Whiteside County, Illinois - Chapter 5, 1877 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 5

The present township of Albany first formed a part of Van Buren Precinct, remaining so, however, only a short time, when it was set off as a Precinct by itself, and included within its boundaries the present townships of Newton and Garden Plain. In 1852 it was made a township by the Commissioners appointed by the County Commissioners' Court, and is described as fractional township twenty-one north of the base line, range two east of the 4th Principal Meridian. The township along the river until the Meredocia is reached, is made up principally of high bluffs, thence along the Meredocia it is low with frequent sloughs. The balance of the town is sufficiently rolling to render cultivation certain at every season. The low lands have also been brought to a great degree under cultivation. Besides the Mississippi River which flows on the north and northwest boundaries, the town is watered by the Meredocia on the west, and Spring Creek in the northeast part. Upon the farm of W. S. Booth, situated on the latter creek, about one mile south of the Village of Albany, the Spring Creek Union Agricultural Society holds its annual fairs.

The Meredocia which borders the township partly on the west, and flows through a portion of it, is of peculiar formation. The marsh or stream extends from the Mississippi to Rock river, with a divide of high land in the center. This high land divides the stream, the eastern part flowing to Rock river, and the western part to the Mississippi river. In times of extreme high water in either river the divide is overflowed, the highest stream passing into the other. In 1849 at the breaking up of the ice in Rock river a gorge was formed below the point where the Meredocia enters that stream, causing the ice and water to flow through the Meredocia to the Mississippi with such force as to destroy the bridge over the former near its confluence with the latter. Many years ago Capt. H. H. Gear and others, of Galena, laid out a town at the Mississippi mouth of the Meredocia, intending to cut a canal from river to river, the idea being to avoid the rapids at Rock Island, and have steamers take the Rock river up to this canal and then follow it back to the Mississippi; but after making a careful survey of Rock river from its mouth up, greater obstructions were found there than at the rapids, and the project was abandoned.

At the election held on the 4th of- November, 1851, under the act of the General Assembly of the State providing for township organization, Albany cast 59 votes in favor of such organization to 19 against it.

The first town meeting under the new law was held at the public school house in the village of Albany, on the 6th day of April, 1852. The name of the Moderator does not appear in the record. M. S. Denlinger acted as Clerk ;pro tern. The following officers were elected :

Supei-visor, Wm. S. Barnes; Town Clerk, M. S. Denlinger; Justices of the Peace, Gilbert Buckingham, Ivy Buck; Constables, Wm. Ewing, Chester Lusk; Commissioners of Highways, Alfred Slocumb, A. B. Emmons; Assessor, Chas.

The following record made by the Clerk on the 21st of April, 1852, shows that the then Commissioners of Highways were not very active in the discharge of their duties :

"At a meeting held by the Commissioners of Highways at the Town Clerk's ofl&ce on Wednesday the 21st of April, 1852, they came to no conclusion about anything, and in fact done nothing at all."

Siqjervisors - 1852, Wm. S. Barnes; 1853, William Y. Wetzell. Mr. Wetzell resigned his office in February, 1854, and Washington Olds was appointed to fill the vacancy; 1851:-'55, A. T. Hudson. Mr. Hudson resigned in January, 1856, and Samuel Happer was appointed to fill the vacancy; 1856-'62, W. S. Barnes; 1863-'70, Dean S. Efner; 1871-76, E. H. Nevitt. Mr. Nevitt resigned on the 1st of January, 1877, by reason of being elected Representative to the General Assembly, and Ezekiel Olds was appointed to fill the vacancy; 1877, Peter Ege.

Assessor: - 18b2, Chas. Boynton; 1853-77, E. H. Nevitt. Mr. Nevitt resigned soon after his election in 1877, and Wm. H. Fletcher w-as appointed to fill the vacancy.

The following record of an election held at the house of Wm. Nevitt in the town of Albany, Precinct of Albany, on the 5tli day of August, 1844, we were premitted to copy from the original record now in the possession of Hon. E. H. Nevitt :

The Precinct of Albany then comprised the present townships of Albany Garden Plain and Newton. The elections were always held at the village of Albany, and were considered the most exciting days of the year. It will be seen

Village Of Albany. ' 111

The assessment of Albany Precinct for the year 1839, the Precinct then including the present townships of Albany, Garden Plain and Newton, made by Lewis Spurlock, Assessor, the original of which is on file in the County Clerk's ofiice, shows fifty-one persons assessed. The property assessed was only personal, and consisted in the aggregate of 38 horses, valued at $2,025; 157 cows and oxen, valued at $2,995; 390 hogs, valued at $1,201 ; 8 sheep, valued at $!«; valuation of wagons, $928; of household goods, $1,695; of mechanical tools, $265, and of clocks and watches, $259. Total assessed valuation of all personal. property, $9,384.

Albany township contains about 2,000 acres of improved lands, and about 4,000 of unimproved. From the Assessor's book for 1877 the number of horses in the township is put down at 213; number of cattle, 488; of mules and asses, 3; of sheep, 75; of hogs, 1937; carriages and wagons, 92; sewing and knitting machines, 90; piano fortes, 11; melodeons and organs, 29. Total value of lands, lots and personal property $155,321 ; value of railroad property, $9,529. Total assessed value of all property in 1877, $164,850.

The population of the township outside of the village of Albany in 1870, as appears by the census reports of that year, was 199, of which 147 were of native birth, and 52 of foreign birth. The estimated population is now 350.

State of Ohio. Mr. Mitchell made claim to what is now known as Upper xilbany, and Corbin to Lower Albany. During that year the former built ft small cabin on a mound still to be seen in the present lumber yard of Hon. B. H. Nevitt, and the latter put up a tent around a tree at the edge of the bluflf near the corner of Main and Maple Streets. The tree, being a large one, afforded considerable protection to his improvised dwelling, and gave rise to the report, which is still in circulation, that he lived in a tree. It appears that neither of these gentlemen had any idea of becoming permanent settlers, and only made their claims for speculative purposes, for no sooner did other parties come in with the hona fide intention of making their homes in the town then they willingly sold their interest in the lands, and hied to other parts. There was a great deal of that kind of business done in Illinois and other Western States and Territories at that day, many parties following it as their only occupation. Their method would be to find out first by exploration some locality which offered natural advantages either for the location of a village or city like that at Albany, or by reason of the fertility of the soil a home for the farmer and producer, and then cause these advantages to be spread abroad as far as possible. They were usually shrewd men, and could spot an advantageous position as soon as their eyes fell upon it. Although simply speculators, considerable credit is due them for opening up to settlement many a splendid commercial position at an early date which otherwise might not have been noticed, or if noticed, not until at a much later period and when other and inferior localities had been selected and were well in their growth.

In the spring of 1836, Wm. Nevitt, father of Hon. E. H. Nevitt, and Willis C. Osborne, the former from Knox County, and the latter from Fulton County, came up and purchased the claim from Mitchell. About the same time Charles R. Rood came from Washington County, N. Y., and Erastus and Isaac C. Allen from Plattsburgli, Essex County, N. Y., and purchased the claim from

Corbin. None of the land had been sold by the Grovernnient, the entry not taking place until October, 1839. Tn that month Messrs. Nevitt, Rood and Allen went to Galena, made an entry and purchased the land covered by these claims, for themselves and others, Mr. Nevitt purchasing what is now known as Upper Albany, and Mes.'Jrs. Rood and Allen, Lower Albany. The deeds for Upper Albany were made out to Wm. Nevitt, Lewis Spurlock, Alfred Slocumb, and Gilbert Buckingham, making them the proprietors. Chas. R. Rood, S. M. Kilgour, Randolph C. Niblack. Isaac C. Allen, P. B. Vannest, Oliver McMahan, Erastus Allen, Samuel Mitchell, David Mitchell, Alfred Bergen, Chester Lusk, and Samuel Searle, became the proprietors of Lower Albany.

It was contemplated by the proprietors of the land now covered by Upper Albany to call that part of the place Van Buren, and it was known by that name for some time, while the proprietors of the lower part determined to call their portion simply Albany. It was soon, however, discovered that two municipal corporations in such close contiguity would prove unnecessary, as well as annoying, and finally under cover of some dispute about boundary lines, the matter was amicably compromised, and the whole town called Albany. _ The two towns were first platted in 1836.

In the month of December, 1839, the town or village was surveyed for the proprietors by C. R. Rood, County Surveyor, and the plat recorded in the office of the Recorder of Whiteside County on the 4th day of March, 1840. In the plat the village is described as situated and laid out on the east side of the Mississippi river on a part of sections No's 24, 25 and 26, in township 21 north, range 2 east of the 4th principal meridian. The village is beautifully situated, the ground rising from the river at an angle of some twenty to thirty degrees until it reaches- the height of the surrounding country. Some of the finest building sites on the Upper Mississippi can be found along and upon these bluffs, the view from them, especially from some in the lower part of the town, commanding a long stretch of the noble river, the village of Camanche nearly opposite, the cities of Fulton, Lyons and Clinton above, besides extended portions of bluff and prairie in the two States of Illinois and Iowa. The citizens in many instances have taken advantage of these fine sites and built upon them. The part of the town along the river bank and at the commencement of the bluffs is admirably adapted for business purposes. The streets of the village are broad and regularly laid out. Of the original proprietors of the village the following are still living: Randolph C. Niblack, residing on his old homestead in town, C. R. Rood and P. B. Vannest, in Garden Plain, Oliver McMahan, in Lyons, Iowa, and Samuel Mitchell, in Davenport, Iowa.

