Winnebago Township (part 3 of 3)

McCoy, the leading public spirited men of Rockford, associated themselves together under the style of the Rockford Water Power Company, in pursuance of the provisions of a general act of the Legislature of Illinois, entitled, ''an act for the improvement of Rock River, and for the production of hydraulic power," passed by that body in 1849. Here was commenced the great work that has made the city what it is admitted by all to be, the "leading inland manufacturing city of the JSTorthwest."

In September, 1851, the owners of water and land under the old company, entered into an agreement with the new company, whereby the two interests were consolidated, and steps were immediately taken for the construction of a permanent dam,^n the rock bottom of the old ford. In the spring of 1853, the dam and race were completed and acce^jted by the company. It would make an interesting chapter to note the ups and downs of this great enterprise, and the hard work done by the men having it in charge since its organization, but the time and space M'ill not permit.

The length of the dam is between 700 and 800 feet, and, to all appearances, firm and immovable as the hills. The rains may fall, and the floods come, but the dam will not be moved, as it is founded on a rock, and the power derived under a six-foot head. In these dusky haunts, four or five hundred men find steady employment and ready pay. Here, industry and honesty walk hand in hand. Skill and ingenuity stand steadily by the lathe, and the handy smith hammers and shapes the white-hut iron as he will. The city of Rockford may be justly proud of these sons of toil, honest, intelligent, and full of enterprise. To them is owed, in a great measure, the growth and prosperity of the city.

In the general history of the county no mention was made of the " Mile Strip " difficulty, from the fact that it more directly concerned liockford than the county. That contest was the most spirited one known in the annals of the county, and as such is here recorded. This strip was located along the eastern line of the county, and had been set off to Winnebago County from the western tier of townships of Boone County when that county was organized. When Boone County was fully organized and the county machinery in complete working order, the people of that bailiwick became ambitious for the acquisition of more territory, and began to agitate the question of having the " mile strip " set back to them. Among the people of Kockford there were some who also had amlutions to gratify - schemes to carry out - and in the "mile strip" they imagined they saw the means of accomplishing their purposes. The county seat question of Winnebago had not been permanently settled. The people of East Rockford were naturally opposed to the "set oif," on the ground that the interests of the people on that strip were identical with the interests of East Rockford, and that consequently their influence would be exerted towards securing the permanent location of the county buildings on that side of the river. The people of the west side of the river wei*e anxious to foster such measures as would secure a majority of the voters in favor of permanently locating the county offices and county buildings on the west side. Here were three conflicting interests at work - Boone County and East and West Rockford. The more the " set off" question was agitated, the hotter grew the contest. But the " set off " could not be accomplished without a special act of authority from the Legislature. In the meanwhile the settlers on the strip were the recipients of special attention and innumerable visits from their fellow-citizens on their east and on their west. Finally, the Legislature of 1843 passed a special act to enable the voters on the strip to vote "for " or " against " being set off to Boone County. The 4th day of May, 1843, was fixed for the election, and from the passage and approval of that act until the result was known, some of the Boone County men were among the interested voters, laboring with them, pleading with them, arguing with them. And it has been said that some of them even camped on the strip and threw out sentinels to watch their natural enemies - the Winnebagoes - i. e. the people of Winnebago County who were opposed to the scheme. No one who was not an actual settler on the strip was allowed a vote, and it may be assumed to be a fact that more hard electioneering was done on that occasion than was ever done before or since. But Boone County, whether fairly or honestly, was victorious, and carried off bodily - some say stole - twenty-four sections of valuable land, capable of supporting a thousand jDCople and increasing their sources of tax revenue many thousands of dollars. At that election"95 votes were cast, of which 51 votes were '' for " annexation to Boone County and 44 " against," - a majority of seven votes in favor of the scheme.

county offices, on the west side, which was accepted, which, with the settlement of the " Mile Strip" aojitation, permanently fixed the location of the county buildings. In 1836, soon after the first election, Messrs. Kent & Brinherhoof were licensed by the County Commit^sioners to keep and maintain a ferry at Rockford. The management and ownership of this ferry changed hands from time to time, but was kept up until succeeded by a bridge, in 1844. In 1843, the Legit^lature passed an act authorizing Daniel S. Haiglit, Dr. George Haskell, S. D. Preston, and Charles I. Horsman, to build a bridge over Kock River. . The act stipulated that the bridge should be built in good workmanlike manner, and to be so " constructed as not to interfere with navigation." When that bridge was completed the ferry was abandoned, and has been known no more. The old wooden bridge served its time faithfully and well. It was a bond of union between the east and west sides, but in time had to give way to more modern structures, and is now succeeded by a magnificent iron bridge. Thus, little by little, the rivalry between ITaightville and Kentville was forced to give way and to become one people with a community of interests.

The first M. E. church society was organized in 1836, with five members, at the- house of Henry Enoch, in Guilford township. But within a year or two, the appointment for preaching was removed from Mr. Enoch's to Rockford, that the society might receive strength by numbers from among the Methodist settlers of Rockford. About 1838 they built a house of worship. About the same time the Congregationalists also erected a house of worship, on the west side of Church street, one block south from the Church ot the Christian Union. These were the first churches built in Rockford.

December, 1836, the first marriage license issued from the clerk's office of Winnebago County, by virtue of which Dr. Daniel H. Whitney and Miss Sarah Ooswell, of the Belvidere Precinct, were joined together in the holy banns of wedlock, by Prof. Setli S. Whitman, also of Belvidere. The first marriage entered on the registry is that of Mr. William P. Randall and Miss Delia Driscoll, which was solemnized February 13, 1837, by Wm. R. Wheeler, a justice of the peace in Kishwaukee precinct.

February, 1836, Mrs. John B. Long introduced the first female child born in the county, which was named Melissa J. The first male child born was Ogden Hance, son of Thomas Hance, in what is now Pecatonica township.

During the summer of 1851, a better local or city government was deemed necessary to the welfare of the growing town, and in the fall of that year preliminary , steps were taken to secure that end; and in pursuance of a call signed by Jason Marsh, G. A. Sanford, Willard Wheeler, W. A. Dickerman, Isaiah Lyon, George Wyatt, Newton Crawford, C. I. Horsman, W. P. Dennis, Jesse Blinn, and William Hulin, a meeting was held in the court-house, Nov. 29, 1851, at which it was decided to submit the (question of a city organization to a vote of the people, and at an election held by order of the trustees of the town, January 3, 1852, a majority of votes was cast in favor of organizing under the general law of 1849, taking the Springfield city charter as a basis.

The first election under the new government took place April 19, 1852, the candidates for Mayor being Willard Wheeler and E. H. Potter, the election resulting in the choice of the following named officers:

The first meeting of the city council was held April 26, 1852, in the counting room of E. H. Potter. At this meeting, William Lathrop was appointed city clerk. At the second meeting of the council, held on the 1st of May, the following officers were appointed:

At this meeting a resolution was adopted looking to the construction of a new city bridge, in the place of the old structure, which had become onapidated and rickety from long use and decay.

"An act to legalize the incorporation of the city of Pockford, and amend the charter of said city," passed Feb. 8, 1853. [Private taws, 1853, page 565.

A special charter was granted to the city by an act entitled "An act to amend the charter of the city of Pockford," passed March 4, 1854. [Session laws, 1854, page 103.

