USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Rockton > The history of Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois, 1820 to 1898 > Part 13
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ROCKTON CHAPTER.
Rockton Chapter, No. 190, R. A. M., was organized Oct. 25, 1883. Its charter members were:
Edward Kinsley, R. de la Mantanye, W. J. Packard,
WVm. Shibley A. A. Snyder, Wm. Tompson,
J. W. Winsor, John Watts, H. J. Webber,
Thomas Glover.
The membership is now forty-six. The present officers are: Wm. Thompson, M. E. H. P .; vacant, E. K .; E. O. Gridley, E. S .; S. P. Jenison, E. Sect .; B. B. Gates, E. Treas .; S. P. Jen- ison, E. Chap .; J. W. Armstrong, Cpt. of H .; S. L. Jenkins, P. S .; J. A. Darcus, R. A. C .; B. B. Gates, G. M. 3d V .; J. A. Johnson, G. M. 2d V .; E. S. Gleasman, G. M. 1st V .; H. J. Webber, Sent.
They meet once a month in the masonic hall.
MODERN WOODMEN.
Rockton Camp, No. 77, M. W. A., was orgnized Jan. 28, 1885, with the following charter members: ,
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
Frank Alton, C. M. Crawford,
E. 1. Carr, J. J. Clover, James A. Darcus, E. A. Damon.
C. E. Purdy, Frank Rathburn, C. M. Ruland,
H. A. Webber, C. D. Benfield.
The camp meets the first and third Friday evenings of each month, in their hall over the public library. The present mem- bership is eighty-two. The order is in a prosperous condition. Not a death has occurred in the camp since its organization, thirteen years ago.
OFFICERS OF 1898.
S. L. Jenkins, V. C .; N. S. Kocker, W. A .; B. B. Hill, clerk; E. I. Carr, banker; Patrick Wall, escort; Jason Newell, watch- man; and Bruce Liddle, sentry.
KNIGHTS OF THE GLOBE.
The order of the Knights of the Globe, was organized March 8, 1893, and known as the Gen. E. J. Farnsworth Garrison, No. 50. The original members were:
J. A. Darcus, Wm. V. Graves, G. M. Hopkins,
L. B. Hopkins, T. R. Harper, W. C. Loomer,
C. H. Osgood, C. E. Phelps, Nathan Sarver,
C. J. Smith, A. A. Snyder, C. L. Sutherland,
Charles Taylor, E. S. Waite, Jr., H. A. Webber.
The society meets on the second and fourth Monday eve- nings of each month. Their membership is forty-six. Their present officers are:
Dr. C. L. Sutherland, chief justice: O. B. Houston, supreme judge; C. C. Coons, judge; W. H. Merrill, president; W. C. Loomer, vice president; Dr. C. L. Sutherland, commander; R. L. Forward, lieu. commander; John Shurtliff, ensign; W. V. Graves, provost marshal; Arthur Liddle, guard; Fred. Math- ewson, sentinal: C. E. Phelps, adjutant; G. M. Hopkins, quar- termaster.
An auxiliary of the Globe, known as the Eminent Ladies, meets in the same hall.
COURT OF HONOR.
Rockton District Court, No. 286, was organized March 5, 1897. The charter members were:
J. A. Darcus, W. W. Alden, S. S. Allen,
D. T. Conklin, Samuel Kelley, R. C. Jenkins,
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HISTORY OF ROCKTONN.
Obed Larabee, G. W. Martin, Mrs. Lizzie Martin,
.Mrs. J. C. Darcus, Mrs. Mamie Alden, Mrs. Cora Allen.
This society meets the first Tuesday evenings in each month. Their membership is fifteen. Their present officers are:
Mrs. Nancy Conklin, W. C .; Mrs. Cora Allen, W. V.C .; J. A. Darcus, recorder; Samuel Kelley, treasurer; R. C. Jenkins,' conductor; Mrs. C. J. Darcus, guard; D. T. Conklin, sentinel.
THE ODD FELLOWS.
