Pettibone, died March 8, 1897.
20. Luman Pettibone, war of 1812, died April 2, 1880.
21. Warren Raymond, war of 1812.
22. Charles Reed, war of 1812.
23. Gen. William Richardson, war of 1812, d. Nov.24, 1860 Osker Richardson. 1st sol. of '61-'65 buryed in cem.
24.
25. William Riley, died July 1, 1881.
26. Nathaniel Rudd, war of 1812, died April 4, 1847.
27. Henry W. Smith, Co. D, 74 I11.
28. Albion H. Stevens, Co, B, 51 Ill. Died Aug. 3, 1863.
29. L. F. Stevens.
30. Henry Sweet.
-
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
31. Capt. William Talcott, war of 1812, died Sept. 2, 1864. 32. John Teague.
ROCKTON VETERANS.
1. Frank Alton, Co. F, 132 I11.
2. Sherman Aspland, Co. G, 2nd Wis.
3. Andrew Binghanı; Co. C, 9th Mich. infantry.
4. Isaac Brown, Co. I, 43rd Wis. infantry.
5. Thomas M. Coons, Black Hawk war of 1832.
6. Charles C. Coons, Co. G, 44 I11.
7. Edward Corcoran, Co. C, 55 I11. 8. J. S. Cowen, Co. A, 74 I11.
9. J. J. Crawford, Co. C, 145, Pa. vol. infantry.
10. C. M. Crawford, Battery H. Pa. light artillery.
11. A. E. Crawford, Co. M, 8th Ill. cavalry,
12. J. W. Fisk, Battery A, 5th U. S. artillery.
14. Roscoe Gammon, Co. F, 9th Maine.
15. George Gayton, Co. H, 42 Wis.
16. John Gillen.
17. W. H. Graves, Co. H, 30th infantry.
18. Robert Hunt, Co. C, 67 Ills.
19. S. P. Jenison, Co. I, 6th N. Y. cav.
20. Theodore Knapp, Co. I, 111th N. Y.
21. David Kipp, Co. B, 74th Ill.
22. John Lighthart. Co. E, 141st IIl.
23. Andrew J. Loveless, 1st serg. Co. F, 1st Ill. cav.
24. Henry Merritt, Co. C, 135th Ind.
25. J. A. Parkhurst. Co. B, 4th flying art.
26. E. Powell, Co. I, Ohio vol. infantry. ·
27. C. B. Spurling, Co. C, 44th Ill.
28. A. G. Stiles, Co. B, 51st III.
29. Leonard Thurston, Co. F, 13th Ill. cav.
30. John Watts, Co. E, 33d Wis.
31. C. W Woodruff, Co. L, Sth Ill. cavalry.
SOLDIERS' WIDOWS WHO DRAW PENSIONS.
Mrs. Lura Brown, Mrs. George Benton,
Mrs. H. H. Helmer, Mrs. Henry Osborn,
Mrs. John Taylor. Mrs. Addie Thomas.
ROCKTON SOLDIERS OF THE CUBAN WAR.
1. Barton G. Bingham, Co. E, 1st Wis. infantry
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
2. Charles E. Booth, Co. E, 1st Wis. infantry.
. 3. Henry Cole, Co. E, 1st Wis. infantry.
4. Cecil M. Coons, Co. E, 1st Wis. infantry.
5. Benjamin Davis, Co. E, 1st Wis. infantry.
6. Orville Partch, Co. E, 1st Wis. infantry.
7. Fred A. Smith, Co. E. 1st Wis. infantry.
8. Willis G. Widdowson, Co. E, 1st Wis. infantry.
Samuel R. Baker was a native of Vermont, and came to Rockton in 1859, and for a number of years has been engaged in one of the paper mills. He owns a house and lot on block twenty-one. He married his wife, Mary M. Bruner, in Iowa, May 26, 1856.
A liberty pole was erected in the park in 1862. It was made of some boom timbers which came down Rock river to Beloit with a raft of pine logs. It was a very substantial affair of its kind, and stood the wear and tear of the storms and wind until the building of the park stand in 1880, when it was taken down,. as it was considered unsafe to longer remain. The large flag which was purchased for the liberty pole by the people of the town, is still in existence, but much worn by thirty-six years of service. It is a cherished old relic of by-gone times. It waved in the breeze when the boys in blue went out to put down the rebellion, and when they returned it still floated at the mast- head. When our brave boys returned on a furlough from the Cuban war, the same old flag was floating over the street to do them honor.