The present charter was granted by "An act to reduce the charter of the city of Pockford, and the several acts amendatory thereof into one act, and to revise and amend the same." In force Feb. 15, 1865. [Private laws, 1865, vol. 1, i^age 472.

With the exception of the failure of the Pockford ])eople to make the river navigable, all their undertakings have been crowned with success. To them justly belongs the credit of inaugurating the railroad enterprises of the State, as it was here the great railroad meeting 'was held, Jan. 7, 184:6, at which meeting new life was given to the defunct Galena and Chicago Union railroad enterprise, and measures adopted that secured its completion in August, 1 852. That undertaking gave a new impetus to the growth of the city; and when the present dam was built, thus securing a water power of almost unknown capacity, the effect astonished the most sanguine and enthusiastic friends of the undertaking, and the half has not yet been told. The energies and enterprises of the people have been well directed, and at the end of forty-three years from the date of the tirst settlement on Kent creek, are crowned with numerous and magnificent banking and business houses, schools, seminaries, churches, and manufacturing enterprises, l^t would do credit to any people. The products of the manufactories are known and find a ready demand wdierever such articles as they manufacture are used, and they manufacture almost everything needed by civilized people. Of their achievements and successes in forty-three years, the people of Rockford may well be proud.

With a brief summary of these achievements we close the pages of this history, with a hope that ere another forty-three years shall be buried beneath the debris of time, another and abler pen will have preserved the history and improvements these years will have made.

The Water Power

In the spring of 1844 the Rockford Hydraulic Company was organized and a dam built across the river, nearly opposite the gas works, by Mr. C. C. Coburn.

On the east side of the river, the race having been completed in the meantime, a saw-mill was erected near the dam, by L. B. Gregory and A. C. Spaffbrd. Next below them, and near the end of State street bridge, was the grist-mill of Mr. Nettleton, among the first of its kind in the county. Still further down, the woolen-mih of J. B. Howell, and then the saw-mill of Messrs. Wheeler & Lyon.

On the west side, a wide race was laid out as far down as Mulberry street. Here a third saw-mill was put in operation by Messrs. Robertson & Holland, who were leading spirits in the Hydraulic Company. Near the termination of the race, Mr. Ethan Clark establislied the first foundry and machine shop.

On the first day of June, 1 850, this dam went out. For a time, the bridge just below it was in imminent danger from the flood, but, though somewhat damaged, it remained.

On the fifteenth day of July of the following year (1851), a number of the citizens of Rockford (twenty-seven) organized the " Rockford Water Power Company," and in September, the owners of the land and water in the old organization consolidated with them. A dam of 750 feet was put in across the rocky ford from which the city derives its name, and completed in the spring of 1853. This dam is the segment of a circle, placed diagonally across the river, bending up stream to facilitate the flow of water to the races, and to increase its strength. It is a stone and wood structure, securely anchored by stay bolts fitted into holes drilled in the rocks which are held in place by lead packing.

At present the 20,000 inches, total capacity.of the water privilege, is principally owned by the manufacturers themselves, who form the Water Power

Company, each one being assessed for repairs, in proportion to the number of inches he has purchased. Last year the water sold for $12.00 per inch.

For many years there has been considerable difficult}' experienced during- dry weather, from want of water. At the September meeting of the company this year, it was thought best to purchase the water power and mills at the foot of the lake or swamp in Wisconsin, known as Lake Koshkenong, forty miles up Rock river. This lake covers a large surface of ground, that was not surveyed by government when the balance of the land was laid out. It is all overflowed in the spring and it has been the custom to open the sluice ways at Lidian ford, tive miles below the foot of the lake, ' and allow it to drain. It is proposed to change the order and allow the lake to fill, to be drawn off during the dry seasons, by this means maintaining an abundant supply of water throughout the year.

In 1875 the Water Power Company at Beloit and Janesville, Wisconsin, also Rockton and Rockford, Illinois, rented the warer privilege at Indian ford for two years, with the right of purchase at the expiration of the lease. This has now been effected, at a cost of $15,000, one-fourth of which the Rockford Company pay. Considering the mills at Indian ford, from which some return may be expected, the investment must be beneficial to all concerned.

Last year the cost of water to the user was only $6.00 per hundred inches. The massive masonry that is replacing some of the crumbling walls of the races, repairs on the dam, and the recent purchase of the reserve reservoir in Wisconsin, will increase the assessments this year, but these improvements will materially add to the usefulness and permanency of the water-power at this place.

There are forty-one water-wheels that are now using the water at this place, representing the varied industries mentioned in the sketch of manufacturers, by whose daily revolutions a thousand operatives find employment. Should all of these receiv^e the average daily wages of $1.50, it would make the modest sum of $39,000 paid out monthly for labor, or $468,000 per annum. Officers of the company : A. I. Enoch, President; Ralph Emerson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Holly Water Works

A number of years ago a company was organized to supply the city of Rockford with water, as well as provide for the extinguishment of fires, but it never amounted to anything. During the summer of 1874 the matter was agitated again, and a favorable vote of the people taken. A committee of construction was authorized, who began work upon the present structure in the fall of that year, and finished it some time during the winter, at a net cost of $34,012.81, including the lots and cost of preparation, building, pumping pit, foundations for pumps, fitter, smoke stack, etc. The machinery, or pumps, which began to pump for general use in March, 1875, cost $36,000, or laid down here with all the extras, $37,758.38. The hydrants, pipes and laying swell the total cost of all to |236,144.S2.

In digging for the foundations, a spring of large size was discovered, which has been utilized, most of the water ordinarily coming from it, while on extraordinary occasions the supply is drawn from the river, near which the works are located.

The Holly system has this distinguishing feature - that, by a set of powerful steam pumps, centrally located, and a system of pipes in all the streets, a steam fire engine is placed at every man's door, with a supply of water that is practically inexhaustable. A pressure of 45 .pounds per square inch is maintained in all the water pipes, the engines running fast or slow automatically, as it falls below or exceeds this point. Since the completion of the works, no tire has ever spread beyond the building where it originated. They are under the supervision of S. T. Holly, Chief Engineer, and Frank A. Holly, assistant, with two firemen. They give about thirty-seven gallons daily to each inhabitant of the city.

Fire Department

The fire department consists of a hose company in each ward, and one hook and ladder company. These were organized by ordinance in January, 18T6, and within two months were equipped and ready for duty. There are three hose houses, one in West Rockford, using the Second Congregational church bell for a fire alarm, and in which JN^os. 3, 4 and 7 meet; one in South Rockford, having its own fire alarm bell, and in which No. 5 meets; one in East Rockford, with its own bell, in which JSTos. 1, 2 and 6, as well as the hook and ladder company, meet. Thqre is one hand engine, for use in case of the breakage of a main. The depai-tment oflicers are as follows :

John T. Lakin. chief; Wm. Crotty, first assistant; Frank Conaughy, second assistant. No. 1, First Ward - Walter Haime, foreman; meets first Monday in each month. No. 2, Second Ward - John N. Hill, foreman; meets first Monday in each month. No. 3, Third Ward - P. W. Welch, foreman; meets first Tuesday in each month. No. 4, Fourth Ward - Jas. Butler, foreman. No. 5, Fifth Ward^-Wm. Holmes, foreman; meets first Monday in each month. No. 6, Sixth Ward - Wm. W. Wood, foreman; meets first Monday in each month. No. 7, Seventh Ward, W., T. Clark, foreman ; meets first Monday in each month. Hook and Ladder Company, organized in the fall of 1876; J. E. Ellison, captain.

