Untitled Document

MEN OF ENTERPRISE AT PORT BYRON

During the forties and fifties, Rufus B. Chase continued to manufacture the Port Byron white lime. supplying the demand throughout a wide territory.

Warren Wilcox and Robert Hilton. Isaac Hollister and Laurel Summers built the houses.

George S. Moore was postmaster, and sold goods and bought and packed pork. bought g rain and sold wood for the steamboats. doing a thriving business. Later, he took George E. Holmes as a partner. under the name of Moore & Holmes. Later, he built Moore's Hotel. Nathaniel Belcher built the Port Byron House. the only tavern within twenty miles, opening it in 1840. with Silas Marshall as the first landlord. George E. Holmes on his arrival in 1844f. kept the tavern. which was on the Frick & W'alker's stage route. This house was noted for its good cooking and cleanly appearance.

Bailey & Boyle, C. I. Williams. and Thomas J. Robinson sold goods before moving to Rock Island. Tillotson C. Temple. Brown and Devon also were merchants.

George W. Gates was active along mercantile lines. and manufactured lumber and flour. He later suffered a loss by fire, his mill being destroyed. A. J. Brown, the owner of the ferry, with William H. Devon. bought the store of Moore & Holmes. and established the first bank, now the State Bank of Port Byron.

M. S. Denlinger, William C. Evans sold goods.

William J. Sheppard built another mill, sawing lumber and grinding grain for customers, and also opened a coal bank on Rock river.

David S. Metzgar and son were merchants and manufacturers of lime.

Jesse Maxwell was a merchant and kept a hotel.

Erastus E. Rogers practiced medicine, and established the Port Byron Bank.

Frederick S. Gates was a lumber dealer.

George D. Moore and Lazarus Lowrey bought grain, sold coal and farm implements. and were steamboat agents.

Henry Saddoris was the first wagon-maker, and was succeeded by E. H. Hunt.

Moses Bailey was the first blacksmith. and was succeeded by Charles B. Marshall and Jacob Schaiblie.

Moses L. Hobert was the first to open a hardware store, and tin shop and he was succeeded by his brother David. and son, Charles L. Hobert.

Drs. Wilson Fleming. J. W. Morgan, J. M. 0. Bruner, William Black. 0. S. Daily and William Johnson were physicians who practiced during the later years.

Daniel T. Barrett. and John W. Maxwell manufactured lime

Henry Merritt was the first undertaker, and was succeeded by A. H. Wendt & Son.

Other changes have taken place, but the present(1908) dealers are: Leflingwell & Schafer, J. J. Huntley, Fred S. Moody. Frank Morgan, Schafer Bros., Edward McRoberts & Son, A. G. Brewster, Thomas McCall, E. E. Rogers & Son, Port Byron Bank. Port Byron Pharmacy, David Schaiblie, Charles L. Hobert and Frank Skelton.

Historical Encyclopdia of Illinois

Illinois Ancestors