Rock Island County, Illinois - The whole text, 1908 (part 7 of 16)

Moline Retail Merchants' Association

This association, like the Retail Merchants' Association of Rock Island, affiliates with both the National and State organizations. Like other bodies of its kind its objects are to advance and protect the business interests of its members, to abate trade abuses and illegitimate practices, to secure beneficial legislation, and in various ways produce a feeling of friendliness and co-operation between the varied business interests and the public as a whole.

The first workers in the movement looking to the perfection of this organization were: B. H. Quick, S. S, Hoffman. C. F. Dewend, Martin Carlson, Charles G. Hogberg, C. 0,

Lovejoy and \\'illiam Carstens, who, with the help of the above gentlemen, did the first soliciting for membership. Such was their success that inside of ten days one hundred and fifteen business men had signed the charter list.

The success of the Retail Merchants Association has been phenomenal. They have saved thousands of dollars, not alone to the members, but to the public, by protecting the honest people from the dishonest. Further than this twenty per cent the reduction of freight rates in the State of Illinois, which amoiuits to about $20,000,000 to the people of the State, was brought about mainly by the united efforts of the local and state associations.

Moline Club

Organized December 9, 1S95, its object being for the advancement of social intercom'se among its members and to promote the civic, business and industrial interests of the City of Moline. The membership consists of three classes: Resident, non-resident and honorary. The resident membership being limited to three hundred members. Any male eighteen years of age or over, living within the City of Moline, shall be eligible to resident membership. An}- male adult whose residence is without the limits of Moline shall be eligible to non-resident membership. Any person of public distinction shall be eligible to honorary membership. The non-resident and honorary members shall enjoy all the privileges of the Club, except of those voting or holding office. The annual meetings of the Club are held on the second Tuesday in May of each year, at 9 P. M. The officers of the Club are president, first and second vice- ]iresidents, a secretary and treasurer. The various committees are the finance, membersliii), house and grounds, entertainment, press, a\iditing, and civic imi)rovement committee to further the civic, business- and industrial interests of the City of Moline. The ladies and minors of every member's family are entitled to the privileges of the (lull. Xo liquor of any kind shall be allowed in the club house, or on its premises, nor shall gambling be permitted. The first officers were: C. H. Deere, president; C. A. Barnard, \ice-president; E. H. Sleight, secretary; C. F. Hemenwa}'. treasurer.

Woman'S Club Of Moline

The ^^'oman's Club of Moline was founded May 23, 1903, by Mrs. Frank Gates Allen, of Moline, who called the first meeting, secured the place and speakers and presented a plan of organization which was adopted. The Club's membership grew rapidly, outgrowing the capacity of successive meeting places, tintil it has five hundred and twenty-five members and holds its regular meetings in one of the largest church buildings in Moline - the First CongTegational. The object of the Club, as stated by its constitution, ''shall be to foster the interest of its members in literarj-, scientific, musical, historical, and other topics of vital importance; to promote culture and cordial personal relations among women, and to contribute to the welfare of the community." Any woman living in ]\Ioline or vicinity is eligible to membershiji in the Club. It has, consequently, many members who live in Rock Island, Davenport or the smaller towns nearby. Monthly meetings are held from October to May inclusive. At these, reports of the departmental work are given, a program, consisting of music and the discussion of some live subject by an authority upon it, is presented and a short social hour follows. The Club has several deiiartmeuts: The music department, formed by the absorption of the Moline Beethoven t'lulj, jirovides music for each regular meeting and one or two recitals each seasf>n. The philanthropic department, formed by the absorption of the Moline Associated Charities, supports the Moline police matron, and City missionary, and provides for most of the relief work done for the poor of the city.

The civics department encourages the cleaning and beautifying of lots, streets and alleys, the opening of parks, the abatement of nuisances, and imsanitary conditions and the establishment of ]>ublic plaj' grounds. The department of pure food and domestic economy aims to secure the intelligent enforcement of the ]nu'e food laws.

The legislative department keeps the Club in touch with legislation of interest to its members, especially that which effects women and children.

Ch Rist I An Assoc I Ati O N.

The Moline Young Men's Christian Association was organized February 10, 1885. At that time the old rink was secured as temporary quarters and an efficient work carried on for several years. During the years of 1888 and 1889 a building fund was raised and a new structin-e erected which continued to be the home of the Association until destroyed some years later by fire.

On January 1, 1903, the Association moved into the present ciuarters, where a steadily growing work has been maintained in the various departments, and whose spacious, well lighted rooms have become the home of the young men of Moline in a very special way. The Association is not alone his home, but as well his school room, his play ground, and his place of entertainment and Christian culture.

In the night school conilucted by t';e Association are taught all the comn n branches, such as arithmetic, algebra, penmanship, spelling and granimer, alsT Englis'i for Swedes and Creeks, in b; th elementni-\- and achaiiced courses. Other courses in mechanical and architectural drawing, electricity, telegraphy, bookkeeping, commercial law, and vocal music have been taught in the night school. In connection with the educational department a debating society ,is conducted, in which young men are trained in tlie art of public speaking.

A physical department with well equii^ped gymnasium and expert physical director is a second phase of the work, affording a place for physical development under whole.some Christian influences. This department is participated in by both men and boys with great pleasure and jirofit. The bath rooms which are used daily by large nvimbers of men are the finest in the city. Fully 6,000 baths are furnished annually to members. No less than 35.000 visits are made to the rooms each vear.

Tile religious pluise of the work is wide in scope, covering a vast field of religious education. Bible classes are conducted, men'.s meetings with helpful addresses are held on Sunday afternoons anil on week days meetings are held in the various shop.s of the city at the noon hour, where a large number of men listen to addresses and music by the best talent obtainable. There is also a corps of workers, comprising a male quartette and speakers, who visit the variovis churches and missions in subiu'ban towns to conduct religious services.

During the years of its existence the .Moline Young .Men's Christian Association has made a i)lace for itself in the city of inestimable value. Its aim has been to produce well rounded men i)i this and it has succeeded. The ])roiluct of the Association has gmie forth to raise the standards of moral living and to enrich the world.

First Entries Of Land

Colonel George Davenport and Russell P'arnham, on October 19, 1829. entered land - .section two, seventeen North, two We.st - which was the first land registered in Rock Island County. The south half of this ground including that land east one mile fnmi the old Fair (Irounds was sold to Jonah H. Case. The nnrtli half of the Davenport- Farnham land formed a part of the possessions of the late Bailey Davenport.

On October 19, 1S29, was also entered the north half of section eleven, bv William T. Hrasher, upon a portion of which laud Ciiippiannock Cemetery is situated.

Colonel Davenport entered the southern pari of section eleven in 1829-30. On this plat of ground was afterwards laid out the famous "paper town'' of Rock Island City. Daniel Webster is said to Inave held an interest in this (then a paper town), which he sold to Caleb Cushing for $10,000. The town plat extended from Dingledine's south line, antl the south line of Chip]iiaunock Cemetery, south to Rock River, and from the ]\Iilan road three-fpun'ters of a mile cast.

I )a\('niHirt and 1 ariiliam also enteroil at the same time the fractional section thirtyfour, eighteen north, two west, south of the Indian Boundary line. This plat is now laid out in city lots, .-\dding William Carr, who entered land here in October, 1829, the list is complete as those registered in the year, prior to that date.

In 1830 Colonel Davenport entered other sections and in 1833 John W. Spencer entered the land on which the old Schindler farm was situated. The year 1835 exceeded all previous years as a land entering year. In 1836 companies were formed and large amounts of land entered for them in the names of individual citizens.

Illinois And Mississippi Canal

Illinois and Mississippi Canal, Illinois. - The object of the improvement is to furnish a link in a navigalile waterway from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River at the mouth of Rock River, Illinois.

The canal has been located on the R(i(d< Island route, approved by the Secretary of War October 27. 1S8S, as directed in the act of Congress of .\ugust 11, 1888. It proceeds from the Illinois River at its great bend, one and three-cpuirters miles above the town of Hennepin, Illinois; thence via Bureau Creek A'alley and over the summit to Rock River at the moutli of Cireen River: thence l)y slack water in Rock Rivei- and a canal around the, lower rapids of the river at Milan to the Mississippi River at the mouth of Rock River.

The canal is to be at least eighty feet wide at the water surface, seven feet deep, and with locks one hundred and seventy feet long and thirty-five feet width of lock chamber, capable of passing barges carrying six hundi'ed tons (maximum) freight.

The ri\er and harl)or act of Se])teniV)er 19. INIK). made tlie first apiiropriation for tlie eonstriK'tioii of the canal, and directed work to be begun by the construction of one of the locks and dams in Rock River.

lu accordance with this act work was begun in Jvdy, 1S92, near the mouth of Rock River, on the construction of a canal around the lower rapids of the river, and since that date has been prosecuted as rapidly as the appropriation of funds ]5ermitted. The survey work in locating the canal on the ground and proceedings f<jr acquiring title to the right of way have been completed, and the canal has been definitely located on the ground throughout its entire extent.

The river and harbor act of March 3, 190o, authorizes the Secretary of War, in his discretion, to construct a fixed dam with movable crest in Rock River, in lieu of the lock and dam at or near Sterling, Illinois, provided for l)y the approved project, the said dam with movable crest to be built from funds alreaily appropriated or authorized for the construction of the canal and to constitute a part of the ]iroject for its construction.

The river and harbor act of June 3, 1896, l)laced the work \nider the continuing contract system and limited the average amount of contract liability to be incurred in any one fiscal year to $400,000. There has been expended on this work to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1908, $7,319,563,39.

First. The acquisition of the right of way for four and one-half miles around the lower rapids of Rock River and the completion of four and one-half miles of canal there, involving the construction of four and one-half miles of earthwork, three locks, one railroad and two highwa}' swing bridges, seven sluieewaj^s and gates, one arch culvert, two dams 1 ,392 feet long across the arms of Rock River, three lock-kee])ers' houses, one small office l)uilding, a thorough riprap))ing of the canal Ijanks (not included in the original estimates), and construction by contract of Moline wagon bridge, at a cost of $2,t.0()0. which was not included in the original estimate.

Second. The acquisition of right of way for the main line and navigable feeder, coml)letion of all railway and highway bridges, locks, culverts, aqueducts: execution of all earthwork and completion of dam and controlling works at head of feeder; erection of fourteen houses and partial completion of twenty-five houses for overseers and lock tenders.

The canal was filled with water and formally opened to navigation October 24, 1907. Operating force has been organized and since January 1. 1908, the work has been maintained under the indefinite appropriation for operating and care of canals and other works of navigation, the completion of construction work progressing at the same time.

