Rock Run Township

Rock Run Township

A. O. AN"DERSON, farmer, Sec. 22 and 23 ; P.O. Davis; born in Norway, July 16, 1835, and came to America in 1839, with his parents ; the first land he bought was 40 acres, on which he made the improvements, and now owns 170 acres. Has been Path Master; in politics. Republican ; in religion, Lutheran. His wife, Ingabor Knudson, was born in Norway, in 1834; came to America in 1860; they were married in 1862, and they have had eight children - Annie Mary, Julia, Olie A., Carrie, Charlie, Ingabor, Isabella and Jane, deceased. Has run a threshing machine for sixteen years ; has a fine stone barn, 64x36.

SYVERT O. ANDERSON, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Davis; born in Stephenson Co., 111., in 1841 ; living on the old homestead ; has 90 acres of land ; his father and mother were born in Norway; they are about 80 years of age. Sy vert's wife was Helga Grunderson; born in Norway, in 1859; they were married June 24, 1879. Halvor 0. Anderson, a brother, enlisted in the 72d I. V. I., July, 1862, and contracted a disease from which he died; he was at the battle of Stone River.

JOSEPH AFFLERBAUGH, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Berks Co., Penn., Dec. 10, 1809 ; came to Illinois Nov. 12, 1849 ; entered 40 acres of land and improved it ; he now owns 600 ; a blacksmith by trade, has shop near the house. In politics. Democrat ; in religion. Evangelical ; has been School Director twelve years, and Path Master. His wife, Elizabeth Wise, was born in 1815, at Northampton Co., Penn.; married in 1835; have had twelve children - Nathaniel, in Nebraska ; James, in Davis ; Mary, now Mrs. Holgate, in Missouri ; Sophia, now Mrs. Fink ; Joseph, in Kansas ; Catharine, now Mrs. Grove, in Shelby Co., 111. ; Susan, now Mrs. Straw, in Shanon ; Thomas, in Nebraska ; Harrison, at home ; Annie, now Mrs. Snyder ; Charlie, deceased ; infant, deceased.

D. BEIiliMAN, retired farmer ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Lewisburg, Union Co., Penn., March 18, 1809 ; came to Stephenson Co. in June, 1852, and bought 120 acres, on which he made most of the improvements. Has been Supervisor for Rock Run Township for thirteen years, and has held other of the town offices. Member of

Lutheran Church ; has been Trustee and Elder for several yeai"s ; in politics, Republican. His wife, Rachael Roush, was born in Union Co., Penn., at Mifflinsburg, in 1817 ; married in February, 1832 ; have had eleven children, seven living.

A. BEST, dealer in furniture and cabinet-maker, Davis ; born in Pennsylvania, Jan 30, 1853 ; came to Illinois with his parents and settled in Winnebago Co. on a farm of 120 acres; engaged in business in 1877. In politics. Republican; in religion, Evangelical. His wife, Emma Fisher, was born in Pennsylvania in 1856, and married in 1877 ; have had three children - Lydia, May, and infant (twin), died Oct. 17, 1879.

JOSEPH BIKKEB, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Northampton Co., Penn., in 1843, and came to Illinois in the year 1872 ; bought 80 acres of land and made the improvements ; has a good bank barn 60x34, also good house. Enlisted in the 153d Penn. V. I. in 1862, and mustered out in 1865. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Lutheran ; has been School Director. His wife, Malinda Kem, was born in Northampton Co., Penn., in 1846 ; they were married in 1866, and have had seven children - Ellen, died in 1869 ; Edna, Frank, Jennie, Edgar, Flora and Willie.

J. li. BliACKMOBE, dealer in drugs, paints and oils ; born in Stephenson Co., Rock Grove Township, in 1843; worked on the farm until he went West, teaching school in Van Buren Co., Iowa, about one year ; then to Kansas, and teaching about one year there ; then returned to Davis, and engaged in drugs. In politics, Democrat ; in religion, Liberal. His wife, Mary Haid, was born in Kansas in 1855 ; married in 1873.

MICHAEIi BlilMM, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Dakota ; born in Bavaria' Germany, in 1821 ; came to America in 1836 to Erie Co., N. Y., and to Stephenson Co. in 1854 ; bought 5 acres, and his wife bought 40 acres, and they now own 120 acres, on which they have made good improvements ; has paid some attention to the raiding of bees. In politics, Democrat ; in religion. Catholic. His wife, Mary Vingert was born in Fridevig, Germany ; they were married in New York ; have had thirteen children - John, at home; Mary, now Mrs. Eshed, in Missouri; Michael, at home, Anthony, at home ; Eva, now Mrs. Barn, in Stephenson Co. ; Joseph, at home ; Mary Barbara, at home ; four deceased.

D. BOLIiM AlV, restaurant and wholesale liquor, stock and grain buyer, Davis ; also keeps a fine stable of horses ; a fine stallion, sired by Iron Sides and Messenger, and a jack. Born in Pennsylvania in 1829 ; came to Illinois in 1854 ; owns town property, and a large barn 30x40 feet. In politics, Democrat ; in religion, Liberal. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1801 ; his mother, 1803 ; and they now reside with him, as also does his sister.

UBIAH BOYDEN, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Rock City; born in New York in 1808 ; came to Stephenson Co., Sept. 27, 1839 ; bought a claim of 160 acres, and now owns 152, on which he has made improvements ; has two good springs of water on the place. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 21, 1862. In 1852 wentacross the Plains; remained about one year. In politics, Republican ; in religion. Liberal. His wife, Elmira Snyder, was born in New York, 1811 ; married in New York, 1839 ; has had five children - Caroline, now Mrs. March ; Ann Jane, died 1854; Eva Eliza, now Mrs. Bonebright ; Lucinda, now Mrs. Keagle ; Jane, died when young.

MABTIN BBENEMAX, bom Aug. 28, 1784 ; died Dec. 24, 1837 ; Matty Breneman, born April 22, 1796, in Lancaster Co., Penn. ; she was afterward Mrs. Shanton, and died Nov. 11, 1857; John Breneman, their second son, is now a farmer in Rock Run Township, Stephenson Co., Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Davis ; was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 15, 1821 ; went to Ohio and settled in Medina Co., and remained there fifteen years, and then went to Stephenson Co. in the spring of 1867, and bought a farm of 110 acres, and has built a fine house with fine barn and out-buildings; his wife, Catherine Cummings, was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., May 2, 1826, and married Feb. 5, 1852; died Nov. 30, 1879, and had three children - Mary, was born in Medina Co., Ohio, Dec. 9, 1852, and is now Mrs. Kloster, in Douglas Co., Minn; John W., borD

DANIEL W. BKUBARER, farmer, P. 0. Freeport; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., 1848; came to Illinois in 1851, and owns 90 acres of land; made all the improvements. In politics. Republican ; in religion, United Brethren. Has been Pathmaster. His wife, Amelia Bockmier, born in Stephenson Co., 1854 ; married, 1874 ; had one child - Samuel 0. (deceased), 7 months and 22 days old.

WIL<L.IAM H. BRUBAKER, farmer. Sec. 8; P. 0. Freeport; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1840 ; came to Illinois in 1852, with his father, who bought 300 acres and made the improvements; his father died some time ago; he owns 90 acres of land. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Liberal. He enlisted, in the fall of 1863, in the 46th I. V. I., and served till the close of the war.

FREDERICK BUTICOFER, wagon and carriage maker, Davis ; born in Switzerland, in 1836; came to America in 1857, and went to Wisconsin ; then to Davis in 1868 ; owns town property. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Spiritualist. His wife, Christer Breithaupt, was born at Baden in 1848 ; came to Ami rica in 1853; married in 1866, and have had four children - Ida, Charles, Owasso and Clayton. He enlisted in the 95th I. V. I., at Harvard, McHenry Co., Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out at Springfield, Oct. 2, 1865 ; engaged at Vicksburg, Nashville, Mobile, Montgomery, and with Price in Missouri.

