Albany Township

Albany Township

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.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois : Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States, by Chapman Brothers, published 1885; 3,438 words in this source stream.

Albany Township

|f LBANY in its precinct organization embraced its present territory and that of Garden Plain, Newton and a part of the Congressional township of Cordova, now forming a part of Rock Island County. It was organized under the township system April 6, 1852. At the election for township organization held Nov. 4, 1851, Albany Precinct cast 59 votes in favor and 19 against the organization.

and resulted in the election of Wm. S. Barnes for Supervisor, M. S. Denlinger, Clerk ; Wm. Ewing and Ivy Buck, Justices of the Peace ; Charles Boynton, Assessor; B. L. Quick, Collector; Commissioners of Highway, Alfred Slocum and J. B. Emmons ; Overseer of the Poor, Henry Pease ; Constables, Chester Lusk and Thomas Stagg. Albany Township is only a fraction alone, and is in Congressional townships 20 and 2 1 north, of range 2 east of the 4lh principal meridian. It is bounded on the north by the Mississippi River, on the east by Garden Plain and Newton Townships, on the south and west by Rock Island County, and the west by the Mississippi. In the northern part of this township and along the Mississippi the land is high and very much broken. Along the Marais d' Osier, the land is low, and contains a good many sloughs. On the bluffs, or highlands, the soil is clay with a mixture of sand ; in the low lands the soil is mostly a heavy loam. The township is long and narrow, and is watered by the Mississippi, the Marais d' Osier and Spring Creek.

The Marais d' Osier extends from the Mississippi to Rock River, passing through the northwestern portion of the township. The high land divides it, one part flowing into the Mississippi and the other into Rock River. Some of the scenery in this township is quite beautiful, especially the northern part, which has a commanding view of the " Father of Waters." There are many fine farms which are well cultivated and highly improved, with good dwellings and farm buildings. The people have given considerable attention to the cultivation of fruit, which does well here. The Southwestern Division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad passes through the township from north to south. This railroad, with the Mississippi, gives the people ample means of transportation.

The first Supervisor of this township, W. S. Barnes, ') died at Albany village, July 20, 1872, and his res' ,* mains rest in the Albany Cemetery.

The early settlers in the territory now embraced by (Qjthis township were mostly identified with Albany village; and the history of the township and the village are so closely woven together that it has been thought best to continue the history of the township in that of the village.

The County Superintendent, in his annual report for the year ending June 30, 1884, furnishes the fol- -j lowing information regarding the school of this tOwn- .1 ship: School District i, which is graded and has a brick building. Value of school property, $4,000. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 334, of whom 229 were of scholastic age, 184 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teachers was $70 per month; the lowest $30. Tax levy, $900.

From the Assessors' report of 1884 the following information is obtained : Number of acres of improved land, 3,207 ; valuation of improved land, $34,701; Total value of town lots, $37,537; total value of personal property, $30,549 ; number of horses, 240; asses and mules, 3 ; cattle, 565 ; sheep, * 32; hogs, 364; carriages and wagons, 135 ; watches and clocks, 174; sewing and knitting machines, 104; pianos, 16; organs and melodeons, 33. Total value of lands, lots and personal property, $119,169.

OR natural beauty of location Albany is unsurpassed by any town in the county, and also for commercial advantages. In its site it has no superior; but advantages in location do not always make towns or cities. The most trivial circumstance often shapes the destinies of nations; so, also, with towns and individuals. Albany was settled about as early as any other part of the county, and had the power of the great Mississippi to aid it in the beginning. People came here to trade at one time from all parts of the precinct. It had the Mississippi as a great auxiliary on one side, and all it wanted to insure its prosperity was a timely connection with the great lakes by rail. This the keen-sighted founders of Albany saw, but failed in the necessary activity to consummate it. Delays, they say, are dangerous. It so appeared in the case in point.