Log dwellings were put up in Upper Albany in the spring and summer of 1837 by Alfred Slocumb and Gilbert Buckingham. These were the first dwellings built in that part of the town, with the exception of the cabin of Mr. Mitchell mentioned in a preceding page. In the summer of 1838 Uriah Cook erected the first frame building. In Lower Albany Randolph C. Niblack, Samuel Searle, Isaac C. and Erastus Allen, Samuel Mitchell, T. Wilcoxson, Chester Lusk, and Oliver McMahan put up the first frame buildings in the spring and summer of 1837. The one built by McMahan was used as a hotel, thus making it the first hotel in xVlbany. The first brick building in the town was put up for a dwelling by Dr. W. II. Efner, father of Hon. D. S. Efner, in the summer of 1840. It is still standing on the bluff, on Main street, adjoining the Methodist church, and is owned by Mrs. W. S. Barnes, and occupied by Mr. J. AV. Dinneen.. Oliver McMahan followed the same year with the second brick building. This was built on "Water street and faced the river, and is still stand-

Village Of Albany

Ivy Buck opened the first grocery store in the fall of 1837, and a firm by the name of Cox & Campton the second early in 1838. The store of Cox & Campton stood on the river bank near where the stone house now stands, and that of Mr. Buck on the bluff, back of the present W. U. R. R. depot. In 1840 Mcllvaine & Happer opened the first dry goods and general merchandise store in a building near the river, now known as the old Fuller Hotel site. After that year stores of different kinds followed with considerable rapidity. Cox & ^ Campton remained in the store for about a year. Mr. Buck continued in busi- ' ness also about a year. Mcllvaine & Happer continued in the mercantile line under the same firm name until 1854, when William Y. Wetzell, now of Fulton, became a partner, and the name was changed to Mcllvaine, Happer Si, Co. Mr. Wetzell withdrew in 1854, leaving the firm as it originally started, and under that name it continued until the firm was dissolved. Mr. Happer is still in business in partnership with his son, Joseph F. Happer, in the brick store corner of Main and Union streets. Mr. Mcllvaine is now a resident of Chicago. Chas. S. Dorsey built the first saw mill in the fall of 1837 and early part of 1838, actually commencing to saw in the former year. He came from Tazewell County in this State. The mill stood on the river bank in the lower end of the town, and was run by steam. David Mitchell, Mr. Hurd and others had an interest in the mill. It ran for about four years, and then burned down. A great deal of lumber was sawed at this mill for Capt. Holt, of Rock Island, who was extensively engaged then in building barges for use on the Mississippi river and its tributaries. A chair manufactory was started in connection with this mill shortly after it commenced operation, by Alvord & Buck, but was burned with the mill, and the proprietors did not afterwards resume business. William Clark put up the next steam saw mill, a small rotary one, on the river bank in Spurlock & Garrett's addition, in 1851. He ran it about a year when he died, and it was torn down.

In 1853 Walker, Happer & Co., built a steam saw mill on the river in Upper Albany near where the stone house now stands. This mill was built in the modern style, having planing and lath machinery attached. The Co. was composed of E. H. Nevitt and John D. Mcllvaine. In 1855 Walker sold his interest to the other members of the firm, and the firm name was changed to Happer, Nevitt & Co. The new firm ran the mill until 1858, when operations ceased. The mill was destroyed by the tornado of June 3, 1860, and was not rebuilt.

A part of the present mill was built by Boice, Ewing & Co. in 1861. This Company ran the mill until 1864, when it was sold to Langford & Hall, now extensive mill owners and lumber dealers at Fulton. In 1866 David Heffelbower bought an interest and the firm name was changed to Heffelbower, Langford & Co. In 1872 Mr. Heffelbower and Wm. McBride purchased the entire interest in the mill and its surroundings, and the firm became Heffelbower & McBride. The latter gentlemen are its present owners. New and important additions to the building,- machineiy and yard have been added by the enterprising proprietors from time to time as the occasion demanded, until now the mill ranks among the first on the river.

As near as can be now ascertained the following persons were the settlers in Van Buren and Albany, as the places were then called in 1837: Chas. R. Rood, Erastus Allen and family, Isaac C. Allen, Randolph C. Niblack, Samuel Searle, Chester Lusk and family, Alfred Bergen, Peter B. Vannest, Gregg McMahan, Oliver McMahan, Jonathan Davis, Samuel Mitchell, Thomson Wil- coxson and family, Ivy Buck and family, Duty Buck and family, and Jeremiah Rice, in Albany; and Wm. Nevitt and family, Gilbert Buckingham and family, Stephen B. Slocumb, Thomas Finch, John Slocumb and family, and Uriah Cook, in Yan Burcn. Of these, Chas. R. Rood, Wm. Nevitt, and Stephen B. Slocumb properly came in 1836, but are classed as settlers of 1837.

Those who came in 1838 were: Cheney Olds and family. Dr. Bernheisel and family, David Mitchell, Isaiah Marshall, and Edward Ewers, in Lower Albany, and Granville Reid, Robert Kennedy, Daniel Bliss, Lewis Spurlock, Amos Nichols, John Nichols, Bennett Spurlock, and Geo. Garrett, in Upper Albany.

In 1839 came Benj. S. Quick, W. S. Barnes and family, Dr. John Clark and family, and James Hewlett and family, in Lower Albany, and Columbus C. Alvord in Upper Albany. This year was known as the " sick year," and few parties could be induced to settle anywhere along the Mississippi.

The first death was that of Katie Allen, a child of Erastus Allen, aged about eighteen months. She died in the winter of 1838, and was buried on her father's premises. Following this was the death of Elijah H. Knowlton, who died in March, 1838. He was the first one buried in the cemetery where so many of Albany's citizens now sleep. His age was about thirty.

The first minister was the Rev. Mr. Bouton, a Presbyterian clergyman, who settled in the town in the spring of 1840. He was not called to Albany as a stated pastor, but preached whenever he was requested and in such buildings as could be obtained for religious services, there being no church in the town at that day. A donation of some lots was made to him by the proprietors of Lower Albany, but he did not build on them, and afterwards occupied a farm a little out of the town.

The first physician Avas Dr. Bernheisel, who came with his wife in the spring of 1838. The Doctor is represented to have been a somewhat peculiar man, and as his wife, who possessed considerable beauty and spirit, attracted considerable attention from the gay bachelors of the town, he became unaccountably jealous of her, and after remaining about a year carried her oflf to Utah and joined the Mormons. To reward him for this heroic rescue of his wife from the wiles of the bachelors of Albany, the Latter Day Saints elected him their first delegate to the Congress of the United States. It is now said that some of these erst while bachelors, married men to-day, would like to have young gentlemen smile upon their wives so they could carry them to some Territory like Dr. Bernheisel, and go to Congress.

The first white women who settled in Albany were Mrs. Thomas Finch, Mrs. Stephen B. Slocumb, Mrs. Erastus Allen, and Mrs. Chester Lusk, all of whom came in 1837.

The first regular ferry between Albany and Camanche was run by David and Samuel Mitchell under a license granted theiy for that purpose by the County Commissioners, bearing date September 8, 1840. Their first boat was propelled by horse power, and this motive power was continued until 1850 when a steam ferry boat was purchased of a Mr. Gear, of Galena. One improvement called for another, and after running the Galena boat for some time, the Messrs. Mitchell had a larger and more commodious boat built for themselves. Not long after this new boat was put on, David Mitchell sold his interest in the ferry to Samuel. Still later, a Mr. Clayborne purchased an interest from

Samuel, and the two ran the ferry until the great tornado in 1860, when the boat was destroyed. Since that time a skiff only has been used. The ferry in its palmy days was extensively patronized, a large number then seeking it as their point of crossing over the Mississippi on their way to Iowa, and States and Territories farther West. It was also largely used for transporting merchandise and produce over the river for points both east and west. Had the railroad been built, for which a charter was granted by the General Assembly at its session in 1851, the ferry would undoubtedly have given way in a short time thereafter to a bridge over the river between Albany and Camanche. A railroad would then have been constructed from the latter place to a point on the Missouri river, running through the heart of Iowa as the Chicago & Northwestern road now does. We are assured that such was the design of many of the enterprising business men of that day. But by the failure to build the railroad to Albany, the bridge project was abandoned.

The sickly season of 1839 retarded emigration to, and business in Albany, but in 1840 everything began to revive, and thenceforward for a number of years it was one of the most active business towns in this section of the country. The stage route from Rock Island to Galena, and the one afterwards from Chicago to Albany, were largely patronized and made regular runs, and the river steamers brought their full quota of freight and passengers. Even what were jocosely denominated "jerk water" lines of stages were doing a good business. The winding of the stage horn on the arrival of the lumbering vehicle into town, was sure to attract a large number to its stopping place, as it not only always brought a full complement of passengers, but also the mails. At this time, too, farmers from a long distance brought their grain and produce into town, and carried lumber home for putting up their buildings. Many of these came from as far east as Genesee Grove. '

The opening of Frink & Walker's line of stages from Chicago to Albany was one of the eras of the town. Before that time, this line ran by land to Galena, and from thence to Albany by water. The proprietors, however, soon saw that a direct line from the lakes to the Mississippi would be advantagous, and in 1844 put their coaches on this route. It was the great influx of passengers by this line which induced Mr. W. S. Barnes to open his large building as a hotel for the accommodation of the public. Very soon the Eagle Hotel became known far and wide as one of the best hotels on the Mississippi river, and its landlord one of the most courteous and genial of hosts. That reputation it has kept up to the present day. The Washington Hotel, and the National Hotel, were also first class hotels, and had a deservingly large patronage.