DR. F. A. BUTTERFIELD, Davis ; bom in Rock Run Township in 1854; bought town property in Dakota; sold it and came to Davis. He attended Rush Medical College and graduated in the clasps of 1879-80. In politics, Republican , in religion, Presbyterian. His wife, Alice J. Martin, was born in Dakota Township in 1852 ; married in 1875 ; have had two children - Ada 0. and W. Ray.

DAVID CABIiE, retired farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Ridott ; born in Somerset Co., Penn., Oct. 30, 1803 ; came to Ohio in 1828, and then to Illinois in 1853; bought 160 acres of land and made most of the improvements; now owns 1672 acres. In religion. Liberal ; in politics, Republican. His wife, Barbara Hugh.s, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812 ; married in 1827, and have had twelve children, as follows : Hattie, now Mrs. Wolf, in Rock Run; Rebecca, now Mrs. McDonald, in Ohio; Jacob, in Rock Run Township ; Louisa, deceased ; David, in Grundy Co., Iowa ; Seth, in Ridott ; William, at home with his father; Elmos, in Montgomery Co.. Iowa ; Wash, in Pierce Co., Wis. ; Stephen, in Allen Co., Kan. ; Adeline, now Mrs. Welyer, on the old farm ; Serafa, now Mrs. Martin, in Nebraska.

JACOB CABL.E, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Ridott ; born in Knox Co., Ohio, in 1833 ; came to Illinois in 1853, a month in advance of his father ; bought 47 acres, and now owns 62 acres, on which he has made the improvements. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Liberal. His wife, Sarah Ann Gamel, was born in Pennsylvania in 1837 ; married in 1854; have eight children - Laura (now Mrs. Morrison, in Iowa), Symantha fat home), Theodora. Wilson W., Charles, Emeline, Delbert and Ida.

WILIilAM CABLE, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Ridott, born in Knox Co., Ohio, 1843; came to Illinois, 1853; owns 80 acres of land; made all the improvements ; enlisted, 1864, in the 46th I. V. I., mustered out in 1866 ; in politics, Republican; in religion. Liberal ; his wife was born in Somerset Co., Penn.; married 1869, in June ; have had two children, Milvin and Angie E.

H. D. COLE, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Erie Co., Penn., 1841 ; came to Illinois in 1864 with his father, who entered the land, and H. D. bought the homestead of 80 acres, and has since bought 40, and made some improvements. In politics, Republican, and in religion, Methodist ; his wife, Diana Hoag, was born in Rock Run Township, Stephenson Co., in 1840 ; married in 1862, and has had nine children, six living - Charles Sidney, Frank Martin, deceased ; John, deceased ; Olive, Lottie, Guy, deceased; Roscoe, Archer W., Edward J.

R. E. COTHERMEN, miller and farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Rock City ; born in Union Co., Penn., 1835 ; went to Ohio, remained about one year, then to Stephenson Co., and worked in Freeport, then in Green Co., Wis.; then in 1871, came to Rock Run, and bought the old saw and grist mill built by Michael Shane; the stcne in this mill were brought to this country from Pennsylvania by Vanwenzler, who put them in a mill built at Cedarville, and these are the first stones brought to this county ; when Adams built the new mill at Cedarville, he sold them to Shane, who put them in the mill at Rock Run, they are supposed to be over 100 years old ; in 1877, he built a new mill ; he also owns 63 acres, on which he has made some very fine improvements. Liberal in Religion ; in polities, Republican ; has been School Director. His first wife, Isabell Denins, born in Stephenson Co., married, 1856, died, March 7, 1862, in Wisconsin, and had four children - Charles F., Dixon T., teacher at Baileyville ; Jessie, now Mrs. Hoag; Tilly Bell, in Green Co., Wis.; Matilda Winkelbeck, born in Pennsylvania in 18-16, married at Monroe, Wis., and have one child - Ida May.

S. J. DAVIS, farmer. Sec. 13; P. 0. Davis; born in Crawford Co., Penn., 1822 ; removed to Erie Co., Springfield, remained about one year, then removed to llHnois, Stephenson Co., to what was then known as Stackhouse, Camer and Flower's Mill, located in Sec. 27 ; he bought a claim of the mill property, and owns at present 477 acres, with a fine three-story stone building with fine improvements ; also laid out the town of Davis, named after this family. Was first Town Clerk, for eight years ; Assessor of Internal Revenue. His wife, Marj L. J]sts, was born in New York in 1834; married in New York, in 1859; in politics. Republican; in religion, Liberal.

JOHX S. DAUGHENBAUGH, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Ridott; bom in Center Co., Penn., 1838; came to lUinois in 1846, with his father ; they bought 117i acres of land on which they made improvements; afterward John S. bought 30 acres, and now owns 40 acres of good farm land, with good improvements. In politics Republican ; in religion, Liberal. His wife, Nancy Hathaway, born in Stephenson Co., 1840 ; married in 1860, and had six children - Daniel, Robert, Franklin, Cora, Clara, infant, deceased.

CHRIST FEEIVY, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1823 ; came to America in 1854 ; bought 40 acres of land, made the improvements and sold it; bought 60 acres more, which he sold, and then bought 120 acres more. His wife, Amelia Beckmeir, born in Germany in 1835, came to America in 1855 ; married in 1857, and have nine children - Amelia, now Mrs. Gake ; Mary, Henry, Mina, Louisa, Sophia, David, Frederick and John. In politics. Republican ; in religion, Evangelical.

S. R. FOSTER, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Rock City ; born in Union Co., Penn., in 1833, and in 1847, with his father, came to Illinois, and now owns 76 acres and made the improvements of a substantial kind. His wife, Nancy Barber, born at Rock Run in 1839, married in 1858, and have five children - F. R., A. J., Jennie S., Charles J., Dora, deceased. Presbyterian in religion ; Democrat in politics.

liOUIS GERMAIJ*", farmer. Sec. .34 ; P. 0. Rock City ; born in France in 1825, and came to America in 1852 ; remained in New York seventeen years, and in 1872 came to Illinois and bought 40 acres and has made the improvements; also some timber land. His wife, Mary Bussly. born in France in 1831 ; were married in 1854 ; in religion, Catholic; have had nine children, six living, and most of them away from home.

MARTIiV GrILIiEX, deceased ; born in Ireland ; came to America in 1855, and remained six years in New York ; then came to Stephenson Co., worked on the railroad, bought 80 acres of land and made the improvements ; he died June, 1866. His wife, Catherine Kelly, was born in Ireland in 1822, and came to America in 1855 ; married in 1838, and had nine children - Margaret, now Mrs. Stinson ; Michael, James, John, Owen, Ellen, Ed., Catherine, deceased ; Eliza, deceased. Edward Sufi'ran, her second husband, was born in Ireland in 1826, married in 1868, and died on Christmas Day, 1879. He had children by his first wife, and was in the war of the rebellion.

JOHN GLYNN, farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Pecatonica ; born in Ireland in 1815 and went to England, remaining one year; he came to America, Stephen- son Co., and entered 80 acres ; has now 300-, and made some fine improvements ; has a beautiful grove, fine spring of water and stream on the land ; also has a fine herd of Dovon cattle. In polities, Republican; in religion, Catholic; has been School Director. He spent some years in California during the gold excitement in 1849. His wife, Mary Sowards, was born in New York in 1844 ; married in 1858. and have had eight children - Katherine, James, Maggie,Tildia, Rosa, Mary, Martin and Mike.

AARON OOIiD, proprietor of hotel and retired farmer; P. 0. Davis; born in Northampton Co., Penn., 1820 ; came to Illinois in April, 1857 ; bought land two years previous to his coming, and made all the improvements, and now owns 80 acres in Sec. 23, and came int > Davis and built tbe hotel in 1857, a very pleasant place near the depot of the C, M. & St. Paul R. R., also the post office. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Lutheran. His first wife, Ellen Cokhoom, was born in Pennsylvania in 1828; married June 15,1845; died March 20, 1874, the children are Matilda, Oliver Franklin Sidney, Harriett, now Mrs. Rossman, at Delmar ; Janet Iva, Alice, now Mrs. Kunes, in Delmar; James E., at Milton, Iowa; John at home, William at home; Ellen S., died Oct. 5, 1868 ; Mable Clair. His second wife - Annie Marie Knolf, was born in Pennsylvania in 1830 ; married at Davis, Feb. 1, 1876.