In 1851 the General Assembly of Illinois passed a bill for the construction of a railroad from Beloit, Wis., to Rock Island. The general line of this road was to run along Rock River Valley, from Beloit to Rockford, Dixon, Sterling, and to Albany, and from Albany to Rock Island. A meeting of the projectors and friends of this enterprise was held at Sterling in February, 1852, the result of which was the division of this route into four sections, and the passage of a resolution providing that from the capital stock first subscribed an amount should be at once appropriated sufficient to complete the third section of the road. The first section of the road was 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, completing the line. In accordance with the resotion, a contract was made for the completion of the third section; but there were many delays in its execution, which were fatal to the enterprise and the aspiring hopes of the citizens of Albany. The Galena & Chicago, and the Mississippi & Rock River Junction Companies joined their interests, and directly commenced the construction of their line to Fulton. This defeated the former enterprise, and gave a direct blow to the growth of Albany.

The village of Albany is located on what is called the Great Eastern Bend of the Mississippi. The landing could not be better. The town site is highly picturesque and beautiful. From the river the ground rises at an angle of some 20 degrees, until it reaches the height of the surrounding country, where a commanding view of the Mississippi and its Iowa borders is had. The first settlers here, as far as known, were Mr. Mitchell and Edwin Corbin, squatters, who came in in 1835 and made claims, the former at the upper end, and the latter at the lower end, of Albany.

Whites1De Couxty

Slocum, William Nevitt and Gilbert Buckingham came in and located in Upper Albany, as it is called, buying out Mitchell's interest, and S. M. Kilgour, R. H. Niblack, I. C., Allen, C. R. Rood, P. B. Vannest, Oliver McMahan, E. Allen, S. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, A. Bergen, C. Lusk and Samuel Searles located in Lower Albany, buying out Edwin Corbin's claim. This ground was subsequently laid off into 133 lots, and filed for record. C. R. Rood, Spurlock and Garrett made an addition in 1841. The land was re-surveyed by W. S. Wilkinson, in March, 1842. Liberal reserves were made for public buildings, schools and churches.

About one mile below Albany the Marias d'Osier puts into the Mississippi. The country in this vcinity and along Rock River is unsurpassed ; and it was prophesied that, with the exception of the sloughs, it would be covered with a dense population.

In 1837 an addition was made to the settlement in the persons of Jonathan Davis and family, Ivy and Duty Buck, with their families, Jeremiah Rice, Willis C. Osborne, Gregory McMahan, Uriah Cook, Thomas Finch. The settlers continued to come in until the spring of 1839 - among the last arrivals being Capt. W. S. Barnes and family, Dr. John Clark and family, and Benjamin S. Quick - when the sickly season set in, and emigration for a time was suspended.

The first Postmaster commissioned was Willis C. Osborne, in the winter of 1837. The first mail service was established the same year, the route being from Galena to Rock Island. It was a pony mail service.

Ivy Buck was the first Justice of the Peace. He also opened the first store, which was in the lower end of the town. This was in 1838. He had only a small stock.

The first man to open up a general store was Capt. W. S. Barnes, who was a steamboat Captain, and who brought his goods from St. Louis. This was in the fall of 1839. Capt. Barnes died July 20, 1872, and his wife Jan. 24, 1885.

The first hotel was opened in 1837, in the lower end of the town, by Oliver and Gregory McMahan. It was a log building, but it is reported to have done good service.

upper end of the town. It was also a log building . Mr. Slocum subsequently erected a stone building for his hotel service, which is still standing on the banks of the river.

R. C. Niblack and Amy Buck, daughter of Ivy Buck, were the first to unite in the holy bonds of matrimony. This interesting event occurred Feb. n, 1838.

The first natural increase to the population of the town was May 18, 1838, when Josephine, daughter of Jonathan and Phoebe Davis, announced her arrival.

When the settlers came there were several bands of Indians around the country. They were camped mostly about the Marais d' Osier. Prior to this period, and before the white man's foot ever rested upon this soil, there must have been extensive tribes of Indians living in the vicinity of Albany. There is every indication that there was here at some time in the past a large Indian village.

South of the town and along the banks of the Mississipppi there are numerous mounds, some of them quite large. These mounds were the cemeteries of this race, so rapidly passing away, when they had a country they could call their own. As the ground is broken to meet the demands of what we are pleased to call a more advanced civilization, bones of this race, or one even preceding it, are being exhumed. While the historian was at Albany, one of the citizens, to get some soil for his garden, dug into one of these mounds. In doing so, he threw up skulls, bones, and implements peculiar to the Indian race. Thus the bodies of the older race have become the means of enriching the soil for the use of the new.

