USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Rockton > The history of Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois, 1820 to 1898 > Part 7
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ninety years of age.
Maj. Thomas Blish Talcott was born in Hebron, Ct., April 17, 1806. In 1831 he engaged in mercantile pursuits, in Horse- heads, N. Y., and while living there received the appointment of major in the state militia. He came west with his father in 1835, as has been previously stated, and made Rockton his home as long as he lived. He located a claim on the point be- tween the two rivers, and built the first log house in the town- ship. He was elected first county commissioner in 1836, which office he held for five years. He was married to Miss Sophia E. Willard, June 5, 1843, by Rev. Dexter Clary. He was elected state senator in the fall of 1849, and was in the legislature four years, during which time the charter of the Illinois Central railroad was granted. He was an active business man in Rock- ton for a number of years, and held several town offices. He donated to the Congregational church, of which he and his wife had long been members, the Gates house which is valued at $1500. He died Sept. 30, 1894, at the age of 88 years. His wife died Dec. 25, 1888. She was born in Vernon, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1824. .
Sylvester Talcott was born in Rome, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1810. He engaged in keeping store when a young man in Horseheads, N. Y., until 1836, when he sold out his business and came to Rockton. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace in the fall of the same year, and married the first couple in town in 1837. He married Miss Mary Westlake, June 10, 1841, and soon after built the large dwelling house en Main street, now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Smith. He was actively en- gaged in developing the industries of Rockton, and was al- ways interested in any enterprise to help build up the town. When the township organization was adopted in 1850, he was elected the first supervisor, which office he held for five years, two years of which he was chairman of the board of supervis- ors. He joined the Congregational church, March 16, 1851, and was one of the trustees for a number of years, and kept up his membership as long as he lived. In 1854 he was interested in the manufacture of the Manny reaper in Rockford, and was a partner in that company for a number of years. He took an active part in inducing the Racine & Mississippi railroad to run their line through this town, and greatly assisted in build- ing the road from here to Freeport.
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He was a zealous member of the Republican party and gave it his full support. Although past the age to do military duty when the war of the rebellion broke out, he promptly sent a substitute to represent him. He was a man of very generous impulses and did a great deal to help the poor and needy. He died Jan. 19, 1885. His wife, Mrs. Mary Talcott, was born in 1820, and died Dec. 9, 1872.
Henry W. Talcott was born in Rome, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1814, came west and settled in Rockton in the fall of 1835. He made his claim on the south-east quarter of section thirteen, some of this land remained in the possession of the family to a very recent date. He was one of the fourteen charter members of the Congregational church, aud retained his membership un- til April 7, 1765, when he withdrew from fellowship. He was engaged with his brothers in the industries of Rockton, and continued an active member until his death, which occurred Dec. 9, 1870. He married Miss Emeline McConnell, Oct. 1, 1845. They had nine children. She died August 25, 1894.
John Lovesee was one of Rockton's early settlers. He was born in England in 1815. He came to Roscoe with R. J. Cross, in August, 1835, and the same fall came to Rockton. He spent his first winter with Mr. Cross, living in Mack's old log house in Bird's Grove. He subsequently settled in Roscoe on land east of the railroad station, where he lived the remainder of his life. He married Miss Permelia McCrady in 1840. She was born in Canada, in 1821, and is still living in Roscoe. He died Oct. 2, 1894.
Dea. Luman Pettibone was born in Orwell, Vt., AAng. 20, 1791. He came to Rockton with his family in October, 1836. He lived with David Carpenter west of the river the first winter, and the following spring he located a claim on a part of the Good- win farm, and built a log house near the present residence of Mr. Shaw. He was one of the charter members of the Cong'l church, and was elected the first deacon. He lived on his claim until 1841, when he sold out to Chellis Hooker and moved to the village, and built the house now the residence of James King. About 1846 he moved to Shirland and purchased land in that town, and while living there held the office of supervi- sor of the town for four years. He returned to Rockton in 1854, and occupied his former house until he sold it, then he lived for a time in the William Cowen house, which burned Aug. 23,.