The passage of the act by the General Assembly of Illinois at its session in 1851, granting a charter for the construction of a railroad from Beloit, Wisconsin, to Rock Island, was hailed by the people of Albany as a project which would open up to them quick and easy communication with the lakes, and thence with eastern ports. Its construction would also demand the building of a road from Camanche, directly opposite, through Iowa to the far West, and of course the erection of a bridge over the river between the two points. The general route of this road was to be in the Rock River Valley, running from Beloit through Rockford, Byron, Dixon and Sterling to Albany, and then from Albany down the river to Rock Island. A road from Beloit to Chicago was already in operation. A meeting of the friends of the Rockford & Rock Island road was held in Sterling in the month of February, 1852, and by act of this meeting the route was divided into four sections, the first to extend from Beloit to Rockford, the second from Rockford to Dixon, the third from Dixon to Albany, and the fourth from Albany to Rock Island. The following resolu- tion was also adopted: "That out of the capital stock first subscribed, a sufficient amount should be immediately applied for completing the third section of said road." In compliance with the resolution that section was put under contract to Henry Doolittle, of Dayton, Ohio, on the 16th of February, 1853. By some means the books of subscription to the capital stock were not opened in time to ensure the commencement of the work, before the Mississippi & Rock River Junction Railroad Company, a rival organization, had so far got along with their operations as to commence building their road to Fulton. This put an end to the construction of the road to Albany, as the Galena & Chicago R. R. Company had became identified with the M. & R. R. J. road, and the combination ensured a direct road from Chicago to Fulton on the Mississippi river. A rival line, it was seen, could not be made to pay. Could stock have been taken at the Sterling meeting when all the villages along the line of the contemplated road from Beloit to Albany were deeply interested in the enterprise, and anxious that it should be pushed forward with the greatest rapidity, it is not at all unlikely that Albany and Camanche would have been at this time, large, thriving towns, with a bridge connecting them, over which would have rolled heavy freight and passenger cars, the former ladened with the richest products of the Orient and the Occident. Had this been the case it is easy to conjecture what the condition of the cities at the Narrows would have been to-day. Another road was also in contemplation at, or about that time, which was to have been called the Camanche, Albany and Mendota Railroad. This project had not been pushed to any great extent before it was abandoned, but it is safe to say, that if the Rockford & Rock Island road had been completed, it would have been built sooner or later thereafter.

The construction of the Western Union Railroad, however, affords railroad facilities for Albany, but it being a north and south road does not meet the requirements demanded, as the great lines of communication and transportation run east and west. The first construction train on the Western Union road came into the limits of Albany about the middle of November, 1865, on ties laid down temporarily. About a month later the road was completed so far that passenger trains came into town, and regular passenger and freight trains have been running since.

The people of Albany have not been without their wars and rumors of wars. A big fight came very near taking place on Beaver Island directly opposite the town in the winter of 1842 and '43. Albany had what was called a town claim on the Island, from which the inhabitants got a great deal of wood, to the cutting and carrying away of which the people of Clinton County, Iowa, finally strenuously objected, alleging that all the Island with the timber growing thereon belonged to their county. Finally to prevent further depredations by the people of Albany, Deputy Sheriff Aiken, of Clinton County, came to the Island one day during the above winter with a strong posse of men, fully armed, determined to drive away the Albany wood choppers, and to take such full and complete possession of the premises as would prevent their trespassing again in the future. Word was immediately sent to Albany of this action on the part of the Clinton County authorities, and it had no sooner got to the ears of the people, than they began to gather for the purpose of devising means to force the Clinton army back to their headquarters in Iowa, and "hold the fort," or in other words their claim, at all hazards. Soon forty men or more had banded together, armed with rifles, muskets, pistols, swords, pitchforks and other deadly implements, and in a few minutes landed on the Island. The bravest marched boldly up to a big fire which had been built by the Clintoniana previous to their coming, and on one side of which the latter had taken position.

The others, and the number was not inconsiderable, took to the brush, preferring to act as scouts rather than face a fusilade from their enemies. Orders were given in tones which reverberated far up and down the river for these scouts to join the main army, but at this juncture a pistol was fired, or was accidentally discharged, and neither orders, threats or coaxing could induce the scouts to believe that their method of fighting was not the most efi'ective. What the result would have been it is hard at this late day to determine, had not flags of truce been thrown out on each side, and the commanding officers of the two armies delegated to consult over the situation of affairs, and patch up a compromise if possible. Long and vehement were the arguments on both sides, but finally as night began to approach a compromise was effected by making a 'division of the timber, Albany to get 400 acres as its share. This was no sooner agreed to and hands shaken over it, than the scouts came out of their covert with the air and mein of veterans, and in lofty words claimed that their superior mode of fighting had driven the Clintonians to the wall and made them yield the point, and the survivors to this day recount to admiring listeners the brave deeds performed by them on that winter day in the Beaver Island brush. Albany did no more fighting after that until the war of the rebellion called her sons forth to fight for their countiy, and it is due to them to say that braver men could not be found in the Union Army.

On Sunday evening, June 3, 1860, one of the most destructive tornadoes that ever swept through the West visited the village of Albany, laying a large part of the place in ruins, causing the death of several of its citizens, and seriously injuring many others. The storm came from the Northwest, and after doing terrible execution in Iowa, and particularly in the village of Camanche, crossed the river, almost devastating Albany, as we have stated, and then pursued its way east through the county. A full description of its terrible work will be found in the general local history of this volume.

The following is as nearly an accurate list of the business men, and houses, prior to 1850, as can be obtained: James Hewlett, hardware and harness, about 1842; B. S. Quick, wagons and buggies; Pease & Wetzell, dry goods and groceries; Delmar & Stevens, dry goods and groceries; Hoyt, Faxon & Durfee, harness; J. J. Bolls, boots and shoes; Durant & Haines, dry goods and groceries; 0. McMahan, Albany Bank; A. B. & J. B. Emmons, blacksmith and wagon shop; Mcllvaine & Happer, dry goods "and groceries; Washington Olds, notions; Vannest & Stagg, blacksmiths; Charles Boynton, tin shop; W. S. Barnes, dry goods and groceries; John A. Langston, saddle and harness maker.

A Post office was established at Van Buren, now Upper Albany, in the winter of 1837 and '38, and Willis C. Osborne appointed Postmaster. In 1839 the name of the office was changed to Albany, and Gilbert Buckingham appointed Postmaster. In 1843 he was succeeded by Samuel Happer, but was reappointed in 1846, and continued in the position two years. From 1848 to 1851, Wm. Y. Wetzell was Postmastei-, and from the latter year until 1854, Wm. S. Barnes held the place. In 1854 Mr. Buckingham was again appointed, and held the office until 1857, when Andrew B. Emmons secured the position, the latter retaining the place until 1860 when he resigned, and was succeeded by Cornelius Knapp. In 1863 W. W. Durant was appointed, and has held the position to the present time.

In the spring of 1854 a newspaper called the Herald was started in Albany, by Mr. McAuliffe, who ran it for a few weeks, and then gave the enterprise up. In July following Mr. Chas. Boynton revived it, and issued the first number on the 24th of that month. Mr. Boynton had his own press, material and office in the village. The size of the Herald was 16 by 22, and its motto "Knowledge is, in every country, the surest basis of public happiness." Its miscellaneous reading matter was excellent, and local news as full as was given at that time by weekly newspapers in the smaller towns. The advertising patronage was much better proportionately than is given now to papers of considerably larger size and circulation in such towns. Mr. Boynton, however, only continued the publication of the Herald in Albany until December, 1854, and then moved his office to Sterling, and commenced the publication of the Sterling Times. The Herald gives the information that in 1854 Albany had a population of about 1,000 inhabitants, with four forwarding and commission houses, six dry goods, grocery and produce stores, one clothing store, two drug stores, one stove and tinware store, one furniture store, one harness shop, two large steam saw mills with planing and bedstead machinery, one sash, door and blind factory, and one wagon and general blacksmith shop. The advertisers in the Herald were Mcllvaine, Happer & Co., grocers, general merchants and produce dealers; Pease & Durant, dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, and produce; Durant & Haines, groceries, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes; Dennis & Lincoln, produce and general merchandise; Prothrow & Bolls, dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes; Washington Olds, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hardware, drugs and medicines; Kroh & Gordon, stove dealers, and tin and copper workers; W. A. Chamberlain, drugs and medicines; Buck, Olds & Co., sash, blind and door manufactory; Quick & Gilbert, wagon makers and blacksmiths; J. M. Adams, saddle, harness and trunk maker; Walker, Happer & Co., lumber, lath and shingles; Stagg & King, general blacksmiths; Walker Olds, lime; Myers & Slaymaker, furniture and chairs; McMahan, Durant & Co., lumber yard; Sears & Barnard, lumber yard; G. Harris, clothing; JI. C. Hullinger, house and sign painting; Hudson & Willey, physicians; Harris & Somerfield, clothing, dry goods, hats and caps; G. G. Dennis, dry goods, carpets and clothing; Boice, Ewing & Co., lumber; E. H. Nevitt, insurance; W. D. Smith, watchmaker; W. S. Barnes, Eagle Hotel; Alfred Slocumb, Washington Hotel; Bolls & Myers, dry goods, groceries and clothing; Geo. A. Richmond, National Hotel. Tho removal of the Herald to Sterling ended the publication of newspaper^ in Albany.