J. H. CrRAHAM, merchant and Postmaster, Rock City ; born in Northumberland Co., Penn., in 1824, and came to Stephenson Co., June, 1842 ; entered 240 acres, and now owns 353, on which he has made improvements of a substantial kind. He has bought grain on the Western Union, in his own name, younger than any other man on the line. His wife, Margaret Young, was born in Pennsylvania in 1 835 ; married, in 1857, and have had eleven children - ten living at present.

HAAS, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. O. Rock City ; born in Germany, in 1830 ; came to America at the age of 9 years, and settled in Northampton Co., Penn., and in 1877 came to Illinois, and bought 61 acres, and has made part of the improvements. In politics. Republican ; in religion, Lutheran. Enlisted in the 79th Penn. V. I., Oct. 8, 18G1, and mustered out at the close of the war. His wife, Christina Kurtz, was born in Germany, in 1839 ; came to America, in 1862 ; married, in 1864, and had had four children - John, Andrew, Henry (deceased), Charles.

JOHN HOAO, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Ridott; born in Susquehanna Co.) Penn., in 1814; came to Illinois in 1836; made a claim and sold; bought 160 acres; now has 205 acres ; made all the improvements of a fine brick house, barn, good running water and spring. In politics. Republican. In religion, Methodist Episcopal ; is Trustee and Steward. Has not been out of office since the township was organized. His wife, Margaret Row, born in New York, Dutchess Co., in 1817; came West in 1838; married in 1839; have had nine children, seven living - Henry, in Black Hawk Co., Iowa; Diana, now Mrs. H. D. Cole, in Stephenson Co. ; Charles, at Storm Lake, Iowa ; Alma, at home ; Daniel, at home ; Edward, at home ; Olive, now Mrs. Stephens, in Black Hawk Co., Iowa ; Betty and Alfred, deceased.

C. B. JOHNSON, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Norway, in 1827 ; came to America in 1859, and went to Janesville, Wis., and worked at his trade, blacksmithing ; came to Rock Run and bought 48 acres of land, and made all of the improvements. In politics. Republican. In religion, Lutheran. His wife, Bell Peterson, was born m Norway, in 1824, and came to America in 1859'; married in 1852, and they have had six children - Mary, now Mrs. Heyday, in Dixon Co. Neb. ; Peter, born in Norway ; Charlie, Julius, Morris and Addie, at home.

ROAN JOHNSON, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Dakota ; born in Center Co., in 1818 ; came to Illinois in 1850 ; bought 160 acres of land, and now owns 430, and has made the improvements. In religion, Presbyterian, and Trustee of church. In politics, Liberal. His wife, Elizabeth Keil, was born in Pennsylvania in 1814; married in 1847, and have had one child - Mary Elizabeth, at home ; they have an adopted son - George Kramer, taken at the age of 2 weeks. The first lumber he used in repairing the old log house was brought from Mount Carroll, through the sloughs, taking cue week for a trip.

JOHN M. KAUFMAN, cooper, Davis ; born in Baden Baden, Germany, in 1823; came to America in 1846, to New York, then to Canada a short time, then to Cincinnati, Ohio, there about four years; then to Stephenson Co., in 1852, August, and worked at the carpenter trade, and in 1 862 began coopering ; has an extensive business in the manufacture of butter tubs ; owns town property, and made the improvements, which are fine. In politics. Republican. In religion. Evangelical. His wife, Catharine Andres, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, in 1843 ; married in 1863; have had five children - George Henry, in the shop ; Annie, at home ; Lena, at home ; Edmond, at home ; John, at home.

JACOB KEEHEN, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Rock City; born in Prussia in 1830; came to America in 1853, to Illinois, and worked on the railroad ; bought 40 acres of land, and now owns 75 ; made most of the improvements. In politics. Democrat. In religion, Catholic. His wife, Ellen Wertz, was born in Germany, Prussia, in 1841 ; married in 1859, Oct. 13, and have had five children - John, Mary, Barbara, Lizzie, and Barbara, deceased.

H. KL.IPPING, miller; P. 0. Davis; firm of Slagle & KHppmg, Rock Run Mills; born in Florence Township, Stephenson Co., 111., in 1856 ; worked on the farm about eight months and then learned the milling business in this mill ; rented the mill and doing a fine business. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Evangelical.

CONRAD KNOUP, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Stephenson Co., 111. ; owns 80 acres of land. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Liberal. His wife, Catherine Miller, was born in New York, in 1851, and married in 1871. Have had three children - Henry Edward, Doretta and Lizzie May.

HEIiLECK KNUDSON, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Norway ; came to x\merica in 1839, and remained in Chicago until July, 1841, when he came to Rock Run and remained about five months, and then went to Mineral Point, Wis., and served an apprenticeship as a harness-maker there about two years, and then came back to Rock Run and worked on the fiirm with his brother and mother ; he and his brother Thurston made the improvements on the 126t acres of land which now belong to Hellick, and he also owns 2841 acres of land ; the barn on the place is 36x50 ; good stone house and windmill. Has been Trustee, School Director and Pathmaster three different times. His wife, Caren Harrison, born in Norway, in 1826 ; married in 1855 ; died in 1856; second wife, Carrie Larson, born in Norway, in 1836 ; married February, 1860, and they have had seven children - Aneken Carine, born Oct. 1, 1860; Alice Lorine, born Jan. 14, 1862 ; Carrie Marie, born Jan. 16, 1864; Annie Christina, born Aug. 21, 1865; Knut Oscar, born April 13, 1867 - died Oct. 6, 1867; Knut Oscar, born Oct. 4, 1868; Lars William, born Sept. 27, 1878 - died Jan. 13, 1880.

THURSTON KNUDISON, farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Norway, in 1825 ; came to America in 1842 ; to Iowa in 1842, with his father and mother ; his father died on Lake Michigan and was buried in Milwaukee, in 1842; his mother bought a claim of 160 acres and made the improvements ; his mother died Feb. 3, 1880 ; Thurston now owns 198*, and 20 acres of timber, in Winnebago Co. ; he is now building a large barn 40x64 and eighteen-foot posts, with bank stabling, raised June 23, 1880. In politics. Republican ; in religion, Lutheran. Has been School Director and Pathmaster. His wife, Jane Ann Alara, was born in Norway, in 1840 ; came to America in 1853; married in 1857, Dec. 15; died May 8, 1875, and left nine children - Caroline, at home ; Johanna Malinda, Mary Ann, Nellie Cerinda, Charles Oscar, John Cornelius, Emma Louisa, Helen Sophia and Nels Wilhiem.

M. W. KURTZ, general merchandise, Davis ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1837 ; came to Illinois in 1869, and engaged in the mercantile business ; owns town property. In religion, Lutheran ; in politics. Republican. Has been Town Trustee for five years, and School Director. His wife, Kate Markel, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1849 ; married in 1862, and have hadseven children - Rolland, Howard M., Lilly, Bertha, Levi, died in Pennsylvania in 1864; Stella, Martin, Jr.

D. (jT. liAf^HIiLLi, of the firm of Young & Lashell, general merchants, Rock City; born in Loran, Stephenson Co., in 1849; his wife, Mary Rayner, born in Stephenson Co. in 1850; married in 1876, and have two children - Robert Alfred and Oeorge. Has been Town Collector ; is now Secretary, of the Rock Run Insurance Company, and School Treasurer.