Rock River lodge, No. 59, I. O. of O. F., was started here July 25, 1850, with the following charter members: John Clague Isaac F. French, N. F. Prentice, W. T. Getts and W. R. Weld. The lodge was very prosperous for a number of years, but af- ter an existence of some thirty-five years, it surrendered its charter to the grand lodge and ceased to exist.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
Sunbeam lodge No. 78, I. O. of G. T., was organized March 31, 1865, with forty-six charter members, among whom we note the following well-known citizens: B. F. Fletcher, J. G. Veness, J. W. Dean, E. L. Stiles, Aaron Shores, W. W. Comstock, Eben Pollard, David Carpenter, G. W. Springer, J. W. Veness, M. D. Keeney, C. L. R. Manning, J. W. Cowles, B. B. Gates, C. B. Comstock, Mrs. Nellie Gates, Mrs. Ruth Ellis, Mrs. Jane Man- ning, Mrs. Esther Keeney and Miss Nettie Cowles, with a large number of others. This society existed about twenty years, when it suspended its organization.
TEMPLE OF HONOR.
Western Star Temple of Honor and Temperance, No. 10, was organized March 14, 1879, with twenty charter members as fol- lows: J. C. Crimins, E. L. Stiles, J. B. Rockwood, E. I. Carr, W. W. Comstock, C. C. Clarke, J. A. Darcus, Alfred Maxon, George L. Frisbee, M. S. Sheldon, S. P. Jenison, A. A. Snyder, H. W. Harvey, John Lighthart, E. A. Bliss, H. E. Veness, Eben Pollard, D. H. Stiles, H. B. Robinson and C. L. R. Manning.
This society had a rapid growth, and enrolled about one hundred and thirty members. Death of members, removals, and various other causes served to weaken the society, until the membership got so small that they gave up the organiza- tion about a year ago.
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
ROCKTON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
This society was organized July 17, 1875, and continued to ex- ist until the town library was started, when it turned over its accumulation of books to that institution and disorganized.
GRAND ARMY POST.
A Post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in Rockton, August 15, 1867, under the supervision of Col. J. J. Palmer, with eleven charter members. C. G. Morgan was chosen first post commander. This organization only lasted a few years.
There was also an organizaton of the Rockton Union Guards of state militia in 1868, and James S. Cowen was chosen cap- tain and Adam R. Hart, first lieutenant. This company soon disbanded and ceased to exist.
Joseph B. Merritt was born in Oneida county, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1830. He came to Rockton iu 1857 to take charge of Bradner, Smith & Co's paper mill, and has been superintendent of the inills for over forty years. He married Miss Frances E. Mel- len, Dec. 1, 1858. She was born April 11, 1839. He has been supervisor of the town for four years, 1875 to 1879, and during the building of the court house in Rockford he was one of the building committee. He has served as village trustee and been a member of the school board. Several years ago he mov- ed to Beloit and built a fine residence there where he now re- sides. He still has charge of the paper mill industry in Rock- ton.
Garrett Clute was born July 19, 1816, married Minerva Dicks in 1839. He came to Rockton in 1858 to take charge of Brad- ner, Smith & Co's paper mill, and was foreman for that com- pany in the east and Rockton for nineteen years. He went to California in 1874, and returned the next year. He lived the following three years in Iowa, after which he returned toRock- ton, where he lived until his death, March 21, 1885. He bought the place where he lived, in 1866. His wife was born April 6, 1819, and died May 13, 1890.
Jonah Forward was born June 10, 1819, married Jane E. Stan- tial, Jan. 6, 1848. She was born Dec. 9, 1825. They came to Rockton township in 1866, and for ten years he carried on the Goodwin farm. Since that time they have resided in the vil- lage. For a few years Mr. Forward was engaged in the meat
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
market business in connection with Mr. Gammon. Mr. and Mrs. Forward have been remarkably blessed in their family. They have eight children, all grown to man's estate. They are both members of the Baptist church. They celebrated their golden wedding, Jan. 6, 1898.
