PIONEERS OF 1838-1839

James Madison Wight was born in Norwich. Massachusetts, in 1810. He was admitted to the bar of Queens county. New York. in 1837, and immediately afterwards came west. He first joined his brother. J. Ambrose Wight. in Rock- ton. But he found no field in that village for the practice of his profession : and he came in 1838 to Rockford. where for a time he taught school. In his early life he served a few terms as city attorney of Rockford. He was one of the pioneer law yers of northern Illinois. and built up a large practice. He was for man y years local attorney for the Chicago & Northwestern railroad and for other corporations. He was also for a time a member of the state legislature, and served on the judiciary committee. Mr. Wight was a member of the constitutional convention of 1870. called to draft a new constitution for submission to the voters of the state. He died in Rockford in 1877.

Jason Marsh was born in Woodstock, Windsor county. Vermont. in 1807. He came to Rockford in 1839. He was accompanied by his wife and children, a brother and wife, and his three brothers-in-law. Soon after his arrival he and the three Spafford brothers built the brick house three miles south of State street on the Kishwaykee road, later owned by F. J. Morey. A large farm was attached. Mr. Marsh drove daily to the village, where he practiced his profession. His later home was the residence subsequently owned by the late W. W. Fairfield, on East State street. In 1862 Mr. Marsh entered military service as colonel of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was severely wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge in the autumn of 1863, and returned home. Two months later he again went to the front. In the campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta his old wound troubled him, and he resigned. His last years were spent on his farm near Durand. His death occurred at the home of his daughter in Chicago, March 13. 1881. He was buried in Rockford with military honors.

Francis Burnap was born at Merrimac, New Hampshire. January 4, 1796. Mr. Burnap settled in Rockford in August. 1839 and began the practice of law in Winnebago and neighboring counties. in the state supreme court. and in the federal courts. He practiced his profession until 1864, when ill health compelled him to retire. Mr. Burnap died in Rockford. December 2, 1866.

Duncan Ferguson was a native of Scotland. He was born in Glasgow. in November, 1810. In 1837 he left his native land and came to the United States. He first settled in Pennsylvania, where he remained two years. Mr. Ferguson removed with his family to Rockford in 1839. In 1840 he was elected surveyor and justice of the peace. He held the office of surve yor until 1856. In 1862 he was appointed assessor of internal revenue. He held this position eight years. and then resigned. For ten years Mr. Ferguson was supervisor from the Seventh ward of the city. March 3. 1873. he was elected chairman of the county board to succeed Hon. Robert T. Cross, who had died Februar y 15th. Mr. Ferguson retained this position until 1881. In 1877 he was elected mayor of Rockford. and served one year. He held the offices of city engineer. assessor, county treasurer. and commissioner of the county under an act of the legislature for the improvement of Rock river. His death occurred May 14. 1882.

Thomas D. Robertson was born in Edinburg. Scotland. March 4. 1818. He came to the United States in 1835. He stopped for a time in Chicago. and arrived in Rockford in December of the same year. Mr. Robertson studied law in Rockford and at Madison. Wisconsin. He was admitted to the bar. and was a prominent practitioner for some years. In 1848 Mr. Robertson and John A. Holland opened the first banking house in Rockford in a building adjoining the European Hotel site on West State street. From that time he graduall y abandoned the practice of law. and devoted his attention to banking and real estate. Mr. Robertson was a leader in the movement to secure the extension of the Galena & Chicago Union railroad to Rockford. He had charge of the collection of the subscriptions to the capital stock in Boone. Winnebago and Ogle counties. Mr. Robertson continuously resided in Rockford for sixty-one Years. His death curred February 4, 1902.

Ira W.Baker arrived at Rock 6. 1838. on Saturday, at sundown,with his family of eight, from a grandmother a babe of four.

Hon. Edward H. Baker. son of Deacon Ira Baker, was born in Ferrisburg, Vermont, April 3, 1828, and when ten years of age he came with his father to Winnebago county. Mr. Baker received his education at Knox college and Illinois college at Jacksonville. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. At one time he was in partnership with his father-in-law, Jason Marsh. Upon the organization of the Rockford & Kenosha railroad. Mr. Baker was chosen secretary of the company. He was elected mayor of Rockford in 1866. and served one year. His death occurred Januar y 26. 1897.

Henry N. Baker, another son of Deacon Baker. was also a native of Ferrisburg. Vermont. For many years he was engaged in the real estate and loan business in East Rockford. Mr. Baker was for some time president of the board of education. He died in the west a few months ago.

David S. Penfield was the first of three brothers to settle in Rockford. He was a native of Pittsfield. Vermont. and was born in 1812. Mr. Penfield and the late Shepherd Leach came to Rockford in 1838 by way of Dixon. There was then no stable currency. Large numbers of private banks furnished a currency of more or less value, and each state had its own issues. The exchange of money in traveling from state to state was therefore attended with not a little difficulty, and considerable risk. The unsettled country was infested with bandits, and travelers were never sure, when seeking entertainment for the night, whether they would escape the snare of the fowler. Upon their arrival in Rockford. Mr. Penfield and Mr. Leach purchased a large tract of land on the West side. The y were also in mercantile business on the site of 322 East State street, and there employed the first tinner in Rockford. Mr. Penfield formed a partnership with his brother John G. in the real estate and loan business : and subsequently became a member of the banking firm of Briggs. Spafford & Penfield. which was merged into the Third National Bank. Mr. Penfield died Ma y 20. 1873. at the age of sixty-one Years. Some years ago Mrs. Penfield gave the site to the Young Men's Christian Association on which its splendid build ing now stands.