The entire work embraced in the original project for the canal, as modified by subsequent projects and plans as the work has progressed, may be summarized as follows:

Surveys and location upon the ground; acquisition of right of way and fencing; construction of - ninety-five and eight-tenths miles of earthwork; sixty-seven highway bridges; one farm bridge; three pontoon bridges; eight railroad bridges; nine aqueducts; fiftj--two culverts (increased to sixtytwo); thirty-three locks; nine sluiceways and gates; three dams; nineteen houses (increased to thirtj'-nine) ; outlet to Rock River; new highway on mile sixteen; improvement of eight and five-tenths miles of Rock River; Moline wagon bridge (not in original estimate).

miles of earthwork; sixty-seven hi<;li\vay bridges; one farm bridge; eight raih'oad bridges; nine aqiieduets; sixty-two culverts; thirt3'-three locks; thirty-foin- sluice gates; three dams; fourteen houses and part of twenty-five additional; new highway on mile sixteen; iloline wagon bridge; one pontoon bridge; part of dredging in Rock River; emergency gates, mile twenty-three.

The work remaining to be done consists of completing twenty-five houses, dredging in Rock River, and miscellaneous work of revetment, bank protection and finishing.

The first steamboat that landed at P'ort Snelling, Minnesota, was the Virginia, Captain Crawford, in 1S23. She was one hundred and eighteen feet long and twenty-two feet wide. At that early day the conveying of supplies to the forts on the upper Mississippi was about all the traffic there was. During the few years immediatel}' following the arrival of the Virginia there was but one boat a year. The Neville came in 1824; the Putnam in 1825; the bawrence in 1826; the Fulton in 1827; the Eclipse in 1828, and the Black Rover in 1829. The Red Rover, Captain Thochniorton, made her first appearance in the Galena trade in 1830. The master of this boat built and commanded the Warrior in 1832 and participated in the Black Hawk wai- at the battle of Bad A\. He always carried on his boat two four-jKiunders. His passenger cabin was a keelboat towed alongside. He was a genial man and a great favorite with all the officers at the forts. Captain I'liochinortdM also built and commanded a number of other boats during his long career as a steamboat officer. The last craft he commanded was a government boat, tiie Barnard, some time during the se\-enties.

1829. In 1836 the Missouri Fulton, Captain Orrin Smith; and the Frontier, Captain Smith Harris, came up. The latter craft was built for the Rock River trade. Tlie Palmyra, Captain Cole, also arrived bearing a pleasure ])arty of some thirty ladies and gentlemen, and there was the St. Peter, Captain Thochniorton, with a party of St. Loui.s ladies, and the Rolla, bringing a delegation of the Sioux Indians on their way back from Washington, where they had made a treaty by which the valley of the St. Croix was opened to the whites.

From 1836 there were steamers passing up and down the river almost daily, taking suplilies for the various small towns below Galena and Dubuque. The boats that were in the trade between Galena and Fort Snelling in 1837 were the Palmyra, Dubuque, Gipsy, Pavillion, Emerald, Wyoming, Olive Branch, Ariel, Hei-oine, Rolla, Burlington, Galena and Irene. The boats during that season were the Dubuque, Rolla, Emerald and Heroine. The steamer Brazil in 1841 was sunk on the Rock Island rapids.

Between the latter date and 1S47, a large number of Ijoats were engaged in the trade between St. Louis and Galena, .\mong them were the lone, Captain LeRoy Dodge; St. Croix, Captain Hiram Bersie; War Eagle Captain Smith Harris; Falcon, Captain T.. Morehouse; Rock River, Count \. Harasky; Monona, Captain E. H. Glevin; and Iowa, Captain D. B. Morehouse. In 1847 the Argo, Captain William I^odewick, started as a regular packet between Galena and Fort Snelling. Captain Ludewick was an uncle of Mrs. Bailey and Mrs. Boyle, of Rock Island. In 1848 he was in command of the Dr. Franklin with Captain Russell Blakely. my oldtime friend, as clerk. The Franklin was the first boat belonging to the Galena and Minnesota Packet Company. ^lost of the stockholders in this company were Cialenans. This steamer, the Franklin, was the nucleus from which Krew the fleet of the Galena and St. Paul

Ill 18.54, when the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad reached the river here a big excursion was run, bringine; some 1,200 eastern men, including many jirominent statesmen anil newspajjer men, and the Minnesota Packet Company met them at the Rock Ishmd wharf with the steamers (iolden Era, Ca])tain Hiram Bercie; G. W. Sparliawk, Cajjtain I,. Morehouse; War Eagle, Cajitain Harris, and the Galena, Captain D. R. Morehouse. On .these magnificent packets about 1,000 of the excursionists took a free ride to St. Paul. During the trip the stage of water was good and at times the boats «ould be lashed together in pairs so that the passengers could pass from one to the other. Taken all together this affair was most far-reaching in its effect in bringing to the notice of prominent eastern men the vast possibilities of the north. This magnificent excursion has never been equalled in size and results in the history of the river. A vast tide of emigration soon afterw-ard began setting westward.

The Galena and Minnesota Packet Conipany was at the summit of its career from 1S.5() to 1860. It had a fine and large fleet of boats running at that time. Two daily lines of ])ackets were rim from Galena, a daily from St. Louis to St. Paul, a daily to Rock Island and a flaily between the u]iper and lower rapids.

In 1857 Captain Davidson organized another line of steamers to run on the upper river. This line ultimately was to swallow up and destroy in the end all others except the Diamond Jo Company, which still exists. This was known as the White Collar line. During this year the St. Louis and St. Paul steamboat men decided to inaugurate a daily service by running in rotation «itli the

Canada, ('ai)tain .laiiies Ward; W, L. Ewing, ('a|)tain .M. Green; Denmark, Captain Dick Gray; Metropolitan, Captain T. H. Rhodes; Pembona, Captain Thomas H. Griffith; Northerner. Captain P. Alford, and Lucy May, Captain ,1. B. Rhodes. .-Xlong in the early sixties these different boats were united under tlie ownership of a stock company, and the Henry Clay, Cajitain Charles Stephenson, was taken in. There were then more boats on the Mississi])pi Ri\-er plying to and from St. Paul than ever before or since, some ninety-five in all. I might give the names but that would require too much space.

From 1856 to 1860 there was a very large amount of excursion travel coming from New Orleans and St. Louis to the cool shady retreats found around the lakes near St. Paul, many of the excursionists staying two or three months. Often the boats would have their upper guards piled full of trunks. At night after eleven o'clock the cabin floors would lie filled with cots. From eight to ten the colored cabin boys would get out their violins and dancing would be indulged in. With good boats, attentive ami obliging officers and good table fare the time passed pleasantly. No hurry, no care, beautiful s('enery all the way, particularly along the banks of the ujjper river. How many hapjiy hours I have passed in this way on the many trips I have taken since I first came west.

The Keokuk and McClure line which plied between St. Louis and Keokuk, united with the Northern line. After Davidson had wrecked the lines on the upper river and after the death of John McClure this line w-as left to be sold. Davidson bought it, thus acquiring control of the old reliable Northern line and of all the steamboat intere.sts on the i-i\-er. The holders of a majority of the stock in the Northern line applied for a receiver to manage the business. Davidson was compelled to fight for his property. This took so long that the cost of the litigation left him with little of value. The business was ruined

- liis health was broken, the of the Xorth line was destroyed and the remnants of what had been a grand industry in liuihling uj) the commerce of the nortinvest was no more.

l'"roni 1846 to i860 I was actively engaged in business in Galena. I^ater 1 bought wheat, Hovu' and corn along the river in large amounts and ship]iecl to St. I-oiiis. In connection with my Ijusiness I necessarily tra\'eled often on the river between St. Louis and St. Paid, and became well acquainted with many of the prcnninent captains and clerks and other officers of the boats. I was a stockholder in the Northern line, also a director and stockholder in the (lalena and Minnesota Packet Company.

Among the river men I knew 1 desire to especially mention Captain Russell Jilakeley, of Galena and St. Paul, and say that I am indeiited tii him for much (if the inforinatiim presented, which has been gleaned from a pamj)idet he read before the Minnesota Historical society in 1898. He was a pi'ominent citizen of St. Paul for many years. Two years ago he died. The title of the pamphlet lie wrote is "The History of the Discovery of the Mississippi River and the Advent of ('ommerce in ilinnesota."

Before closing this sketch of steambiating on the upper river in the olden times 1 would mention a few of the men I knew best. Among them were Captain Orrin Smitli of the Hrazil and Nomonee, Ca])tain S. D. Harris of the ^Var Eagle and (Jray Eagle, Captain Hiram Bersie of the St. Croix, Gcdden Era and Northern Eight, Captain W. H. Gabbart of the Sucker State, Captain James Ward of the Metropolitan, and Captains Thomas Buford, T. B. Rhodes and John W. Rhodes. Among the clerks was Daniel \'. Dawley, who filled this position for over fifty years (I knew him first in 1S3S as clerk on an Ohio River l)oat, the W. \V. Wells, and afterward in that position on the Sucker State); George R. .Melville, Robert Melville and George C. Prish.

But few of these old-time friends are left. I know of only Cajitains Bennett of Moline, Captain Thomas Ibiioi'd of Rock Island, Captain W. H. Gabbart of l)aven|iort, ami Captain John {{Jiodes of Savanna.

Wlien I liiok hack over the sixty-nine years 1 have passed on the iip])cr Mississijjpi and think of the marvelous changes that have taken place in the great northwestern country, I feel that, if years were reckoned by the changes that ha\e occurred during this time, I might well l)e two centuries of age.

The names of a few of the many magnificent steamers that were frecjuent callers at our levee in the days before the civil war, when steamboat business was at its zenith, are still fresh in my mind. Many of our citizens will remember such boats as the Time and Tide, Brazil, Lady Eranklin, Montauk, Bonacord, Antliony Wayne, Danube, (ireek Slave, Julia Dean, Lamertine, Golden Era, Itaska, Grey Eagle, Effie Afton, Excelsior, James McKee, and Lusern. All these boats were large, finely e(pii|)ped side-wheelers, for a stern-wheeler in those times was sel loni seen. Boats were constructed in a manner to l)est take care of the business demands. Ivich boat was pre- ])ared to carry a large amount of freight, and so arranged also as to accommodate comfortably two hundred and three hundred imssengers. No hotel in any city sur])assed their bill of fare. Their tables were fiu'nished with the best that the markets could afford, and served in a manner unexcelled.

Steamboating fifty years ago was attended with many difficulties, chief among which was the lower rapids. There it was that through the major ]jart of the boating season all freight and passengers had to be transferred over and ai'nund I lie portage. Each boat's cargo had to lie removed and placed on great litters or flat boats, each one coveriug al)out one-half an acre of river, so to speak. These were tnwed ii\'er the rapids.

and then the jiOdils were replaced aboard tlie boat on which they belonged. Then the steamer would proceed on her journey. These were vexatious delays and attended by great expense and much hibor.