Public Schools

Miss Eunice Brown, now Mrs. J. G. Lyon, of Rockton Township, was the first person who taught a school here. She taught in 1837, in a log school house which stood near the residence of Mr. John Early, East Side, and afterward on the West Side in several places. Miss Frances Bradford taught the same year on the West Side in a log cabin that stood near the present residence of S. C. Withrow. From this time, schools were taught from year to year, by difierent persons, in many places, until the graded schools were adopted, in 1857. The previous year the city was divided into two main districts, the river forming the dividing line. In each of these, a large, commodious stone building, four stories high, was finished in 1857, with a capacity to accommodate 650 pupils, and arranged to include all the grades from primary to high school, as well as some of the branches of academic education. These buildings cost about $22,000 each. From time to time, new buildings have been erected according to the needs of localities. In 1874-5, tlie South Rockford school was remodeled, or rather rebnilt, and an efiicient building for a granimar school prepared. Other smaller buildings are scattered over the city, at the present time arranged in three divisions, East Rockford, West Rockford, and South Rockford, each in charge of a principal, who is subject to the Board of Education.

The course of study embraces a thorough and systematic drill in the common branches and the elements of science and literature, including a preparatory course for college.

W. R. HigJi School Building. - J. H. Blodgett, A. M., superintendent; teachers: Miss Alice M. Dove, grammar department; Miss Nellie Gould, ungraded; Miss Ada Linderman, primary; Misslmogene S. Pierce, intermediate; number of scholars, 300.

Chestnut Street School - W. P. J. H, Blodgett, A. M., superintendent; Miss Maria Upson, principal; teachers: Miss Minnie P. Brouse, intermediate; Miss Carrie Blake, first primary; Miss Helen Williams, second primary; number of scholars, 160.

Third Wa/d School - We&t State street. J. H. Blodgett, A. M., superintendent; teachers: Miss Louisa Pells, grammar department; Miss Margaret Conaughy, intermediate; number of scholars, 90.

^Fourth Ward School - Erected 1874. J. H. Blodgett, A. M., superintendent: Charles Goddard, principal; teachers: Miss Carrie Drew, intermediate; Miss Ella Brainard, primary; number of scholars, 150.

East Rockford High School - Henry Freeman, principal; Andrew McPherson, first assistant; Miss Lilian Tappan, second assistant; number of scholars, 125.

East Rockford High School Building. - On First avenue. Henry Freeman, superintendent; Mrs. L. M. Gauss, principal, Miss Ida J. Arnold, assistant, first giammar department; Robert Pew, principal, Miss Trephena Carmichael, assistant, second grammar department; Miss Emma F. Marsh, principal. Miss Evalyn Chaney, assistant, first intermediate; Miss M. A. Russell, principal, Miss Eva Enoch, assistant, second intermediate; number of scholars, 425.

Sixth Ward School - Corner Second avenue and Eighth street. Henry Freeman, superintendent; teachers: Mrs. A. L. PichardsDu, principal. Room D; Miss Jenet Smith, Room C; Miss Jennie Brumbaugh, Room B; Miss Jennie Shepherd, Room A; number of scholars, 200.

Mockford Business College. - Prof. E. C. A. Becker, manager. Bookkeeping in all its forms, business practice, practical and ornamental penmanship, arithmetic, telegraphy, short hand, English, French, German, Latin, Spanish, and music are taught here.

Academic and Classical Institute. - Prof. C. W. Lownshury, principal. Established in 1867. Miss Mary E. Foot, assistant teacher academic senior department; Geo. E. Smith, assistant commercial and primary department. School building, corner Winnebago and West State streets.

Rockfokd Female Seminary

In 1844, at a convention of the Congregational and Presbyterian clergymen of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, which assembled August 6th, it was decided to found two institutions of learning, one for gentlemen, the other for ladies. It was thought best that they should not be located at the same place. Subsecjuently the college was iixed at Beloit, and the seminary at Rockford, on the pledge of the inhabitants of the latter city to contribute $3,500 for a building, and a suitable location.

A board of trustees was elected, who controlled both institutions. The first charter of the seminary bears date Feb. 25, 1847, but business interests interfered with the fulfillment of the pledges ot the citizens of Pockford, and the matter was delayed for a time.

In 1849, on the 11th of June, Miss Anna P. Sill, the present principal of the seminary, with two assistants, began to teach a select school, whose excellence revived the interest in the seminary. Accordingly in 1850, $5,000 was pledged by the people of Rockford and vicinity for a building, while the ladies gave one thousand more for the purchase of the grounds upon which the seminary now stands. Miss Sill's school took the name of the Rockford Female Seminary, and was held in an old building on the east side of the river, formerly used as a court-house. Here, in September, 1851, the first class of fifteen passed their examination, a regular collegiate course of study having been granted by the charter.

After the acceptance by the iDoard of trustees of the financial pledges of the people of Rockford, in 1850, it was thought best that each institution should manage its own afiairs, but a co-operation of the two has been preserved by retaining severaFof the same membeis in each board of trustees.

Rev. Aratus Kent, a Presbyterian clergyman, as president of the board of trustees, on the 15th day of July, 1852, laid the corner stone of the present edifice. He it was to whom the enterprise is most indebted, having retained the presidency of the board until his death, in 1869. This building, now Middle Hall, was occupied in 1853, and cost $15,000, paid mainly by the people of Winnebago County,

Increased patronage demanded more room. Accordingly, in 1854, "Linden Hall" was begun, and completed two years afterward. It was named from the residence of one of its j^ew England friends, from which place and New York the principal part of the funds were obtained with which it was erected.

In 1866, a third hall, with its connecting corridors, was begun, and finished the following year, at a cost of $21,000, secured mainly by donations from eastern cities, as well as renewed pledges from Rockford and vicinity.

cost of !^4,000, making a continuous brick front of 220 feet, with music and recitation rooms, library, labratory, geological cabinet, chapel, dormitory, dining-rooms, gymnasium, etc., ah in the best condition for effective work. The present curriculum embraces a preparatory, classical and scientific course of instruction, while after the first year studies may be selected at the option of the student. Miss Anna P. Lill, the principal, is assisted by two gentlemen professors and fourteen lady teachers, whose departments are suited to the various needs of the pupils. The president of the board of trustees is Prof. Joseph Emerson, of Beloit, Wis.; the secretary, Rev. Frank P. Woodbury, of Kockford, 111.

Rockfokd Public Libeart

The importance of such a fruitful means of education is appreciated in this county, and soon after the passage of the state law (March 7, 1872), authorizing; cities to provide by a tax of one mill on the dollar for their establishment and maintenance, the city council of Rockford hastened to avail themselves of its privileges. In June of that year, an ordinance was passed, establishing a library and reading room for the general public. The mayor, S. G. Bronson, appointed the followinof directors: Melancthon Starr, Elias Casper, S. C. Withrow, D. S. Clark, Frank P. Woodbury, Henry C. Mabie, JSf. C. Thompson, J. G. Knapp, and C. L. Williams, who were to hold office for three years, three retiring annually. N. C. Thompson was elected President, and Elias Casper, Secretary and Treasurer, at the first meeting of the Board, on the 24th day of June, 1872. Two committees were appointed to select a rooui and prepare an appeal to the citizens for assistance to advance the enterprize, whose reports were subsequently carried out, by renting an apartment in Wallach's Block, now occupied by the Young Men's Christian Association, for $350 per annum, and the free distribution of the address as well as its publication in the city papers.

