USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Rockton > The history of Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois, 1820 to 1898 > Part 5
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per mill, being the mechanic for the company for seventeen years. He also built the Keeney paper mill .. He was three years in the employ of the old Galena and Chicago railroad company as a contractor. During this time he superintended the building of the first railroad bridge in the state.
He erected a large steam saw mill at Manistee, Michigan, and has done contract building in Chicago, Racine, Rockford and Beloit. He owned for a number of years the house which is now the property of Mr. McCue. He united with the Con- gregational church during the ministration of its first pastor, W. M. Adams, in 1840, and was married to his daughter, Miss Julia Adams, June 1, 1852. He served six years as constable, and one term as a member of the village board.
There was an early settler by the name C. Vroman, who had land in section thirty-six, embracing considerable timber land. The tract which has since been known as'Webber's grove, was first called Vroman's grove. He must have left the country in an early day.
In the fall of 1838, after navigation had closed, it was found that there was a short supply of salt in Chicago, and no chance to get any more until spring. This condition made a sort of a salt famine in the little inland settlements, and especially so in Rockton. A man in Macktown had ten barrels of salt on hand, and he made the people's necessity his opportunity. He held his salt at $11 a barrel, and readily sold it at that price be fore it could be procured from other sources in the spring. At that time nails were 121/2 cents a pound, molasses $1.50 a gal- lon, and other articles in like proportion in price. An effort was made to boil down the. juice of pumpkins to make syrup, but it was not a success and when made was of a very poor quality. Some maple sugar was made from the maple trees along the river. Robert J. Cross had a large grove of maple trees down the river, which before his time was used by the Indians. He tried the maple sugar business, but soon aban- doned it as it did not pay for the trouble.
The salt famine in Rockton had its counterpart in Rockford in the winter of 1836 and '37, but they were short on tobacco and not on salt, and their chances to get a suppy from Chicago were very limited. A story of tobacco supply was told of Simon P. Doty, who was the pioneer settler of Belvidere. The tribe of Indians living on the north side of the river had but recent-
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ly lost their chief, Big Thunder, when Mr. Doty settled there. This chief was buried according to his directions, on the top of court house hill, in a standing position with his face to the east, so he could see when the white folks came and give the war whoop to rally his people. His grave was surrounded by a rude stockade, and a plentiful supply of Indian tobacco left on the grave for the use of the old chief while dwelling in the happy bunting ground where all good Indians are supposed to go. Doty's supply of tobacco soon ran out and he longingly wished for some of old Big Thunder's useless supply. So one dark night with no fear of ghosts before his eyes, he visited the old chief's grave and borrowed some of his kinnikanic. The tribe seeing the tobacco was diminishing, very promptly kept up the suppy. This state of things greatly pleased the pioneer settler, and many a long winter evening was whiled away smoking the pipe of peace to the memory of old Big Thunder and his loyal tribe.
Martin P. Ormsby was one of the early settlers of Rockton, coming as early as 1838, and probably earlier. He was inter- ested in building one of the first sawmills on the race in 1838, which he subsequently sold to a man by the name of Stokes. He bought land on the south side of the river of Mr. Mack, and lived there while he remained in Rockton. His house was a log structure just west of the residence of B. B. Gates. He was the step-father of Russell Jones and Eliza Jones. Mrs. Ormsby was a sister of Mrs. Merrill E. Mack. Mr. and Mrs. Ormsby were both members of the Cong'l church, until they were dismissed by letter June 13, 1847. Mrs. Ormsby had the honor of being one of the original fourteen who formed the church. Susequently Mr. Ormsby started for California going by way of the isthmus of Panama, but died on shipboard and was buried in the Pacific ocean.
Russell Jones came here with his step-father, Mr. Ormsby, when a young man. He went to Galena in 1840, and soon got into some profitable business. He purchased land on the south side of the river, and laid out an addition to the village, which is know as "Russell Jones' addition to Rockton." This plat was filed for record in the recorder's office in Rockford, June 2. 1855. Being a friend of General Grant while in Galena, he secured the appointment of U. S. marshal under Grant's administration, and after that a government appointment to
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some foreign country. In later years he has become a leading man in the street railway business in Chicago.