The pilots on the river in those days were men who had the chart of the river and the course of the channel and the numerous difliciUt crossings, the shoals, hidden rocks and other obstructions which lay in their bath, in their heads. It required years of con.stant practice and diligent stud}- and close observation. To attain the vast and important knowledge they must know the path on the darkest and stormiest night as well as in the light of daj-.

How different the condition of toda}-. The lower rapids have been shot out - with a great stone wall that forms the outer bank of a sliip canal, through which steamers pass with their cargo undisturbed. The reefs, sandbars, snags and other obstructions have been removed, the channel deepened and widened where required, stone piers and buoys in the river, provided to mark the coiu-se of the channel bj' day, with lights in vast numbers to show the way by niglit. The government has ex]3ended vast sums of money in the past years to improve navigation and encourage commerce on our western rivers.

Tlic (idice of the Government engineer in control (if the Government improvement along the Mis.sissippi, from the mouth of the Missouri Hiver to St. Paul, together wdth a luinibcr of adjacent natural artificial waterways, is located in Rock Island. Througli its annual appropriations, about .$80U,000 are spent in the interests of improved navigation in the district indicated.

The first Government engineer's office established for the improvement of the upper river was located in Davenport, in 1S66, and was in charge of General James H. \Mlson. The olllce was orisin.'dh' intended to control only the improvement of the Hock Island ra])ids. General Wilson was transferred to Keokuk, and the work of building the canal around the rajiids there was placed in his charge. The Davenport ofl^ce was left under Major {". J. Allen, who, about two years after it was originally established, removed it to Rock Island, quarters being taken in the Skinner Block over the People's National bank.

In 1870 Colonel John Macomb was placed at the head of the offices, and under him they were removed to the building at the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Xineteenth Street. Colonel F. V. Farquhar took charge in 1877, and under his direction, the j'ear following, the general survey of the river made from the mouth of the Missouri to St. Paul was begun, from which a general line of improvement for the whole distance was later mapped out.

Colonel A. ^lackenzie came on in 1879 and the office was imder his management for a period of fifteen years. In 1S91 quarters were taken on the fourth floor of the new ^Mitchell and Tynde Building, ilajor Mackenzie continued in charge until his promotion to assistant chief engineer at Washington. Colonel W. R. King, his successor, died after a year's residence in the city, and Major C. McD. Townsend took charge in May. 1898. The present quarters, on the second and third floors of the federal building, at the corner of Second Avenue and Sixteenth Street, were taken possession of January 9, 1 S96.

Colonel James I.. Lusk assummed charge in April, 1903, and was succeeded by Colonel Charles S. Riche in April. 19()o. and who is still in general charge. Colonel Charles W. Durham, first assistant engineer since 1871 : James D. Du.Shane, assistant engineer; W. .\. Thompson, assistant engineer; Samuel Edwards, assistant engineer; James McElherne. assistant engineer; Montgomery Meigs, assistant engineer; A. L. Richards, assistant engineer; C. P. Comegvs, auditoi-.

Watertowx, Illinois

The Illinois Western Hospital for the Insane was established by an act of the Legislature approved May 22, 1895, by which act the usual board of three trustees was created and $100,000 appropriated for the construction, furnishing and maintenance.

After considering various propositions, the trustees finalh' selected a site near the village of Watertown, in Rock Island County, on an elevation about a quarter of a mile from the Mississippi River and five miles above Moline.

1896, Governor Altgeld delivering the dedicatory address. Owing to the luifavorable weather, the insolvency of the contractors, and an inadequate appropriation, the work proceeded slowly and when, on March 18,

1897, the new trustees were appointed, they found the buildings incomplete. With additional appropriations granted by the Legislature, they were enabled to resume operations and on May 16, 1898, the front wards were ready for occupancy and three hundred and thirty-six patients were received from the .lacksonville Hospital. In the Spring of 1899 other wards were completed and additional patients received from Jacksonville, Elgin and Diuming. Since that time there has been constructed the Anne.\;, male and female infirmaries, parole ward, tubercular cottages, a chapel, a large amusement haU, carpenter shop, male and female dormitories for employes and dormitory on the farm for patients. A fair ground of twelve acres has been enclosed and the necessary buildings erected lo carry on an annual fair. A pathological and hydratic building and industrial hall are

The hospital grounds consist of five hundred and sixty acres, one hundred acres of which are on the hills immediately surrounding the institution, ])roviding a healthy location free from all malaria and affording a magnificent outlook u))on the Mississippi A'alley. The farm and garden are in the bottoms to the south and cast of the institution, the farm buildings Ijoing about a half mile from the institution proper. Access to the hospital is furnished by a switch from the Chicago. Btu'lington and Quincy, which follows the south line of the farm, the switch running to the top of the hill.

In their [)rimitive condition, the grounds surrounding the buildings were very irregular and the soil was of such a character that each rain caused considerable damage. These natural difficulties have in a large measure been overcome and the institution is now well l)rovided with concrete walks, macadam roads and considerable has been done towards beautifying the grounds. This has only been accomplished, however, iiy moving at least 50,000 cubic yards of earth, filling up many deep ravines, and by the exercise of constant vigilence to prevent washing by rain.

Although within easy distance of the Mississippi River, the institution has its own wells from which it draws an abundant supply of pure water. A sew'age plant has been cf)nstructed into which enters the sewage from the entire institution. In this sewage box all solid matter is destroyed by a natural process and nothing passes out e.xcept a stream of clear odorless water which finds its way to the river.

The institution is well equipped and could carry on its existance in a large measure independent of the outside world, having its own electric light and steam plant, in adilition

111 I he water sii|i|ily ami sew af^e .system, its own cari'ieiiter slidp, machine shop, store hiiikliiifi-, lamulry ami rcfri,ti'eratiiii; phuit, printing office, tin sliop and garnient factory. I'^iectricity is used entirely for light and power and the buildings are heated with the exhaust ste;ini.

The site, valued at .«40,000, was paiil for by the citizens of Rock Island County, onehalf in sid)S('rii)tions and one-half by the sale of County Ixmds. Though somewhat inaccessible, the fact that the institution has never had a case of malarial or typhoid fever, more than compensates.

The board of trustees are F. W. Gotdd, president, Moline, Illinois; Allan M. Clement, Chicago, Illinois; and William Trembor, Freeport, Illinois, Doctor W. Fl Taylor, of Monmouth, was elected superintendent in January, 1897, and has continued in charge of the institution since that time.

And Poor House

in the early (hiys the county poor were boarded out in various places, but the county ill about 18.50 or 1852 pvu'chased the old IJiiiiiah Wells farm, which was located at the I urn of the old ('amden Mills road, about half a mile north of the wagon bridge, across the Rock River. On this farm was a long twostory frame house, whicli was made our first County Pool- Hf)use. November 20. I860, Rock Island County ]iurchased the farm of James M. Smith, near Coal Valley, for a consideration of $3,000. Mr. Frederick Weyerhaeuser, who then lived in Coal Valley, built the first ])oor house on this property.

The first time it was erected it was forl\ by sixty feet, though since its destruction bv lire, December 20, 1002, a new building of brick, fifty-eight by one hundred feet, and four stories high has taken its place. The new structure was completed in 1003 at ,a cost of .1i;2(),()()().

William S. Pailev was appointed steward of the poor farm September, 1860. At that time tlie iiifiriiiary contained but eighteen ininates. .\h-. I'ailcy's salary at that time was four liiindred dollars ]icr year. P>y 1 S(iO his salary had Ijeen increased to .11 ,000 per year, the number of inmates having vastly increased by that time. Kxcepting the year 1869 Mr. Bailey was superintendent of the infirmary until 1881. when he was succeeded l)y Mr. A. Puttinan. who served three years. Following Mr. Buttman came Mr. James Robertson, who served two years, then Mr. W. H. H. Dow, who served eleven years. December 1.5, 1897, Mr. .John C, Swank was appointed superintendent, and he has since officiated in that capacity.

The first class of which there is any record, and which became the nucleu.s of the church, was organized December 6, 1836. .\t an earlier date Rock Island, or as then kn:iwii, Stephensiui. was recognizetl as within the bounds of tlu> Illinois Conference, wliich at that time covered the entire state. Ser\-ices were occasionally held at an earlier date than above mentioned, Peter Cartwright being |iresiding elder of ;i large territory. This noted pioneer j^ireacher was a ]iower in early Methodism. His autiljiography is of thrilling interest. The names of those forming the first class are as follows; Michael Ilartzell. class leader; Jane Brashar. Pera \'andruf'f, Nancy Trickcll, ,!oliii Tiiidall, John Spencer, I'Jizabeth Sanford, Lucy Bardwell, Ann Tindall, Nancy Hartzell, Eliza Spencer, .John Sanford, Hanna I'ciidletoii, ,John Tuttle, Mar\- Mutler, i']sther .Morris, .Abigail Curtis, Mary McLaughlin, ,Iohn Metzgar, Elizabeth Yauilnirf, .\inos .M()or(>. l.(>ali l>r;ishar, William T. Brashar. Catherine \'andrnff. Nanc\' Wells.

The only surviving member at the ])resent time is Nancy Hartzell, widow of the late Mii-hael Hartzell. and mother of Joseph Hartzell, bishop of Africa, who for a number of yeai's has been accomplishing a wonderful work on that continent.

During the formative period of the church it had no place of worship of its own. In its beginning the society met at the home of J. WSpencer. This was a log house that stood near Seventh Avenue and Nineteenth Street. There Methodist preachers always found a cordial welcome. Without disparagement to others it may safely be said that Mr. and Mrs. Spencer stood sponsors for the church; a relation that they worthily maintained during the remaining period of their lives. About the year 1836 a brick school house was erec^ted in I'nion Square, now known as Sjiencer 'Scuiare, and Methodist services were held in it. In 1843 preparations were begun for the building of a church to occupy the northwest corner of the same Scjuare; a site set apart by the then i)ro])rietors for that purpose. The church was finished in the year 1S44, vmder the ])astorate of Reverend Isaac Searles. This was a briedc building, without ornamentation, built at a cost of about .'$4,0()(). It was dedicateil in December of the year of its completion. It remained the home of the church for eleven years, until the erection of a much more commodius and ini])osing structure, on the site of the ])resent church. The conference of 1843 made Rock Lshind a station, and Reverend Andrew Coleman was aiJiJointed pastor. During the pastorate of Reverend (!. L. S. Stuff, 1850-18,51, the first pars(UKige wasljuilt; a Ijrick building still occupied as a residence, on Nineteenth Street just north of Fifth Avenue. This house when built was in a field belonging to Mr. S))encer. The second church, as above referred to, was undertaken din-ing the pastorate of Re\'erend William Taskci-, and finished in ISoo, Reverend S. (1. .1. Wort hingion being pastor.