The reading room was nicely fitted up, and, on the occasion of the formal opening, a goodly number of periodicals having been provided, the Board called a meeting of the citizens, which was largely attended. On this occasion (Tuesday evening, July 2, 1872), $2,000 was subscribed, and Miss Mary B. Rankin elected temporary librarian. Among other donations at and before this time may be mentioned those of Mrs. W. P. Dennis, eighty-six volumes, thirty-eight being bound volumes of jSTew Monthly Magazine," from Vorume I to XXXYIII inclusive, and that of H. P. Holland, sixty volumes of Universal History. At this time tjie library did not contain over two hundred volumes.

The general management of the rooms was delegated to the executive committee appointed at the August meeting of the Board, and the by-laws, rules, and regulations were adopted in September, as well as the election of the present efficient librarian, Mr. W. L. Rowland, whose appointment bears date Sept. 17th, 1872. On the 30th of this month. $2,000 worth of hooks were ordered. November of that year found 1,313 books in the library, six hundred and seven of which were acquired by donation, the remainder by purchase. From this date there was a steady increase in the number of volumes until the opening of the library for loaning, Feb. 1st, 1873, when there were 2,326 books which had been catalogued in writing, and 91 peri-

In Aug:ust of that year, Mr. Rowland, having associated with himself Miss Lizzie J. Williamson, as assistant, prepared an accurate S6-page catalogue of the 8,000 volumes in the library. This was supplemented by another in March, 1874, of twenty-four pages, and in April, 1875, by still another, of sixty pages, containing in all the titles of 6,000 volumes.

In July, 1876, the library was transferred to its present commodious location over the post office, with the addition of only $150 to its expenses, making the annual rent $500. The rooms are finely fitted up, the greater proportion of the expense being borne by voluntary subscription. In the reading rooms there are four daily papers, thirty-five weeklies, sixteen monthlies, and five quarterlies. During the past year it was estimated that there were over one hundred thousand persons who visited them, including the citizens of the city. At the present time there are in the library 7,028 volumes in all, whose large circulation is indicative of the reading habits of its patrons.

Churci-Ies

First Methodist Ejnscopal Church was organized as a class at the house of D. S. llaight, in September, 1836, by the Rev. William Royal, and numbered five members. Rev. Dr. Arnold was the first preacher in charge. In 1845 the present church edifice was erected, and in 1872 and 1873 the parsonage was built. Number of members, 170. Pastor, Rev. H. Crews. T. G. Lawler, Superintendent of Sunday-school.

Court Street M. E. Church was organized in 1853, with forty members, being originally a part of the First M. E. Church, assuming its present name under the charge of R. F. Read. During the next year, under the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Stewart, its present house of worship was erected. Number of members, 500; average attendance at Sunday-school, 325; Superintendent, S. C. Withrow.

Third Street M. E. Church was organized by Rev. Hooper Crews, in 1841, with a membership of 80 persons, and their present edifice was erected soon after, while Rev. P. Heath was pastor, at a cost of $8,000. In 1866, it was remodeled and refitted. Number of members, 230; Rev. W. H. Burns, Pastor; average attendance at Sunday-school, 188; Superintendent, W. H. Worthington.

South Bockford M. E. Church was organized March 24, 1864, with 22 members. It grew out of a Sabbath-school, formed by W. T. Stewart, of Court Street M. E. Church, which was begun in 1858. During 1864-5, the present' edifice was erected, at a total cost of $14,000. Number of

Extension Rules. - A new industry was originated, November, 1876, Mr. E. D. Waterbury, who had patented an extension rule, a very useful article, formed a partnership with Mr. E. Smith, for its manufacture. The machinery for making was yet to be made - it could not be bought - but the inventive minds of the firm were equal to the occasion, and have succeeded in this as well, the machine that rivets on the pins that hold the brass sides being quite a novelty. Recently Mr. Smith has bought out the others, and now controls the business. He employs fifteen men at liis sliop in the Emerson building.

Brushes. - The Rockford Brush Company make everything in this line, from a small sash tool to a seven or eight-inch kalsomining brush, including scrubbing, horse, shoe, and clothes brushes. The company was organized in April, 187T, but enjoy quite a trade.

Barrels. - O. A. Crandall began the making of this important adjunct to the flour producing interests here, in 1865. He employs ten men, who turn out annually 45,000 barrels, mostly used here. In this same shop, also, Messrs. Crandall & Durham make the " Seamen's "Washer," employing four men, who complete about 1,500 of these useful articles yearly, which find a sale in the neighboring States.

Steam Bakery. - The Rockford Steam Bakery was operated for some years as a bread making establishment, but in 1872 began the exclusive manufacture of crackers, of which they produce about 100 barrels per day of all varieties. These are distributed on a parallel west from Rockford to Yankton, Dakota. They employ twenty-five men.

WooLKN Mill. - Dyson & Yan Wie own the only woolen mill in the place. This mill began to be used for this purpose in 1864. At present, the iirm employ twelve men, who make cassimeres, flannels, yarn, etc. Their goods are sold in the Northwest.

Pattern Making. - In a manufacturing centre like Rockford, pattern and model makers are not only desirable, but necessary. For the last year there have been about 60 applications to the patent oflice ot the United States for patents from citizens of this county. This is indicative of the business of model makers here. Messrs. Savage & Love began this class ot work in June, 1874. Their shop on Mill street furnishes employment for three workmen. They are also general millwrights.

Wm. Jent also is engaged in the making of models, and pays special attention to the building of wood working machinery. He employs twelve men in his shop on Mill street. One of his specialties is a machine for making barbs for fence wire.

Wire "Works. - Messrs. Lockwood & Lyman are interested in the weaving of wire cloth, beginning here in a small way about four years ago. They make screen wire of all kinds, with a power loom, said to be the only one in the United States, paper-makers' wire cloth being their specialty. Their annual sales of $30,000 are principally made in the Northwest and South. They employ twenty men in their shop on Wyman street.

SpafFord, Parmele & Co. are on the East Side, at the corner of North First and Market streets, and are engaged in the same occupation, making wire goods of all descriptions. Their sales average about $30,000 annually, and are made in California and the Northwest. They employ twenty-seven men.

making a specialty of mill machinery. They also malve the "Gorham" Broad Cast Seeder and Cultivator, as well as a corn cultivator. Their works on Race street are the oldest on the water power. They work sixtyfive men.

Mr. F. Ward established himself here as a foundryman in 1874. He employs fifteen men at his shop, on Wyman and Main streets, making the "Boss" Corn Planter as a specialty, the greater part of his work being for local trade.

KocKFORD Malleable Iron Works. - Until a few years ago, it was thought that any implement or part of a machine that ought to have extra strength must be hammered out of wrought iron. Now malleable iron is cast like cast iron, with the exception that the castings are annealed for some length of time before they are fit for service. Messrs. D. Forbes & Son, who had established a foundry here in 1854, began this branch of the business in 1864, when there were none like it west of Cincinnati. This industry has grown into considerable importance. This firm, under the name of Rockford Malleable Iron Works, employ fifty men and make plow attachments of all descriptions, and other implements of like character.