J. LAUEK, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0. Dakota; born Oct. 15, 1809, in Pennsylvania; came to Illinois in 1845 ; bought 133 acres and made the improvements ; has also 87 acres in Dakota Township. Has been Pathmaster. In politics, Democrat; in religion Lutheran. First wife was Rebecca Sullivan, born Oct. 25, 1815, in York Co., Penn.; was married Aug. 16, 1834; died in 1849, aged 33 years 9 months and 21 days, and left eight children - Sarah Ann, deceased ; Jacob, in Rock Run Township ; William, deceased ; Rebecca, now Mrs. Kline, in Kansas ; John Andrew, in Hardin Co., Iowa, Peter Henry, in Illinois; George Samuel, deceased; David Silivan. Second wife was born in Schuylkill Co., Penn., April 24, 1831 ; married in 1851, and have had ten children - Catherine, Elisabeth, now Mrs. Cross, in Davis; Joseph William, at home; Martin Luther, at home; Moses E., deceased; Stephen A. Douglas, deceased; Edwin Deitz, Aaron Washington, Annie Mary, Leonard Marion, Martha Jane.

S. B. Ll^ACH, farmer. Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Pecatonica ; born in Maine, in 1845 ; came to Illinois in 1868, from New York City, where he had been to work for the Harlem Railroad ; then went to Nora, 111., and engaged with his brother in the carriage business ; then to Winnebago Co., and bought a farm of 80 acres, and this he traded for property in Rockford, 111., and went to work for the Rockford Water Power Company, and then to Pecatonica in the carriage business; from there to Stephenson Co., and bought 100 acres and made most of the improvements, and is now in Chicago to work for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, as master mechanic. In politics. Republican ; in religion, Free Methodist. He took the first locomotive into Western Texas, set it up and ran it. First wife, Fannie Dean, deceased, was born in Maine, and they had one child, William, now in Chicago, foreman in Hayes & Prentice's, corner of Canal and Washington streets. Second wife, Harriet M. Westfall, was born in New Jersey, in 1829; married March 31, 1853, and have eight children - Henry, deceased; Garfield, deceased ; Walter H., Porter F., Eveline W., Frank B., Fred B., deceased, and Richard C.

C. P. LEY, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Dakota; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1856, and came to Illinois in 1869, and bought 200 acres. In religion, Presbyterian : in politics. Republican. F. C. Ley was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1849 ; came to Illinois in 1869, and bought, in company with his brother, lIOO acres ; they have a fine spring of water and a fine stream, which makes a fine stock-farm ; the place was bought from Zimmerman, one of the old settlers of the county.

CHARL.es J. LILJEQIIIST, painter, Davis; born in Sweden in 1841 ; came to America, in 1865 ; to Rockford, Winnebago Co., in 1866; then went to Mississippi and Tennessee; then returned to Rockford, and then to Davis in 1868; owns town property. First wife, Agner C. Lindebled, was born in Sweden, in 1842; married in 1866, and had one child, Agnes C. ; wife died in 1867. Second wife, Sarah Regies, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1846; married in 1869, and had four children - Annie May, Clara A., Ada Adella, John Alfred.

JOHN LONG, restaurant and grocer, Davis; born in Buff'alo, N. Y., in 1843 ; came to Stephenson Co. in 1846, with his father, who bought a farm, and also owns town property. Enlisted in 26th I. V. I., in 1861, and remained until 1864. In politics. Republican ; in religion. Evangelical ; one of the Trustees of Davis. His wife, Mary Alberstedt, was born in Germany in 1845 ; married in 1868, and had one child - Cora Adella.

R. J. LONCjt, dealer in furniture and burial cases; born in Bavaria in 1839; came to America in 1852, to Pennsylvania; in the fall of 1852, to Stephenson Co. At the breaking-out of the rebellion, he was in the regular army, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. ; mustered out and enlisted in the 46th I. V. I., September, 1861 ; discharged September, 1864 ; was in all the engagements from Donelson down the Mississippi ; received commission in United States Regular Army as Lieutenant. Owns town property ; is a carpenter by trade. His wife, Miss Mary Kaller, was born in Germany in 1849 ; came to America in 1852 ; married in 1865, and have three children - Jennie V., Elnora and Adella.

HEXRY MAEIR, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Germany in 1820 ; came to America in 1847, and bought 180 acres of land ; made the improvements ; also owns 30 acres of timber. His wife, Barbara Weber, was born in France in 1830; came to America with her parents ; she married in 1848, and have eleven children - Henry, Matilda, now Mrs. Runta, in Iowa ; Fredrick, John, Herman, Mary, Martha, Sophia, Louisa, Daniel and Wilhelm.

WIL-IilAM MYERS, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Ridott ; born in Germany in 1830 ; came to America in 1850, to Oneida Co., and remained about five years, and then came to Stephenson Co., at Freeport, in the railroad shops, and then, about nineteen years ago, came to this place and bought 40 acres of land, and made the improvements ; now owns 285 acres, and a fine house, and other good improvements. Was in the army in the old country. In politics. Democrat ; in religion, Catholic. Has been Pathmaster. His wife, Mary Terney, was born in Ireland, in 1835 ; came to America in 1845; married in 1855 ; have had four children - Henry, Ida, Clara, Annie.

fllLrlilAM S. WEIIi, farmer. Sec. 7; P. 0. Dakota; born in Center Co., Penn., in 1821 ; came to Illinois in 1855 ; bought 71 acres; in 1859, 35 acres more, and this spring bought 35 acres more, and made all the improvements ; built a barn 40x36, with windmill, wagon-shed, 30x24 ; fine house. In politics. Democrat ; in religion, Presbyterian. His wife, Jane Colgan, was born in Ireland in 1824; married in 1845 ; died in 1864, and have four children living; second wife, sister of Sarah Colgan, was born in Ireland in 1832 ; married in 1875 ; children by first wife - William, in Doniphan Co., Kan.; Isabell Smith, now Mrs. Neal ; John S. and Mary E., twins.

AL.EXAXDER NIBLO, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Pecatonica ; born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1815; came to America in 1820, and to Stephenson Co. in an early day ; he owns 1 60 acres, and made the improvements ; only 25 acres of the place were under the plow; now has 100 or over cultivated. His wife, Emily Amelia Nay, was born in Scotland March 17, 1839, and have had ten children, four living - Maggie A., Thomas R., George S. and Abraham; John James was drowned in Rock Run, in sight of the house, while in bathing, June 25, 1869 ; when they first came to Illinois, they lived in the house in which the first white man lived with his squaw ; his name was Americag Mack.

S. OLSOX, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Norway in 1822 ; came to America in 1842, and worked for Mr. Marsh, in Stephenson Co., and worked here and there for about two years, then entered 40 acres of land, and now owns 233 acres, and has made fine improvements ; there is a fine stream on the land. Was Pathmaster twenty years ago. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Lutheran. His wife, Jane Kundson, was born in Norway in 1817 ; came to America in 1843 ; married in 1845, and have six children, two living - Isabell and Ola; Knud, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Knud, deceased ; Knud, deceased ; wife died April 24, 1856 ; second wife, Isabel Crerson, was born in Norway, in 1830; came to America in 1854; married in 1857, and have eleven children - Jane, born in 1857, died in 1858 ; Ezra, born in 1858, died Oct. 25, 1858; Jane, born in 1860, died in 1860; John, born in 1861, died in 1861; John, born in 1862, died in 1862 ; Georgiana, born in 1864, died in 1864 ; Isabell, born in 1866, died in 1866; Ira, born in 1867 ; John, born in 1870, died in 1870; John and Johnnie, born in 1873 ; John died in 1873.