The first conference at Rock Island was held in this church the same year, Hishop ,Ianes presiding. The dedication did not take place until April 20, 1856, when its entiic iii(h'litedness was provided for.

On the evening of December 5, 1S55, fommonths before the dedicati.in, a supper was served in the basement of the church, by the ladies, at one rioUar ])er plate, and six hundred and fifty dollars was realized. It was spoken of as the largest festival ever held in the city. The ferry boat raji free and pciiple came from Davenport, Moline and other adjacent towns, while the good Methodists kept open hou.se foi' all.

A new parsonage was built adjoining the new church in 1856. The Holbrook bell, which still failhfull\- calls to flie s(>\-era' services of the chur(di, was purchased in 1869, at a cost of .fl ,'_'()(). Re\-erend Richard Haiiev was pastor. In 1S70-71 . under Re\-erend J. H. Rhea, the church was thoroughly repaired, an alcove built in the rear of the )5ulpit for the occu])aHcy of a new pipe organ, the whole expense being about $8,500. wdiich amcnint was fully met at the time of reopening, on which occassion Doctor K. (). Haven, afterwartls bishop, preached.

The Central Illinois Conference c(Hn-ened, for the second time at Rock Island, in 1864, Bishop Scott presided. At this time the war of the rebellion was being fought to a finish; the second election of Abraluun I>inc(dn was pending. It can truthfully be stated that of the 2,29!) soldiers which went out from this county this church sent her fidl (|uota.

Hisho])s Simpson, Peck and Howman, at different times, occupied the puljjit of this church, as did Doct(U- William Hutler, who told of his wonderful experiences in .Mexico and India.

The third conference held in Rock Island was in 1883, at the close of the pastorate of Reverend ,1. S. McCord. Bishop Andrews ]iresided. His sermon, preached on Stmday morning .it the opera house, was one of exceedinji power ami beaut}' of diction. At this conference Clia]5lain McCabe was ])re.sent, delighting all by his beautiful rendering of Christian song. Reverend H. G. Pearce followed Doctor McCord as ])asl(ir.

The personnel of the laity of tlie chuicli is worthy of mention, but .sj^ace forbids the naming of more than one, who was notably zealous and full of good works, viz: Edward W. Spencer. His birth antedated the organization of the chiu'ch by two j-ears. He was nurtured in a Christian home and at the altars of the chm-ch. He ilid not disregard the obligations thus imposed upon him. For nearly a third of a century he was Sundaj' school superintendent and choir leader. He organized and largely maintained by untiring services the yoimg people's and children's meetings, while other ser\'ices of the church were a special care.

Others who went out from this church and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church were William B. Frizzell, J. W. Frizzell and \A'illiam A. 8]iencer. The last named after an honored career has ]iassed on to the other shore.

The semi-centennial jubilee of the church was held A]iril 2-5 inclusive, 1S87, during the l)astorate of Reverend G. J. I.ucky. It was an occasion of great interest, and spiritual profit to the church. The ]irincipal addresses made at that time fortunately are preserved in l)ook form, entitled, Fifty Years of Methodism in Rock Island. There is no relation in life outside of the family, so close and tender as that e.xperienced in the church, that which constitutes Christian fellowship.

Reverend G. W. Gue followed Reverend Luckey in the pastorate. Not later than the secontl year as pastor, he iiegan to whisper in the ear of one here and there that the proper thing to do was to build a new church. It was not a little thing to undertake, and. furthermore, very numy seenied cpiite satisfied to continue to worshiii in the old sanctuary, so long their spii'ituid home; as at its altars many have been born into the kingdom of their Lord and Savior; while from its doors loved ones had been borne to their last resting ]ilace. Hallowed associations made it ]irecious. Having put his hand to the work. Reverend Gue was not one to turn back. He was persistent and continually at it, two very important elements in the accomplishment of a purpose. To write the history of this enterprise is more than now can be undertaken. Consumate thought sanctified by ])rayer and the earnest effort of all the people made possible the accomplishment of the work undertaken. 1'he corner stone of the edifice was laid September 24, 1889; Bishop Ninde, by invitation, was present and made the ]irincipal adilress. Many of the pastors of other chiu'ches in the city were present and participated in the service. A year and a month from the laying of the corner stone the chm-ch was dedicated, October 26, 1890. The long cherished hope had eventuated in ultimate fruition. The cost of the building was about $4.5,000. which amoimt was pro\'ided for |irevious to tlie dedication. .\t the end of four years as pastor Re^-erend (!ue was transferred to Portland, Oregon. He has since, together with his estinmblc wife, jiassed to his final reward.

Reverend F. W. Merrell succeeded Reverend Gue as pastor. He served the chm-ch faithfully and well for five years, the memliership of the church being largely increased during that period. Near the close of his pastorate, at the instance of Captain T. J. Robinson, who made the donation, a new pipe organ was placed in the church. This necessitated quite a change in the auditorium which, together with other imjirovements. made an expense of about $7,000.

Reverend C. O. McCulloch succeeded Re\- erend ^Merrell as pastor. His service fur a ))erio(i of fi\'e years was fraught with great blessins to the church. During the fourth year of Ids miuisti'v .-i new parst)nage was built, at a cost of S4,0(H). To secure thai ainoniit, besides nearly as much more of iiiileijtedness before the work was undertaken, ri'(|uired strenuous effort. Reverend Mc- Culloch, however, jji'oved equal to the task. At the end of his fifth year he appointed to Macomb.

Reverend R. B. Williams wa-s the successoiof Doctor ik'Culloch. An event of no little interest occurred during his fifth year, l.ieinj; the occasion of the meeting of the board of l)ishops, lasting for the most part of a week. Also the same year tlie church was be;iutifully frescoed.

The conference that met for the fourtli time ill Hock Island, September 11-18, 1907, througli its ]jresiding bishop. Earl Cranston, gave him the appointment to the Rock Island charge for the seventh consecutive time. This action which was in accord with the i-ecjuest of the local quarterly conference for his return, makes further connnent on his pastorate unnecessarj-.

As an au.xiliary .society, the first to l^e organized was the sewing society, in 1S43. In many respects it has proven the better half of the church. It would l)e monumental if the total of its giving and ]iroviding could be shown. Other societies have added greatly to the usefulness of the church. The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, organized in 1870; the Home Missionary Society, organized in 1883; and the Epworth League, with other minor organizations, are all working to the one end, the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom. The Sunday school, the most important arm of service, must not be ovei-- looked; indeed it is from this source, more largely than any other, that the church )-ecruits its membership. As a distinctively .Methodist Simday school it was organized in 184.5. J. W. VanSant being elected superintendent. In the years that have intervened much earnest effort has been put forth.

Sometimes the superintendent and teachers ha\e felt despondent, but the work has gone bra\-ely on and it certainly is beytuid human ken to measure the good that has been wrought. Surely God has been gracious to his people.

This church was organized .June 4, 1837, at the house of Lemuel Ludden, whicli stood just east of the ]iresent city limits, near Sechler's carriage works. There were oidy seven mend)ers at that time, viz: lie\'erend Titus Gillel, Zachariah Cook. Barl)ara Cook, Lemuel Ludden, Silah Liiddcu, Phoebe Skinner and Nancy Taylor. They selected Reverend Titus Clillet as pastor. Meetings were held in pri\'ate houses, and later in the Court House. On June 8, 1844, the "brick school house." then standing on Union Square - now Sjiencer Sc|uare - was piu'chased f(n' .f4.o.34,'4, and fitted as a place of worship. The first real church building was erected in 1848, on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and Fifteenth Street, where the Memorial Christian Church now stands, at a co.st of .1!3,5()0. That building was sold, and the present edifice at the southwest corner of the same streets was erected in 1870, at a cost of .118,000. The parsonage on Fifteenth Street, adjoining the church, was built in 1879, at a cost of ,S2,'2.50, and was presented to the church July 31, 1879, by Mrs. Zeruiah R. Boyer.

The church luis ha,d a long and varied history, luu'ing numbered in its membership many of whom the city has been proud, and who have given character and helpfulness to the entire community. The largest membership at any time was September 23. 190G. when the total reached four hundred.

The church is entirely free of debt, and all departments of the work are in active and successful operation. The pro]:)erty is carefully ke]:)t by a board of fi\-e trustees, and is all in first class condition. The organization is in a thorouglily jirosperoiis condition, and is (loiiij; an aggressive work in the evangelization and Christian teaching of the comniunity.

St. James Catholic Church

Reverend J. G. Allemann came to Rock Lsland, Illinois, in 1850, started to organize a church and began building in the Summer of 1851 a stone church, the size being forty by sixtj'-six feet, and dedicated it St. James Church, it being the first Catholic Church in Rock Island, and Reverend J. G. Allemann being the first pastor.

Reverend J. G. Allemann getting advanced in years, in May. 1856. was succeeded by Reverend John P. Donelan. he remaining as assistant to Reverend John P. Donelan until 1859. when Reverend John P. Donelan was transferred to Rockford, Illinois. Reverend P. J. R. Murphy taking Reverend John P. Donelan's parish here and remained pastor until the Summer of 1861. when he was appointed chaplain of the Fifty-eighth Illinois Regiment. Next came Reverend P. J. Mc- Elherne. who succeeded Reverend P. J. R. ^lurjihy.

St. James' congregation grew so large that Reverend P. J. McElherne began the building of the present St. Mary's Church, now occupied bj- the German Catholics. The building was begun in 1863 and completed in 1865. Reverend P. T. McElherne remained as jjastor until 1870, when Reverend J. P. Roles was appointed pastor.

In 1S74 Reverend J. P. Roles transferred St. Mary's Church to the German Catholic and bought tiie Presbyterian Church, corner Fourteenth Street and Second Avenue, and dedicated it St. Joseph's Church. In 1877 Reverend J. P. Roles was transferred to Chicago. Illinois, and Reverend Thomas Mackin was appointed to fill the \;icancy of Reverend J. P. Roles.

He remained here until his death, which occurred February 22, 1904, when Reverend J. Roach came here as temporary pastor until October. 1905. when Dean J. J. Quinn, from Chatsworth, Illinois, was aiipointed the present pastor.

Trtxity Episcopal Church

Some time prior to 1853, Reverend Louderback held Episcopal services in Rock Island; the first recorded vestrv meeting being held at Trinity parish November 12. 1853. The organization of Holy Trinity Church was effected about this period. Among the original members were Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Harris, Mrs. Langley. Mrs. Joseph Brackett. Mrs. Goldsniith and Mr. Bailey Davenport.

The first church was fini-shed June 11, 1857. at a cost of S2.000. The present church was completed January 30. 1870. at an original cost of 816,000. Reverend L. Goodall was elected first rector October 18. 1854. Trinity Episcopal Church belongs to the Quincy diocese, and is one of the most representative of the Episcopal denomination in this state. Reverend Granville H. vSherwood succeeded Doctor Richard F. Sweet, deceased (see biography elsewhere), who was rector for twenty-se^en years.