RocKFORD Watch Company. - This company was organized March 4, 1874, with a capital that was shortly afterward increased to $165,000. Their factory on South Main street. East Rockford, manufactures twenty grades of the "Quick Train" watch. They employ 120 operatives, with a monthly pay roll of $6,000. The building is heated by steam and derives its power from the same source. Oflicers of the company: Levi Rhodes, president; H. W. Price, vice president; H. P. Holland, secretary and treasurer.

Boots and Shoes. - R. Anglemyer manufactures boots and shoes of the heavy grades. His shop, near State street, has a capacity of 100 pairs of men's, women's, misses' and children's shoes, as well as twenty-four pairs of boots, per day. He employs at the present time twelve men.

Furniture. - The Rockford Union Furniture Company was organized as a co-operative association of twenty-five members, Feb. 15, 1876. Their capital, $40,000, is divided among twenty-four members at the present time, one of their number having sold out. They employ thirty-five men, and make bedsteads, bureaus, center and dining tables, and book-cases, which are sold in the Northwest. Officers: John Erlander, president; John Pearson, vice president; P. A. Pederson, secretary; Joseph Peters, treasurer; Jonas Peters, superintendent.

Forest City Furniture Company. - Gilbert Woodruff", president; C. H. Keith, secretary and treasurer; A. C. Johnson, superintendent. This company was organized in October, 1875. They have a capital of $50,000, and employ seventy-five men. They make bedsteads, chamber suits and tables. Their works and office are at the corner ot Seventh and Rail Road avenues.

C. G. Burnap, at the water power on Main street, makes a specialty of book-cases, as well as finishing offices, churches, etc. He employs five men, and began this branch a year ago last April.

Brewers. - The Rockford Brewery, J. Peacock proprietor, was established in 1849. At present it furnishes labor for five men, but with a double force, can make 5.000 barrels of ale and beer annually. Location, North Main street. East Rockford.

Cotton Mills. - Graham & Company, manufacturers of grain bags, batting, twine, hosiery, etc., began business in this city in 1865. They employ 150 operatives. Their sales last year, which aggregated $250,000, were principally made in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Oat Meal Mills. - This industry was organized Sept. 14, 1872, by A. M. Johnston & Co. They manufecture from 25,000 to 30,000 barrels of oat meal yearly, which is sold in all the larger cities of the United States, with an occasional shipment to Great Britain. They have fourteen hands.

Planing Mills. - Of these, there are three principal ones - T. J. Derwent, who also makes sash, doors and blinds, and J. F. Landus (estate), next to Briggs & Enoch ; both on the water power. Geo. Bradley, 303 and 305 South Main street, who uses steam.

Tanneries. - Messrs. Munthe & Haegg, tanners of buckskins, furs, and string leather; also manufacturers of gloves, mittens, etc. They began operations here in October, 1875. They employ five men, and have recently moved into the building owned by H. W. Price.

iless & Stone are also tanners of harness, calf, kip and upper leather This establishment was built by Geo. D. Edson, in 1859, and was owned and operated by several parfies for a number of years as a chemical tannery, until the present firm ado])ted the old fashion oak process. They emplov six men, and make their sales in the Northwest.

Miscellaneous. - West's Enamel Carriage-Top Dressing has become quite popular. Mr. L. M. West, inventor, began the business in 1863, and now does a wholesale trade principally, making 100 gallons daily, at $4.50 per gallon. ,

G. A. Shoudy, soap and candles, bought out, in 1869, J. H. Morrill, who opened this"^ business here in 1857. Mr. Shoudy has increased the capacity of the works until they are worth $15,000. He makes hard, sott, and toilet soaps, employing from ten to twelve men for the purpose.

Rockford Gas-Light and Coke Co. - Mr. T. Butterworth bought out this company in 1856 or '7, and has continued the business ever since. He makes 10,000,000 feet per year; 8,000,000 to private consumers, and 2,000,000 for the street lamps, of which there are 161.

property only. Its business is confined to the Northwest. They employ fifteen persons in their office, in the Second National Bank building. Officers of the company - S. M. Church, President; Wm. Watson, Sec'y.

Forest City Insueance Company^ - Organized August 13, 18T4. Chartered capital, $500,000. This company also insures dwellings and farm property only. Business in the Northwest. Officers of the company - Gilbert Woodruff, President; C. W. Sheldon, Sec'y.

RocKFOED Museujne. - Dr. E. C. Dunn is proprietor of this collection. It contains a variety of instructive objects of interest, being especially rich in coins, guns, and works of Chinese art. It also has the tablet taken from a mound near here, an engraving of which appears elsewhere in these pages.

Lodges, Associations, Etc

KocKFOBD Lodge, No. 102. - Organized Feb. 13, A. D. 1851, under a dispensation from C. G. T. Taylor, Grand Master, the following members constituting its first membership: Alfred E. Ames. W. M. ; William Lyman, S. W. ; Henry Carpenter, J. W. ; Charles Spafford, Treas. ; Wm. Hulin, Secy; Edward H. Baker, S. D.; Ansel Kenfield, J. D.; John Fraley, Chaplain; Jas. P. Burns, Tyler; Wm. F. Ward, Jesse Blinn, Buel G. Wheeler. This lodge was constituted under its present charter November 26, 1851. Present officers - Seely Perry, W. M.; John S.Johnston, S. W.; H. H. Stone, J. W.; E. B. Perry, treas.; J. B. Nash, Secy. Number of members, 175. Meets the first and third Thursday evenings of each month.

Winnebago Chaptee, No. 24. - Hall, No. 124 South Main street, west side. Regular meetings, first and third Tuesdays of each month. This Chapter was organized Dec. 12, 1854, under a dispensation from Louis Watson, Grand High Priest, the following constituting its first oflScers and members, viz: A. Clark, H. P.; Chauncey Eay, K.; W. F. Parrish, S.; H. Miltimore, Sec; John A. Holland, L. P. Pettibone, R. H. Cotton, Abram Morgan, G. D. Palmer, Ansel Kenfield. The Chapter was constituted under its present charter, Dec. 18, 1855. Present oflBcers: Frank H. Austin, H. P.; C. A. Kitchen, K.; Walter Van Alstine, S.; E. K. Conklin, Sec; Wm. Van Arnam, Treas. Number ot members, 185.

Odd-Fellowship

Y. G.; Mrs. E. J. Turner, Secy; Mrs. J. Beal, Treas. Number of members, 79. Meets the third Saturday of each month, alternately, in Winnebago and Social Lodge halls.

RocKFORD Encampment, No. 44, L O. O. F. - The dispensation for this encampment was granted by Most Worthy Grand Patriarch Chas. Trumbull, Aug. 5, 1857, to the following Patriarchs as charter members: James Fleming, J. H. Clark, Hugh Strickland, Enos. C. Clark, G. A. Stiles, Jos. Schloss, and Robt. Smith, and was instituted by Deputy Grand Patriarch A. E. Jenner, Aug. 26, A. D. 1857. Present officers: L. A. Weyburn, C. P.; Henry Cox, S. W.; A. S. Atchley, H. P.; E. A. Roberts, Scribe; W. A. Prouty, Treas. Number of members, 75. Meets the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month.