Charles M. Crawford was born April 18, 1846. He served as a soldier in the war of the rebellion, in a Pennsylvania regi- ment. He came to Rockton in 1866, and concluded to locate here. He married Miss Matilda J. Holdeman, Nov. 20, 1867. He commenced the blacksmithing business in 1873, and has continuously carried it on since that time. He has served the public on the village board as one of the trustees, and also has been a member of the school board for several years. He has been an efficient officer in the Methodist church, of which he and his wife are both members.
H. S. Northrop was born in Oswego county, N. Y .. Dec. 23, 1830. He married Mrs. Altha S. Freed, Nov. 2, 1851. They came west from St. Lawrence, N. Y., in 1866, and settled in Rockton which has since been their home. For several years he carried on the meat market business in connection with G. D. Peck. He owns a house and lot in town. . He is a mem- ber of the Methodist church, and his wife is connected with the Baptist church.
James Wall was born in Ireland, June 20, 1833. He came to this country and married Ann Quinn, in Williamstown, Mass., Nov. 26, 1852. She was born in 1835. While in the east he labored on the celebrated Hoosic tunnel and other railroad works. They came to Rockton, July 5, 1864. Since coming here he has been engaged in farming and doing team work. He served the village one term as street commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. Wall are both members of the Catholic church of Be- loit, and are very devoted members of that faith.
Barton B. Gates was born Nov. 7, 1832, and married Miss Nellie Bingham, Jan. 9, 1855. They settled in Rockton town- ship in 1856, and for about ten years he devoted his time to farming. In 1866 he started a grocery store in the building now owned by Mr. Royden, which he conducted for about one year, when he bought an interest in the stone rye mill, then run by Kiddle & Cowles. In 1868 the firm became Cowles & Gates, which lasted until the mill was destoyed by fire, April 25, 1879. In 1869 Cowles & Gates bought one-third interest in
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON,
the lime kiln company, which continued ten years until the rye mill was burned, when Mr. Gates bought Mr. Cowles share in the lime kiln, and Mr. Cowles retired. Mr. Gates subse- quently bought out his partners in the lime business, and for several years has been the sole proprietor. Quite recently he has engaged with H. A. Webber in the manufacture of fan- ning mills. Mr. Gates has been commissioner of highways for thirty-two years.
David Carpeter moved from his farm west of the river into the village in 1865. He bought the place which was his res- idence as long as he lived. He was supervisor of the town for five years, three years from 1867 to 1870, and two years from 1873 to 1875. He was elected one of the village trustees in 1873. He was a deacon in the Cong'l church for many years, and served several terms as trustee, as well as superintendent of Sunday school. He and his wife spent the winter of 1887 and '88, in California. They celebrated their golded wedding, March 7, 1886. He died March 5, 1897.
Rev. Charles T. Roe was born in England, May 1, 1835, and came to Rockton in 1859. He was pastor of the Baptist church for seven years, and then was post master for five years. He married Miss Clara E. Manard, July 21, 1864,. She was born in Canada, March 8, 1846. They moved from Rockton several years ago. He is now engaged in the Baptist publication house, in Chicago.
George D. Peck was born in the state of New York, Feb. 5, 1841. He married Miss Anna White, in Rochester county, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1864. They came to Rockton iu 1868. He devot- ed most of his time to farming on a place west of the river, but he had a meat market in town for some time, and bought and shipped live stock to Chicago. They had a family of five children. They moved to South Dakota a few years ago, where they now reside.
Rufus Baker, an early settler of Rockton, came here from Canada. He was born March 28, 1784, and died in Rockton, May 24, 1870. His wife Cynthia, was born July 17, 1790, and died Jan. 17, 1871. He was a dealer in real estate and loaned money, He built the brick house now owned by the Metho- dist church as a parsonage. Rufus Baker, a grandson of his, lived in Rockton for a long time. He was village clerk one term. He married Miss Serville V. Bartholomew, June 29,
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON
1865. They moved to Spring City. Tenn., a number of years ago, and now lives there. Like his grandfather, he had money to loan, which has been his principal business.