The United Presbyterian Church

The United Presbyterian Church of Rock Island, Illinois, was organized as an .Associate Reform.ed Presbyterian Church, July I. 1854. bv direction of the second .\. R. P. Presbytery of Illinois.

The Reverend Matthew Bigger, together with Ruling Elders John Colins and William Haverfield. met in the seminary building, in the rear of the Memorial Christian Church. The organization was effected by admitting into niemliorsliip fourteen members from the .\. H. 1'. Church, five members from tiie

A. P. Church and one on profession of faith, makins; a total of twenty members. The first elders were Erskin McClellan. James Todd and Hugh Warnock. The congregation received new members every year except 1857 and 1861. The total number received from Jnlv 1, 1S.54. to July 1. 1904. is five hundred and fifty-four. The decrease kept pace with the increase for a number of years.

The services were held in the seminary building and in the Court House for the first six months. In the meantime, bj- the hard work and self-denial of the acting pastor, Reverend J. R. McCali.ster and the membership, a plain frame building was built on the site of the present church. This building was removed in 1873 to the corner of Fifth Avenue and Eleventh Street, where it yet stands, doing service for the German Presbyterians first, and now for the Swedish Free Evangelical Church.

The building was entered the first Sabhath of January, 1855. The pulpit furniture was not upholstered, for the Reverend J. R. J\Ic- Callister's pulpit sofa was a nail keg with a board across it, while the pulpit itself was a ilr\- goods box. The pews were planks laid across nail kegs or boxes. The lights were plain tallow candles. Most of the work on the building was done by the members, under the direction of Mr. James Todd, who is with us today, though his membership has not been with us all these years. By degrees the pews were made, and grained by other members. They are still in use. Their backs were not very high, and were anything but comfortable.

Reverend J. R. McCalister continued as stated supply until July 1, 1860. In the mean time the congregation of Daven])ort wa.s organized and he supplied both congregations. Fifty-four ))ersons were received into the membrsehip during this pastorate. .\mong them was .A. Conner, who afterwai-d became a minister, but w as uiialde to continue ill the ministrv long on account of ill liealth.

Following Mr. McCallister was Reverend W. H. Jefferes. who continued for fifteen months. Then the congregation was without a regular pastor until April, 1863, when Reverend Henry Wallace was called and continvied until .April. 1871.

During the pastorate of Doctor Wallace there were seventy-five persons received into membership, yet the decrease seemed to be as great as the increase, on account of removals.

After another season without a ])astor. Reverend J. A. Reynolds was called for full time in Julv of 1871:. There were init thirtyfive members to again take up the work. There had been one hundred and fiftv-eight persons received in the eighteen years.

As the church building was not \ery inviting, there was an effort made to Ijuild a new church, so in the Spring of 1873 t!:e present building was planned and begun, but was ik t entirely finished until 1876. by which time the membership had increased to seventy members. The cost of the new church was .flO.- 000. of which amount the people paid nearly $7,000. The balance was from the board of chtirch extension and outside help.

At the close of Doctor Reynold's ]5astorate the membership was ninetj'. Immediately following Doctor Reynolds, Reverend J. H. Bown. Doctor of Divinity, took up the work, continuing for three years, after which there was a season without a pastor. In the Summer of 1889 Reverend T. H. McMicliael. Doctor of Divinity, then a student, filled the ])ulpit, and in the Fall of 1889 Reverend H. C. Marshall became stated suji])])- and cnntinued eight years.

Many of the members living in .Moline desiretl either their letter to connect with some church there or that we give tl.em [ireachim^.'so a mission was started in 1S95, which was afterward formed into a churc.:, ^lay 14. 1898, with twenty-seven mend)e s from the Rock Island congregation, and l)ec:iirie iiide|ieMdeiit in 19l!l. ,\t the close of

Again we were without a pastor for a year, wlien in September of 1S9S the Reverend D. L. McXary became stated supplj^ devoting his time to the two congregations for a time, until Moline became independent.

Of the original members, as far as is know n, there are but two living. ^Ir. James Todd and Jlrs. Margaret Caughey, of Coal A'alley. Illinois, while .J. ^I. Logan and wife of Monmouth, anil Mr. .1. R. Johnston, of Los Angeles, California, were received in LS55. There may be others we have lost track of.

Erskine McClellan, in.stalled July 1, 1854. withdrew December 7, 1S6.5; died January. 1904: James Todd, installed Julv 1. 1S54 withdrew early in sixties: Hugh Warnock, installed July 1, 1854, died May 12, 1898; Thomas McCall, in.stalled August 17, 18'64, died early in seventies; Samuel F. Cooke, installed March 20, 1867, withdrew January, 1898, died December 13, 1898; Joseph Mc- Kee, Doctor of Medicine, Jlarch 18, 1877, withdrew July 9, 1888; James ilcConnell. installed March 18, 1877, died February 9, 1881; Alex White, installed March. 1877, withdrew April, 1878; Edwin B. McKown. installed November 19, 1890, Samuel H. ^lontgomery. installed November 19, 1890, withdrew ]May 14, 1898; James D. Warnock, installed November 19, 1890.

I'pon Diu' roll was tlie name of one who has been apjiointed to a position that will bring to liim national, yea, world wide fame, if he shall be permitted to carry out the work our government has placed in his hands. The work he has done for various railroads the past twenty- five years bespeaks for him success. I refer to Honorable John F. Wallace. Doctor. of Laws, who was with us when the present church was being built. He has been appointed engineer in charge of the Panama canal.

An interesting item we wish to speak of is that the three succeeding generations of the first superintendent, Mr. Hugh Warnock, are represented in our school today in J. D. Warnock, our treasurer: Miss Mildred Warnock, one of our teachers; and Dorothy and Margaret Soule, who are enrolled in our primary department.

Our superintendents since organization have lieen Hugh Warnock. Reverend J. R. ^IcCallister, Alexander White and E. B. McKown. Excepting about four or five years ilr. Hugh Warnock served as superintendent for nearly thirty-fi\'e years.

German Evangelical Lutheran Religious Tenets

This body of Lutherans - as indeed the whole Missouri Synod, of which it is a part - takes a firm stand on the basis of the Church of tlie Reformation; accepting the Scrijitures of the Old and New Testament, as being throughout the inspired Word of God, and the only rule and standard of doctrine and life. It accepts, as a true and correct exhibition of the doctrines of Scri])ture, the entire confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as contained in the Book of Concord of loSO. Its central doctrine is: full atonement bj- Christ, and justification l)y grace, through faith in Christ Jesus. Holding that two can not walk together excejit they be

Holding that no one can serve two masters, it will not recei^-e into voting membership any ]iers()n belonging to an oathbound secret society. Holding that the command to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, is still binding it has always aimed to establish and maintain parochial schools.

The affairs of the congregation are managed by the members, every male member of the age of twenty-one years, having signed the constitution, is entitled to a vote. Regular sessions are held the first Sunday of each month at 2:30 P. M. One-third of the members constitute a quorum. Majority rules. Absentees waive the privilege of voting.

Historical Sketch

In the beginning of 1856 a small number of Lutlierans, foremost among them Mr. M. Kurz, applied to the Missouri Synod for a faithful Lutheran pastor to attend to their spiritual w-ants. By request of Synod, Reverend C. A. T. Selle, of Crete, Illinois, investigated nuitters, and ])reached the first Lutheran sermon in this section of the country. This was April, I,S,56. On June 19, the congregation organized with a membershi]) of seven. Reverend V. Ahner being duly called was ordained and installed August 31, by Reverend W. Mueller, of Chicago. Ha\-ing, as yet, no house of wor.ship, services were held in the old Second Presbyterian Church until the Summer of 18.57, when a building site was purchased on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Thirteenth Street. A frame building on the gromid was remodeled for ])arsonage and school.

The First Church

During the following Winter and Spring a neat brick chiu-ch was erected by Mi-. George Riess, contractor. It was dedicated on the third Simday after Ivister. Though the menilicrship had by this time increased to sevoiilci'ii, yel it was quite a venture, as

The Second Church

The rapid growth of the congregation soon necessitated a larger building. A more convenient location being desirable, a new site on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Twentietii Street was procured at the cost of !g2,.5()(). This was in March, 1865. Plans were submitted by the Messrs. Rie.ss and Schlueter; the contract was awarded to Mr. Hartman. The new church, forty by sixty, with an annex twenty-three liy thirty, to serve as dwelling and school, was detlicated in the Fall of 1866, the Reverend C. A. .Meunickc officiating.

The Third Church

iiy the grace of God the congregation experienced a steady growth, and again it liecame necessarj^ to provide more room. A building committee, consisting of the l>oard of trustees and the Messrs. C. Haensgen, W. Schroether, J. Kirsch, ,J. Bruchmann. W. Kurth, C. Schillinger, H. Lange, H. Bnniswig, C. Schoede, with Teacher El. Selle as secretary, was a])pointed in November, 1895. Plans «ere furnishetl by Messrs. Brack and Kerns. The contract was let to Mr. Nic. Juhl. The following year, the old church was torn down and the new one erected. This magnificent building is a Gothic struct lu'e, sixty-two by one himdred and two, surmotmted by two spires one hundred and eight and one hundred and sixt\'-two feet respectively; seating capacity, 1,000; cost, $25,000. The interior is tastefully decorated with freizes and |)aiiitings liy Artist H. Voege. It was dedicate;! December 20, 1896, by Reverend C. AMennicke, assisted by the Reverend \\. J). Mennicke, Reverend A. J3rauer, Re\erend Professor F. Streckfuss, Reverend Professor L. Wessel.

His successor. Reverend C. A. T. ScUe. was installed in July, 1S5S. Durinji' his ])astoral(' the congregation formally connected with the Missouri Synod. In 1861 he accepted a call as professor nf the Teachers Seminary at Fort Wayne. Indiana, later on at Addison. Illinois. He was succeeded by the present pastor. Reverend C. A. Mennicke. This eminent divine, a graduate of Concordia Seminar}-. St. Louis, Missouri, arrived at Rock Island, May 14. 1861. He preached his first sermon on Whit Sunday and was ordained the ninth Sunday after Trinity. He is still serving faithfully, sharing the joys and sorrows of his flock.

In 1880, his health being greatly imiiaired. he was granted a vacation for a tri]) to Germany. During his absence Reverend August Haensgen gratuituously served as pastor pro ton. Upon his return he entered upon his duties with renewed vigor. In 1886 his son, Reverend A. C. Mennicke, was installed as assistant pastor, serving in this capacity until April, 1892, when he acce])ted a call to Edford, Henry County, Illinois. In 1893 Professor Reverend Selle, having resigned his professorship, located at Rock Island and served as assistant pastor until ^larch, 1898. when he resigned. Shortty afterward, while on a visit to Chicago, he departed this life; his remains were brought to Rock Island and interred in the Lutheran Cemetery.