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1886. He represented the town of Rockton on the board of supervisors in 1855-'56, and was chairman of the board one year. His wife, Alınira Pettibone, died in 1864, and after her death, he lived most of the time with his daughter, Mrs. Samuel Briggs, of New London, Wis. He died in Rockton, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. David Carpenter, April 2, 1880. He lived a long and useful life of over 88 years, and his memory will long be cherished by his many friends. Said one of his ad- mirers while extoling his many virtues: "He was a prince among men." A noble tribute of praise to the memory of any man.
Philander Bird was one of early settlers of Rockton, coming here from Miwaukee, Wis., as early as 1837 or '38. He made a claim on the south-west quarter of section nineteen, range two which land is now owned by Edwin Martin. He was a mem- ber of the Cong'l church, and was one of the first trustees. His wife, Mary F. Bird, was also a member of the same church. After living in the log house on their farm for several years, they moved into the village, and Mr. Bird built the house now owned by H. S. Northrop. He devoted a good deal of his time to raising fruit. They moved to Cobden, Illinois, about 1856. Mrs. Bird is now living Buffalo, N. Y.
Frederick Bird, a brother of Philander Bird, was also an early settler, and located on the Roscoe road just beyond the Dry Run creek. His place was subsequently known as the Bradley place. Bird's grove at the mouth of the creek, took its name from Frederick Bird.
The land between the Dry Run and Philander Bird's farm was claimed in an early day by a man by the name of Dunn. A Mr. Cooper also had some part in it, which in time passed into the possession of Mr. Harding. Mr. Dunn had two sons- in-law, Durham and Peters, who occupied his land with hin1. The old log house recently pulled down on Caleb Bentley's farm, was the residence of Mr. Durham, and a log house farther west was the residence of Mr. Peters. Mrs. Dunn died a few years ago in the old house on the Peters place, which is now owned by the George Gleasman estate.
Dugald Campbell was an early settler before the forties. He located a claim on the north-east quarter of section twelve. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational
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church. She died in December, 1842. Later he disposed of his land and moved away.
1840.
During the preceeding years of Rockton's growth, much had been done to develope its latent resorces. The water power had been improved, mills had been built, many houses had been erected, school and church privileges were springing in- to existence, and the hand-maid of industry had invigorated all around her with the touch of her magic wand. The future growth of the little hamlet was an assured fact. Settlers were slowly coming in, and the wave of occupation was quietly spreading from the small beginnings that had nestled on the river's side.,
Of the settlers of this year we can speak of only in part. They with those who have preceeded them may well indeed . be called old settlers, and deserve the reverence and lasting gratitude of those who are now reaping the benefit of their toil and hardships. That band of energetic pioneers are grow- ing beautifully less as time passes on in its yearly strides. Only four now remain in Rockton, to tell of their early com- rades who bore with them their part in the privations of first settlers. They came with health, strong, robust and energetic, and wrestled with the obstacles all along the line. They he- roically performed their life work, and now with labor done, they have gone to their long home. Unless the limit is step- ped ahead one decade the old settlers will very soon become an extinct people.
ANTIQUITIES.
There are several remains in Rockton township of the work of the mound builders. Whether that ancient race anti-date the Indians in the possession of this country, is yet an unsolv- ed problem. These curious shaped earth works, undoubtedly have an interested history, and some wise archeologists pre- tend to tell us all about them, but at best they are only conjec- tures; but groping as they do in the hidden mysteries of past ages, a close observation has developed some striking features which are worthy of note.
In most cases these ancient remains are found on high points of land, which indicate that they might have been used as look-out stations to sight an enemy in the distance. Then
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their peculiar shape which have a fanciful resemblence to some animal form, might have suggested the name of the tribe or clan that built them. Others think they have in part been used as burial places for their dead, but only in rare cases have human bones been found in these mounds. Many of these old relics of untold ages are fast disappearing before the sacrili- gious hand of the plowman and other agencies.
In the early settlement of the country these mounds were strikingly noticeable, and were often spoken of as land marks to guide the traveler across the trackless prairie. There were mounds west of Coon creek, north of the Shirland road, and some farther south on the Moody farm. On the top of the Carpenter hill up from the bridge were several mounds, but the highway and the adjoining plowed field have been the means of removing nearly all traces of them. Farther np the bank on the same side of the river are several mounds in a good state of preservation. In the north part of the village, near John Randall's, were some mounds in an early day, but little of theni now remain. Just east of the village was a fine collection of mounds, but the land taken by the railroad for a gravel pit has entirely removed them. There are some mounds down the river on the south side which are still traceable.