JACOB ORTH, general stock, Davis; born in Hesse Darmstadt, Erich, Germany, Nov. 3, 1840 ; left there and came to Illinois in 1852, and settled in Rock Grove on 200 acres of his father's land, who died June 9, 1869, aged 69 ; his mother is still on the old homestead ; Jacob engaged in the brick business in Eplay Ann for three years. His wife, Elizabeth Wilkey, was born in Wisconsin, in 1845, and married Nov. 20, 1862, and then worked the farm for three years, and in the fall of 1866, came to Davis and engaged in the present business, under the firm name of Smith & Orth ; Smith remained one year and a half, when his brother bought him out, and the brother remained ten years, when Jacob bought out his brother. Have had six children - Ella M., the eldest daughter, was born in Rock Run, Stephenson Co., Sept. 7, 1863, and died Jan. 15, 1880, at the residence of Rev. H. Huetsler, of Naperville, Til., aged 16 years 4 months and 8 days, while attending the Northwestern College ; Ella was converted under the labors of Rev. W. H. Rucks, during a revival at Davis; her remains were brought home on the evening of the 15th, and on Saturday, the 17th, th,e funeral services were held in the Evangelical Church ; services by Rev. W. H. Rucks, of Freeport, he taking the text from Matt, ix, 24 ; Nettie Laura, fourth child, was born at the village of Davis, and died Feb. 27, 1880, age 9 years 11 months 22 days ; during her last sickness she requested that something be sung, and, when several stanzas of " I will sing you a song," "We're going home to-morrow," "Sweet Rye-and-bye," and " We shall gather at the river " were sung, she tried to sing too ; but faint sounds could be heard, but they were from the heart and soul ; she expressed a willingness to depart and be with Jesus and her sister Ella; Clara J., at home; MaHnda, at home; Irene May, at home ; Arthur J., at home.

PETER ROW, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Ridott ; born in Rethlehem, N. Y., in 1814; came to Illinois in 1838, and took up a claim of 160 acres, and now owns 200 acres ; made all of the improvements ; is paying considerable attention to the raising of bees. In politics. Republican; in religion, Liberal.

CMRIISTOPHER SCHL.EITER, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Germany in 1820; came to America in 1857, and came direct to this place, and bought 86 acres of land; made all the improvements, and owns now 361 acres of land. His wife, Minnie Maeir, was boin in Germany, in 1821 ; came to America in 1847, and have four children - Christopher, in Rock Grove Township ; Henry, at home ; Louisa, now Mrs. Nedemier ; Hannah, at home. In politics, Democrat ; in religion, Evangelical.

HEIVRY SCHIiEITER, farmer, S^c. 10 ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Germany in 1827 ; came to America in 1848 ; came to Illinois in 1848 ; bought and now owns 140 acres of land ; made good improvements. His wife, Elizabeth Schrader, was born in Germany in 1828; came to America in 1828; married in 1850; have had nine children - Frederick, Mary, Martha, David, Elizabeth, deceased; Louisa, deceased; Henry, deceased ; Daniel, John, deceased. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Evangelical.

JACOB SliACirliE, miller ; P. 0. Davis ; born in Northumberland, Co., Penn., in 1825 ; came to Stephenson Co. in 1865 ; bought 160 acres of land, and now owns 96 acres of land, including the mill known as the Rock Run Mill, situated on the Rock Run, half way between Rock City and Davis, doing a fine business ; this mill was built, in 1854, by Catherine Epley. now residing in Missouri. His wife, Catherine Guist, was born in Pennsylvania in 1840 ; married in 1860, and have three children - Laura Alice, born Feb. 20, 1862 - died Feb. 25, 1876; Dora Hester, born July 6, 1876 ; Walter Grant, born Nov. 12, 1872. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Liberal. Enlisted in the Pennsylvania Rattalion, June, 1864, and served six months.

D. B. SNIT ELY, farmer, Sees. 14 and 15; P. 0. Ridott ; born in Franklin Co., Penn., in 1828 ; came to Illinois in 1865, to Adams Co., and to Stephenson Co. in 1869 ; bought 120 acres of land and n )W owns a saw-mill, known as the Rock Run Saw-mill ; it was bought from John Josler ; built fourteen years ago. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Liberal. His wife, Elizabeth C. Layman, was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in 1834; married in 1852; have had four children - Benjamin, Henry, Albert, William.

SAMUEL STRONG, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Ridott ; born in Center Co., Penn., in 1828 ; came to Illinois in 1839 ; bought 45 acres of land in Eleroy Township ; sold and came to Rock Run and bought 40 acres in Rock Run Township, 80 in Ridott Township, and has made the improvement ; has a stream of water and good mill. In politics, Democrat; in religion. Free Methodist. His wife, Phebe Gillman, was born in Union Co., Penn., in 1820; came to Illinois in 1840 ; they were married in the fall of

1840, and have eight children - William, in Ridott ; Esther, now Mrs. "Willits, in Lena; Charles Edward, in Stephenson Co. ; Oscar, at home ; Matilda, now Mrs. Westimer ; Emma ; two infants deceased. Has run a thrashing machine for the last thirty-five y^ars, and is still ready for the business of 1880.

S. W. TAJLLiMAM', editor Bayis Review ; born in New York in 1852, Jan. 12 ; came t:* Illinois in 1878, Jan. 18, and engaged in the Review, at Davis, 111.

WILLIAM TEMPLETOX, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Dakota ; born in Union Co., Penn., in 1839 ; came to Illinois in 1844 with his parents, and they bought a claim of 160 acres, and made most of the improvements on the place ; has a barn 36x67, with good bank stable, good spring of water, and in all a fine stock-farm ; his father died several years ago. William is a Republican in principle, and, in religion. United Presbyterian. His wife, Amanda Frantz, was born in Center Co., Penn., in 1842; married in 1869, and have had four children - Annie P., Samuel P., Willie and an infant.

JOHX WEBER, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Davis; born in France in 1833; came to America in 1838, with his parents, and they settled in New York, and remained about two years, then came to Wisconsin, and then, in November, 1844, came to Stephenson Co. and entered 160 acres, and made the improvements; he bought 80 acres of land, and paid about $600 ; on this place he made all the improvements, and has a fine stone house and large barn ; now owns 237 acres of land, with good improvements. His wife, Mary J. Walker, was born in Center Co., Penn. ; came West at the age of 17 ; was married in 1856, and have eleven children - Ellen, now Mrs. Mathews, in Iowa; Emma, Greorge Franklin, Malinda M., Rosa, Clara, John H., Alice, Nettie, Charles, Lora. In politics. Democrat ; in religion, liberal. Has been Pathmaster, Trustee and Justice of the Peace.

JOI§EPH A. WEIR, farmer, Sec. 29; P. 0. Rock City; born in Berks Co., Penn., in 1835 ; came to Illinois in the winter of 1855-56, and then returned to Pennsylvania, and then, in 1857, returned to Stephenson County; bought 40 acres of land, and now owns 151 acres, and has made all the improvements from the wild land. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Methodist Episcopal. His wife, Elizabeth Stewart, was born in Freeport, 111., in 1840, and married in 1862 ; have had eight children - William S., Jennie, deceased; Joseph R., Charles Colfax, James H., Maggie Elizabeth, Henry Kucher, Greorge A., deceased. Alexander McKenny, an uncle of his, came to this county from the Galena lead mines, with Mr. Carnefix, in the year 1836.

MICHAEIi WOIiF, deceased ; he was born in Pennsylvania in 1824; came to Illinois at an early day, and entered 40 acres, and at his death, owned 470 acres, and 160 in Nebraska; made the improvements on the first 40 acres. In politics, was Republican ; in religion, Liberal. Died May 7, 1880, after a short sickness. His wife, Hettie Cable, was born in Pennsylvania, in 18^9; married Feb. 19, 1856, and have had twelve children - Emma Alice, now Mrs. Foundray, in Indiana ; Mary, now Mrs. Claws, in Rock Run; William, Charles, David, Thomas, Stephen, Newton, Susan, James ; Franklin J. and Jacob, deceased.