The parish school is as old as the congregation. It was taught by the pastors until the Summer of 1862. when Mr. F. Moeller was installed as teacher. He held this position for forty years, resigning in 1902. He was succeeded by Mr. I. Kaspar.

In 1856 a second teacher was ailded in tiie person of Mr. H. Brakesuehler; he was followed successively by the Messrs. Trenhold. K'Iciiistoubcr and Docscher. The latter resigned in ]S73.

The scliools were carried on separately, one on Twentieth Street and one on Thirteenth Street, until 1876. when the Twentieth Street school was moA'ed to Thirteenth Street. In 1885 the Thirteenth Street |jro|)erty was sold, and the schools were transferred back to Twentieth Street, where a commodious school bad been built.

In 1900 it was found necessary to branch out. Teacher I". Moeller l>egan teaching on the l)iuff. Teacher E. Selle retained in charge of the Twentieth Street school and Reverend E. I). Mennicke gathered and taught a class in the low er ]iart of the city. Being successful a school house was iuiilt on Eighth Street (1901) and placed in charge of Mr. F. Lustfeld; he was succeeded by Mr. E. Rolf in the Summer of 1906. In 1903 a new school was erected on Thirty-sixth Street, and placed in charge of Mr. I. Kaspar.

December o, 1869. a nmnlier of menihers organized as tlie tlerman Liitlieran Cemetery Association, and purchased a twelve-acre tract on Twenty-fonrth Street. South Rock Island. Two acres were resold. I'oiir of tlie rcniainin.i; ten acres were inmiediately ]ilotted out for sale. Subsequently the wliole tract was donated to the congregation. Mr. \\ . I'". Schroeder, treasurer; JMr. H. Schoeve, sexton.

Sclioolijoard - H. W. Horst, chaii'iuan: C. Horst, A. Seidlitz, Reverends C. .\. and Iv 1). Mennicke, E. L. Selle, Imanuel Kaspai', secretary: E. F. Rolf.

Church

'Ilic Rock River Conference of the .Methodist I'lpiscojial Church began a missicm among the (lerman people of Rock Island in !^ept ember of the year 18o5, sending Reverend rilrich von fJunter .as first missionary, and after two \-ears work among tlic f'lcnuaiis he had succeeded in gathering a membership large enough to build the Cernian Methodist Church on Twentieth Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue, where also the first parsonage was built. This church was dedicated by Reverend Haas in ]Sr>7. Ry this time the St. f^ouis (ierman Conference had been organized and t]ii.s mission was turned o\er to said German Conference.

After having labored for fifteen years more among the German ])eo]ile the membership had increased to such an extent that the cliurch on Twentieth Street became too small to accommodate the people. That chiuch and jjarsonage were then sold and a lot with a small house on the corner of Fourteenth Street and Sixth .\ venue wa.s bought. The small house with only two rooms had two more rooms added to it and became the parsonage. .\l)out five years ago another story was put on this building and it was otherwise remodeled into" the present parsonage. On the corner of the lot the present church was built an<l dedicated in the year 1874.

The membership ha.s ne\er been very large, but much good has lieen accomjilished through this church among the (ierman people of this city. VV. C. Sclutltze is the present pastcn'.

The Hroadway Presbyterian

On October 28, 1874, a lit tic company of Presl>yterians met at the home of Mr. D. T. Robinson to consider the ad\isal)ihty of organizing a Presb}'terian Church in the eastern part of the city. The conclusion was, "we deem it expedient to organize." A petition to the Presbytery of Rock River. ])resented at Princeton, Illinois, on .\pril 13. 1875. by a committee consisting of .Mr. C. C. More and Doctor .1. W. Stewart, was favorably heard, and, the Presbytery sent Reverend Josiah Milligan. Re\-erend .1. H. Moore and Elder Snyder tf) Rock Isl.-md to canvass the field and (U'ganize the church. The new

Fifty members were received by letter from the mother Presbyterian church, now known as the (^entral, and seven united upon profes.sion of faith. These organization services were held in the basement of the Central Church, the auditorium of which was in the hands of workmen repairing the damages wrought by the tornado of Septendier 18, ] 875.

Lots wei'e [jurchased for the new church at the corner of Broadway and .Spencer Streets, now Seventh Avenue and Twenty-third Street, and the name Broadway chosen. On May 9, 1875, a Sunday school was organized, with sixty-one scholars, in what was known as Greenbush Chapel, at the corner of Twentyeighth Street and Ninth Avenue. Doctor C. D. Nott, of the First Presl.)yterian Church, Davenport, preached on Sunday afternoons until the coming in November, 1S75, of Reverend T. H. Hench, who had been called as the first pastor. May 2, 1876. the cornei'- stone of the new church building was laid. The Sunday school room of the new building was ready for occupancy Fclirnaiy 11. 1S77. Here the congregation worshiped until the auditorium was completed, in 187S.

Reverend W. S. Marquis, who was called in March, 18S4, and installed as pastor on June 15, 1884, and who, up to the [iresent time (1908) is still serving the church.

.\mong the more interesting and important facts in the history of this chtu'ch, the following may be mentioned: The dedication of the auditorium, November 3, 1878; Soutli Park .Mission, orgiinized July 15, 1888; South I'aik Chaiiel, dedicated October 7, 1888; plans for enlargement of church and new- Sunday school room a(io])ted September 3, 1S!)4; corner store of same Laid and Twentieth anniversary celebrated April L".). 1895; Sunday school I'ooiii dcdiralcil December 8, 1895; Rexerend (iraJi.ani Lee, a member of the church, ordaineil to the Gospel ministry and sent foi-tli to Koi'ca in 1894, now suiJ]3orted as the foi'.'ign mission pastor of Broadway church: Sunday school room used by the High school for one year after the burning of the High school building, February 15, 1901 ; Synod of Illinois entertained October, 1904.

Spencer Memorial Methodist

At a ccniference of the Methodist Episcopal Church for this district, held during the month of September, 1900, J. B. Rutter, the ]3astor of the Methodist E])iscopal Church, at Milan, asked the Elder and the Conference for the privilege of organizing a church in the Edgewood Park district, between the cities of Rock Island and ^loline. and this permission was granted to him, and on the 25th day of April, 1901, he and his wife, l';ila Alter Ruttei, organized a Sunday school, with Mr. Rutter as pastor and Miss Maud Ma.xwell secretary. On June 5, he organized a society known as the Edgewood Park I^adies' .Aid. Mrs. M. E. Le\-erich w-as elected president, Mrs. J. A. Pauley vice-president and Mrs. Ella Alter Rutter secretary. On the 7th day of October, 1901, at a meeting called for that i)urpose, the following persons - David J. Sears, S. J. Ferguson, W. PL Scott, J. A. l'aule\% Andrew Olson, James Gauley and T. C, Nvitter - organized themselves into a board of trustees, and elected J. A. Pauley secretary. J. B. Rutter, the pastor, gave the name of Spencer Memorial Methodist Episcopal church

This organization then adopted the Svmday school as above organized, and the Ladies' .Aid Society above organized, and together thov became the congregation of the Spencer Memorial .Methodist Episcojial Cliurcli.

Dining the time of the completion of this organization. J. H. Rutter received a clona^ tion of two lots from Mr. Frank Rolnnson, now deceased, and on October 23, 1901, the Ladies' Aid Society undertook to ))ut a foundation of the new church ujion the lots at the corner of Forty-third Street and Seventh .Avenue, and the corner stone of this foundation was laid on Thank-sgivinfi ilay, 1 902. The church, Sunday school and Ladies' Aid Society were holding their meetings at a little chapel, known as the Old Swede Church, at the Corner of Third Street and Fourth Avenue, in Moline. On October 25, 1903, through the energy and ingentuty of J. B. Rutter, the chnrch proper had been erected and finished upon the foundation laid by the Ladies' Aid Society, and dedication services were held amid a great demonstration. The people of Edgewood Park district together with other generous minded people of Rock Island and Moline, placed the chiu'ch organization in a position to do legitimate church business. The building and foundation, together with the expenses of obtaining the same, had cost over $20,000, and this enormous debt hanged over the new organization unprovided for until September 8, 1907, foiwhile through the efforts of the pastor, .1. B. Rutter, the church building had been jjlaced in position and the congregation well organized, yet it remained for the conference of the Methodist Episcojial Church, held during September, 1906, to prox-ide a man in the l)erson of W. P. ^lacVey, to .systematize and provide for the raising of the encn-mous cliurch debt. The new pastor, who re])lace(l .1. H. Rutter, succeeded in ])lacing this debt in a nnuuigeable form, and now at the last conference held din-ing the month of Septend)er, 1907, the Reverend W. P. MacVey was replaced by F. E. Shult, the new jiastor. The pastorate of .1. H. lint^er e.xtended froin Scpl(Mnl)er, 191)1, to Septcndjcr, 1906- li\c vcars. lutii Marcii .31, lOO."), he had liv iiis side, Ella Altar Rutter, his wife, and to her in great measure is clue the tireless energy and effort required in tlie organization, management and building of this church. On March 31, 1905. she died, leaving as her monument Spencer Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. The name, Spencer, is in honor of a well known citizen by the name of William Spencer.

Since its -organization the church has gained in each of its departments, the Simday school has increased from a membership of ten to a membership of over two hundred. The Ladies' Aid Society has increased from a membership of thirteen to a membership of seventy-five. The church has now a membership of one hundred and eighty-one regular affiliated members, and in the leadership of our new pastor, F. E. Shult, the people of the Spencer Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church expect to accomplish great things for Methodism in the Edgewood Park district.

Hebrew Congregations

Rock Island has two well established and flourishing synagogues, the largest of which is Beth Lsrael, located at the corner of Twenty-second Street and Third Avenue, M. Goldman, Rabbi. This congregation, in the year 1902, erected a nuignificent edifice in which to worsiii|). Tiie Beth Israel Congregation, nnuiy years prior to the coiistrnction of their present synagogue, had occupied various quarters and hail a l.-u'gc nicinliership. Immediately following the building of their jiresent house of worship, another congregation was formed, so tiiat the Hebrews in the lowei' end of the city winild not be called upon to tra^'erse the long distance intervening between the Beth Israel synagogue and their homes. This second synagogue, B'Nai .lacob Congregation, is temporarily located on Nintli Street and Eighth .Avenue, and is undei' the <lirection of Freilerick Iviiiluiau. |iresident of tin; congregatiou.

The buiklin<r was nio\'ed to a lot on tlie corner of Fifth Avenue and I''orty-foui'th Street, donated b^- ilns. Pnidine Sinnett; the parsonage, also donated liy her, is on this lot.