Congregational Church: - The organization of the Congregational Church and Society of x\lbany, took place on the 13th day of February, 1842. The meeting was held by members who had withdrawn from the First Presbyterian church, together with some others. Rev. Mr. Hazard acted as Moderator at the meeting, and Mr. Erastus Allen as clerk. After some preliminary proceedings, the following certificate was drawn up and signed:

" This certifies that we, Messrs. James Bothwell, William H. Efner, Duty Buck, Erastus Allen, William Bothwell, and Mrs. Hannah Allen, Mrs. Ruth Bothwell, aud Mrs. Fannie Buckingham, members of the First Presbyterian Church in Albany, Whiteside County, State of Illinois, being dissatisfied with the principles of said church, and being desirous with others of forming ourselves into a Congregational Church, and having taken the preliminary steps, assembled at the appointed place and hour on the 13th of February, A. D. 1842, for the purpose of completing our organization and acknowledgment as a church of Christ, to be called the First Congregational Church of Albany, Whiteside County, Illinois, with the Rev. Mr. Hazard, their counsellor and moderator, and Mr. E. Allen, their scribe, the undersigned were now embodied, by letter and profession, into an Evangelical church, according to Congrega-

The articles of Faith and Covenant were then adopted, after which Messrs. Duty Buck and AVm. Bothwell were chosen deacons, and Erastus Allen, clerk. Rev. 0. Flmerson was the first pastor. On the 20th of July, 1844, K. Allen, James Bothwell, Duty Buck, P. IJ. Vannest and Washington Olds were elected trustees for five years "to control the building and use of the meeting house," and on the 1st of December, 1844, the new meeting house of the society was dedicated. On the 12th of July, 1846, Dr. C. Abbott and James Bothwell were elected deacons for three years. Two of the members died in 1847, James Bothwell on the 31st of January, and Mrs. Lucy Howard on the 1st of March. Rev. A. J. Copeland became pastor on the 1st of October, 1847, at a salary of $400 per year, and on the 5th of December, 1849 he was succeeded by Rev. J. J. Hill. P. B. Vannest and J. B. Crosby were elected deacons on the 6th of July, 1850. The following pastors succeeded Rev. Mr. Hill up to 1870: Revs. Nathaniel Pine, S. N. Groat, James Quick, Samuel Hemenway, Robert Stuart, Chas. Hancock, C S. Cady, H. S. Hamilton, M. Ostrander, 0. Emerson, and D. R. Macnab. Rev. Mr. Chapman and other ministers filled the pulpit when there was no stated pastor.

Mr. Duty Buck, a member of the church, was killed by the tornado of June 3, 1860. His wife had only died during the March previous. Mr. Henry Pease was chosen clerk of the church on the 31st of March, 1861, which position he still holds. On the 9th of April, 1870, a pi'oposition was received from the Presbyterian church for a union of the two churches " to the end that a minister acceptable to both could be secured." No definite action seems to have been taken in this matter. On the 6th of June, 1874, the members of the church appointed P. B. Vannest, Ezekiel Olds, and S. B. Bliss a committee to wait on a like number from the Presbyterian church at Garden Plain, with a view of obtaining a minister whom both churches could agree to support as a stated supply. This effort eventuated in the call of Rev. N. D. Graves as pastor for both congregations, and in July, 1875, he began his labors, Mr. Graves still remains as such pastor, preaching each Sabbath at Garden Plain in the morning, and at Albany in the afternoon,

Preshyterian Church:^-The First Presbyterian church of Albany was organized at the house of David Mitchell, in December, 1839, by Rev. Mr. Prentiss, of Fulton. The original members were Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Kilgour, Mr. and Mrs. David Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Miller, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Erastus Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Duty Buck, Mrs. Ivy Buck, and Mrs. Francis Buckingham. The first elders were Samuel M. Kilgour and David Mitchell.

From the church record it appears that the first regular meeting of the Society was held on the 13th of December, 1841, Rev. Enoch Bouton, pastor, when a portion of the members withdrew, and formed a Congregational Church. In 1842 Mr. Bouton ceased to be pastor, and during the year 1842, and part of 1843, there was no regular pastor. Rev. Mr. Woodruff, of Rock Island, and Rev. Mr. Waterbury, preaching occasionally. In June, 1843, Rev. Silas Sears became pastor, and remained until 1846, when Rev. Oscar Park succeeded him, and continued in the pastorage until 1851. In that year Rev. W. C. Mason became pastor, and upon his retirement in 1856 was succeeded by Rev. Louis Gano. In 1856 and '57 a brick church edifice was erected by the Society in Upper Albany, which was finished and dedicated in 1858. Rev. A. H. Lackey be- came pastor in 1859, and on the 3d of June, 1860, the church building was blown down by the tornado. Mr. Lackey went east shortly afterwards, and collected about SI, 600 with Avhich a frame church structure was built upon the foundation of the brick one, and was dedicated in 1861. Mr. Lackey remained pastor until 1862. In 1863 Rev. Jacob Coon officiated as supply, remaining until 1870, when Rev. J. Giffin took charge, the latter being succeeded in 1873 by Rev. Josiah Leonard. Li 1875 Rev. N. D. Graves was employed, who still remains with the church in connection with the one at Garden Plain.

Methodist Ejnscopal Church: - Albany was first made a regular preaching place by the Rock River M. E. Conference in 1840. It then formed a part of Savanna Circuit. Previous to that time Revs. Phillip K. Hanna, Wm. Hobert, and John Kilpatrick, had preached occasionally at private houses. In 1840 Rev. Philo Judson was pastor, but there is no record of the names of the members of the church. In 1841 Rev. Wm. W. Buck, assisted by Rev. G. L. S. Stuff, were the pastors. In 1842 Albany became a part of Union Grove Circuit, with Rev. C. Campbell as pastor, who also remained during 1843. Rev. A. M. Early became pastor in 1844. The next year a small frame building was erected for church and school purposes. Rev Isaac Searles, pastor. Then followed Revs. James McKean, Charles Babcock, Wm. Haney. Mathew Hanna, and Benj. Appelbee, until 1853 when the Circuit was again divided, and Albany, Erie and Newton made a Circuit called Albany Circuit, Rev. Jesse B. Quimby, pastor. The membership was then recorded as 172. In 1854, the first parsonage was built in Albany, Rev. A. D. McCool, pastor. He also remained during the next year. 1856, Rev. A. D. Field, pastor. In 1857 the church bought the school interest in the building and enlarged it. Rev. A. M. Early, pastor. In 1858, Rev. Z. S. Kellogg, pastor. During the conference year ending 1860 the tornado occurred in which the church and parsonage were both destroyed. The Rev. Z. S. Kellogg lost his furniture, but none of his family were seriously injured, and no member of the church reported hurt. Rev. Mathew Hanna was pastor during the conference year following. In 1861 the present brick church edifice was erected by subscription obtained principally from M. E. Churches at the East. It was dedicated the same year. Rev. John Frost, pastor. Mr. Frost remained until 1864. From that time until 1868 Revs. J. W. Jacobs and C. Combs were pastors. In the latter year Rev. Barton H. Cartwright became pastor, and loaned the church $600 to build a parsonage, doing a large share of the work himself. From 1869 to 1876 Revs. W. S. Young, Z. D. Paddock, A. C. Frick, M. C. Smith, and C. E. Smith, have been pastors, the latter being still in charge. The number of members at present is 170.

Albany Lodge No. 556, A. F. & A. if..- - The Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois in 1867 granted a dispensation to D. S. Efner, Wm. Prothrow, Henry M. Booth, James Brewer, Ithamar Johnson, Peter Ege, Spencer Bennett, David Cottle, Chas. F. Lusk, Cornelius Knapp, C. R. Rood, Isaac B. Emmons, J. M. P]aton, Wm. T. Crotzer, George Miller, and J. J. Bolls, as charter members, to organize Albany Lodge No. 556, A. F. & A. M. The first meeting under the dispensation was held on the 18th of May, 1867, the officers of the Lodge then consisting of J. M. Eaton, W. M.; Henry M. Booth, S. W.; J. J. Bolls, J. W.; Peter Ege, S. D.; Spencer Bennett, J. D.; C. R. Rood, Treasurer; D. S. Efner, Secretary; James Brewer and C. F. Lusk, Stewards, and Ithamar Johnson, Tyler. At the first regular communication petitions for initiations were received. On the 9th of November, 1867, W. C. Snyder, of Fulton, by virtue of his appointment by the (J rand Master of the State, instituted the Lodge, and installed its officers, being assisted in the work by D. W. Thomson, of

Biographical

Fulton. J. M.Eaton served as W. M. of the Lodge for eight consecutive years, and J). S. Efner has been Secretary for every term save one, when lie was a member of the General Assembly of the State. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition. The regular communications are held on Saturday evenings on or before the full of the moon of each month, at their Lodge room in the brick store building of C. F. Lusk, on Main street. The following members have been buried with Masonic honors: W. S. Barnes, Thos. Brewer, J. J. Bolls, Abram Mitchell and John Mitchell. The present ofiicers are as follows: H. M. Booth, W. M.; D. W. Lundy, S. W.; Ithamar Johnson, J. W.; W. D. Haslet, S. D.; C. C. Bolls J. D.; Samuel Happer, Treasurer; D. S. Efner, Secretary; W. S. Booth, D. Nicewonger, Stewards; C. F. Lusk, Tyler.

Hon. Edward H. Nevitt was born in Carmi, White county, Illinois, January 6, 1822. When twelve years of age his father moved from White county to a farm he had purchased near Knoxville, Knox County, Hlinois. Here the family remained until 1837 when they all came to Albany. Mr. Nevitt was married to Miss Hannah Alvord at LeClaire, Iowa, on the 27th of December, 1855, Elder Hartzell, of Davenport, performing the ceremony. Miss Alvord was born in Ellicottville, Ci\ttaraugus County, New York, May 26, 1826, Lizzie Blanche, the only issue of this marriage, was born April 19, 1856, and died November 18, 1858. When Mr. Nevitt first came to Albany he settled in the part of the town then known as Van Buren, now more particularly designated as Upper Albany. During the first years of his residence he followed farming. In 18-47 he engaged in the lumber business on the Mississippi river, and continued in it about three years. In 1852 he became connected with the saw mill business, and was so occupied until 1860 when the mill in which he had an interest was, together with the lumber, machinery, etc., swept away by the Tornado. His dwelling-house was also destroyed at the same time, thus entailing a heavy lossupon him, and one from which it took several years to recover. In 1863 he was appointed United States mail agent on the river from Davenport to Dubuque, in which service he remained nearly a year, and then went into the lumber, insurance, and real estate business, in which he is still engaged. His fellow citizens early discovered that he was peculiarly qualified for an able, prompt and faithful discharge of the duties of a public trust, and in 1852, tha first election after the township organization, elected him Assessor of the town, and continued him in that office at each succeeding election until 1877, a period of a quarter of a century. In 1870 he was elected Supervisor of the town, an office which he continued to hold by re-election until January 1, 1877, when he resigned to take his seat as Representative of the General Assembly of the State from the 11th District, to which office he had been elected for two years in the fall before. During the late long and arduous session of the Thirteenth General Assembly he was always found active and vigilant in the discharge of his duties, rarely being out of his seat during session hours, or away from committee work when it demanded his attention. , He was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed and Enrolled bills, one of the most important committees of the House, and also member of several other committees. Mr. Nevitt was educated at Knox College.