E. Powell was born in Stark county, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1839, and came to Rockton in 1865. He is a farmer and lives near the west line of the township, where he owns a good farm. He was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, in company I, 115th Ohio volunteer infantry. He was engaged in the battle of Murfreesboro. He also served on detached duty part of the time. He was honorably discharged July 6, 1865. He married Miss Naney Gary, Aug. 5, 1862. She was born in Ohio, April 24, 1843. They are both members of the Methodist church in Shirland. He has been an active member in church work for a good many years.
James A. Merrill was born in Rockton, Nov. 6, 1857. He learn- ed the telegraphing business when quite young and soon se- cured the position of operator at Rockton railroad station, which place he held for over twenty years. Since 1896, has been station agent. He married Miss Minnie Comstock, May 29, 1883. Aside from his duties as a railroad employe, he has found time to discharge other duties. He has been clerk of the village two or three terins, a member of the school board, and a deacon in the Cong'l church, of which both he and his wife are members.
Simon P. Jenison settled in Rockton quite a number of years ago. He was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., March 2, 1835. He enlisted in the 6th N. Y. cavalry, Oct. 16, 1861, and was pro- inoted corporal. He was in the battles of Chancellorville, Gettysburg, South Mountain, Smithfield, and other places. He was wounded in a skirmish at Deep Bottoms, on the James river. He married Miss Arvilla F. Davison, March 6, 1856. She was born Jan. 28, 1836, and died Sept. 13, 1897. Since living in Rockton, Mr. Jenison has been notary public for several years, and held the office of police magistrate two or three terms. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church.
George Feakins was born in England, May 16, 1813, came to this country with his parents, and settled in Cherry Valley, N. Y., where he married Miss Mary Stockley, Sept. 10, 1839. She was born in England, June 17, 1814. He came to Rockton in 1870, and was employed in the flouring mills. He spent fifty years of his life as a miller. To this couple were born
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
six children, four of whom are still living. He died in Rock- ton, Oct. 9, 1883. His widow is living with a son and daughter in Wisconsin.
Simeon R. Gridley was born in Iowa, May 6, 1850. His pa- rents soon moved back to Rockton, which has since been his permanent home. He married Miss Nettie Briggs, Nov. 24. 1875. She was born March 10, 1848. He has worked in Brad- ner, Smith & Co's paper mill since 1871, and since 1891, has been foreman of the mill. He served one or two terms on the village board. Both he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist church.
Norte B. Comstock was born in Rockton township, Jan. 8, 1854. He married Miss Maggie Hickey, Sept. 1, 1880. She was born Nov. 8, 1859. He has carried on the barber business since 1874. He owns a house and lot in town and has a nice place of business on Main street.
Niron B. Kincaid was born in the state of Maine, Oct. 18, 1836. He came to Rockton with his father in 1849. He married Mrs. Ruth Curtess in July, 1868. He married his second wife, Miss Flora Parker, Feb. 24, 1883. In 1864 he started a tobacco store in the Webb building, and after about a year, he moved to the stone block in the part now occupied by the meat mar- ket. In 1868 he built the store now used by the Houston Bros., and kept a store there till 1882. Since that time he has labored at mason work, which was his father's trade,
Lorenzo D. Kincaid was born in Rockton, Nov. 12, 1848. He married Miss Elizabeth Taylor, in_Ft. Atkinson, Wis., March 12, 1869. She was born June 2, 1850. He has been engaged in doing teanı work and farming most of the time he has lived in Rockton.
George S .. Ellis was born in Canada, Sept. 20, 1840. Came west with his father's family in 1845, and settled in the town- ship of Owen, near the Canada school house. He married Miss Ruth Knapp. July 4, 1861. She was born in Vermont, Feb. 6, 1839. They located in Rockton, in 1864, where he en- gaged in blacksmithing, and has continued in that business until the present time. A number of years of ago he conduct- ed the New England hotel for about four years, when he bought his present residence of the Adams estate. He served two terms as village trustee, and has been a member of the school board for several years. He has a passion for a
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
fast horse, and generally keeps a good one. They have four children, all of whom are married. Mrs. Ellis is a member of the Methodist church.