Washington Camp, No. 1. - Organized June 6, 1876. Officers: S. F. Weyburn, P. P.; John H. Warren, Pres.; Solomon Lane, Y. P.; Lorenzo Bunt, M. of F. & C; Paul L. Mayo, R. S.; Geo. W. Sherer, Treas.; Joseph Bacharach, F. S. Number of members, 40. Meets the first and third Thursday evenings of each month

Washington Camp, No. 3. - Organized July 3, 1877. Officers: Frank W. Gerould, Pres.; John Hamilton, Y. P.; Frank Noble, M. of F. & C; Charles Penfield, Sec; Arthur H. Frost, F. S.; E. B. Perry, Treas. Number of members, 39. Meets the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month.

Ancient Order Of United Workmen History Of Winnebago Oottntt

St. James Total Abstinence Society. - Organized April 2, 1873. Officers: W. J. Johnson, President; Thomas Weldon, Yice President; Thomas McGrath, R. S.; Arthur McKneely, C. S.; P. H. Walsh, Treasurer. Number of members, 100. Meets the first Wednesday evening of each month, and the third Sunday afternoon.

Rockford "Burns" Club. - Organized Nov. 5, 1858. Officers: D. H, Ferguson. President; Wm. McGregor, Yice President; John Micklcjohn, Secretary; Archibald Smith, Treasurer; Geo. Wilson, Librarian. Number of member's, about 60. Meets the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month.

Y. M. C. A. - Organized Mav 19, 1876. Their rooms are in Wallace's Block. Officers: H. L. Tupper, President; L. A. Trowbridge, E. P.Thomas, Yice Presidents; C. E. Sheldon, Secretary and Treasurer. Meets Monday evenings, and Sundays at 5 p. m.

Rockford Germania Gesang Yerein. - A German singing club. L Bacharach, President; C. Henry, Yice President; T. Radecker, Secretary; Philip Minsinger, Treasurer; August Dedrickson, Leader. Number of members, 40. Meets the first Tuesday evening of each month.

Winnebago

This township, one of the best in the county for general agricultural purposes, is bounded on the north by the town of Burritt, east by the town of Rockford, south by the town of Byron (Ogle County), and west by the town of Seward, and contains an area of 21,089 97-100 acres of land. The first settler was David Adams Holt, who settled here in 1835, making his claim on Section 34.

What may seem a little singular, the first death and the first birth occurred in the family of the first settler in the township. Harriet Holt, now deceased, was born in June, 1836, and her father, David Adams Holt, died July 13, 1839. It was also in the house of this first settler the first school was taught.

William Holt came some time during 1836, and settled on Section 26. He was a man of great physical powers of endurance, and every way a good man, and one who took an active part in the dissemination of religious truths among the people of that early day, being a consistent and devoted member of the Methodist church. Another brother, Elijah Holt, also came the following year, 1837, and settled on Section 35. Like his brother William, Elijah was a man of strong religious convictions, and to the Holt brothers, perhaps, may be attributed, in a great measure, the founding of that deep-seated and permanent moral influence that has always p]-evailed in this township.

In 1838, Alby Briggs, also from J^ew York, settled on Section 33. In 1839, Duty Hudson and two of his brothers, Kichard L. and Horace, came in and settled on the same section (33) with Briggs. To Duty Hudson is due t"he honor of opening the first public house in the township, which was known from Chicago to Galena, in fact in all parts of the country from which travelers to this part of the country came, as the "Buck Horn Tavern." It was made a station in the stage route between Chicago and Galena, and was generally known as Westfield Corners. It was the first post-oflice established in this part of the county, and when it was established. Duty Hudson was appointed Post Master. It is now inarked on the map as Elida. The first store in the township was also opened at Westfield Corners, by Albert Wilson, in 1853. It was a small grocery store, and carried on with limited means.

The Hudsons were men of great force of character and influence, and are credited by their fellow citizens and neighbors with giving shape and character to the public undertakings of their town. Richard L. Hudson served as C^ounty Commissioner two years, being elected in August, 1847.

In 1844 Alonzo Hall came here from London, Canada West, and settled on Section 34. Subsequently he purchased 1,500 acres of land, and engaged largely in agricultural pursuits. At one time he had 600 acres under cultivation, and at another time, between 1846-9, he had in his pastures 1,500 sheep. In 1849 he raised 300 acres of wheat, but it became badly injured by rust, which so discouraged him that he abandoned wheat growing. In 1850, together with some of his friends, he made an overland trip to California, where he died, Nov. 21, of that year. John Burch, another Canadian, settled on Section 32, in 1839. John Burch, Jr., came at the same time. The senior Burch was another man of religious convictions and practices, and was a class leader in the first M. E. church society organized in the township, In 1845, Demos W. Grippen came in from New

York, and settled on Section 31. When the war of tlie rebellion came on, he was an old man, but he made himself look young, enlisted in the armv without bounty, served his time, and again enlisted. David Vanston came from Canada West in 1839, and settled on Section 30, and always exercised a liealthy and beneficial influence in religious and political circles. He was a generous and hospitable citizen, and strangers and neighbors always found a warm welcome at his table and at his fireside. David C. Lewis came here from Michigan, in 1845, and commenced life among the Winnebago settlers by working for fifty cents per day. Afterwards he worked at his trade, that of carpenter, and subsequently moved into the village of Winnebago, and probably did more in the way of building, to improve the town, than any one man.

This embraces a list of the early and more influential citizens of the township, as we have been enabled to gather them. There are, no doubt, many qthers equally worthy of special mention, but their names are not recorded on the paper so kindly submitted for the benefit of this book.

The county of Winnebago was organized under an act of the Legislature, January, 1836. An election for county oflicers was held on the first Monday in August of the same year, which was the first day of that month. On Wednesday, the 3d, the first meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was held. Amon.g the first business of the Board was the establishment of the boundary lines of precincts for election and other municipal purposes. Seven precincts were thus established, among which was Rockford, which was made to include township 26, range 11, east of the fourth principal meridian, and township 44 and the south half of township 45, ranges 1 and 2, east of the third principal meridian, embracing all of the present towns of Winnebago and' Guilford, the most of Rockford, and the south half of Owen and Harlem. July 9, 1839, the County Commissioners ordered that ''all of town 26, north of range 11, east of the third principal meridian, except the north tier of sections of said township, together with sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 in town 43 north, range 1 east of the third principal meridian, and section 31 in town 44, range 1 east, should be detached from the Rockford and Kishwaukee precincts, and erected into a separate precinct, to be known as La Prairie." Edward Warren, Asa Weldon and John Emmerson were appointed to be judges of elections, and the house of David A. Holt designated as the place where the elections should be held. The first election was held the first Monday of August following. As shown by the old poll-book, on file in the county clerk's ofiice, Asa Weldon did not appear as one of the three judges appointed in the Commissioners' order erecting the precinct, and Elijali Holt was chosen to the vacancy, and Andrew Malcolm and Abram E. Palmer were chosen as clerks of the election. Fourteen votes were polled, and thirteen candidates voted for. Edward Warren and Abrara 'E. Palmer were candidates for justices of the peace; the former received 13 votes, and the latter received 10 votes, and Francis A. Stowell received 13 votes for constable. These were the first precinct oflicers elected in La Prairie.