William Nevitt, father of Hon. E. H. Nevitt, and one of the earliest pioneers of Whiteside county, was born at Brownsville, Pa., in 1779. When a young man he moved to Kentucky, and in 1805 married Miss Mary Edlin at Beardstown, Breckinridge county, 'in that State. He moved from Kentucky to White county, Illinois, in 1818, and in 183-4 from the latter place to a farm near Knoxville, Knox county, Illinois, where he remained until 1837 when he came to Albany, arriving in August. Here he purchased a farm just back of the present village of Albany, and also became one of the original proprietors of Upper Albany. In 1821 Mr. Nevitt was appointed Justice of the Peace by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State, and the appointment afterwards duly confirmed by the Senate, and a commission issued to him by Hon. Shadrach Bond, the first Grovernorof the state. While a resident of White county he was several times placed in nomination by the Whigs of his district as Kopresentative to the Legislature, but as the latter were in the minority his candidacy was unsuccessful. In 1831 he was appointed by the Govenor as one of the Commissioners to improve the Little Wabash river. He had not long been in Whiteside when he was elected School Commissioner of the county, Jabez Warner, Esq., being his opponent. This office he held until his death which occurred in October, 1848. Mr. Nevitt had eleven children : John, James, Clement, William G., xillen, Edward H., Wilson, Eliza, Nancy, Maria and Susan. Eliza married Alfred Slocumb; Nancy married Asa Langford; Maria married Noah Shelby, and Susan married Thomas Finch. The children living are Clement, who resides in Knox county, Illinois; William G. in Newton. Whiteside county; Edward H., in Albany; Mrs. Finch in Oskaloosa, Jefferson county, Iowa, and Mrs. Slocumb in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

Randolph C. Niblack was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, November 27, 1807. He went when quite a lad to Sciota county, Ohio, whore he learned the carpenter's trade, and remained quite a number of years, and then came to Albany, arriving April 14, 1837, and settled in Lower Albany. He at once commenced working at his trade, and built and assisted in building some of the first houses erected in Albany. On the 11th of February, 1838. he was married to Miss Amy Buck by the Rev. Mr. Hazard, of Lyndon. At that time parties had to go to Dixon for marriage licenses, and travel many miles of the distance 'without seeing a human habitation. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Niblaek, but both died in their infancy. Mr. Niblack made the first coffin needed in Albany, it being for a young child of Mr. Erastus Allen. He also painted the first house in the town, tide present Eagle Hotel building. He has frequently been Commissioner of Highways for the town, and held other town offices.

Benjamin S. Quick was born in the town of Hopel, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, on the 20th of December, 1815. When quite young he went to Cayuga county, N. Y., and from thence to Louisville, Kentucky. From the latter place he came to Albany, arriving July 17, 1839, and after clerking a time for W. S. Barnes, engaged in wagon making, his original trade. On the 5th of April, 1843, he married Miss Mary Ann Slaymaker at Cordova, Rock Island county, Illinois. Miss Slaymaker was born at Williamstown, Lancaster county, Pa., in June. 1817. They have had four children, George D., born July 3, 1847; Margaret C. born July 15, 1850; Jane, born August 20, 1852, and Benjamin H., born December 3, 1856. George D. married Miss Axilla Booth, and resides in Albany. Margaret C. married James H. Ege, and resides in Minneapolis, Minn., and Jane married Edwin Beckwith, and resides in Albany. All of the children are living. Besides wagon and carriage business Mr. Quick has been engaged in merchandizing and in the grain and stock business during his long residence in Albany, the latter of which he still follows. Although averse to holding any public position his fellow citizens have called upon him to hold several town offices, as well as the School Directorship for the town. He has always been an active, energetic business man.

Samlel Happer was born in Washington county, Pa., in April, 1813. In May, 1840, he emigrated from his native State and located in Sterling, in this county, where he remained about a year, and then came to Albany. Mr.

John D. Mcllvaine came with him, and the two under the firm name of Mc- Ilvainc & Happer opened a store where the stone building, known as tlie old Fuller Hotel, stood near the river in the upper part of the town. Mr. Happer was married to Miss Sarah Curry, who was born in Alleghany county. Pa., in July, 1816. Seven children have been the result of this marriage, viz : Mary J., Margaret A., Sarah J., Joseph F., Elizabeth L., John A., and Martha. Mary J. married Dr. A. E. Stockton, and resides in Stockton, California. Joseph F. married Alice Bennett, and resides in Albany. John A. is dead. Mr. Happer has been in business continuously since his residence in Albany, and for a long period of the time in partnership with Mr. Mcllvaine. In 1854 Wm. Y. Wetzell became connected with the firm, but remained only a short time. Mr. Happer has been Supervisor of the town, and held other town offices. He is at present engaged in the dry goods and general mercantile trade in connection with his son, Joseph F., the firm name being S. Happer & Son. They own their own store building which is a commodious brick' one, standing on the corner of Main and Union streets. Mr. Happer is also engaged in farming.

Hon. Dean S. Epner was born October 22, 1822, in what was then called North Deerfield, in the county of Monroe, New York State. From this place he emigrated in 1838 to Lacon, Marshall county, Illinois, and in March, 1841, moved, with his father. Dr. W. H. Efner, to Albany where he has resided ever since. About this time David Mitchell, Capt. Samuel Mitchell, Capt. Abram Mitchell and Col. S. M. Kilgour also came to Albany from near Lacon, none of whom now survive save Capt. Samuel Mitchell. Mr. Efner has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Sarah S. Thompson whom he married March 2, 1843. She was a sister of John S. Thompson Esq., and Miss Margaret Blean, of Newton. The only child of this marriage living is Wm. E. f]fner, Esq., of Coleta, in this county. Mrs. Efner died on the 2d of September, 1845. Mr. Efner was married to his second wife, Miss Sarah Brewer, at Albany, on the 28th of August, 1848, by Kev. Father McKean. Miss Brewer was born in England on the 8th of October, 1826. When she was but a child her father emigrated to this country, bringing his family with him, and settled near Harrisburg. Pa., and in 1844 came to Albany. At the age of sixteen Mr. Efner began to learn the mason trade, and this trade he followed more or less until the year 1864. His fellow citizens both of the town and Legislative District have frequently called upon him to serve them in a public capacity. For twenty-five years last past he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, with the single exception of about one year. The pei'son then elected died shortly afterwards, and Mr. Efner was elected to fill the vacancy. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors from 1863 to 1870, but resigned during the latter year to take a seat as Representative in the General Assembly of the State, to which he had been elected. So well pleased were the people of the District with his services as Representative that he was re-elected in 1873. During these two terms of the Legislature the revision of the laws of the State were completed, and made to conform to the new constitution of 1870. In this arduous and exacting labor Mr. Efner took a conspicuous part. In 1859 he was admitted to practice law, going in person to Springfield to attend examination for that purpose. The examination was held by a committee of examiners selected from the ablest members of the bar, by the Supreme Court which was then in session at the State Capital. Mr. Efner has also served as clerk and attorney for the Board of Trustees of the village of Albany, and at present holds these positions.

William S. Barnes was born in Woodstock, Vermont, May 11, 1808, and settled in Lower Albany July 23,1839. He was married to Miss Adaline Howe at Lowell, Mass., in 1830. The children of this union have been Frances D., born May 28, 1831; Lucia, born April 15, 1833, now dead; Sarah, born February 16, 1835, married and living in Vermont; Adaline, born April 1, 1839, married and living in Iowa; William Henry, born September 12, 1841, living in Albany; Mary, born September 20, 1842, now dead; Louisa, born May 20, 1846, now dead; Charles S., born March 16, 1848, living in Albany. The next year after Mr. Barnes' arrival in Albany he erected the present Eagle Hotel building, using it for the first few years as a store and boarding house. In 1846 he opened the hotel, and it very soon became under his able management one of the best known and most popular hotels in all this section of the country. Mr. Barnes was personally a very genial and popular man, and was honored by his fellow citizens and by the General Government with different positions of public trust. He was the first Supervisor of the township after its organization, and was elected to the same position several times afterwards. During his lifetime he was a prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity. His death occurred on the 20th of July, 1872, and the funeral was attended by a large number of his Masonic brethren.

William W. Durant is a native of Thomastou, State of Maine, and was born May 27, 1803. Mr. Durant was married to his first wife. Miss Susanna L. Marsh, at Roxbury, Massachusetts, June 1, 1827. She died at Rock Falls, in this county, in October, 1839. In December, 1840, Mr. Durant married his second wife, Miss Emily M. Martin. The children by the first wife were E. W., S. L., and W. W.; and by the second wife, Charles A., Helen Maria, Alfred H., and Augusta. E. W. Durant resides at Stillwater, Minnesota, and the rest at Albany, Illinois. All are living except Helen M., wife of Joseph S. Green, who died at Albany in April, 1876. Mr. Durant came first to Whiteside in June, 1838, and settled at Rock Falls, where he remained until August, 1844, when he moved to and settled in Albany, and has since resided at that place. The first few years of his residence in Whiteside was devoted to farming, and since then he has been engaged in merchandizing. He was one of the first Assessors appointed for the precincts by the County Commissioners, his distrfct comprising Rapids precinct. He has also been Justice of the Peace, and since 1863 Postmaster at Albany.