Oscar Favor was born in Rockton township, Oct. 18, 1844. He married Miss Mary Bligh, March 8, 1869. He has held the office of town assessor for ten years, and been township trustee of schools for several years. For a few years he was engaged in buying and shipping grain and live stock. He has lived in the village corporation for nearly thirty years, and been a member of the village board two or three terms.
William R. Axe was born in England, July 22, 1821, came to this country in 1842, and to Rockton in 1866. He carried on business here with Mr. Widdowson for several years, conduct- ing a foundry and machine shop on the water power. He
married Miss Olive P. Marshall, in New York, in 1848. She was born in Maine, Nov. 15, 1822, and died in Rockton, April 7, 1891. Mr. Axe has been retired from business for several years past. He owns considerable property in Rockton and Beloit.
Andrew Bingham was born in Ontario county, N. Y., June 10, 1837, went to Michigan with his father's family in 1850, where he learned the printer's trade, and worked at that busi- ness for fourteen years. He enlisted in the war of the rebell- ion, in company K, in the 9th Michigan infantry. He married Miss Emma R. Collins, Feb. 7, 1863. She was born in Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., July 1 1839. He has been engaged at mason work for the past twenty years. He came to Rockton in 1858, and has been a resident of the village for the past ten years. He has been village clerk two terms, and is now pres- ident of the village board. They have four living children.
John J. Clover war born in England, Jan. 21 1839, came to Rockton with his father's family in 1844. He married Miss Emily Shores, in Beloit, Wis., Oct. 2, 1862. She was born April 5, 1840. He has been variously engaged in farming, meat mar- ket business, fireman and stationary engineer. He owns a house and lot in town. They have had three children, all of whom are now married.
George Wilford was born in Lincolnshire, England, June 2, 1845. He married Miss Sophia Shotliff. Nov. 28, 1865. They with their oldest child, came to this country, Oct. 1, 1867, and to Rockton, Nov. 1, 1878. To them were born seven children,
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
all of whom are living. Mrs. Wilford was born Nov. 23, 1846, and died March 21, 1895. She was a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Wilford married again, Dec. 15, 1897, to Miss Mae Shufelt, of Rockton. He and his present wife are both inem- bers of the Methodist church. He has been foreman of the Phonix paper mill for the past fifteen years.
John E. Woolery was born in the township of Burritt, March 25, 1854. He has lived in Rockton almost continuously since 1868. He has been engaged in farming and doing team work. He married Miss Mariette Stickler, Aug. 9, 1882. They have two children.
Henry B. Freed was born in.Oswego county, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1845. He came to Rockton in 1867. He married Miss Emma Royden, June 28, 1871. He worked in the paper mill the first fifteen years of his residence here. During the last ten or twelve years, he has been a clerk in Mr. Royden's store. He and his wife are both members of the Cong'l church.
Ephraim Osee Gridley was born in Rockton, Oct. 30, 1858 He married Miss Hanora A. Wall, in Kansas, April 22, 1879. She died May 9, 1881. He married Miss Flora U. Baker, April 10, 1889. He has been one of the workmen in the paper mill for a number of years. He owns a house and lot in town.
Thomas Jordan was born in Canada, Oct. 22, 1832. He came from there in 1852, and settled in the township of Burritt. He married Miss Diana Holmes, April 19, 1853. They came to Rockton in 1869. He has been engaged in farming and doing team work since living here. He owns a home in town. They have had four children who are all married.
William Cowen was born in Canada, Aug. 25, 1833, came to this county with his parents in 1848. He married Miss Helen M. Seaver, April 29, 1869. She was born in Ticondero- ga, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1837. He devoted most of his time to farm- ing. He owned a house and lot in town, in which he resided for many years. He died in Portland, Maine, Oct. 29, 1890. His remains were brought back here, and interred in Rockton cemetery.