INDIAN RELICS.
When Mr. Carpenter first settled here there was an Indian "buried in the air," so to speak, near his place west of the river. The remains reposed in a rude coffin of bark, which. was sup- ported on four posts set in the ground. This primitive monu- ment remained for several years after the settlement, but final- ly went to decay and disappeared. There were remains of a similar character near the residence of John Randall, and when the Adamses first possessed the land, it showed only two upright red cedar posts and a cross timber. These in time passed away and became nearly forgotten, but a year ago as Mr. Randall was digging post holes to repair his line fence he ex- humed one of these old posts as sound as it was perhaps a hun- dred years ago.
There were several places along the river of Indians having their burial in the tree tops, being either done up in bark cof- fins or placed in a canoe and fastened up in the trees. Two of these coffins were in the tree tops below the Winsor place, and
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
one in the top of a large tree near the mouth of the Dry Run, on Mr. Bentley's farm. These in time fell into the river and were carried away. A short distance up the river from the Dry Run creek are still to be seen the remains or a rude stone altar which was often used by the Indians in their religious devo- tion. For some years after the tribe had practically left the country, migratory bands would often return to that consecrat- ed spot and perform their oblations as their fathers had done.
Many Indian relies such as flint arrow points and spear heads have been found in considerable quantities, also stone axes and quite rarely morters and pestles. It is a great pastime for some to gather up these old relics, and some very fine collec- tions have been made. E. W. Martin, while living in Rockton, accumulated a large number of these relics, embracing sever- al thousand of the rarest. He prizes his collection very highly.
John Griffith was born in Wales, Jan. 4, 1816. He came to this country in 1836, and to Rockton in 1840. He purchesed 160 acres of land in section twenty-six, and an eighty from Mack's estate in section twenty-three. He married Miss Cath- erine Webber, March 1, 1860. They had a family of nine child- ren, two boys and seven girls. He died June 8, 1896.
William Griffith came to this country in an early day' and settled in Wisconsin, near Beloit. Subsequently he settled in the west part of this township on section eight, where he lived for a number of years. He then sold his farm and came to town to live. He died Feb. 18, 1887.
John Bacon, one of the 1840 settlers of Rockton, was born in Frankfort, Maine, June 24, 1803. He purehsed land down the river on section thirty-one range two. He married Ermina Seaver in the state of New York, in 1837. She was born in Ti- conderoga, N. Y., in 1815, and died May 27, 1863. He died in Portland, Maine, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Curtis, a number of years ago.
Porter Bellows settled in Rockton as early as 1840. He mar- ried his second wife, Angeline Hinman, Jan. 26, 1841, by the Rev. Milton Bourn. He was in company with C. J. Fox, in the manufacture of plows, about 1842. After this he built several threshing machines, which were much used in that early day. He probably moved away from Rockton a great many years ago.
William Carlton settled here as early as 1840.
He was a
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HISTORY OF ROCKTON.
member of the Cong'l church for a number of years. He built the H. B. Jones house where he lived until he moved away about 1860. He was a cooper by trade and had a shop near Dr. Waite's brick house back of Waite's hotel. He went to Ore- gon and became a government collector of the port of Portland which position he held for a term of years.
1841.
The most important event of this year was the building of the school house in the park. There was a growing need of such a building which should serve the double purpose of a school house for week days, and a place for meetings on Sundays. The people cheerfully contributed of their slender means to the success of this enterprise, and were proud of their efforts. Rude benches served for seats. The first winter is was not plastered, but in due time is received an inside finish, and a coat of red paint improved its outside. It was a very fine struc- ture for those early times, and well answered its purpose for several years. The following lines from one of Rockton's gift- ed poets, thus describes this old school house:
Upon this spreading plain the school house stood, Modest but ample, built of simple wood, Full in the center was the low wide door, Within pine benches and a basswood floor, Week days and Sundays 'twas the central place, The school of wisdom and of christian grace, Minerva's temple five days of the seven, But when the Sunday came, the "gates of heaven." The joys and sorrows of those early years, Here made rejoicings, mingled here their tears.