Here, too, have been found evidences of a race prior to the Indian. One of the citizens has a relic - a small bowl - which was taken from one of these mounds. It is made of finer material than the Indian ware. Around the outside of this bowl are convex, or circular, designs in relief. Upon these and all over the sides of the bowl are carved Masonic emblems, and hieroglyphics. It is probably a censor, or an incense bowl, once belonging to the Mound-Builders. Numerous kinds of relics and

In 1844 a regular line of stages was started running from Chicago to Albany. They were put on by those popular stage men, Frink & Walker. This gave a new impetus to the growth of the town. After the establishment of this line, Capt. W. S. Barnes converted his fine dwelling-house into a hotel, which he named the Eagle Hotel. It became a popular resort for travelers, and was extensively patronized. Other hotels soon followed, and all were well patronized, for Albany was a live town in those days. The Eagle Hotel is stilf standing, near the waters of the Mississippi, and is open for the traveling public.

A ferry was started between Albany and Comanche as early as 1840, by the Mitchell Brothers. Horse power was at first used : afterwards they put on a steam ferry-boat.

The first saw-mill was put up in 1838. It was a steam mill and was built by C. S. Dorsey, and was located in the lower end of town on the river bank. It cut out a good deal of lumber and was of great assistance to the building up of the town. After running several years it was destroyed by fire.

Another saw-mill was started in 1853, by a company. The members of this firm were E. H. Nevitt, Francis R. Walker and John D. Mcllvaine. It was a large steam mill, with planing machinery attached.

This mill was destroyed by the tornado of 1860. This tornado, reached Albany on Sunday, June 3, 1860, and from its fearful, destructive power, struck terror into the hearts of all the inhabitants. It came from the northwest, crossing the Mississippi and striking th» upper end of the town. It passed through in a southeasterly direction, devastating almost everything in its pathway, killing several citizens and injuring others. It is reported to have been one of the most terrible tornadoes ever witnessed in the country. Heavy stone and brick buildings were leveled to the ground and seemed to have no more power of resistance than the slightest frame structure. Nearly every building was demolished, and the wrecks of many may be seen to this day. It was very peculiar in its movements. Some buildings it would tear all to pieces ; others it would remove from their foundations with but little injury. Stock and

The tornado lasted only a few moments, but its devastating work wag sickening to behold. Nearly one hundred thousand dollars' worth of property was destroyed. Those killed were Edward Efner, Duty Buck, Mr. Rileyand Mr. Sweet. It was many years before Albany recovered from the effects of this tornado. In fact, it is thought it never did.

About the middle of December, 1865, the first railroad train came into Albany. This road was first called the Western Union. It is now called the Southwestern Division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad.

Albany village was organized under the incorporation act of 1845, and the amendments thereto, in 1869. A meeting was held for this purpose at the office of E. H. Nevitt, February 15. D. S. Efner, H. M. Booth, W. D. Haslet, A. Winans and R. H. Nibluck were elected Trustees. D. S. Efner was then chosen President; E. H. Nevitt, Clerk, and H. M. Booth, Treasurer. The vote for incorporation was taken Jan. 25, 1869. There were 82 votes cast, 62 votes for, and 20 against. The cor]x>rate limits embrace all of the north half of sections 25 and 26, and' all of fractional section 24, in town 21 north, range 2 east.

Albany had at one time great hopes of securing the outlet into the Mississippi of the Hennepin Canal. A bill was presented to Congress by the member from this district asking for an appropriation for a survey for a ship canal from the Illinois River to the Mississippi. The bill was passed by the Fortyseventh Congress providing for a survey and appropriating $30,000 to defray the expenses. Three routes were surveyed, one to Albany, one to Watertown and one to Rock Island. The engineers reported in favor of the Albany route, and estimated the cost at a million less than the route to Rock Island. Political, as well as moneyed influences, however, are in favor of the latter route, and a bill is before Congress to this effect, which undoubtedly will pass.