Jay Ambrose Wight was here as early as 1838, walking all the way from Chicago. He kept the first store in Rockton, with the exception of Mack's. He first located his store near the upper race bridge, on the road from Macktown to Beloit, but soon after built a store on the lot now occupied by Mrs. James' store. This building has since been moved and is now occupied by Jason Newell as a store house for paper rags. While living here, Mr. Wight married Miss Caroline E. Adans, a daughter of Rev. William M. Adams. In 1841 he disposed of his store and moved to Rockford, where he remained a couple of years. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Springfield. He started a newspaper in Rockford, called the Winnebago Forum, in February of 1842. After conducting this paper for about six months, he sold out the concern to A. Colton, and accepted the position as editor of the Prairie Farmer, of Chicago, which he filled for about sixteen years. He afterwards joined the ministry of the Presbyterian church, and served in that capacity until his death, which occurred in Bay City, Mich., Nov. 13, 1889. Mr. Wight was one of the founders of the Cong'l church in Rockton. His brother Tim- othy Wight was engaged with him in the store for some time.
1839.
The principal event of this year was the building of the Talcott gristmill, which was completed and ready for busi- ness in the fall of the year. As this was the first gristmill built in Rock river valley, it soon had an immense custom trade, for people came long distances to get their milling done here, even from Ft. Winnebago, Wis., one hundred miles away. People would come with a load of wheat to be ground, and oft- en would have to stay a week or so before they could get their grists ready to return home. Of course this made it profitable for those who could provide keeping for the far-away patrons of the mill.
The first hotel in Rockton was built by Jacob Hyatt, on the south side of Main street, in 1839, and was carried on by him for quit a number of years. The wing part of the building was
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occupied by A. H. and F. W. Merrill for a store when they first commenced business in Rockton as early as 1843. This building is now the residence of S. L. Jenkins. One of the first deaths in town occurred in this hotel. The decease was a young man by the name of Hopkins. Mr. Hyatt was at one time engaged in carrying the mail. He moved his family to California in 1850, where he died at Pett Hill, Cal., Sept. 13th,
1878, in the 74th year of his age. Mrs. Hyatt is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Byron Graham, in Rockford.
Dr. Harley Hooker who was born in Hartford, Ct., Dec. 9, 1792, came to Rockton in 1839. His object point in coming west, was Marshaltown; Mich., but finding so much sickness there, he pushed on to Illinois. First he came to Beloit, which was then composed of a few shanties, and then on to Rockton, which they reached at set of sun, and found a hospitable shel- ter in the log cabin occupied by Dea. Luman Pettibone and family, on the Goodwin farm, which was their home for the first three months. Dr. Hooker was the pioneer physician of Rockton, and had an extensive practice for a long period of years. He was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the Cong'l church, possessing strong reli- gious convictions and adorned his profession by his daily walk and conversation. The memory of a life of purity such as his, is a sacred heritage to his children. He died March 16, 1869. The home he occupied so long in Rockton, is now the residence of Messrs. Thompson and Baker. His wife's last years were spent with her daughter, Mrs. G. H. Hollister, where she clos- ed a most useful life, May 25, 1877. They had a family of six children, and lived to see them all attain to man and woman- hood, occupying honorable positions in society, illustrating the value of wise and virtuous parental precept and example.
Thomas Farmer was one of the 1839 settlers of Rockton. He secured land on the south-west quarter of section thirty-one, which Mr. Halley had previously located, and a part of this land with a tract in Owen, remained in his possession as long as he lived, He was born in Scotland, July 10, 1815, came to this country in 1836, first to Vermont and then to Rockton. He was a stone mason by trade and built several stone buiklings in town, among which is the residence of E. J. Veness, the T. B. Talcott house, the Henry Talcott house, the school house. the library building, the Gibson house, and the residence of
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Miss Susan Griffith, which he built for himself and lived in it until he settled on his farm in the town of Owen. In 1875 he moved to Rockford, where he died Oct. 9, 1880. He was noted for his jovial spirit and lively disposition, and a more cheerful man than he would be hard to find; and he was always the happiest when at his own fireside, with his children and grand children gathered around him. Mrs. Farmer, whose maiden nanie was Margaret Halley, a sister of William Halley, died in Rockford in 1887. Their nine children are: Mrs. Mary Clark, of Owen; George and William Farmer, of Rockton; Mrs. Fred Gleasman, of Rockton; Henry Farmer, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Chester Farmer. of Rockford; Charles and R. B. Farmer, of Los Angeles, Cal .; and Stanley Farmer, of Severy, Kansas.