July 6, 1843, Joseph Folsom and others, petitioned the Board of County Commissioners for authority to change the voting place from Holt's to Duty Hudson's, at Westfield Corners (now Elida), and to change the name of the precinct from La Prairie to Westfield. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and a corresponding order entered upon the Commissioners' journal of proceedings. August 7, 1843, the first election was held after the change. Duty Hudson and Elijah Holt were judges, and Daniel C Howell and J. C. Fuller were the clerks. Twenty-seven votes were polled at this election, and twenty-six candidates were voted for. Of the twenty-six candidates voted for, four of the number were elected justices of the peace - Matthias Davis, D. C. Howell, Elijah Holt and John Burch. In August, 1847. another election for justices of the peace was held, when Alonzo Hall was elected to succeed Elijah Holt, and Reuben Alworth, who came to be called the "Ragged Justice," was elected to succeed John Burch, Sr. Hall had no opposition, but Rev. James Hodge was pitched against Alworth. The election of the latter was a surprise both to himself and the voters of the precinct at the time, on account of his strong, outspoken Democratic sentiments. A large majority of the voters were Whigs, and how Alworth succeeded to the election with such strong odds against him, was a mystery that has never been solved. It was one of those political marvels past all finding out.

February, 1849, the General Assembly passed an act to enable the people of the State to vote "for" or "against" the adoption of the township organization system at the fall election of that year - 1849. In the northern part of the State the township plan was generally adopted, hut in most counties in the southern part of the State the old system of county management by a board of county commissioners, still preyails. The emancipation from the old order of management, involved many details and changes of names of precincts or voting places, the establishment of new voting places, etc. In carrying out the measures necessary to perfect these changes, Messrs. Duncan Ferguson, Stephen Mack (who settled among the Winnebago Indians in 1829, and married one of their women), and Henry Crandall were appointed commissioners to define and establish the township boundaries and also to name them agreeably to the wishes of their respective citizens. By some misunderstanding, the name of Elida was given to Westfield, under which name it was recorded, and continued to be knoM^n until 1855, when the citizens petitioned the proper authorities, and the name was changed to Winnebago.

Elida held its first meeting under the township organization law April 2, 1850. Rev. James Hodges was the moderator, and B. F. Upson the clerk. The first officers elected were: Supervisor, Chauncy Ray; Town Clerk, Joseph L. Bruce; Assessor, Calvin Briggs; Collector, Horace Hudson; Commissioners of Highways, Demos W. Grippen, Thomas Hall, and Elijah Holt; Justices of the Peace, Reuben Alworth and Benjamin F. Ifpson; Constables, William Hartwell and Jos. D. Warren; Overseer of the Poor, Alby Briggs.

A record of the proceedings of the Board of Auditors was read at the next regular town meeting, April, 1851, but was not entered on the register; consequently the amount paid for township services is not definitely known. The second year the same omission appears, and it is not until 1854 that any such record Avas entered, when the following exhibit is made:

The first land purchase made at the Galena Land Oflice was by Henry Schoonmaker, who, on the 26th of July, 1841, entered by pre-emption the east half of the southwest quarter of section twenty. The same day Joseph Folsom entered the west half of the southwest quarter of section twentyeight. The last entries .were made in 1853,

The first school was commenced in a part of the house of 'David A. Holt, on section thirty-four, op^^osite where W. L. Wright now lives, Aug. 3, 1839, by Miss Mary Treadwell, who afterwards married Elijah Holt. It was a subscription school, and the house in which it was taught is still standing. In 1844, a frame school house was erected, by subscription, and Miss Treadwell (or rather Mrs. Elijah Holt, for such she had become by marriage), was again employed as teacher, at a salary of $2.00 per week, and to board herself. Forty scholars were enrolled, and, by this time the mother of two small children, she often rocked the cradle and heard lessons recited at the same time.

In 1851, according to the local exhibit from which we quote, the real estate valuation of the township was returned at $48,595; personal property, $24,518; total, $73,113. Against this there was an assessment for taxes as follows:

In 1875 the same local statistics show the following figures: Real estate valuation, $409,022; town lots, $59,402; personal property, $94,313. Total valuation, $562,737. Against this valuation the tax assessment was as follows:

May 31, 1851, a terrible hurricane swept through this township - striking it near the southwest corner, and, traveling in a northeast direction, its course was marked by destruction and desolation. The residence of William Burch was torn to atoms, and his wife, Catharine, one daughter aged four years, and another one aged twenty-one months, killed by the flying timbers. Next the house of Curtis Briggs was unroofed, a house belonging to William Hartwell was blown down, as also that of Deacon Alonzo Gorham, and then a house near the present residence of Jacob Hoi- ' lenbeck. Horses, cattle, sheep and hogs were picked up and carried for miles by it, and then dashed to pieces. Another vein or branch of the destroying fiend blew down the house of Abraham Sweezy, in the western part of the town. Before it struck Winnebago, it swept down a, grout house in Seward township, about twenty-five rods from the township line. Seeing the monster rushing on toward their house, young Asher Miller and his wife sprang to the door to close it, but their united strength was as but a straw. With the door, thej were thrown out into the open air, and Asher Miller, senior, after the storm had passed over, was found in the cellar, covered with dehris.

War Record. - Of their patriotism in the years of their country's peril - from the spring of 1861 to 1865 - the people of Winnebago township, without regard to age, sex, condition, or partisan prejudices, may well be proud. July 4, 1861, a great celebration of American Independence was held in the village of Winnebago. Melancthon Smith, an attorney of prominence of Kockford, was the orator of the day, and in the course of his oration said: "More Colonel Ellsworths may be murdered, more Lieutenant Grebels may fall, but the war must go on." " How little," continues the local historian, "did any of us dream when listening to those stirring words that they were almost prophetic of the sad death of the speaker himself. Speeches were also made by T. A. C. Beard, and others, and a spirit of patriotism aroused that manifested itself in the large number of subsequent enlistments from the town. From that time forward the quota of the town was for the most part quickly filled, and it seemed that when the 74th Regiment was being raised the question was not who could be sent, but who could be kept at home." Not more than nine men were hired by the town to fill its various quotas, and these were hired almost at the close of the war.

This township raised $3,000, to be expended for war purposes under its own supervision, besides paying its full share of county war tax, amounting, as estimated, to $10,000 more, making in all, $13,000. Besides this sum, large amounts were contributed to the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, of which no accounts were kept. And once during the war, Amos Miller was sent to the front with a large supply of provisions and delicacies for Winnebago's Boys in Blue. In the dark days of the "cruel war" - in all the undertakings of the husbands and fathers, the wives and mothers and daughters were just as active and self-denying. To recount all \X\dit Winnebago people accomplished, would make a respectable volume in itself. Their good deeds are too numerous to be recounted in full in a work of this character, however gladly we would like to do so, hence we can only summarize a few of the most important.