PETER WOIiP, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Dakota; born in Center Co., Penn., in 1830 ; came to Illinois in 1855 ; bought 153 acres ; now owns 40 acres in Sec. 32 and 40 in Sec. 28 ; made all the improvements. In politics. Republican ; in religion, Methodist Episcopal, and a Trustee of Berlin church. Has been Assessor, Town Collector and Road Commissioner; is School Trustee. His wife, Elisabeth Rowray, was born in Union Co., Penn., in 1829; married in 1848, and have had twelve children - George William, in Rock Run Township ; John P. at home ; James F., at home ; Kate, now Mrs. Tate, in Buckeye ; Lizzie, at home ; Ellen, at home ; Frank, at home ; Sally, at home ; Eddie, at home ; Volney Orin: Mary, deceased ; Charles, deceased.

Source changes here: from History of Stephenson County, Illinois : a Record of Its Settlement, Organization, and Three-quarters of a Century of Progress, by Fulwider, Addison L, published 1910; 4,860 words in this source stream.

Rock Run Township

Rock Run township, next to Ridott, is the largest township of the county, having an area of forty-eight square miles, while the latter has fifty-four. It is one of the wealthiest townships of the county, and is composed of good and fertile farming land, interspersed with occasional stretches of forest.

Rock Run has a most interesting history. It is probably the most cosmopolitan township of the county, and has numbered among its early settlers a most peculiar and unusual combination of Yankees, Germans, Dutch, Irish and Norwegians. Strangely enough, they lived side by side peaceably, and their descendants have intermarried so that the original races and their characteristics are no longer discernable.

The first permanent settlement in Rock Run, of which there is any record, was that of a Mrs. Swanson, who came to these regions with her family and took up a large claim in section 10 or n, near the site of the future village of Davis. Mrs. Swanson was a widow, with a large family of children, who aided her in the care of the farm. This was in 1835. In the same year, a number of settlers, who has previously visited the towsnhip, en route to the lead mines at Galena, returned from the west, and settled permanently on lands adjoining the "Widow" Swanson's habitation. These pioneers who presently returned to take up claims included S. E. M. Carnefix, Alexander McKinn, Arthur Dawson and one or two others. Presently a new delegation arrived, in 1836, including Thomas Flynn, E. Mullarkey, Henry Hulse, M. Welsh, William Lee, Leonard Lee, Nathan Blackamore and Aaron Baker. The Irish section of the new immigrants settled in the eastern part of the township, about four miles south of the present village of Davis, and there founded a settlement which later became known as Irish Grove.

After this the new arrivals were continuous, and the township became quickly crowded with settlers. The Irish Grove settlement continued to grow, and the Hibernian "squatters" there were joined by a new delegation, including Pat Giblin, Miles O'Brien, a Mr. Corcoran, who afterward moved to Rockford, Thomas Foley, and some relatives of the Mullarkeys. In 1838 occurred the first birth in the township, also the first marriage. A son was born to Albert Flower, who managed the saw mill on Rock Run, and "Pony" Fletcher and Narcisse Swanson were united in holy bonds of matrimony, the latter event happening in the fall of 1838, the former earlier in the year.

The streams of Rock Run township are very swift, and have in the past afforded water power for turning the wheels of a large number of mills. Only one of these is now standing, a substantial stone structure at Epleyanna, which still continues in operation. In 1837, a saw mill was built on Rock Run in section 27, and the same year Thomas J. Turner put up a grist mill in section 34, and sold it to Nelson Salsbury, who, in turn, sold it to James Epley. In 1838, H. G. Davis came to the township with his family and purchased the Rock Run saw mill, which had been put up the year previous by Stackhouse, Carrier and Flower. Here the first post-office ever located in the township was soon established, with H. G. Davis as postmaster. In the early part of 1839, the present Epleyanna mills were built by Josiah Blackamore and Leonard Lee, who later disposed of their holding to Conrad Epley. A number of smaller mills were built farther south along Rock Run and its tributaries, but no trace is to be found of many of them. There was one, for instance, on the Carnefix farm, south of Davis, in section 28, the ruins of which are still to be seen.

In 1839 a large number of arrivals were registered. Among them were Conrad Epley, who purchased the Epleyanna mills, and from whom the village of Epleyanna takes its name, Edward Pratt, who afterward moved to Freeport, M. Flower, Edward Smith, who settled in section 13, Uriah Boyden, who took up a claim in section 30, Thomas Fox, who went to Wisconsin within a short time, and a large number of settlers who came to live at Irish Grove, among them Thomas Bree, Martin Mullen, Patrick Flynn, Michael Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Jr., Thomas Hawley and William Marlowe, as well as a number of others whose names have not been preserved in the traditions of the Celtic settlement.

In October, 1839, occurred an event which is most memorable in the annals of Rock Run township. A delegation of Norwegians arrived at the settlement at Rock Run mills, and there formed what is said to have been the first Norwegian settlement in the United States. Whether or not this was the case, it was at least the first Norwegian settlement in this part of the country. The descendants of the early settlers are some of them living in Rock Run township to-day. Others have vanished from the pages of the Rock Run annals. Among the Norwegians who settled at Rock Run Mills were C. Stabeck, whose descendants afterward became identified with the history of the village of Davis, Ole Anderson, whose descendants are also farming in Rock Run township to-day, Canute Canuteson, who opened the first blacksmith shop in the township, Civert Oleson and Ole Civertson, who opened the first wagon-shop in the vicinity. They were thrifty and hard working citizens and became a credit to the community in which they had chosen to settle.

In 1840, D. A. Baldwin arrived and took up a claim in section 40. In the year following, 1841, Captain Knese settled in section 13. Fresh arrivals were numerous at the various settlements, especially at the Norwegian colony at Rock Run Mills and at Irish Grove. In 1841, the first post-office in the township, Rock Run Mills P. O., was established at H. G. Davis' mill on Rock Run, with Mr. Davis himself as postmaster. It remained at the mills until 1848, when it was removed to Jamestown, or Grab-all, near the present site of Rock City. When the Western Union Railroad came through, and Rock City became a point of importance, the post-office was again moved, and the Jamestown settlement went out of existence. In the fall of 1840, a son of John R. Webb died, the first recorded death in Rock Run township.

From 1840 on the township developed rapidly. In the summer of 1838, the Catholic Church at Irish Grove had been erected. In 1855, the First Presbyterian Church, known as the Rock Run Presbyterian Church, was organized, and services conducted by the Rev. Joseph Dickey. This church was subsequently removed to the village of Dakota, in Dakota township.

In 1857, the Western Union Railroad, now the C., M & St. P. R. R. came through the township, and the village of Davis and Rock City became the points of importance in the township. Rock Run Mills and Jamestown, or Grab-all,

Rock Run is to-day one of the pleasantest places both for farming and residence in these regions, and it is hard to realize what the pioneers who took up their claims in 1835 must have gone through before they could transform the wilds of the prairie into a place of habitation. Times were hard financially, to add to the burden. The early settlers were able to make their living very satisfactorily, for there was an abundance of game, and vegetables and fruits such as the region afforded, they were easily able to grow themselves. But there were other menaces. The Indians had not left the district, nor did they for many months after the fields of Rock Run began to assume the appearance of highly cultivated lands. Another enemy, even more subtle than the Indian, was the snake. At one period in the history of Rock Run township, the whole district is said to have been fairly overrun with snakes. And they were snakes such as are never seen in these parts to-day - not the harmless garter snake, although that species flourished also, but rattlesnakes, and the deadly massasauga, whose bite nearly resulted in the death of more than one venturesome pioneer.

Rock Run township is well provided with streams. Rock Run, a small but swift current, flows down from Rock Grove township at the north, and is joined, near Epleyanna Mills, by Rock Creek, a stream of equal size, which flows down from the northwest. Rock Run pursues a southward course, receiving the waters of a number of smaller streams, flows into a small lake near the new mill on the Hunt property, east of Ridott, and thence into the Pecatonica River, which it joins just above Farwell's Bridge. Brown's Creek, a small swift creek, rises in the northwestern part of the township, and flows southeast into Rock Run, tarrying for a while in a tiny lake, near its mouth.

There is only one railroad, the C., M. & St. P., which crosses the township from east to west, touching the villages of Rock City and Davis, and running in the vicinity of Epleyanna.