Shepherd Leach, to whom reference was made in the preceding paragraph, was an extensive landowner, and amassed a large estate. Mr. Leach was gifted with keen business sagacity, and was successful in nearl y every enterprise. He had an extensive acquaintance among business men : was straightforward in his dealings ; and withal, was a man who possessed many qualities worthy of emulation. Mr. Leach died July 9, 1885.

Willard Wheeler came from St. Thomas, Upper Canada. in September, 1839. He was the second tinner in the town. Mr. Wheeler was a brother of the late Solomon Wheeler. He built the house on South First street where Mrs. Julia A. Littlefield resides. To Mr. Wheeler belonged the honor of being the first ma yor of Rockford. He died April 24, 1876.

The Cunningham brothers were among the last survivors of that early period. Samuel Cunningham was born August 13. 1815, in Peterboro. Hillsboro county, New Hampshire. He came to this county in the spring of 1839. His active life was devoted to agriculture. He served one term as county commissioner. He died September 28, 1902. His brother, William Cunningham, came to Rockford in the spring of 1838. He spent much of the intervening time on the Pacific coast, but later lived a retired life in Rockford. He died January 7, 1903. The writer was indebted to these brothers for valuable historical information. Another brother. Benjamin Franklin Cunningham. preceded Samuel to Rockford in the spring of 1839. He owned a beautiful home below the city, on a rise of ground which commands an extended northern and southern view of the river. He died June 20. 1900. A fourth brother. Isaac Newton Cunningham, previously noted, came to Rockford at an earlier date.

Joel B. Potter was born in Fairfield county. Connecticut. in 1810. From there the famil y removed to Orleans county. New York. He received a collegiate education and prepared himself for the Presbyterian ministry. His health failed. and he never resumed this calling. In 1839 he came to this count y. where his brothers Herman B. and Eleazer had preceded him. In the same Year Mr. Potter built the house now owned by Judge Morrison. He carried on a farm for some years, and was subsequently engaged in the drug business on East State street. He conducted the store alone for a time, and later with his son-in-law. J. F. Harding, as a partner, until the death of Mr. Harding, in 1867, when Mr. Potter retired from business. He died November 30, 1880.

The Herrick famil y came from eastern Massachusetts in 1838-39. Elijah L. Herrick, Sr., and three sons, Ephraim, Elijah L., Jr., and William. arrived in Rockford in 1838 ; and the following year there came three sons. George, Edward, and Samuel. and four daughters, Phoebe. Sarah, Martha, and Hannah. About 1849 the father of the family built a cobble-stone house on what is now Eighteenth avenue. E. L. Herrick was born at Andover, Massachusetts, September 30, 1820. Mrs. Herrick, previous to her marriage, was a teacher in Rockford seminary. She came in September, 1852, and taught three years.

The three Spafford brothers came to Rockford in 1839, in company with their brother-in-law. Jason Marsh. Their father was Dr. John Spafford. The eldest son, Charles H. Spafford, was born in Jefferson county, New York, January 6, 1819. He was educated at Castleton, Vermont. He had chosen the profession of the law, but his decision to come west changed his plans in life. Mr. Spafford performed a conspicuous part in the development of the city. He held the offices of postmaster, circuit clerk, and recorder. He was president of the Kenosha & Rockford Railroad Company. Mr. Spafford, in company with his brother John, and John Hall, built Metropolitan Hall block The stores and offices were owned separately and the hall was held in common. Mr. Spafford also, with others, built the block now known as the Chick House. Mr. Spafford died in September. 1892. at the age of seventy-three years. Mrs. Spafford died July 19, 1901.

Amos Catlin Spafford was born September 14, 1824, in Adams, Jefferson county, New York. After he came west he followed farming in this county until 1848. About 1854 he became a member of the banking firm of Briggs, Spafford & Penfield. Upon the organization of the Third National Bank in 1865, Mr. Spafford became its president, and held this position for thirty-three years, until his death. In 1876 he was one of the state commissioners at the centennial exposition. Mr. Spafford died suddenly at Adams. New York, while on a vacation, August 22, 1897. Mrs. Spafford died May 22, 1898.

John Spafford was horn November 26, 1821. During his long life in Rockford he was engaged successively in farming. grocery, and grain and lumber trade. In 186 he became the general agent of the Rockford & Kenosha Railroad Company. Until within two years of his death, Mr. Spafford was president of the Rock-ford Wire Works Company and the Rockford Suspender Compan y : he was also interested in manufacturing a lubricating oil, and in a planing-mill. Mr. Spafford died September 3. 1897.