The man of God here blessed the happy bride, And here we wept and prayed for those who died. Thus many years on this village green, Our dear old school house in its pride was seen, But as prosperity made innovations, And pomp and show began to take their stations, The spirit of improvement touched the town, And painted red our school house meek and brown. No trees stood near to hide its blushing face, No single shadow shielded its disgrace; And so at last with one sad, crazy wing,
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The poor, neglected, tumble-down old thing,
Was moved away into the busy town,
A kind of store house, shorn of its renow. We weave its story in this simple rhyme,
Peace to its memory, it has served its time.
Chellis Hooker, a twin brother of Dr. Hooker, was born in Hartford, Ct., Dec. 9, 1792. He came Rockton, in 1841, and bought out the claim made by Dea. Luman Pettibone on the Goodwin farm. He built a barn and the cobble stone house, and made other improvements on the place, but his hard work of pioneer life only lasted six years, He died in 1847, leaving a wife and five children. His widow married A. P. Goodwin, of Durand. She died in Rockton in 1883.
Dr. Coe Van Brunt was born in Florida, N. Y., June 3, 1805, and came to Rockton from Westfield, N. Y., in 1841. He was the second physician who settled in Rockton. He was a mem- ber of the Congregational church as long as he lived, and church clerk for eight years. He was very much respected in the community. He died Sept. 17, 1851. After a few years his widow married Rev. Taylor and they moved to Belvidere. She died there quite recently. For the past thirty years she suf- fered the affliction of being blind.
Nathaniel Rudd and his wife Witty Rudd were settlers of 1841, coming from Westfield, N. Y. They were both members of the Congregational church. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in Rockton April 4, 1847. at the age of seventy- five years. She died June 10, 1856, at the age of seventy-seven years.
The winter of 1841 and '42 was called a very hard winter. The river froze over on the 17th of November and stayed frozen over until the 7th day of April. That winter the small streams were nearly frozen up solid. The people came from all the surrounding country with their wheat to be ground, and the mill was so full with grists that many of them had to be stor- ed in outside buildings until each had its turn. Considerable flour was sent to Galena by teams that winter.
1842.
The first fourth of July celebration ever in Rockton was held this year. It was in Thayer's part of the town, and was partic- ipated in by of all the settlement and every one from the sur-
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rounding country. Mr. McDowel was the orator of the day and gave a stirring, oldtime address, full of patriotism and prophetic shadowings of the nation's future greatness.
J. B. Peterson offered the following toast: "The daughter of Columbia, may she never wed a tyrant nor give birth to a slave."
A sumptuous dinner was spread under the trees, in which roast pig was a prominent feature in the bill of fare. It was a very enjoyable occasion, and highly appreciated by all.
William Goddard came to Rockton with his wife in the spring of 1842, and bought the P. L. Ellis place on the Beloit road. Besides farming he carried on wagon making and blacksmithing on his farm, and employed men and made many wagons, which readily sold in that early day. He died in the prime of life, in 1848. They had only one child, a daughter, who married Chauncey Pettibone. She died several years ago. Mrs. Goddard is now living in Rockton.
Henry O. Brown was one of the 1842 settlers. He carried on a store liere for a number of years, which was located on the Newell corner. He built the brick house as a residence which was subsequntly sold to Charles Griffin. He was a member of the Congregational church and served both as clerk and trustee. He also was interested in school matters and was one of the directors of some time. About 1866, he moved to Rockford and died there.
John Brown, the father of Henry O. Brown, was quite an old man when he settled in Rockton in 1842. He came from Madison, N. Y., and was a pensioner of the war of 1812. He died in Rockton, Sept. 29, 1861.
Dea. William Bradley came from Westfield, N. Y., to Rockton as early as this year if not earlier. He was a deacon in the Congregational church for a number of years. He built the brick house on the south-east corner of Cottage and Chapel streets, which is now owned by Leonard Newell. He moved away in 1856.
1843.