Henry W. Conklin was born in Damascus, Penn., June 24th, 1827, came west with his mother and nine children in 1839. They started on their journey from the east June 4th, and ar- rived at Rockford, July 12th. Although but a boy of twelve years of age, he soon had to learn to struggle with the stern realities of frontier life. He soon secured work to aid in the support of the family, his first job was driving a breaking team at $12 a month. His first purchase of land was in the town of Harrison, in 1854, but this property was lost by reason of the mortgage he put on it to help build the Racine and Missis- sippi railroad. He married Miss Alvalina Grover, in Juda, Wis., Nov. 28, 1856. In 1865 they went to the state of Oregon, crossing the plains and climbing over the mountains. They had an eventful journey as it was the year of Indian hostili- ties, but fortunately they reached their destination unharmed. After staying there a year, they returned to Rockton, coming by the way of the isthmus. Mr. Conklin then purchsed the farın on which he now resides, which was first settled by Al- exander Gibson. In connection with his farming, he has been quite extensively engaged in keeping bees, which has been an important source of revenue to him. He held the office of town collector for two years, and has held other town and school offices. He enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow men. He is kind to his neighbors and friends, and generous to those who need a helping hand. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Conklin are: Dorsey Taylor, born in Harrison, Oct. 16, 1857; Lemi Henry, born in Harrison, March 8 1859; James B., born in Harrison, Aug. 12, 1863; Rose E., born in Oregon,
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Oct. 17, 1865; and Eva E., born in Rockton, Jan. 25, 1874.
Richard Griffith, who was born in England, came to Rock- ton in 1839. He learned the trade of wagon maker of Jesse Blinn, and then worked for a time for William Goddard who built wagons on the Beloit road. He soon after set up in business for himself, in a shop where the Baptist parsonage now stands, and there carried on wagon making until some time later he moved his works to Beloit. While doing business in Beloit, he employed John Thompson in his shop, who has since become a prominant manufacturer in that city. After being in Beloit a few years, he went to Freeport, and in con- nection with George Stiles, engaged in the business of manu- facturing fanning mills up to about 1860. He made this busi- ness very profitable. He loaned all the money he could spare from his business at a good rate of interest, which together with the profits on his manufacturing industry, enabled hin to accumulate in about twenty years, the sum of a hundred thousand dollars. He also invested in land and acquired about 500 acres. During the war he located in Rockford, and lived there until about 1873, when he disposed of his property and went back to England, where he now resides, surrounded with all the luxury that his wealth accumulated in this country can procure.
Elder James Veness was born in England, Sept. 30, 1800. He was apprenticed to a linen-draper in London, to learn the bu- siness, and besides giving his time for a term of years, his father had to buy the position by the payment of £ 150. He came to Rockton with his family in 1839, but only stayed here a short time, and then went to Round Prairie, in Boone coun- ty, where he lived for a number of years. During his stay there he devoted his time to farming and traveling over the county as often as possible, doing the work of a pioneer preacher of the Baptist church. He was the first, or one of the first, to preach in the Belvidere court house. He returned to Rockton in 1851, and for about three years was engaged as clerk in the store of Talcott & Co., where Harper Brothers now have their gorcery store. In 1854 he set up business for himself where J. J. Crawford & Co., have their meat market. His stock consisted of groceries and books. This was the first attempt to have a book store in town. In 1855 he moved his store to the west end of the stone block, where in 1856 he took
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his son, E. J. Veness, into partnership. This firm continued the business till 1861, when he sold out to his partner and re- tired from business. His faithful wife died Oct. 8, 1862, which was the overshadowing trial of his life. He died Jan. 22, 1881, after a busy life of eighty years, doing what he could to better the condition of his fellow men.
Dr. Joseph G. Veness was born in England, May 18, 1823, and came with his parents to Rockton in 1839. Later he lived in Boone county for a number of years, where he married Miss Katherine J. Butler, Aug. 12, 1848. After this event, he moved to Roscoe, and built houses there. One of them was the grout house which Dea. Norris lived in for a good many years. He moved to Rockton after living in Roscoe for a time, and work- ed with his brother, J. W. Veness, at mason work. He studied medicine and practiced as a physician to the end of his life. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years, also the office of village trustee. He was an efficient member of the Baptist church, and also an energetic worker in the ten- perance cause. He was a member of the Good Templars and Temple of Honor as long as he lived. He was also instrument- al in starting the first free circulating library. He died Feb. 4,1893.