Isaac D. Fryer was elected collector of the township of Rock- ton in 1862, and served in that capacity one year. He carried on the harness business while living here. He was a very large man, weighing over 300 pounds. He afterwards moved to Rockford, where he kept a boarding stable in connection with his harness business. He died in Rockford a few year ago, being quite an old man.
Charles C. Coons was born in Rockford, June 9, 1843. He came to Rockton in the fifties, and when nineteen years of age enlisted in the war of the rebellion, as one of Rockton's first soldiers, in company G, forty-fourth Illinois infantry. He participated in several battles, but was taken prisoner at Mur- freesboro', Tenn., and confined in Libby prison for three months. He was exchanged in time to engage in the battle of Chickamauga, where he was severely wounded. He was
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
discharged from service in September, 1865. Since that tinie he has resided in Rockton with the exception of two years on a farm in Minnesota. He married Miss Rebecca Hunt, June 13, 1867. He has served as a member of the village board several termis, and is now a member of the school board. Mr. and Mrs. Coons are both members of the Methodist church. They have had four children, three of whom are living.
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
FREE MASONS.
Rockton lodge, No. 74, A. F. and A. M., was organized Jan. 5th, 1849, under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the state of Illinois. The charter members were:
Rumsey Hatch, Alfred I. Ames, Alpha Bligh,
Jesse Blinn, George A. Young, P. D. Van Buren,
Joseph G. Prentis, Alex. H. Merrill, Wm. Leffinwell,
N. Howland, John Holland,
L. W. Osgood.
Quite a mumber were admitted who went to California the same year. This is the oldest lodge in this part of the state, except Belvidere lodge. All of its original members have now paid the debt of nature. The lodge is in a prosperous condi- tion, both socially and financially, and embraces many of the most influential men of the town. Rumsey Hatch was chosen the first worshipful master of the lodge, and held the office until Jan. 21, 1853. The subsequent worshipful masters have been:
WV. R. Weld, Jan. 21, 1853, to June 9, 1854. M. R. Patten, June 9, 1854, to May 25, 1855.
W. R. Weld, May 25, 1855, to July 2, 1857. James Wight, July 2, 1857, to June 21, 1858. W. R. Weld, June 24, 1858 to June 17, 1863. S. Widdowson, June 17, 1863, to Dec. 21, 1866.
D. L. Whitney, Dec. 21, 1866, to Dec. 20, 1867. W. R.Weld, Dec.20, 1867, to Jan. 1, 1869. S. Widdowson, Jan. 1, 1869 to Jan. 7, 1876. Henry E. Bater, Jan. 7, 1876, to Dec. 22, 1876. J. B. Rockwood, Dec. 22, 1876, to Jan. 9, 18SO. A. A. Snyder, Jan. 9, 1880, to Dec. 30, 1881. S. L. Jenkins, Dec. 30, 1881, to Dec. 29, 1882.
,
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
D. L. Whitney, Dec. 29, 1882, to Jan. 11, 1884. S. Widdowson, Jan. 11, 1884, to Jan. 2, 1885. A. A. Snyder, Jan. 2, 1885, to Dec. 21, 1885. J. W. Winsor, Dec. 21, 1885, to Dec. 30, 1886. A. A. Snyder. Dec. 30, 1886, to Jan. 4, 1889. S. L. Jenkins, Jan. 4, 1889, to Jan. 10, 1895. John Watts, Jan. 10, 1895, to Dec. 26, 1897. James A. Darcus, Dec. 26, 1897, in office.
The membership of the lodge is forty-nine. They hold their regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month, in their hall on the third floor of the east end of the stone block.
OFFICERS FOR 1898.
J. A. Darcus, W. M .; J. W. Armstrong, S. W .; E. S. Waite, J. W .; Wm. Thompson, treasurer; S. P. Jenison, secretary; Win. Thompson, chaplain; W. C. Loomer, S. D .; George Ellis, J. D .; M. F. Johnson and E. S. Kizer, stewards; H. J. Webber, tyler.
In connection with the masonic lodge is an auxiliary society of ladies, known as the Eastern Star. who hold their meetings in the masonic hall on the first and third Monday evenings of each month.
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