The Mack bridge was built this year. A charter was obtain- ed from the legislature for its construction, and Stephen Mack, Merrill E. Mack and David Jewett were the incorporators. It was the first bridge across the river in the state, and was built
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with a draw so that boats could pass. It was a very substan- tial structure, and with occasional repairs, stood the ravages of the floods until June 1, 1850, when it was carried away, nev- er to be rebuilt. It was largely built at Mack's expense.
Samuel Talcott was born in Rome, N. Y., March 1, 1818. After attaining to manhood he was engaged for some years as a civil engineer on the Genesee valley canal. He came to Rockton in 1843, where he made his home for about sixteen years. He married Miss Minerva P. Cody, of Bloomington, Ills., Sept. 23, 1847. After his residence in Rockton, he moved to Du Page county. His wife died at Napierville, Ills., April 21, 1865. For years afterwards he lived in Missouri. His pres- ent home is in Darlington, Mo. On the first of last March, he celebrated his eightieth birthday, and invited in his friends and relatives. It was an enjoyable occasion.
Alexander Henderson Merrill and Frederick William Mer- rill came to Rockton in 1843, bringing a stock of merchandise with them. Their first store was in the wing part of Jacob Hyatt's tavern, which building is now the residence S. L. Jenk- ins. They soon after removed to the E. J. Veness corner and occupied the Wight store until they built the New England House, which they used for a hotel and store in 1847. Two or three years later the three story addition was built, which made a very imposing building for the times. They did a very prosperous business for a number of years. About 1850, they bought up a drove of cattle, taken on store accounts, and took them to Milwaukee for sale.
In the early fifties the Merrill Brothers were interested with other parties in paper mill property, located on the present site of the Bradner, Smith & Co's number one mill. The finan- cial panic of 1857-'58 was too great a strain on the firm, and they had to suspend business. A. H. Merrill soon after went to Chicago and engaged in business there for a time. He after- wards went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was a book-keeper for a number of years. He died there in the fall of 1884. F. W. Merrill was never in business again for himself after his 1857 failure, but for some years afterwards, he was both clerk and book-keeper for other parties. He died in Rockton, Feb. 14, 1898, at the age of seventy-eight years.
Jared Clement Gridley, was born in the state of New York, March 26, 1810. He came to Rockton with his family in 1843,
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and settled in Thayer's part of the town. He tended ferry for Mr. Thayer in the fall of 1843. In 1845 he bought lots Nos. 10 and 11 in Thayer's addition, for the consideration of $100, and built a house on them. The property is now owned by J. E. Chase. He sold out about 1850 and went to Delphi, Iowa, but after staying there three or four years, he returned to Rockton. and occupied a house nearly opposite Mrs. Clay's place, which had previously been used by Hiram Thayer as a store. At one time he was engaged in manufacturing broom handles. He died in Rockton, Nov. 1, 1888. Mrs. Gridley died Sept. 7, 1894.
James L. Sharp was one of the early settlers. He located land on the west side of the township where he lived a num- ber of years. He was a member of the Congregational church as long as he lived.
1844.
The steam boat Lighter came up the river this year in the latter part of June. Several persons from Rockford came up on it, and that night a dance was held on the boat, in which many of Rockton people joined The boat was loaded with flour from Rockton and Beloit for St. Louis. It was said that the Rockton parties lost all of their flour by the leakage of the boat. The steam boat passed through Mack's bridge, which was built with a substantial draw about thirty-six feet wide, but when they came to the state line bridge at Beloit, the plank and stringers of one section had to be removed to let the boat through. The Ogle county history says: "This boat made two or three trips during the season, carrying groceries to Janesville and other river towns. Solon Cummings, a Grand Detour merchant loaded her once or twice with flour for the St. Louis market."
The subject of river navigation was a very important one in the early history of Rockton. As this was long before the days of railroads, the only outlet to the outside world, save the toil- some overland route with teams to the lake, was by Rock river. The government had declared it a navigable river, and when the land was surveyed, it was bounded by high water mark. The right to navigate the river was indisputable, and if it could be made profitable, would compel all dams to be built with locks, and all bridges to have draws, so no obstruction would prevent the free navigation of the river.
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