Dea. James W. Veness was born in England, May 22, 1825, came to Rockton with his parents in 1839. He went with them to Round Prairie, Boone county, where he lived until 1852, when he returned to Rockton. He married Miss Susannah Legge, in Boone county, Feb. 3, 1852. She was born in Cana- da, Oct. 18, 1829. He built the wing part of his house when he first came to Rockton and lived in the same place until his death. He followed the trade of a mason, and performed a great deal of work in that line about town. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years, also served several years as village trustee and president of the village board. He served four years as postmaster. He was a deacon in the Bap- tist church for a considerable time, and took a prominent part in the work of the church and Sunday school. He was highly respected by all who knew him. He died August 16, 1896, in his home in Rockton, in the 71st year of his age. The names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Veness are: William How- land Veness, born Dec. 22, 1853, was drowned inthe race, July 24, 1866. J. Wellington Veness, born Sept. 24. 1855. Franklin
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Ambrose Veness, born Dec. 17, 1857, died May 15, 1863. Harry Ernest Veness, born March 31, 1860. Charles Otis Veness, born Oct. 17, 1862. Rollen Samuel Veness, born Oct. 10, 1867, died Nov. 22,1868. Lily Veness, born Nov. 16, 1869. Violet Veness, born August 27, 1871, died Sept. 10, 1871.
E. J. Veness was born in Oneida county, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1837. He was but two years of age when his parents first came to Rockton. After living in Boone county for twelve years, he returned to Rockton with his parents in 1851, He went into business with his father in 1856, and bought out his father's interest in the store in 1861. He then formed a copartnership with E. S. Waite and A. C. Joslyn, under the firm name of Veness, Waite & Joslyn, which firm carried on business until 1865, when Messrs. Veness and Waite sold out their interest in the store to Mr. Joslyn, Mr. Veness went to Pikes Peak in 1860, and made the journey from St. Joe, Mo., to Denver, in forty-two days. He came back in the fall of the same year. In 1865 he went to Racine, Wis., and engaged in the tannery business till the fall of 1867, when he sold out his interest there and returned to Rockton, and commenced business again with Mr. Waite. They had a stock of dry goods, groceries and drugs, and carried on their business in the store now occupied by Veness & Son. This firm continued the store until April 7th, 1880, when Mr. Waite retired. Then Mr. Veness took in as partner, G. W. Martin, a former clerk, and Veness & Martin carried on the business for a few years. Since Mr. Martin re tired from the firm, the store has been conducted by E. J. Ve- ness & Son. Mr. Veness was elected supervisor of the town in the spring of 1879, and gave the town a continuous service in that capacity for nine years, seven years of this time he was chairman of the board of supervisors. He has been an active member of the Baptist church, and given it a liberal support. He married Miss Mary Sterns, daughter of Lloyd and Mary Sterns, Nov. 5, 1862. She was born in De Kalb county, Feb. 3, 1841.
CLAIMS.
In early times before the land came into market, the setters would stake out their respective claims, which were generally respected by other settlers, for they all had a common interest to be secured in the peaceful possession of their land Some-
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times a man would make a prairie claim and a timber claim and try to hold them both at the same time. This practice was not in high favor with inen seeking claims and it often led to what was termed "jumping clainis," or in other words, taking possession of one of these double claims without leave or license. If the man forcing his claim had a sufficient back- ing of friends or relatives, he generally succeeded in holding onto the land; but on the other hand, if the other party could muster a greater force, the "jumper" would have to vacate the premises and seek some other locality.
A case of this kind occurred up the Pecatonica, on section twenty-two. Calvin Comstock, a settler of 1838 or '39, "junip- ed a timber claim," and proposed to hold it as the other party already had a prairie claim of a quarter section. He was duly notified to leave this land, but he made up his mind to stay, and accordingly proceeded to make his claim more secure by erecting a log house thereon. This did not settle matters. Hearing by some of his friends that a party of settlers would wait on him on a certain day, and take prompt measures to drive him off. So accordingly he prepared for war and waited the attack. When the day arrived he secured a half dozen of his friends with loaded guns to repel any assault, and his wife anxious to bear a part filled all the kettles with water and had them in good scalding trim.