The township is well wooded. There are a number of large groves and timber lands left, but the majority of them are disappearing under the blows of the axe, and the larger part of the land is under cultivation.

Davis is the largest village of Rock Run township, and one of the most important of the county. It is of recent growth, being one of those settlements which the coming of the railroad has "made," and not a town of natural growth, In 1857, when the Western Union Railroad had surveyed its route through the county, and was making all preparations for the building of the line, it became very evident that a station on its route through Rock Run township was most necessary for the farmers of that district. Accordingly, Samuel Davis, John A. Davis, Thomas J. Turner and Ludwig Stanton, who owned the land in the vicinity of the present village, donated a total of one hundred and sixty acres, which was surveyed and platted for a village site. This was in 1857, and the work of surveying and platting was not quite completed that year. In 1858 everything was finished and the sale of lots began. That year the railroad was finished through the village, but the train that first sped over the rails was not run until the following year, on the occasion of the state fair, which was held in Freeport in 1859.

The panic of 1857, occurring at a time when the village of Davis was in its earliest infancy, threatened for a time to blot out the venture altogether. Lots were sold very slowly, although the men interested in the enterprise made every effort to offer inducements to new settlers. Streets were laid out and made good with crushed stone, sidewalks were built, lots cleared, trees planted, and building sites were offered for sale at prices ranging from $40 to $125. A few of them were sold, but the work progressed slowly.

In 1858, the first store in the village, known as "Davis's Store," was erected by Samuel J. Davis. In the summer of 1859 the Evangelical Church was put up, and other church edifices were soon after erected. The stone schoolhouse was put up in 1858, and the first brick house in the town was finished for occupation in 1866 by Ernest Wendt.

From 1857 to 1863 there was almost no growth. War and panic succeeded in checking the progress of the growing village, and for a time it looked very dark for Davis. It seemed at one period as if the village must certainly be abandoned, but a better time was coming. With the close of the war, business suddenly revived, almost as if it had never suffered a relapse. From 1863 to 1869 a steady growth was visible, and residences, stores, and other buildings were erected in large numbers. By 1873, the settlement felt itself ready to assume the privileges and duties of a corporate community.

On Thursday, May i, of that year, an election was held to decide whether or not the settlement should be incorporated under the provisions of the general law for incorporating villages, adopted April 10, 1872. S. J. Davis, Peter Mc- Hoes and John Gift acted as judges of the election, and the project was carried by a vote of thirty-three to thirty-one. Soon after an election was held, and th* first town officers duly installed in their positions. The first village officials, elected in the year of 1873, were:

Since the incorporation of Davis as a village, a development fully meeting the expectations of the most sanguine of its dwellers, has taken place. Short as the time of its development has been, Davis has attained to the rank of fourth or fifth in size among the numerous villages of Stephenson county, and is only exceeded in size by Freeport, Lena, Orangeville and possibly Pearl City. It is about equal in size to Winslow, Cedarville, Dakota and German Valley. Business has never been at all lively in Davis. There is a grain elevator owned by H. A. Hillmer, of Freeport, also a creamery ; and these two comprise practically the only reasons for Davis' commercial communication with the outside world.

Farmers' Bank. The Farmers' Bank, of Davis, is a substantial institution founded fifteen years ago, and since maintained on a firm and solid basis. The officers and directors are all men of avowed business ability, and the affairs of the bank have been conducted with unimpeachable sagacity and clear-headedness.

The Fanners' Bank was organized in 1895 by T. Stabeck, a descendant of the C. Stabeck, who immigrated to Stephenson county with the original Norwegian colony and settled at Rock Run Mills P. O. in 1839. The institution was capitalized at $25,000, which capital has never been raised. The bank occupies a brick structure, the most substantial on the main street of Davis, a few doors from the hotel. The officers of the Farmers' Bank at present are :

Newspapers of Davis. Davis has, at certain periods of its history, supported weekly newspapers. The projects have all been discontinued for the very excellent reason that the village of Davis is altogether too small to support a newspaper, and there is not the slightest probability that they will ever be resuscitated.

The Davis Budget, started in May, 1873, by K. T. and K. C. Stabeck, was a quarto sheet, independent as to politics, which was published in connection with the Freeport Budget. For five years, the Davis Budget was published by Stabeck Brothers, until they removed to Freeport in September, 1878, and decided to devote their whole time to the publication of the Freeport sheet. They disposed of their Davis interests to S. W. Tallman, who changed the name of the paper to the Davis Review and the politics from independent to republican. Mr. Tallman spent a good deal of labor upon his paper, and succeeded in raising the weekly circulation from a mere handful to three hundred and fifty. But he soon discovered that a newspaper in a country village was not a paying proposition. The Davis Review was abandoned, and the unsavory experiment has never been tried since.

First Methodist Church. The First Methodist Episcopal church is the leading church of Davis in activity and in respect to the size of its congregation and Sunday school. Likewise it is one of the oldest. It was organized in1 June, 1859, under the auspices of the Rev. James McLane, with twelve charter members. For three years services were held in the Davis schoolhouse, when the church leased the Evangelical Chapel, and held services there when the church was not in use by the other congregation. In 1866, four years later, the structure at present in use was built at a cost of $i,Soo. Subsequent repairs, improvement, and additions have raised the value of the building several hundred dollars.

For a time the Davis church formed a part of the Durand (Winnebago County) charge, and services were held only on Sunday afternoons. In the fall of 1878 it became an independent charge, with the Rev. F. W. Nazarene as pastor. For a good many years after this, the Davis charge was a student charge, but wtihin the last three years it has had a regularly ordained minister. The Rock City church has become a part of the Davis charge also.

The congregation at Davis numbers fifty-two members, but a much larger number attend the services - in fact, practically all the English speaking portion of the community. The Sunday school numbers a few more - about sixty-two. The church building, together with the lot upon which it stands are valued at about $3,000. The parsonage which is a comfortable building, built some time ago, is valued at $1,200.

The various church societies are very active. The Epworth League and the Ladies' Aid Society form a large part of the women's and young people's social life in Davis. The church is in a very prosperous condition at present. Two years ago, the church was entirely rebuilt, inside and out, at a cost of $450, $150 being expended upon the exterior repairs, and $300 upon the interior frescoing and re-decoration. New Methodist hymnals were purchased recently by the congregation to take the place of the old ones, which were deemed out of date and inappropriate. The pastor in charge is the Rev. J. A. H. McLean, an Englishman, who came to the Davis charge from Canada in January, 1910.

Evangelical Association. The Evangelical church of Davis is the oldest church of the village. It was organized in 1857, with the following members : Thomas Bond and family, Jacob Bond and family, Jacob Weaver, Michael Meinzer, William Kramer, T. Jenuine, and their families, and M. Abbersted. Services were conducted in various private residences and in the schoolhouse until 1862, when the present church was built at an expense of $2,500. It is a frame structure, solid and substantial, without attempt at much ornamentation without or within. Recent improvements have somewhat raised the value of the property.

When the break occurred in the Illinois Conference and the Dubs faction withdrew, the latter built another church in Davis, and the Evangelical Association continued in possession of its first church. Some changes were occasioned, however, notably in the circuit, which no longer embraced Rock City, but took in instead Davis, Afolkey and Ridott. The minister in charge of the Davis church resides in Afolkey. The Davis church numbers about fifty communicants, with a Sunday school of about the same size. The church property is valued at $2,750.

Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Lutheran church of Davis is probably a thing of the past. Services have not been held in it for some time and although the congregation still possesses a handsome church structure the church is disorganized and broken up.

The Lutheran church was one of the newer churches in Davis, having been organized as late as 1870 by the Rev. William Shock, of Forreston, with eighteen members, of whom Joseph Keller was elder, and Levi Ungst deacon. For two years services were held in the Methodist church. In 1872, the present structure was built, of frame 34 x 50, with a steeple seventy-five feet high, at a total cost of $3,100. It was then occupied for many years, but lately, as heretofore stated, services have been discontinued, and there is every reason to believe that they will never be resumed.