German Kvangklical Friedens Congregation

This congregation, a niendier of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, was founded September 8, 1895, by Re-\-erend C. F. Off. witli thirty members. The first officers elected were: Martin Oswald, Henry Fues, Herman Meese. John Wendt. In Ajiril. 1896, Reverend Theo V. Krueger. of Cumberland, Indiana, was elected as jiermanent pastor of the congregation. In the Summer of this year the congregation bought the church ]H'operty of the English Methodist Episcopal congregation, at ol6 Ninth Street. In October. 1899. Reverend Krueger left tlic congregation, and Re\'erend J. F. C. Tref/er was elected as his successor. Under his management the ]xirsonage was built sc.uth of the church. No. 520 Ninth Street.

When Reverend Trefzer left the congregation in October, 1903, Reverend Ed E. Klimpke of .\urf)ra. Illinois, the present pastor, was called to succeed him. He took up the wdi'k in the congre,gatioii the 1st of .May, 190^. In 1905 and 1906 the church was rebuilt with a cost of $2,000. The officers of the congregation at present arc: Reverend Ed E. Klimpke. ))astor: .John Wendl. iiresident ; Carl Krueger, secretary:

Herman Meese, treasiu'er: Otto Woest, secretary. The congregation has at |)resent a membership of about one hundred ami fifty' Tlie Ladies' .Md Society has seventy-five members. The officers are: Mrs. Emma Kami, president: Mrs. Fennesy, ^-ice-president : .Mrs. ])ora Krueger, secretary; Mrs. I'^lise Seidel, treasurer; Mrs. I'omranke, financial secretary. The Young Peo]ile's Society has about thirt\' members. The officers are: He\'erend Ed E. Klimjike. ]iresident : Miss ( )lga Krueger, vice-president ; Miss Martha Kilmjjke, secretary; jMr. Arthu.i Len.';, treas-. urer; Miss Bertha I'omranke, financial secretary; iliss Martha Schmidt, librarian.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Rock Island, Illinois, is a branch of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, It was organized on November 2, 1896, to take possession of and conduct ser^-ices in the church edifice which had been erected for its use liy a few adherents of the Cliristian Science faith.

This was the first church edifice erected in the State of Illinois to be used exclusively for the Christian Science w-orship. Its location is on Twenty-third Street, near Ninth Avenue. and near the geograjihical center of the city.

The dedicatory service, held on November S. 1906, was the first Christian Science Sunday service held in Rock Island, the local Christian Scientists having jireviously attended church in Davenport, Iowa.

The Sunday services are held at 10:45 A, M., and are conducted by two readers, who are elected every three years from the membership of the church. One of the readers reads from the Bible. The other from Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, the text book of Christian Science by Mary l'>aker G. I'lddy. Sunday school is held immediateh- aft(-r the morning serA'ice.

St. Paul's Chiu'ch, located on Twentyfourth street and Eighth and a half Avenue, was opened for services for the fir.st time on February 5, 1905. On that occasion the choir rendered beautiful music and the pastor, Reverend J. B. Ceulemans, delivered the sermon, in which he spoke of the many jirevious attempts which were made to organize a parish in whicli the Belgian Catholics of Rock Island could worship together in a congregation all of their own people.

Although their place of worship is very modest, it is quite attractive inside. The Revei'cnd J. B. Ceulemans was born in Belgium, where he was educated and ordained a priest. In 1907 Father Ceulemans took charge of Sacred Heart Chur<-h in .Mi)iine, and left Rock Island.

He was succeeded by another priest from Belgium, Father Leon E. VanStoppen. This is the ]ire.sent pastor, and who builded the parsonage house, which is a fine improvement to tlie cliurch jiroperty.

Sacred Heart Cath.Olic Church

The Sacred Heart parish was founded .July 28, 1898, by the Reverend John F. Lockney. It includes all the English s])eaking catholics between Twenty-third Street, both sides, to Forty-sixth Street. Father Lockney built a temporary church on Twenty-eighth Street and used it two years. He moved the parochial residence twenty feet east in order to have room to built the new church.

Tiie corner-stone of the new church w^as laid in May, 1901, and the first mass in the new church was Christmas, 1902. The new church cost $36,000. Father Lockney bought the property for $5,500. The magnificent church, rectory and grounds are worth today $60,000. The pastor and peojile have worked very zealously together and tlie parish in is a very flourishing c(uulition. Father Jvockney still presides over the destifties of the parish and is the longest resident Catholic pastor in Rock Island.

Churches Of Moline First Congregational Church

Organized 1844. First pastor. Reverend A. B. Hitchcock, a Yale graduate, and a man of great influence in the community. The first chorister was Anson M. Hidiliard, and who organized the first l>rass band in the three cities. He developed a strong chorus choir, the parent of all Moline's later musical organizations. The first church building was a small wooden structure, now occupied as the freight depot of the Burlington railroad. A brick structure was erected at Seventeenth Street and Fifth Avenue in 1869, and this was remodeled at an expen.se of $40,000 in 1900. The church is unusually complete in its app(jintments, having ]iarlors, a dining room ani_l kitchen ca]iable of serving three liundred ]5eo|)le at once, gymnasium and shower baths for the boys' club, etc. The church has a nuignificent organ of 1,500 pipes, built on the Bennett .system, the gift of Sarah M. Atkinson, in memory of her husband and son.

Among the pioneers in the church were John Deere, D. C. Dimock, Charles Atkinson, Jonathan Huntoon, Joseph Huntoon, R. K. Swan, Thomas Merryman, N. C. Tyrrell and W. H. Edwards. The church has given birth to three other churches, the Second Congregational, now some eighteen years old, and the Ridgeview and East Moline churches, organized three years ago. It has given several thousand dollars to the work of these organizations. The present pastor is Paul W. Brown, who has been with the church since 1904.

Tho cliiirch was organized in September, 1849, b_v lievererid Jonas Hcdstroin of, it is said, seven members. Among them was Glaus Bengston, the first Swedish settler in Moline. The meetings of the clinrch were held in Mr. Bengston's home for more tlian ten j'ears. In 1 860 the first churcli was bviilt on Park Street and Board man Avenue, now Seventh Avenue and Fifteentli Street or "Five Points." That building was sold in 1871 and the old American Methodist church was bought and moved to the corner of Henry and Lynde Streets, now Fifth Avenue and Sixteenth Street, where the new church was built in 1889, during the pastorate of Martin Hess. During all these years tlie church lias had a steady growth and progress, so from the seven first members the total number counts to date two Inmdred and twenty-five. If all the members who have |oined and later moved to other places had held their memliershi]j here the church would now number more than twice its ])resent membership.

About twenty-five pastors have served the church dni-iiig the |)ast sixty years. Among them many of the pioneers in Swedish Methodism. The present ])astor is John P. Miller, who is serxing his fourth year. The ])arsonage was built about thirty-fi\'e years ago. The church projierty is worth today about $30,000.

Swedish Evangelical L Lutheran

This church was organized with fifty meml)ers about 1850. Its membershi]) is considerably over a thousand, with over three hundred Sunday school scholars. Reverend L. P. Esbjorn, in charge at Andover, Henry Comity, was [nistor also of this church lip to 18.56, and under his ministry the first church was built. He was succeeded by Reverend 0. C. T. Andreen. till 1860; Reverend G. Peters, till 1863; Reverend J. S. Benson, from 1866 to 1873; followed by the Reverend A. G. Setterdahl. The present pastor is Reverend Lawrence A. Johnston. The present church building is of brick, in the Gothic style of architecture, of very handsome design, costing nearly $30,000.

First Baptist Church

Reverend Joseph Elliot, a clergyman from Ohio came here in November, 1850, on a visit to his son, residing here. He was invited to preach, and did so; curiosity drawing a large congregation to hear the stranger. On the evening of January IS, 1851, the church was organized, ^\-ith twenty members, the Re^-- erend Mr. Elliot being its first pastor, succeeded by Reverends Ebernhart, L. C. Carr, F. D. Rickerson, William Patterson, Isaac Newell, T. F. Borchers and G. F. Linfield, respectively. The ]iresent pastor is the Reverend Benjamin F. Martin.

The first Catholic priest to officiate at Moline was Father Allemann, of Rock Island, in 1857. He held services at different ])laces outside of his regular jjarish, at Moline, Hampton, and other points. In 1858 the church was built in Moline.

St. Mary'S Catholic Church

Is located at the southeast corner of Tenth Street and Fourth Avenue. Reverend Joseph S. Kelly is rector, and Reverend Michael Gildea, assistant rector.

The First Swedish Baptist Church

The First Swedish Baptist Church of Moline, Illinois, was organized May 7, 1876. Those organizing themselves to a church were before members of the Swedish Church in Rock Island, which was organized in 1853.

fi-din the American Clmrch in Rock Island; Reverend Powell, Rockbausch and Williams, from Davenport; Reverend L. L. Frisk, P. Hailing, A. Y. Yonson, P. Flodin and C. 0. Yensen from the Swedish IJajitist Church, of Rock Island; Reverend T. F. Porches, Frank Sinnet and 0. (inmiell, from the American Baptist Church, Moline.

Reverend T. F. Borches was elected chairman and Reverend O. Lind clerk. The membership of the new church at its organization was seventy-four. The following officers were elected: Deacons, Yohannes Anderson and Christoffer Lofquist; trustees, Charles Carlson, Nels Rundquist and P. Erickson. Properties owned by the church are a churcli building, a parsonage and a house for the janitor.

The seating capaicty of the church is five liun<h'ed. It is built of brick. The parsonage is located in the finest part of the city. The cliurch has had a steady growth since its (irganizati(ni. Over three hundred have Ijeen baptized; about two hmidred and twenty-five received by letter and about fifty by experience. The total numl)er of meml)ers received since its organization is over six hundred. The membership at present is two hundred and thirty-five.

The pastor now having charge of tlie cliurch is Reverend Detlof T.ofstrom, who began work in connection with the church April 6, 1905. He came here from McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate from the Swedish Dejiartment of the University of Chicago since April 14, 1892. Reverend Lofstrom was born in Sweden and came to this country twenty years ago.

The Second Methodist Episcopal

The Second Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the year 1890 by the Reverend Addis Albro, who was then pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, aiul Presiding^Elder M. A. Head of tlic Rock

Island District. The United ]3rethern church owned a building in Stewartville, and their membership was fast becoming extinct, when they decided to dispose of their cliurch property. The building was purchased from the United Brethern people, and steps were taken at once to organize a Second Methodist Church in Stewartville, now known as South Moline. Into this new organization were received forty-eight members from the Fii'st Methodist Episcopal Church. The first pastor appointed was Reverend S. L. Guthrie. During the first year, revival services were held and sixty-six members were added to the roll. His pastorate was blessed with great results. The second year plans were made to improve the building. A league room was added at a cost of nearly -11,000. Reverend Guthrie was pastor two years. In September, 1892, Reverend J. W. Edwards was appointed pastor, and remained one year. Reverend Fletcher DeClark was appointed pastor in 1893. He was followed in 1894 by Reverend W. H. Crane, who was pastor two years. In 1896 Reverend R. G. Pearce was appointed pastor and remained one year and six months; owing to failing health he resigned. January 10, 1898, Reverend A. H. Smith was appointed pastor and served the church two years an<l si.x months. Reverend G. H. Thorpe was the next pastor taking up the work June 2, 1900. Reverend C. C. McKown was ai)|iointe<l pastor September, 1900, followed by Reverend A. E. loder, September 23, 1901. September 26, 1904, the present pastor. Reverend D. S. Andrewartha, was assigned the charge.