Could this canal be brought into Albany it would insure its development, and make of it a large, thriving town. It has now the local tradeof the township, with some parts of Newton, and is steadily growing. There are some fair business houses here and some attractive dwellings. Its attractive features for residences and for business may yet be appreciated by the business world, and the tide set in in its favor.

The census report of 1880 gave the population at 810, including the village; that of the village, 623. The estimated population of the village is now 700. The present officers are, President, W. Hanna ; Trustees, David Byers, Wm. Graves, Charles H. Slocum and Joseph Smith ; Clerk, D. S. Efner ; Treasurer, E. R. Beckwith ; Constable, James Beach.

Business Interests

Eagle Hotel, W. H. Barnes, proprietor. This hotel is one of the old landmarks of Albany, and has furnished accommodations for travelers for a generation past.

Educational

The people of Albany have a good graded school, which is in charge of a thorough and energetic teacher. The building is constructed of brick and is a substantial one, large and roomy.

D. F. Shirk is the Principal ; Miss Hattie Churchill, Assistant. Kittie Hawks has charge of the Intermediate, and Miss Frances Olds, the Primary Department. Average attendance, 190. The school has eight grades, with a full English course of study. It has graduating classes and issues diplomas. The first graduating exercises were held May 14, 1885, and was attended with marked success. There are five institute divisions in the county. Albany and Erie form one division. They hold their meetings once a month. It includes teachers in active service. A chairman is elected for one year. They discuss questions that may arise, and particularly those questions that relate to teaching.

Press

The Albany News was established by F. C. and W. G. Redline. Its first issue was cast before the good people of Albany Dec. 12, 1884, and it has furnished them with the current news of the day and good reading matter from that date. The News is a fouvcolumn quarto, and is issued every Friday. It is Republican in politics, has a good circulation, and is ably conducted.

The Albany Times. This paper was started by W. G. Bleecker in the spring of 1883, and continued publication until the summer of 1884, when it was suspended. The press was moved to Clinton, Iowa, and the editor arranged with the Clinton Weekly News to fill out his contract with his subscribers by i sending them that paper.

Albany Lodge, A. F. fy A. M., No. 566, was instituted May 18, 1867, under dispensation granted April 25, the same year. J. M. Eaton was the first W. M. The present W. M. is J. F. Hopper. The lodge has now a membership of 42. They rent a hall, which is commodious and well equipped. The society is in good working condition.

/. O. O. F., No. 168, was organized March 16, This lodge has a membership of 15. They meet in the G. A. R. Hall. The first N. G. was James Beach, who is also the present N. G.

The G. A. J?., Captain A. F. Knight Post, was chartered June 14, 1884. C. P. Ege was the first Commander, and J. B. David is the present. Their membership numbers 31. They have a good hall, and are prosperous.

Sons of the G. A. R., Lieut, James Elaine Camp, No. 20. This society was chartered March 23, 1885. They have a membership of 20, and meet in the G. A. R. Hall.

Modern Woodmen of America was organized Feb. 20, 1884, with 20 members; Venerable Consul, C. P. Ege. This society has a good hall, which is fitted up very uniquely, and after the manner of their order. The present Venerable Consul is G. A. Cobey, and their membership is 67. The Camp is increasing in numbers.

Religious

Methodist Episcopal Church. - This society was organized in 1840, by Rev. Philo Judson. Previous to this time the members of this church were visited by circuit riders, and had preaching in private houses. The first church edifice was erected in 1861, and dedicated New Year's Day, 1862. Rev. J. Frost was in charge at this time. The building cost $t,«oo. In 1860, the tornado blew down their house of worship, which had been formerly used as a schoolhouse. The latter part of 1868, Rev. Barton Cartwright took charge, and assisted financially to build the parsonage. A subscription was taken up at the time of the dedication, and money enough was collected to pay off the debt of the Church and leave a balance on hand. An interesting Sabbath-school is connected with the Church. Rev. F. Lines is the present Pastor.

Albany Cemetery

The citizens of the village have secured a good site for their last resting place. It is located on the bluff just above the town, and contains about seven acres. There are some very fine monuments in this cemetery, where rest the remains of many of Albany's first citizens.