United Evangelical Church. One of the smaller churches, as well as the newest, is the United Evangelical church. It came into existence at the time of the quarrel in the Illinois Conference, and the Dubs adherents of Davis withdrew to complete its organization. Services were held in various places until a few years ago, when the new church building, a frame structure, was put up. The new church is an inconsiderable and unpretentious edifice, built in the most oldfashioned of styles. The congregation numbers about fifty. The Davis church is on a circuit with the Rock City church. The pastor is the Rev. J. Johnson, who came here from Ashton, Illinois, on April i, 1910.

Evening Star Lodge, No. 414 ,A. F. & A. M. The Davis lodge of Masons is one of the oldest in the county. It was organized on March 11, 1864, under a dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. It obtained a charter October 5 of the same year. The following were the first officers : James Zuver, W. M. ; George Osterhaus, S. W. ; Edward R. Lord, J. W. ; Dr. J. R. Hammill, secretary; Charles Wright, treasurer. The lodge has always been the most prosperous and progressive of the commuity. It occupies a handsome lodge hall, and has now a membership of fifty-two members. The officers are W. M., C. O. R. Stabeck; secretary, T. H. Briggs.

Eastern Star. The Eastern Star lodge was established in Davis seven years ago. It has always had a large membership, the present roll amounting to about thirty-three members. The officers are: W. M., Mrs. William Kanne; secretary, T. H. Briggs.

Davis Lodge, No. 376, I. 0. O. F. The Odd Fellows lodge of Davis was organized September 19, 1880, with the following members: Martin H. Davis, Isaac Denner, John Nagle, Thomas Hays, Alvin Gestenberger, and J. W. Caldwell. The officers were: Noble Grand, John Nagle; Vice Grand, Martin H. Davis; treasurer, Thomas Hays.

The I. O. O. F. occupies today a lodge hall just off from the main street, which is one of the largest and best appointed in the country towns of the vicinity. The membership is thirty-four, and the officers : Noble Grand, Arthur Wise; secretary, A. A. Rheingans.

Rebekah Degree, I. O. 0. F., Faithful Lodge, No. 187. The Rebekahs have been in existence in Davis for fifteen years. The membership has been fluctuating, at times higher than it is now. The lodge now claims a membership of twenty-eight, with the following officers: Noble Grand, Miss Ella Degunther ; Secretary, A. Rheingans.

R. N. A. The Royal Neighbors have been in existence for the past four years, have a membership of twenty-three, and the following officers : Oracle, Mrs. A. Bliss; Secretary, Miss Ella Degunther.

Modern Woodmen of America, Davis Camp, No. 25. The Davis Camp of the Modern Woodmen is one of the oldest in existence, having been founded about twenty-five years ago, when the organization was very young. The membership is large, approximating fifty-two. A. Helmts is Counsel, and M. M. Kurtz, Secretary.

Mystic Workers, Davis Royal Lodge, No. 143. The Mystic Workers first came into existence in Davis in 1902, and have since pursued a prosperous and upward path. The membership is far larger than that of any other organization in Davis, embracing as many as seventy-two members. The officers for the year are : Prefect, E. Jenewien ; Secretary, Edward Degunther.

The village of Davis supports a number of stores and shops, a reasonably satisfactory hostelry, known as the Davis Hotel, two livery barns, etc. Among the mercantile establishments, the barber shop of Edward Degunther is especially to be noted. It has been kept by the Degunther family for nearly the last half century, having been kept by the grandfather of the present proprietor for many years, then by his father, P. J. Degunther, and now by himself.

The village is said to have a population of about five hundred or more inhabitants. It is reached from Freeport by the C, M. & St. P. R. R., being about thirteen miles distant by railroad, and twenty miles by carriage road. The village supports very good schools, the district school building being one of the best for miles around. It is a two-story structure, 30 x 20, which was built in 1863, at a cost of $2,000.

Rock City

Rock City, located about two and one-half miles west of Davis on the line of the C., M. & St. P. R. R., is a city only in name. It is doubtful if a spot more completely devoid of life is existent in the county. The site is not an unpleasant one, for all that, and the village contains a central square, in the middle of which is a tall windmill, which pumps water for the village pump and watering trough.

The village was projected and platted early in 1859, upon the completion of the Western Union Railroad through the place. In reality the history of Rock City reaches farther back than 1859, for the village is a logical outgrowth of the old Rock Run Mills Post-office, founded by H. G. Davis as early as 1841. In 1848, the Rock Run Mills Post-office was moved to a town called Jamestown, or Grab-all, very near the site of Rock City. Here it remained for eleven years, until the building of the Western Union Railroad through Rock City made Grab-all a lost town and the very site is now almost forgotten.

On January 10, 1859, George Raymer executed a contract with T. S. Wilcoxin and William Peterson for the transfer of a certain section of land for village purposes. In the same year the village was surveyed and platted, and lots were sold at prices ranging from $10 to $50. Upon the completion of the railroad, the town began to build up somewhat, but the settlement never suffered the throes of a "boom." No considerable inducements were ever offered to settlers in Rock City, and settlers never came there in considerable numbers.

United Evangelical Church. This church somewhat dominates the religious element of the village. It was originally a church of the Evangelical Association, having been founded in 1868. The present edifice was completed and dedicated in 1869, under the pastorate of the Rev. H. Rohland at a cost of $2,200. The pulpit is now occupied by the Rev. J. Johnson, of Davis. The number of communicants approximates thirty-five, with a Sunday school of about the same proportions.

Methodist Church. In the fall of 1878 a number of Methodist believers of Rock City connected themselves with the Davis circuit, holding services in the schoolhouse and the Evangelical Church until the summer of 1879, when the present church building was completed and occupied. Its cost, including a bell, was $1,500. The congregation at Rock City has always been small; the present membership is about a dozen. No Sunday school is maintained. It is altogether probable that Methodist services will be discontinued at Rock City, the size of the Methodist community being too small to warrant their further continuance.

Rock City presents a commonplace appearance, quite like that of any other unprogressive country village of the present day and age. There are a few very handsome residences, one or two stores, a railroad station, together with the buildings connected therewith, and there the catalogue ends. There has never been any large influx of population, and probably never will be. The fact that the village is hemmed in between Davis and Dakota, and is, withal, only about eleven miles from Freeport by railroad, and seventeen by road precludes the possibility of growth. The population is not over one hundred.

Epleyanna is a small settlement on the road between Rock City and Davis. It scarcely deserves the title of village, f6r there is no general store, and there never has been a post-office. There is a mill which was built in 1837, and, with many improvements and changes, is still standing. It is a stone structure, three stories in height, and is turned by the current of Rock Run.

Among the features of the settlement are the German Evangelical Church, Rev. Mr. Beerbohm, pastor, and the Epleyanna School. The settlement comprises a few less than a dozen houses and a population of about thirty inhabitants.

The settlement takes its name from Conrad Epley, who early in the history of the township purchased the Epleyanna Mills and the land surrounding the regions. His descendants have moved to other parts of the county since his death.

Irish Grove

Irish Grove was one of the earliest settlements of the county. It was gathered about 1836 by a company of Irish immigrants, whose descendants still reside in the vicinity. There were the Mullarkeys, the Foleys, the O'Briens, and many others. Here, at Irish Grove, one of the five Catholic churches of Stephenson County was established in 1838. Father Petiot, a Galena priest, assisted in the raising of the first structure, and he is said to have walked on foot from the western town to preach the Word of God to the early settlers.

The old church did service until 1862, when the second structure was built. The old church had been a ramshackle affair with only two pews, and the 1862 edifice was not much better. Finally, in 1895, under the leadership of Father Sullivan, the Irish Grove people built the present handsome frame structure. Irish Grove has no store or post-office, and only about twenty settlers, but the vicinity is replete with Celts and adherents of Catholicity.