During all these pastorates the church has steadily made gains. The members are earnest in their efforts, for the success of their church. At present improvements are being made, and when completed, will put the property in splendid condition, making it one of the most attractive churches for its size in the City of Moline.

Second Congregational Church

The Second Congregational Church of lloline was started as a Mission Sunday School sometime between ISSO and 1890. It was organized as a church June 7, 1891, Reverend J. M. McKnight being its first pastor. There were thirt.v-two members, twenty-six coming in by letter and si.\ on confession of faith. The first clerk and treasurer was William Gamble. The trustees were C. T. Guy. W. V. Richards, John Williams, J. Stofft and W. T. Ball.

Christ Church

The Episcopal church was late in coming to Moline. It was organized May 22, 1891, as a mission under grant from Bishop Burgess. Sixty persons signed the a]iplication to the Bishop and called the Reverend Robert Hewitt as first priest in charge. For se^'eral years the organization met in the association rooms in the auditorium. The congregation was incorporated under the laws of the State on September 11, 1891. and adopted a constitution. The first wardens were George B. Hull and John .\. ^lann. Reverend L. Sinclair came from Sudbiu'v. Ontario, to the charge of the parish in September, 1892, and remained until the spring of 1894, when a call was extended to Reverend F. K. Howard of Mt. Pleasant. Iowa, to become rector.

Reverend Robert Hewitt was again called to the parish in 1897 and remained in charge until June 1, 1899. The parish was then without the regular ministrations of a priest until June 1, 1900, when the Reverend Doctor F. H. Burrell was called from Darlington, Wisconsin.

The Plymouth Congregational Church, East Moline, Illinois

In the Summer of 1903, the Reverend W. A. Elliott (under the auspices of the Congregational Sunday School Society, directed by Reverend W. F. McMillan, secretary), entered East Moline and succeeded in organizing a school. Although difficult, it has proven beneficial to the community, and has been well attended, especiall}' bv the young. In December, 1903, under dkection of the First Congregational Church of Moline, the Reverend Frank Hoover, state evangelist of the Congregational Home Missionary Society of Illinois, held a series of evangelical services, assisted by Reverend W. W. of the First Congregational Church of iloline. and Reverend J. W. Davies of Creston, Illinois; meetings being held in the John Deere School buildings. As a result the names of twenty-five people were received for membership.

Organization was perfected January 15, 1904, and incor])oration February 28, 1905. The council unanimously voted to recognize the Plymouth Congregational Church of East Moline, Illinois. An unusually pleasant evening of song service, scriptural reading and hand of fellowship was indulged in, followed by an exceedingly fine sermon by Doctor A. M. Brodie, of Chicago, closing with prayer and benediction. Reverend J. W. Davies was the first ordained pastor, followed by the Reverend Henry Harris of Chicago, whose strong efforts and skill as an organizer and builder, with the assistance of the Reverend Paul Brown, the regular pastor, and his congregation succeeded in erecting a fine church of concrete blocks. Reverend Walter H. North is the present pastor.

Sacred Heart Belgian Catholic

The Belgian Catholic population of this city had worshiped at St. Mary's church ever since the organization of that parish, some thirty years ago. But with the growth of the city, the need of a separate congregation became more and more apparent. In answer to an often expressed desire, Bishop John Lancaster Spalding of Peoria organized this congregation in September, 1906.

Building operations wer6 started in November of the same year, and completed iu March, 1907. The work has met with the hearty and enthusiastic support of the membership, which is upward of three hundred families.

In September, 1907, there was opened in connection with the church, a parochial school, numliering at present two hundred and sixty pupils. This school follows the jHiblic school program in all its grades and is free to children of all denominations.

The congregation possesses at present a church and school edifice, a parsonage, and a residence for the Sisters conducting the school. The present pastor is Reverend J. B. Ceulemans, residence 1304 Sixteenth Avenue, Moline, Illinois.

Cordova Churches

In the Fall of 1843, Elder Jesse N. Seeley, a missionary under the American Baptist Home Mission Society, held a series of meetings, resulting in the conversion of a number of persons, ten of whom were baptized by Elder Jesse N. Seeley. These, with others in this vicinity who were members of Baptist churches in other places, united in measures for church organization, and called a council of delegates from other churches for a meeting on December 28, 1843.

Church; Luther Edwards, Reverend E. Marcellas. 0. Blanchard, William W. Pierce, D. Wilson, Port Byron Church; Reverend J. N. Seeley, Davenport, Iowa; J. H. Swartwout, Galena, Illinois; E. Calkins, Rock Island, Illinois. The council was organized by appointing Reverend J. N. Seeley moderator and Daniel Wilson clerk.

The church letters were then called for and presented by the following: Levi Hungerfcn-d and Betsey Hungerford, Madison, Ohio; Frances Swartwout, Francis D. Swartwout, Thomas Swartwout, Clarissa Swartwout, Clarissa E. Swartwout, Elizabeth Swartwout, Port Byron, Illinois; William Armstrong, Rebecca Passmore, Joseph R. Sexton, Mahala Sexton, J and L. Cool, Margaret Cool, Andrew S. Ege, Mary Ann Ege, Charity Golden, Amanda Adams, these were baptized by Reverend J. N. Seeley, and led to the oi-ganization of the church.

On August 24, 1844, it was decided to build a meeting house, which on February 13, 1845, was dedicated. Sometime in 18.56 a parsonage was built and the church decided to build ft new meeting house, and on November 17, 1858, the new meeting house was dedicated, which is the one used by the church today.

The Port Byron Congregational

The Port Byron Congregational Church was organized in 1849, on the first and second days of September, through the instrumentality of Reverend Julius A. Reed, home missionary agent for Iowa. Previous tn this time there had been Congregational preaching in the town once or twice.

Port Byron Methodist Episcopal

This church was organized in 1S36, with a membershi]) of six or eight, among whom were Archibald Allen, Candaee Allen, J. H. Lyford and wife, and John Mitchell and wife. The earliest meetings were held in a log cabin, but a good church was built some years later, at an expense of $3,000. The church is in a flourishing condition, with a good membership.

The Church of the United Brethern in Christ was organized at the house of Father John Walker, on Canoe Creek, in 1847, where the earliest meetings were held. The first church was built in 1S49, at a cost of three hundred dollars, but replaced by a new one in 1868, at an expense of $3,000. The pastors have been Herman Scott, Moses Clifton, E. Church, John Dollarhide, W. E. Henry, F. Dietz, Merrit Lathrop, J. K. M. Looker, A. B. Frasier, J. H. Young, G. Brisby, George Snyder, C. Wendle, J. H. Griniiu, W. R. Coursey, S. F. Medlar and C. Bender.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Bethesda, was built in lS59,-l)y Reverend Stephen Odell, Perry Henderson and others. It is located abouta mile southwest of Hillstlale. It has a fair membership, with a gdod Sunday school attendance.

The first Methodist Episcopal class organized in Zunui was in March. 1S70, in the Wake school house, and the following named persons composed the class: John A. \)tn\- ohoo and wife, L. W. Beal and wife, Mrs. Mary Moody, Mrs. Knowls, Mr. and Mrs. J. Dillon, Mr. and Mrs. William McKeever, Mr. and Mrs. George Wake, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Mumma, and quite a number joined on probation and came into the church later, and others wandered away forever. The first Methodist Episcopal church that was built was dedicated in September, 1870, by Reverend Worthington; the first pastor was Reverend Jemerson, and the first elder was the sedate, efl^cient and Godly Reverend Doctor Hunter. The first church built was taken down in 1903, and during the thirtythree years it was occupied we had twentyone pastors and ten elders, and among them was some grand, good men, consecrated men, and all were faithful to their trust.

In January, 1904, the new church was dedicated by the Reverend Smith of Aledo, and the pastor was Reverend Mecham, and after him came Reverend T. Wood, theii A. A. Waters. The present pastor is Reverend W. Hull, and the present elder is Reverend Doctor Wiley. When we built the first clnuxh the circuit was called Zuma, Cordova, Carbon Cliff and Pleasant Valley, belonging to the circuit. In the seventies, Fairfield built a church; Cordova and the other two places were added to Port Byron, and Hampton, then in 1S95 or 1896 Hillsdale built a church and it was dedicated by Reverend Elder Head, and since then the circuit has been called Hillsdale.

Rapids City

The first chiu-ch organized in Rapids City was the Church of Christ, on September 8, 18.56, by Elder G. W. Smith, with a membershi|) of twelve. Commencing May. 18,57, A. G. Lucas, an evangelist, was i)astor for two years, and added eighty members, he being succeeded by Elder H. C. Thrown, who added forty-two members in a year and (uie-half. The church owns a commodious brick house, built upiiu tlie land dnnated iiy Jciiias Harlier.

Hampton Churches

The Methodist Episcopal Church was foiiuded by the Reverend G. G. Worthington in 1S42 or 1S43. Among its members were Harmon G. Reynolds, E. F. Arcidarius and wife, and Nancy Thompson; the membership being eleven. The church has belonged to respectively the Rock Island circuit, Moline circuit, Port Byron circuit, when in 1865 the Hampton circuit was organized. In 1870 Hampton was joined to Zuma antl called Rock River circuit. In 1874 Zuma was cut off and Hampton circuit resumed.

The Congregational Church was organized February 15, 1853, by the Reverend A. B. Hitchcock, with a member.ship of fourteen. A church was built in 1856 and 1857, at a cost of $2,500.

First Baptist Church Of Watertown

This church was organized July 27, 1865, by Elder H. S. P. Warren, Laura J. Warren, Mary A. Bayte, Mary E. Newton, and E. Warren. The first pastor was Elder H. S. P. Warren. They built a liouse of worship in 1877, which was greatly improved in 1906. The present pastor is Reverend H. W. Parker.

Coal Valley Churches

In 1867 the Presbyterian Church was organized, with John Barton, Albert Owens, Frederic Freeburg, Hugh Caughey and Robert Lee as trustees; the membership numbering twenty-five members. A church was built the same year, costing $2,500.

The Primitive Methodists were organized in 1868, a church being erected the following year, costing $2,000. Their first preacher was Reverend Charles Dawson, who came