Soon the attacking party arrived in cosiderable force, and ordered him off the premises, With his little garrison in re- serve in the log cabin, he appeared at the door and cooly in- formed the outside crowd that they might go to thunder with their demand. A "man's house was his castle," and he should hold possession, and if he was molested several loaded guns and kettles of hot water would be used to defend his home. This state of things was unlooked for by the attacking party, and being powerless to enforce their demand, finally conclud- ed to leave the right of possession to be decided by Judge Nog- gle, and quietly withdrew from the bloodless battle field.
It is needless to say that the right of possession was never decided by Judge Noggle, and Mr. Comstock remained in peaceful possession, and a year or two later he sold his claim to Darius Adams and moved to Wisconsin. Mr. Adams trans- ferred his title to S. K. Blodgett in 1842, and this land has since been in the possession of the Blodgett family. It is now owned
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by S. K. Blodgett, son of the purchaser of the land of Adams. Mr. Comstock died in Iowa a number of years ago.
Richard H. Comstock was born in Middlesex county, Conn., June 14, 1815, learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, when a young man. He helped to build the first railroad station in Ann Arbor, Mich. He drove an ox team from there to Rock- ton in 1839, making the journey in fourteen days. He located a claim on section twenty-one which land he held for a number years. He lived with his brother, Calvin Comstock for a short time when he first came here. He helped to build the first warehouse in Morris, Ills., and while there, married Hannah Horton, Jan. 10, 1848. She was born in Jefferson county, Ind., March 21, 1828. He owned land in section twenty-six, which was his home for over forty years. During the latter years of his life he had the misfortune to lose one of his arms by being caught in a corn sheller. He was a man of positive convic- tions, examplary in his daily life, and highly respected by his and friends. He died Jan. 18, 1894, leaving a wife and three children and a host of friend to mourn his loss.
AN INDIAN DEATH AND BURIAL.
In the summer and autumn of 1839, an Indian by the name of Billy Walk-knife was sick with consumption. All that the Indian doctors could do for him did not arrest the progress of the disease. The Indians then resorted to a sacrifice, or burnt offering to appease the anger of the Great Spirit. Accordingly a large white dog was selected and gaily decorated with color- ed ribbons, and then slain for the offering. The body was put upon a rudely constructed altar and a fire kept burning until it was entirely consumed, and during this strange scene vari- ous Indian ceremonies were performed to make the rude cus- tom more weird and impressive.
Walk-knife finally died in big woods on the north side of the Pecatonica river near the mouth of Coon creek, and the burial was consumated on the high bluff across the river. Mr. Mack, a Frenchman by the name of Hemel, and R. H. Comstock wit- nessed the solemn scene on the south bank of the river.
Mr. Comstock, in relating the incident, said there was a blanket hanging from the limb of a tree on the north side, and several canoes drawn up on the bank. In a short time the Indians came out of the woods to the number of two hundred
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or more, and all marched under the depending blanket. Four were bearing the remains of the dead Indian done up in an en- casement of bark. They all crossed the river, some in ca- noes, some on horse back, and those who could find no other means,swam across. When all had landed, they marched to the brow of the hill in a grave, dignified manner, bearing the corpse in front, followed by a feeble old squaw, the mother of the decease, who was supported by two women.
When all had assembled around the newly made grave, the corpse was laid on the ground beside it, and the people with bowed heads were addressed for a few minutes by one of their number. It was a most solemn occasion for these children of nature. They were about to consign a young man in the prime of his life to the tender care of mother earth. The venerable mother was standing at the foot of the grave in all the agony of desolate mother-hood. The sober countenances of her friends around her attested their deep sympathy and love But no one could tell how severely that mother's heart was tried, or how great was her suffering for the loss of her darling boy. He was a gift of the Great Spirit. She had pressed him to her breast, cradled him in her arms, and protected him from harm with all a mother's devotion and love. Poor, grief- stricken mother, well might she ask why had the Great Spirit wounded her so deeply, and cut assunder every tie that bound her to her kindred and tribe.
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