Miss Tryphena Pettis, now Mrs. Wilcox, of Rockford, left a good position as school teacher, to offer herself and be accepted as a nurse in a smallpox hospital at the South. Such devotion to the cause of one's country and its suffering heroes, rises above ordinary human nature, and deserves to be recorded amon^ the higliest and best deeds of the world's noblest women. Mrs. Alba Miller was also at one time a nurse in the hospital at Camp Douglas, Chicago, leaving the comforts and pleasures of home, that she, too, might contribute to the relief of suffering, languishing soldiers. These are the names of two of the noble women of Winnebago; but the noblest one is yet to be mentioned. The name of that woman was Mrs. M. J. Marchant, afterwards Mrs. M. J. Upright. Of the 150 volunteers contributed to the army of the Union from Winnebago, she sent ten sons - one-fifteenth of the whole number - and only regretted the fact that she had not ten more to send! There is, perhaps, not another instance of the kind on record in the war history of the world! On being complimented on the number of volunteers she had provided for the defence of the Union, she replied that if she had known thirty years before that the war was coming, she would have had ten more to respond to the country's call! Of such stuff were "Winnebago's women made. Two of these ten sons were killed in battle; one returned on sick furlough and died at home, and another was wounded and crippled for life. At last accounts Mrs. Upright was living in the State of Iowa.

The 150 men thus furnished the army from this township, were distributed to the 15th, 44th, 45th 74th and 92d Illinois infantry, and the 8th and 9th Illinois cavalry regiments. Their names will be found in the War Record of Winnebago County, which is elsewhere published in this book.

Winnebago Village. - Joseph D. Warner built the first house on the village site. In 1853, the Galena and Chicago Union - now known as the Chicago and jS'orthwestern railroad - was completed through Winnebago County, and on the 30th day of December, of that year, T. D. Robertson, of Rockford, surveyed and platted the village. About the same time a postoflUce was established here, and Warren Shed appointed post-master. Situated in as fine an agricultural district as can be found anywhere, it is the centre of a good trade, and a depot from which a large amount of grain, stock, etc., is annually shipped to Eastern markets, it being estimated that the railroad traffic alone amounts to $25,000 ^^early. The population is very nearly 600, made up of intelligent, refined and industrious people. In 1853, Albert Wilson opened the first general store, which was followed by other trading houses and shops of various kinds, until now there are about thirty-five business places, whose aggregate yearly transactions amount to $152,528.57. The annual shipment of cattle and hogs is set down at 12,000 head, and of grain, 35,000 bushels. We append the names of a few of the heaviest dealers and the yearly aggregate of their respective business transactions, as far as reliable data can be had:

J. B. Alexander, dry goods, $12,000; D, C. Lewis, general store, $10,- 000: M. M. Swann, general store, $25,000; N. & F. Corl, carriage manufacturers, $5,000; W. E. Canniford, pump manufacturer, $5,450; Jerry Jordan, furniture, $2,000; Prescott & Vanston, meat market, $4,000; Grippen & Mellen, druggists, |6,000; Bert. Cross, livery, $1,600. There are others whose business is large, but for want of reliable data, their names are omitted, although they are none the less worthy of mention.

In 1855, the first school. Miss M. Webster, teacher, was taught in Winnebago, in the basement of the M. E. church. In 1858, the first school house was built, at a cost of $1,325.00. The present graded school house cost $9,200; its current expenses are $2,200 per annum, with an average daily attendance of 122. Teachers: James Ellis, Principal; Miss Emma Moore, Grammar Dep't; Miss Sarah Weld, Intermediate; Mrs. Lettie Treadwell, Primary.

Churches. - The M. E. Church was organized as a class, with nine members, in 1839, by Rev. Mr. Worthinwton, who became the pastor. John Buch, Sr., was the class leader. When Rev, Barton Courtwright was pastor, in 1855, the church at Westfield Corners was built, at a cost of $2,200, the society having 100 members. Rev. Barton Courtwright is now pastor again.

The Congregational Church was organized July 11, 1846, with eight members. On the 3d day of July, the following year, Rev. James Hodges was elected pastor, and remained ten years. Rev. S. P. Sloan was then called to the pastorate, and in October, 1854, the "stone church " was dedicated. Three years afterward it became self-supporting, and during the summer of 1867 was rebuilt. Mr, Sloan remained until November, 1870.

Rev. Henry M. Daniels, from that time to Julj, 1875, and Oct. 1, 1876, Rev. Theodore A. Gardner was ordained and has since continued pastor. Number of members, 127. Average attendance at Sunday-school, 100.

The M. E. A¥innebago Church grew out of the class of R. S. Hudson. It was organized as a church, with eleven members, in 1855, by Rev. Barton Courtwright. Their present church edifice was began in 1854, and completed in 1860. Pastor, Rev. A. B. Smart. Number of members, 100. Average attendance at Sunday-School, about 70. E. G. Stiles, superintendent.

The Middle Creek Presbyterian Church was organized in Ogle County, June, 1855. Of the sixteen original members, fifteen came from the Presbyterian Church in Rocklord. In 1861 the society moved into this village, and in the same year erected a church edifice, at a cost of $3,000. The first officers of the church were: Rev. W. P. Carson, pastor; Thomas Meredith and Robert Douglass, elders; H. B. Roberts, Robert Bulland, M. Elliott, trustees. Present membership, about 165; Sunday-school, 150. Rev. J. S. Braddock has been pastor twelve years, and is also superintendent of the Sunday-school.

The Presbyterian Chtirch of Winnebago was organized Aug. 23, 1868, with twenty-four members. J. J. Smith and S. C. Grippen were chosen as the first elders; and Robert Prescott, C. Coneley and H. B. Roberts, trustees. Rev. Joseph Braddock was the pastor from 1868 to 1870; Rev. Wm. A. Gay, from 1870 to 1873; Rev. Paul H. Pitkins, trom 1873 to 1875; and Rev. John M. Linn, from 1875 to the present. Present membership, 140; Sunday-school membership, about 125. Superintendent, J. W. Goddard. Their present house of worship was built in 1869, at a cost of $4,300.

The Free Methodist Church of Winnebago was organized, with ten members. May 29, 1865. The following year a church costing $3,500 was erected. Pastor, C. P. Miller. Number of members, 88 ; average of Sunday-school membership, 60.

The last church organized was by the Adventists, in 1872, with fortythree members. The first officers were: C. C. Marston, pastor; - Butman, elder; Robt. Spotswood, deacon; J. M. HofiTman and Frank Scott, trustees. Present membership, 25. They have no permanent Sunday-school organization.

Thus there are seven distinct church organizations, with a total membership of 578, and a Sunday-school membership of 438. Cost of the six church edifices, $19,000. Pastors per year, about $5,500. Since the village was commenced, in 1853, nearly seventy difiTerent preachers have officiated for a longer or shorter period of time.

Lodges, Etc

Winnebago Lodge No. 745, A. F. and A. M. - Organized Oct. 3d, 1876, with sixteen charter members, as follows: Lyman J. Corbin, John R. Wells, Wesley R. Gearhart, Stephen I. Searls, John Tanner, Ambrose K. Searls, Robt. Prescott, Daniel M, Sargent, Wm. H. Patton, Jeremiali Jordon, Peter H. Seal, Hezekiah H. Felch, Hiram T. Thorne, Porter J. Lawrence, Oliver T. Holcomb, Wm. H. Keith. Present officers: John Tanner, W. M.; John R. Wells, S. W.; Ambrose K. Searls, J. W.; Wm. H. Patton, Treasurer; Wesley R. Gearhart, Secretary. Number of members, 22. Meets the first and third Thursday evenings of each month.