A list of the early citizens of Rock Island would be decidedly incomplete did it not contain the name of Judge John W. Drury, who as early as 1856 was judge of the circuit court and presided over an extensive district. In later years he became widely known as a legalist, and with the rising property values of a growing community accumulated a large fortune in realty.
Judge Drury was born at Rhinebeck, N. Y., in 1813, and was a member of a large family of children, all of whom he survived. After attaining a legal education in his native East, in 1836 Judge Drury took passage on a vessel at Pittsburgh, and came down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river.
On the trip West he met and became acquainted with General Harding, and both left the boat at Oquawka and traveled across the country to Monmouth, where General Harding located, becoming in time a wealthy and influential citizen.
Judge Drury continued to Rock Island and here put out his shingle and solicited the legal business of the early residents. At that time the old town of Stephenson, as Rock Island was then known, was an exceedingly quiet point, the only excitement being occasioned by the arrival of a tramp boat, which would give the people a topic to discuss. Black Hawk and his braves had left the locality, crossing over into the territory of Iowa, and were never to return as occupants of Illinois soil.
It was not the young lawyer's idea, however, to live as a drone. Soon after coming he showed his progressive spirit by commencing to speculate in real estate upon a small scale, for while his confidence in the community was marked, his capital was somewhat limited.
His first investment was in the Chicago, or Lower, Addition to Rock Island, for which he paid five dollars, and after holding it for some time he disposed of it for double its cost. Thus early he made a profit on his transaction, and it was said of him in after life that he invariably made a gain on his real estate dealings.
Later, he had an eighty-acre tract about a mile from the river, on the bluff, near what is now the site of Eighteenth avenue, in disposing of which he gave an excellent illustration of the methods which were to later make him one of the largest realty holders of his day. A citizen called upon him at his office and inquired the price of the land. "Eight dollars an acre," was Mr. Drury's reply. The caller declared that the price was exorbitant and left, but returned on the following day and again asked the price. "Ten dollars today, for each acre," said Mr. Drury, and the deal was closed that way.
This same land has been selling readily of late years for $1,000 an acre, which gives an excellent idea as to the increase in values in this section during the past half a century. At one time Judge Drury was the owner of the ten acres known as the Rodman property, lying east of Doctor Gregg's Addition, which he had purchased for $400. About a quarter of a century ago, including improvements, the property sold for $22,000, and the land is now covered with beautiful homes.
About the year 1856, John W. Drury was elected judge of the circuit court, and presided over a large district of several counties. His tastes were rural, and while administering justice in his courts he was also engaged in operating a 400-acre farm lying on Rock river, above Milan.
At the close of his judicial term he formed a law partnership with John P. Cook, of Davenport, which continued for some years. He was engaged in a great deal of important litigation, being attorney of the southwestern branch of the Rock Island railroad system for some years, a position to which he was appointed by President Tracy. This branch ran to Kansas City, and Judge Drury's connection therewith caused him to move to Chicago, that city being his home until the time of his retirement, in 1894, when he returned to his farm on the Rock river.
After the death of his devoted wife he went back to the home of his youth, in Rhinebeck, N. Y., and was there tenderly cared for during his declining years by his nieces, his death occurring in 1899, when he was eighty-six years of age. He was one of the very few of his contemporary lawyers of Rock Island county who accumulated a large fortune. His estate was administered by Maj. Henry C. Connelly and his means were distributed among his nieces and nephews, of Rhinebeck and New York City.
Judge Drury was a personal friend of Senator Stephen A. Douglas, and at his request accepted the office of state elector in 1856, making speeches throughout Illinois. In all the senator's aspirations Judge Drury proved a true and faithful friend, and was especially active in the Charleston convention of 1860, to which he was a delegate. A man of the utmost integrity and probity of character, he was esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and the news of his death came as a distinct shock to those who had lived and labored with him for so many years.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and
History of Rock Island County, 1914
Pgs. 1113 - 1114
Submitted by Mary Lou Schaechter