Ivy Buck was born at Nassau, Rensselaer county, New York, March 22, 1801, and went at an early age to Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county. New York, where he remained until 1837, when he moved to Albany, in this county, and continued to reside there until his death which occurred a few years ago. Mr. Buck married Miss Mary Pindar, a native of Scoharie, New York, at Worcester, Otsego county. New York, June 6, 1827. She is also dead. The children of this marriage are Melinda, born at Franklinville, N. Y., March 17, 1828; Stephen, born at Franklinville, N. Y., November 28, 1838, and Edwin H. born at Albany, Illinois, October 9, 1844. Melinda married Stephen B. Slocumb, and resides in Newton, Whiteside county; Stephen married Mary Mitchell and resides at Clinton, Iowa, and Edwin H., married Ella M. Rexroad, and resides at Fulton, Whiteside county. Mr. Buck was a captain of a militia company, and held various town offices in Ellicottville, N. Y., and after moving to Albany was elected a Justice of the Peace and served in that capacity about eighteen years. He was a mason by trade, and put up quite a number of buildings in Albany. He also kept a store for several years, and at one time owned the ferry across the Mississippi river, between Albany and Camanche, and ran a steam ferry boat. During his residence in Whiteside he took an active part in advancing the interests of the county.

came to Whiteside county in the fall of 1835. His route to the West was by way of Lake Erie from Buffalo to Detroit, and thence bj-^ team to Rock River Valley, where he lived for three months with John Stakes, near Prophetstown, and then took a claim one mile below Portland, upon which he remained three years. In the spring of 1839 he moved to Newton, and selecting a farm near Kingsbury lived upon it until February, 1854, when he became a resident of Albany where he has since made his home. His wife was Miss Susan Lathrom, a native of Norwich, Connecticut. Their marriage took place at Cazenovia, N. Y., October 31, 1827. The children are Elizabeth, Helen, and Emily, born in Cazenovia, N. Y., and Jane, Harriet, Lewis, Sophronia, Alice, and Irene, born in Whiteside county. Elizabeth married Charles H. Slocumb, and lives in Newton; Helen married D. C. Hanks, and lives in Albany; Emily married S. B. Hanks, and lives in Albany; Jane married A. T. Jenks, and died some years ago; Harriet married A. T. Jenks, and lives in Albany; Lewis married Amy Chandler, and is a resident of Anamosa, Iowa; Sophronia married Dr. Robert Hill, and lives at Dubuque, Iowa; Alice married J. T. Happer, and lives at Albany, and Irene married Charles Paddock, and lives at Albany. Mr. Bennett has followed the occupation of a farmer during his lifetime.

Chapter Yi

History of Coloma Township - Biographical - History of Rock Falls - Nurseries - Manufacturing Establishments - Newspapers - Churches and Other Organizations.

The township of Coloma lies south of Rock river, being a part of Congressional township 21 north, range seven east of the fourth Principal Meridian. It contains about 6,040 acres, embracing five entire and eight fractional sections. The surface is diversified by irregular sand ridges and hills, and the soil is a sandy loam - in some parts almost entirely sand. Along the river it is somewhat broken. The southern part is very level and originally abounded in sloughs, most of which have been drained, and now produce great quantities of grass. It has few creeks - a small one in the eastern, and a somewhat larger one in the western part, both flowing north into Rock river. It has only a small tract of timbered land lying along the river. The soil is light, and not highly productive, but all the grains and fruits grown in this section of the State are produced, and it is well adapted to gardening and nursery culture. It has an abundance of limestone along the river, but it is overlain by about twelve feet of sand, and six feet of coarse glacial gravel, and the upper beds are soft and worthless; after removing some twenty feet of material several strata of excellent stone, making altogether a thickness of about six feet, are obtained, when water prevents further working. There is also an extensive deposit of Peroxide of iron - Hemetite - which is largely used in the manufacture of paint by the Sterling Mineral Paint Company. This substance crops out in the river bank for a considerable distance, and as it softens quite rapidly when exposed to the air, forming a tenacious red clay, the bank looks as if drenched with blood.

The first permanent settlement in the territory now embraced in Coloma township was made by Edward Atkins, a native of Ireland, and Isaac Merrill, a native of Connecticut, early in 1837 - Mr. Merrill being the prior settler. Before the close of the year they were joined by Noah Merrill and Daniel Brooks, and Atkins, who was an energetic, enterprising man, had begun the erection of a large frame house intended for a hotel. November 6, 1838, a son - Nelson B., now a resident of Sterling - was born to Noah Merrill, believed to have been the first white child who began existence in Coloma. In February, 1839, there were living in what is now Coloma township, Edward Atkins, Isaac Merrill, Noah Merrill, Daniel Brooks, Ira Sillaman, Zerah M. Chapman, A. B. Wheeler, W. W. Durant, now of Albany, Samuel B. Cushing, John J. Cushing and Frank Cushing. Herman Emmons and L. H. Woodworth came into the settlement this year. W. W. Durant had a small store, the first in this vicinity. In 1837 Edward Atkins, A. B.Wheeler, Isaac Merrill and Daniel Brooks laid out the town of Rapids City on a scale commensurate with its imaginary future grandeur, hopes never to be realized. It was a mile square, occupying the jtract on which Rock Falls now_stands. The State had entered upon an extensive but insane system of internal improvements by which canals and

^railroads were to be built to every hamlet, and under which paper towns multiplied almost as rapidly as frogs in Kgypt. P]very man began to consider his humble cabin the nucleus of a great commercial emporium, and in his dreams he saw the day when extensive warehouses and vast manufactories should crowd each other along the banks of the neighboring brook, when some yet to be built canal should bear on its bosom the wealth of an empire, and when over the projected lines of railroad should be borne a mighty tide of traffic. It was not for a moment considered that an uninhabited country could not in the nature of things require a large amount of articles from abroad, and that it could produce very little to send away. The wild schemes daily increased in number. A reckless system of finance based on nothing, and professing to create values Avhere none existed, was relied on to raise funds and provide for the expense of these needless constructions, until at last the end came - bankruptcy - easily foreseen by prudence and moderate sagacity. This part of the State was to share in the blessings of free communication with the rest of the world, and as, if the rapids were removed, something that courtesy might consent to call a boat might navigate Rock river as far as Dixon, and as such obstructions were easily turned by a canal, and as, moreover, a canal besides being a good thing gave a chance for fat contracts, it was resolved to construct

_one around the rapids at this point. The contract was let in 1839 to Ethan Nijlhols Mr. Nichols dying the same year his brother and Sanger and Galhrfiath, who had been contractors on the Illinois and Michigan Canal , took charge of the contract. L. H. Woodworth, who came in 1839, was engineer in charge, having previously practiced his profession in the East. Work was commenced. Sanger and Nichols opened a large store, and for a time all went well and the desert seemed to be about to "bud and blossom as the rose." About $-±0,000

_was expended - a large sum for those times. The store did a hea-\^ business. The canal was nearly half completed, and the future seemed radiant with hope, when the gaudy bubble burst and rudely dissipated the gorgeous mirage. The State was bankrupt, loaded with debts of which the most sanguine could not see a possibility of payment. Work ceased, and the only memorials of the project are its history, an unsightly ditch, and some heaps of broken stone. In October 1839 death made his first visit to the settlement, bearing beyond the dark river Mi's. W. W. Durant. A marriage had been solemnized previous to this time, William Hawkins and Luna Brooks being the contracting parties. In 1844 Mr. Richard Arey came to Coloma and took charge of the property formerly owned by Atkins, whose interest had been purchased by James E. Cooley, of New York, in 1843. This property included an undivided interest in the valuable water front on which the manufactories of Rock Falls are now located. With the bursting of the interijal improvement bubble, and the widespread ruin consequent thereon, business stagnation and hard times came, stores were closed, public works suspended, and for a time but little progress was made; when prosperity again visited the banks of Rock river, business enthroned herself on the north side of the stream. During the winter of 1844 about thirty Winnebago Indians camped in the vicinity. They are described as very filthy, and most persevering beggars. The next spring they went north, never to return, the last of the red men who made this pleasant land their home, and since that time Indians have seldom visited this region. From this date neither a store nor shop of any kind was found within the borders of Coloma until 1867. Until 1857 there was no way of crossing the river except by fording, although several attempts had been made to establish a ferry above the rapids which had resulted in failure. In 1845 the first school was taught. In 1846 the first school house was fitted up, funds being raised by subscription; it was used for the next ten years. In 1856 a new school house was finished, and a bridge built by subscription nearly completed, a few plank being left out to prevent its use until paid for. As some of the subscriptions were payable only on its completion, they could not be collected, and it being carried away by a freshet in February, 1857, it was never opened for travel. In the same year, after the destruction of the bridge. B. G. Wheeler, a banker of Sterling, started a ferry above the rapids, but as it was not adequate to the wants of the public, being frequently out of order from the breaking of the chain by which it was driven, James A. Patterson started another below the rapids. By act of the Legislature dated February 12, 1857, Whiteside county was empowered to borrow $2,000 to replace bridges over Rock river lost by floods or which might be carried away during the present or next ensuing month. This was intended to aid in replacing this bridge, but the money was never raised. No bridge was again built until 1863, when the Sterling Bridge Co. erected one under a Legislative charter. In 1868 the Rock river attempted to declare its independence, and carried away a part of the bridge, which was soon replaced. AJPost Office, called Rapids, was established about 1847, with Artemus Worthington as post- .niaster. and a mail route on the south side of the river from Dixon to Prophetstown was also established, but after a short time it Avas discontinued.