Byron B. Hill was born at Watertown Junction, Wis., Oct. 19, 1846. He learned the trade of a harness maker, in Roscoe, when twenty years of age. He married Miss Lydia M. Kerr, Aug. 10, 1868. She was born in Roscoe, Feb. 23, 1847. He start- ed the harness business in Rockton, in 1872, and has followed
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
it almost continuously ever since. He has been town consta- ble eight years, police constable four years, and deputy sheriff one year. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Methodist church.
William R. Webber was born in Rockton, Nov. 26, 1864. He married Miss Maggie Westlake, Oct. 4, 1888. She was born March 30, 1869. He is engaged in farming. He is one of the commissioners of highways.
William H. Merrill was born in Rockton, Jan. 23, 1851, mar- ried Miss Sarah E. Cowen, May 9, 1877. She was born Dec. 10, 1850. He is a painter by trade, and has followed that business most of the time for several years.
Alexander T. Hart was born Feb. 12, 1821. He married Miss Phebe B. Cole, Jan. 4, 1849. She was born March 7, 1829. He lived in Janesville a number of years ago, where he owned considerable property, but financial reverses deprived him of inost of it. He has lived in Rockton a long time. He has held the office of town collector for nine years.
Fred M. Coons was born in Rockton, April 16, 1855. He mar- ried Miss M. Etta Bordner, in Freeport, Feb. 16, 1887. For a number of years he was engaged in buying and baling straw for the Rockton paper inills. Some three years ago he leased the Phoenix paper mill and carried it on until July 28, 1898, when he bought the plant, and has since conducted the busi- ness. He owns a quarter section farm just east of town cn which he now resides.
William Smith was born in Rockton. He was engaged in the livery business for about eight years, and since then has devoted his time to farming, and raising blooded stock. He has persistently refused to hold a town or village office, al- though frequently requested to do so. He married Mrs. Me- lissa Rockwell, May 15, 1876.
William H. Baker was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., March 30, 1842. He married Miss Charlotte M. Shamiour, in Canada, Jan. 22, 1863, where he worked for a lumber company. She was born Jan. 13, 1846. He learned the blacksmith trade in Canada. He came to Rockton, in 1866, and has been engaged for twenty-one years, as master mechanic in the paper mills. He has served one term on the village board.
John W. Hudson was born at Mt. Pleasant, Canada. Jan. 21, 1850. He came to Rockton with his parents in 1856. He inarried Miss Zelia A. Loomer, May 14, 1870. He has been in
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the blacksmith business most of the time for the past twenty- five years. He moved to Kansas for a short time several years ago, but had to return on account of sickness of his family. He has served two terms as village clerk. His wife is a mem- ber of the Baptist church. They have only one son.
John Piper was born in England April 8, 1812. He came to Rockton in 1869, and bought the Osgood farm west of town, where he lived until his death, which occurred Sept. 25, 1875. His wife was born in England, March 4, 1816, and died in Rockton, Dec. 19, 1877. In connection with carrying on his farm, he had a meat market in town for a short time, and then he tried milling in the custom department of Cowles & Gates' rye mill.
Hiram W. Young was born in Canada, Jan. 6, 1845, came to Rockton in 1868. He married Miss Alta M. Comstock, March 13, 1876. She was born Sept. 8, 1851. He worked at farming the first few years. He was time keeper two years when they were building the Chicago and Omaha railroad. He has worked in the paper mill for the past eighteen years, thirteen years of the time as fireman. He has served two or three terms as village trustee, and been a school director on the south side of the river. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist church.
Michael McCue was born in Ireland, July 18, 1833. He mar- ried Miss Ann Hynes, Aug. 25, 1856. She was born Aug. 15, 1836. He went to California in 1862, and was there four years. While he was gone his wife came to Rockton in 1864, and bought the place where they now reside. He came back from California in 1866, and has since lived in Rockton. For a number of years he worked in the paper mills. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church of Beloit.
John Watts was born April 16, 1840. He married Miss Esther Riley, April 12, 1867. He served in the war of the rebellion in a Wisconsin regiment. His first work in Rockton was tending the lime kiln, which he followed for several years. He subse- quently bought the place where he now resides, and a farm on the Beloit road. He is now devoting his time to farming. He has been a member of the village board. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
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