Phineas Howes was a native of Putnam county, New York, and was born September 25, 1817. He came to Rockford in 1839. He was a carpenter and joiner, and followed this trade tor many years. He purchased a tract of land in Cherr y Valle y township. For about fifteen years he was a partner with John Lake in the lumber trade. B y strict attention to business. Mr. Howes accumulated quite a large estate. His death occurred October 11. 1894.

William Worthington was born at Enfield, Connecticut, July 5, 1813. He came to Rockford in the spring of 1838. About 1840 he built a brick blacksmith's shop on the southwest corner of State and First streets, where the Crotty block now stands. This shop was eight or ten feet below the present grade. Later Mr. Worthington built a wagon shop on the same lot, about the same size, of wood, one story. This was the first wagon shop on the East side. There were then no other buildings on those corners. Mr. Worthington was the next blacksmith on the East side, after William Penfield, and was probably the fourth in the village. About 1842 Mr. Worthington formed a partnership with Hosea D. Searles, and opened a drug store. This was the founding of the business now carried on by Worthington & Slade.

Laomi Peake, Sr., a native of Herkimer county, New York, emigrated from St. Thomas, Upper Canada, to Rockford, in September, 1839. He was one of the few pioneers who brought ready capital. He came with about five thousand dollars in money, which was a princely sum for that time. Mr. Peake was the first person who made a harness in Rockford, although a man preceded him who did repairing. Mr. Peake purchased the northeast corner lot on First and State streets, and erected a brick building, twenty-two by thirty- five feet, with two stories and a basement, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The corner of this lot is now occupied by J. H. Keeling's drug store. In 1852 he completed a second brick block on the same site, and finished a hall on the third floor, at a total expense of about eight thousand dollars. Peake's hall was the first public hall in Rock-ford. This block was destroyed by fire in November, 1857. and the side and rear walls were left standing. The corner store was occupied at the time by C. A. Huntington and Robert Barnes. as a book store, at a rental of four hundred and fifty dollars per year. Elisha A. Kirk and An­ thon y Haines purchased the property in the autumn of 1858, and rebuilt the block the following year. In 1856 Mr. Peake built the substantial stone house on East State street owned by the late Anthony Haines. Mr. Peake died November 8. 1891, at the age of eighty-four years.

Hulin was a native of Salem, Massachusetts. He settled in Rockton township in 1837 or '38. August 5. 1839, he was chosen a justice of the peace. and from that time he was continually in the public service. He resigned from the office of clerk of the county court a few da ys before his death, which occurred December to1869.

Daniel Barnum was a native of New York, born in 1778. In 1838 Mr. Barnum, with his wife and six children, came to Winnebago county, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Cherry Valley township. Mr. Barnum removed to Rockford and spent his last days in retirement. He died November 8, 187o, at the age of ninet y-two Years.

Barnum. arnum, son of Daniel Barnum, was born in Danbur y. Connecticut, September 8, 1819. He came with his father to Rockford in 1838. His earl y manhood was spent on his father's farm. In 1866 he engaged in the shoe business in Rock­ ford with the late Daniel Miller, but soon sold his interest. In 1874 Mr. Barnum was one of the organizers of the Forest Cit y Insurance Com­pany, of which he served as treasurer until in­capacitated by illness. Mr. Barnum held the offices of alderman and supervisor. He died February 26, 1899, in his eightieth Year.

Hon. Horace Miller was a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and was born in 1798. He came to this county in 1839, and settled on a large tract of land near the mouth of the Kishwaukee river, which in an earl y da y was known as the Terrace farm. At one time he owned twelve hundred and fift y acres. From I850 to 1852 Mr. Miller represented this count y in the state legis­ lature. He resided on his farm until about 1861. when he came to Rockford and lived a retired life until his death, August 5, 1864.

Mr. and Mrs. John Benjamin came from Canada in 1839, and settled in Guilford township. Mr. Benjamin's step-daughter. Mrs. Sarah A. Cook, who still resides in East Rockford, has the distinction of being the first matron of Rockford seminary. She served in this capacity from 1849 to 1852. The students were served with meals in a frame structure directly opposite the first seminar y building, on the east side of North First street.

Among the other pioneers of 1838 were : Alfred P. Mather, William Hamilton, Levi Monroe, and Richard Marsh.

In 1839 there came Courtland Mandeville, Frederick Charlie, Thaddeus Davis, Sr.. Stephen Crilley, D. Bierer, Chester Hitchcock, John Bull. H. Hudson.

Others who came previous to 1840 were: Sylvester Scott, James Gilbert, Artemas Hitchcock. Tohn W. Dyer, Samuel C. Fuller, Newton Crawford. Jonathan Hitchcock, Dr. D. Goodrich. Hollis H. Holmes, Stephen Gilbert, and Bela Shaw. Judge Shaw died suddenly May 31, 1865. Five brothers, Thomas. William. John, Robert and Benjamin Garrett, with their parents, settled in Guilford township. Thomas died January 20, 1900. He was a Manxman, born on the Isle of Man, February 1827.

Past and Present of Winnebago County

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Illinois Ancestors