This township was organized in 1852. The first town meeting and election to perfect the organization was held April 6, 1852, at the house of Richard Arey. A hog law was enacted condemning these much coveted yet very troublesome brutes to close confinement, and $5.00 was voted for incidental expenses. In 1854 it was voted that a fence to be lawful must be four and one-half feet high. In 1855 $50 was voted for incidental expenses, and $300 for highways. In 1856 the railroad was completed from Chicago to Sterling, thus rendering the country more accessible, In 1857 the plat of Rapids City was entirely vacated. The township did not, however, settle up rapidly, the county map of 1858 giving the names of but thirty-one residents, and showing the sites of two school houses. The location of roads was much the same as at present. Nothing of special interest appears in the records for the next three or four ensuing years. The discussions at the annual town meetings were not very fully reported, or were very short and confined to few topics. There is plenty of evidence that cattle were becoming more numerous, and also that hogs, sheep, horses and mules constituted a part of the worldly goods of the people, and that they were not a little troublesome. The pound and the pound master were early established institutions and required a vast amount of legislation, and entailed some expense on the community. The location of the pound appears to have been a very difficult task, as it was often moved, and we should say that it was a very perishable structure as it required an almost yearly appropriation to repair it or to build a new one. W^e are happy to say that no charges of bribery or corruption in connection with it have come to our knowledge, but newspapers were scarce in those days and lawyers not plenty, which may account for this want of social enterprise. In 1856 $25 was voted for town expenses, and neat cattle were declared not ''legal commoners" after December 1st; sheep not at any time. In 1859 a fence ''shall be considered a' lawful fence that shall be judged by the fence viewers to be sufficient to protect the growing crops;" $50 was voted for town expenses. In 1862 but twentythree votes were polled. Through the war Colcmia bore her share of the burdens and many of her sons were among those who rose up to defend the Union, and jeopardized their lives in the high places of the field. In 1865 it was voted to raise a tax for paying the bounties to volunteers, by a vote of 24 to 5. In' 1867 a new era dawned upon Coloma. A. P. Smith moved into the township, purchased lands, laid put the town of Eock Falls, built a race, and awakened a spirit of progress and improvement which has since built up a thriving village on this long neglected site. July 26, 1869, at a special town meeting it was voted to subscribe $50,000 to the capital stock of the Chicago & Rock River Railroad Co., by a vote of 123 to 4. This year $80 was voted for township expenses, and J. A. Patterson, K. Woodford and L. H. Woodworth were appointed a committee to purchase grounds for a cemetery. The previous year $200 had been appropriated for the purpose. They were instructed to purchase two acres of a certain lot if the title should prove good. In 1872 the Chicago &.Jlock River Railroad Avas completed, and it virtually passed into the hand's of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Co., which now operates it as a branch line. This year there were three tickets for township officers in the field, and a heavy vote was polled - 172 ballots being cast. In 1873 it was charged that township bonds in aid of the Chicago & Rock River Railroad had been unlawfully issued, and a committee was appointed to fight the claims. At the annual meeting in 1874 the committee reported that they had engaged Messrs. Bennett & Sackett to attend to the case on the part of the town; $380 was voted for township expenses at this meeting. January 28, 1875, a special town meeting was held to consider the railroad bond matter, and it was resolved to enjoin the tax for the payment of the bonds. At the annual town meeting for 1875, $950 was voted for township expenses, - $300 of which was appropriated to fight the bondholders with. The question of compromising the bond cases was considered, and steps instituted in that direction. At a special town meeting January 21, 1876, the Supervisor and Town Clerk were instructed to sign an indemnifying bond and procure an injunction on railroad bond tax. At the annual meeting in 1876, $1,000 was voted with which to carry on the bond cases. September 11, 1876, at a special town meeting it was resolved by a vote of 251 to 1, to issue $25,000 worth of bonds running until 1886 and bearing ten per cent, interest, to raise money to pay interest on railway bonds, and costs. These bonds were issued and sold, and the township had then outstanding: Railroad bonds to amount of $47,500, township bonds to amount of $25,000 - total indebtedness, $72,500. The total expense of the bond cases was reported as $1,169.30.

This township was originally a part of Portland precinct. It was then included in Rapids precinct, and was known by that name until organized as a town in 1852. For the name Coloma no reason can be assigned. It was suggested by a gentleman who had been to California and returned.

The Assessor's books of Coloma township, for 1877, show 6,118 acres of improved land, and 130 of unimproved. The total assessed value of all lands is $280,630. The number of improved lots is 253, and unimproved, 78. Number of horses, 362; cattle, 650; mules and asses, 21; hogs, 1212; carriages and wagons, 191; sewing and knitting machines, 158; piano fortes, 9; melodeons and organs, 50. Value of personal property, $184,101. Railroad property, $5,002. Assessed value of all property, $812,570.

The population of Coloma township outside of the village of Rock Falls, in 1870, was 386, of which 334 were of native birth, and 51 of foreign birth. The estimated population of the township, outside of Rock Falls, in 1877, is 540.

NoAii Merrill was born in Smithfield, Connecticut, June 8, 1809. His early life was passed in New York and Ohio. In 1837 he settled near Rock Falls, south of the river and opposite Eagle Island. He built a cabin 12x15 feet, covered with bark and provided with a puncheon floor. Mr. Merrill and his family first lived with Mr. Dan. Brooks who then resided where the portion of Rock Falls, now called "Gopher Town" is. The united families numbered eleven souls, and one bed and the floor furnished sleeping accommodations for all. As the women were sisters the families lived upon peaceable terms. In 1838 Mr. Merrill and family settled in their own cabin and broke several acres of prairie. The same land had been claimed by Elijah Worthington of Harrisburg, his claim having been made made by plowing around the land. The anti-claim jumpers association upon the north side of the river through a committee notified Mr. Merrill that he must abandon the claim under penalty of having his cabin, himself and family thrown into the river. This gentle demand Mr. M. decided to resist and in company with Mr. Dan. Brooks secured arms and awaited the visitors, but they came not. Mr. Merrill sold his claim and afterwards owned several farms in the neighborhood and worked at his trade in Harrisburg until 1850, when he went to California, and sufi'ered great hardships. After a stay of four years on the Pacific coast he returned to Sterling where he now resides. Mr. Merrill was married to Miss Amanda Lewis in New York, September 5, 1829. Children : Almanza, born June 11, 1831; Seth R., born December 19, 1832; Zclemma born October 24, 1835; Nelson B., born November 6; 1838. Mr. Merrill died December 22, 1873, aged 63 years.

L. H. Woodworth was born in Norwich, Vermont, October 20, 1806. Ho resided in that State until he reached his majority, and attended the military, scientific and literary school at Middletown, Connecticut. After completing his studies he was a teacher in the military school at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

He was afterwards Assistant Professor of Mathematics in Jefferson College, Mississippi. In the meantime he studied law. Failing eyesight precluded the pursuit of his profession as he desired. He spent two years in the employ of the State of New York as resident engineer upon the Black River Canal. In the spring of 1839 he removed to the west, and settled at the Upper Rapids on the south side of Rock river, and bought the claim of Isaac? Merrell, upon which he now lives, at Rock Falls. He had charge as engineer of the contract to build the canal, which was let in 1839. The work was commenced in 1840 by NichoTs, Sanger &Gfalbreath. Mr. Woodworth has divided a portion of his real estate into lots, now embraced in the flourishing town of Rock Falls. He and Dan. Brooks were the two first Justices of the Peace in Rapids Precinct. He was also Swamp Land Commissioner, County Surveyor and Supervisor. He married Parmelia Parks, May 14, 1834, in Saratoga county. New York. Mrs. Woodworth died December 1, 1844. Children: Leonard H, born June 12, 1836; George L., born December 1,1841. Leonard H. married Miss Hattie Jenkins, and resides in Sterling. Geo. L. Woodworth enlisted in Company A., 34th Illinois Regiment, and was killed at Stone river, December 31, 1852. Mr. Woodworth married Mrs. Alice H. Goodell, October 24, 1845. Two children: Clarence C, born October 22, 1853; Alice S., born June 12, 1859.

Asa F. R. Emmons was born in Kingston, Canada. His boyhood and early manhood were passed in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York City. In the latter place he worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1839 he settled at Sterling, making a claim in Coloma township, to which he moved in 1840, and has been a resident of the county since then. Mr. Emmons has been engaged jn building almost continually, his taste not inclining him to farming. He was married to Elizabeth Ann Bartlett, December 25, 1835, in Pennsylvania. She died July 21, 1842. Mr. Emmons was married to Nancy A. Booth, January 31, 1843. Children: Harriet M., born April 1, 1838 - she is the wife of Theo. H. Mack. Wm. H., born May 10, 1840 - died in infancy. Ida U. D., born March 31, 1845 - she married Chas. H. Hewitt. Samuel, born November 11, 1848 - died in infancy. Lucinda, born December 13, 1851 - died in infancy. Wm. L., born September 24, 1855. Nancy Cora, born April 3, 1858.

Isaac Merrell settled south of the river from Sterling in 1837, on the claim where L. H. Woodworth now lives, which he sold to him in 1840. He then purchased Wright Murphy's claim, where he resided until 1849, when he sold out to James L. Crawford and went to California. He was a shoemaker, which occupation he pursued in connection with farming.

Daniel Brooks was born and reared in Conneaut, Ohio. Settled in the territory now Coloma in 1837. He was one of the first Justices of Rapids Precinct. A hardy pioneer, honest and manly, and esteemed by all who knew him. He went to California in 1849, and died in San Francisco, after a few hours' illness, of Asiatic cholera.

Ira Sillaman was born in Pennsylvania, married Miss Melissa Brooks in Ohio, and settled in Coloma in 1838. He was a whole-hearted man, and esteemed by all old and modern settlers alike. At the time of their deaths, he and his wife resided in Como. Children: Homer, Rothmer, and Luna. Homer died of disease contracted in the army. Rothmer married a daughter of Mr. Numan's, of Genesee Grove, and resides in Nebraska. Luna is married, and lives in Wisconsin. W. W. IlawMns married Miss Sillaman's sister, went to California, and was with Daniel Brooks when he died. He now, with his family, resides in Aurora, Illinois.

a miller by occupation, and engaged in the business. He left the province of Canada in the year 1836, and came to the United States, leaving his wife and children. In 1837 he settled where Eock Falls now stands. In company witli Isaac Merrill and Dan. Brooks he laid oif the town of Rapids City, The plat was vacated, and Rock Falls now occupies the site. In 1837 he built a large frame house to be used for a hotel. Mr. Richard Arey has occupied the house since 1843. Mr. Atkins, sometime after his arrival in the county, again married. When the gold discoveries wore made in California, he went thither, and engaged in trade and mining for about ten years. During his absence from Whiteside, Mrs. Atkins secured a bill of divorce and married again. Mr. x\tkins returned in 1860, and a reconciliation being brought about between himself and first wife, they were married again, and lived happily until he left her. _In the meantime, his second wife was divorced, and, soon after the death of his first wife, Mr. Atkins was married to her for the second time. He was engaged in business in Sterling, and had an interest in a distillery in Fulton county. The family that went by the name of "Watson" numbered seven children, and the " Atkins'" family also numbered seven children. These last were born and brought up in Coloma, where many of them still live, and are worthy citizens. The Watson family never resided in Whiteside, but are reputed worthy and enterprising citizens of Wisconsin.

James Hawley was born in Oneida county, New York, March 8, 1809. He learned the carpenter's trade. In 1830 he came west, and engaged in teaching school. After marrying he returned to New York, and in 1835, with his family, again returned to the west via the lakes. He visited the lands along Rock river from Dixon to Prophetstown, and across the country to Union Grrove, but found the lands all claimed. January 1, 1836, having compromised with certain parties who claimed the land, he made a claim at Hawley's point, just east of the limits of Coloma. He was so closely identified with the early interests of Coloma that we present this sketch. Mr. Hawley's father and family settled in 1838. At this time all the lands between Dixon and Prophetstown were claimed by actual settlers or non-resident speculators, who held the lands at a high price. Sometimes the claimant's titles were disregarded, which usually trouble. A gentleman who resided in Harrisburgh had a claim in Mr. Hawley's neighborhood, upon which an emigrant settled, erected a cabin, and broke several acres of land. He was promptly notified from the north side of the river to vacate, else upon a certain day a force would call on him and throw Iiis cabin into the river. The man gathered his available friends, from twenty- :five to fifty, and prepared to defend what he considered his rights. At the specified time an armed force of from one to two hundred men appeared. The weaker force were made prisoners for a short time, but not roughly treated, and the cabin consigned to the river.

Artemus W. Worthington was born in Colchester, Connecticut, in 1813; married October 9, 1837. Removed to the west, and settled in Harrisburgh, July 3, 1839. About one year afterwards settled upon the south side of the river. While picking up wheat sheaves Mr. Worthington was bitten by a rattlesnake, from the effects of which he died. Children: Isabella, born in 1839; Robert, born in 1845; Alfred, born in 1846; Alice, born in 1848; Robert Emanuel, born in 1853. Robert died in infancy; Isabella married E. B. Trowe; Alfred married Miss F. E. Sherley.

Daniel F. Batcheller was born in Bethel, Vermont, September 8, 1803. January 4, 1826, he married Miss Caroline Maynard. In 1831 he moved to Medina county, Ohio, where he pursued the trade of a carpenter. In May, 1840, he settled in Sterling, Illinois, making a claim in Coloma, to which he re- moved in a short time. Mrs. Batcheller died in March, 1838, and he was married to Elizabeth A. Warner. Children: Mary, born in 1826; Henry F., in 1834; and Caroline. Mary married Wm. Lashell, January 10, 1847, and resides in Carroll county. Henry F. married Mary McNeil, July 1, 1852; children. Addison M., born August 6, 1855; Imogene. born May 5, 1801, and Carrie F., born March 22, 1868; Addison M. married Ella Price, October. 18, 1877. Caroline married Andrew Sherwood August 30, 1869, who died in California in 1873; in 1876 she married Charles Best. Mrs. P]lizabeth Batcheller died November 5, 1855, and in 1857 Mr. Batcheller married Mrs. Jane McNeil. In 1858 Henry F. Batcheller invented and secured a patent upon a hand corn planter, and with his Jaijher immediately began its manufacture in a small way. Twelve were manufactured and sold the first year. Mr. Batcheller, Sr., retired in 1870, and in 1876 "~K. M. Batcheller became a partner, the firm name being H. F. Batcheller & Son.

Mrs. Susan Jarvis Cushing was born in Boston, Mass., in 1788. She married Daniel C. Cushing, of Providence, Rhode Island, in 1809. In company with the following children she settled in Coloma in the spring of 1839: Samuel B., who died in Providence, K. I., in 1873; Daniel C, who died in Coloma in February, 1843; Charles J., who died in Kentucky in 1867; Frank, now living in Portland, Whiteside county; Dr. John J., who married Harriet Barlow, and is now residing in San Francisco, Cal.; Edward J., who married Mary Wild, and is now living in Providence, R. I.; Susan J., who married Frank Cheney, and resides in South Manchester, Conn. Mrs. Cushing died in 1861.

Frank Cushing was born in Providence, R. I., in 1819. He came with his mother to Coloma in the spring of 1839, and settled on section 30. November 10, 1841, he married Miss Mary D. Breed, at Como, in Hopkins township. Mr. Cushing has been an active citizen of the township. He was Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and Supervisor of Coloma in 1858-'59. In he removed to Poi-tland township, Whiteside county, where he has since resided. Children: Benjamin F., who married Miss^ Addie Allen, and resides in Iowa; Mary Ann, dead; Frank, now in California; Edmund J., who married Miss Mary Pfulb, and resides in California; Duna F., John J., Henry S., William L. B., Susan C, and Emma L. The latter six reside with their parents in Portland.

The town of Rock Falls is situated on the south side of Rock river, in the north part of Coloma township; it stands on a sandy plain - sufficiently elevated to be out of the reach of floods - rising toward the south into low sand ridges. The location is free from surface water, and well calculated for the site of a city. It embraces an area of about 300 acres. The original plat covered the northwest fractional quarter of section twenty-seven and the northeast fractional quarter of section twenty-eight, in township twenty-one north, range seven east of the fourth Principal Meridian. Several additions have since been made, giving it the area stated above.

As has been mentioned in our sketch of Coloma, the g^reat advantages of this site were early noticed, and a town called Rapids City was laid out. But the financial disasters of 1837-'41, the unsettled state of business, the want of capital, and the difficulty of obtaining money with which to make improvements, as well as the trouble in communicating with other parts of the country, rendered the progress of the locality slow, and years passed by before another effort was made to call attention to the vast capabilities of this locality. The Rock river flowed as free and bridgeless as when the Indians were lords of its banks and the forests rang with the war-whoop of the savage Winnebagoes.

In 1857 the plat of Rapids City was entirely vacated, and a town was almost unthought of. In 1854 the Sterling Hydi-aulic Company built a dam, and the water power became available. In 1867 A. P. Smith, a native of New York - a man of energy and sagacity - moved to this neighborhood from Sterling, bought a tract of land, and laid out a town, to which he gave the name of Rock Falls. Mr. Smith possessed the capital necessary to improve the property, and at once began the construction of a race, connecting with the dam of the Sterling Hydraulic Company. This work was completed at a cost of $12,000, and the work of building up a town began. A. C. Hapgood removed a store from Como to Rock Falls, and began business this year. Messrs. Gait & Tracy erected a machine shop, the nucleus of the Keystone works. Gideon Reynolds and Mary Arey were married in December, the first wedding in the place. The first death occurred in 1868, Byron C. Hunt being summoned to the world of spirits in October of that year. A daughter was born to J. Barker about this time, the first birth in the new town. A postofiice was established and opened for business March 15, 1868, with Truman Culver as Postmaster. January 26th, at a public meeting held for the purpose, it was resolved to incorporate the town under the general law of the State. Ffteen votes were polled, all in favor of the step. An election for Trustees was held February 4th, and 48 votes were cast. The town government was immediately organized. The first ordinance, entitled "An ordinance to prohibit the sale of malt liquors in the town of Rock Falls in quantities of less than one gallon," bears date February 26, 1869. It was resolved that no licenses for saloons should be granted, and Rock Falls started out on her onward and upward career as a temperance town. In 1870 the license party carried the day, 83 votes being cast at the election. The license party again prevailed at the annual election in 1871, at which only 60 votes were polled. During this year the Chicago and Rock River Rrailroad, extending from Shabbona on the Chicago and Iowa Railroad to this place, fortyseven miles, was built, passing through a rich agricultural district oflFering few obstacles to the construction of such a work. Before its completion it passed into the hands of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company, who now operate it. In 1872 the license party again prevailed at the polls, 150 votes being cast. The Chicago and Rock River Railroad was formally opened for business January 4th of this year. In 1873 the no-license party won the election, 140 votes being polled. The town grew in population and wealth, and was much benefitted by the increased facilities afforded for business by the railroad. In 1874-75-76 and 77 a no-license Board was elected, the vote polled being as follows: 1874, 155 votes; 1875, 171 votes; 1876, 230 votes; 1877, 171 votes. Manufacturing establishments have multiplied, the population increased, and from a town of 471 inhabitants in 1870 it has grown to be a place of 1,200. The Trustees of the town have been as follows, the name of the President appearing in italics: