Untitled Document

ROCKFORD SETTLERS IN 1855-59

Charles Williams was a native of Massachu setts. He came to Rockford in 1855, and with his son Lewis, was engaged in the hardware business. Mr. Williams was the war mayor of Rockford, serving from 1859 to 1864. His home was the residence now owned by John Barnes. Mr. Williams died in 1876.

William M. Rowland came to Rockford in 1855. He was a native of Connecticut, and when a young man he removed to Augusta. Georgia, where he was interested in the Iron Steamboat Company. Soon after the repeal of the Missouri compromise, Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, member of congress, informally received the prominent citizens of Augusta. Mr. Rowland is said to have been the onl y gentleman present who did not offer congratulations to Mr. Stephens upon the repeal of that law, but assured him that it would prove a calamity to the south.

William L. Rowland was graduated from Yale college in the class of 1852; and removed to Rockford with his father's family in 1855. When the public library was founded in 1872, Mr. Rowland was appointed librarian, and he retained this position until his death in 1900.

Benjamin Blakeman was a native of Stratford. Connecticut. He came to Rockford in 1856. and carried on the lumber business, first on South Court. and later on South Main street. About 1871 he formed a partnership with William Dobson, in manufacturing. Mr. Blakeman is now retired from business.

Colonel Garret Nevins. a native of New York, came to Rockford in 1858. He was a member of the Rockford City Greys. and in 1861 he enlisted with the Eleventh Illinois Volunteers, and arose to the rank of colonel. He was killed in the charge of Ransom's brigade on the enemy's works at Vicksburg. Ma y 22, 1863. Memorial services were held on the courthouse square, in Rockford. where the remains la y in state, and an address was delivered by Dr. Kerr. His body was then sent to New York for burial. Colonel Nevins was onl y twenty-six years of age. Nevins Post. G. A. R., was named in his honor.

Robert H. Tinker was born at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, in 1837, where his father, Rev. Reuben Tinker, was a missionary, sent out by the Presbyterian church. Mr. Tinker came to Rockford in 1856. He built the Swiss cottage on Kent creek, the most picturesque home in the city. The plan of his unique library, on two floors. with winding stairway, was suggested to Mr. Tinker by his visit to Sir Walter Scott's library, more than forty years ago. He was elected Mayor of Rockford in 1875, and served one term. Mr. Tinker has been interested in various manufacturing enterprises.

John H. Hall came to Rockford in 1855, and engaged in the grocery trade. He served the city as alderman, and as a member of the school board.. The Hall school is named in his honor. His death occurred in 1882.

Lucius M. West was born at Vernon Centre, New York, June 19, 1820. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Sturtevant. of his native county.

In 1858 Mr. and Mrs.West and their three sons came to Rockford. In 1862 Mr. West built the store now occupied by Peer's jewelry store, where he carried on trade in rubber goods and boots and shoes. About 1874 he engaged in the manufacture and jobbing of enamel carriage top dressing, which has attained a world-wide reputation. Mr. West was actively identified with the religious interests of the city. In 1875 he appointed a religious service for Woodruff's Addition, and for three years and a half conducted a mission school there, and furnished the building at his own expense. He died August 20. 1893.

Charles L. Williams was born in Sherburne, Chenango count y. New York. October 20, 1828. He was graduated from Hamilton college in 1847. and in 1851 he received the degree of M. A. from his alma mater. Mr. Williams came to Rockford in 1859 and engaged in mercantile business. He married a daughter of Mayor Charles Williams and subsequently purchased his father- in-law's house on North Main street, which included the lots now belonging to John Barnes and Mrs. Julia P. Warren. Mr. Williams took an active interest in organizing the public librar y. and from 1872 to 1878 he was a member of the board of directors.

Daniel N. Hood was born in Salem, Massachusetts. September 25. 1834. and came to Rockford in 1858. Prof. Hood was for many years at the head of the musical department of Rockford seminary, and for more than ten years of this period he was organist of the Second Presbyterian church in Chicago. Prof. Hood now resides in Boston.

Gilbert Woodruff was born near Watertown, New York. November 20. 1817. He came to Rockford in 1857, and soon after he purchased and platted a farm which is now known as 'Woodruff's Addition. Easy terms of payment were given purchasers of lots. Mr. Woodruff was therefore in a real sense one of the builders of Rockford. He had been president of the Rockford National Bank since its organization; president of the Forest Cit y Insurance Company since its organization in 1873: and president of the Forest City Furniture Factory since 1875. Mr. Woodruff was mayor of Rockford from 1873 to 1875. He died in Rockford in October, 1903.

Horace W. Taylor was born in Granby. Mas sachusetts, February 1, 1823. He was graduated from Amherst in 1848. In 1857 he came to Rockford and was admitted to the bar in the autumn of the same year. For forty years Mr. Taylor was a well known member of the legal profession of this city. In 1866 he began his work as master-in-chancery under appointment of Judge Sheldon. This position he held until his death, except an interim from 1872 to 1876. Mr. Taylor was elected a member of the legislature in 1878, and served one term. His death occurred at a sanitarium at Kenosha, August 29, .1898.

Marquis L. Gorham was a native of Vermont, and came to Rockford in 1857. He obtained a patent for a seeder manufactured by Clark & Utter, and for a corn cultivator made by N. C. Thompson. He was also the inventor of the first twine binder, the patent for which was sold to C. a McCormick. Mr. Gorham died at Philadelphia in 1876, while attending the Centennial exposition, when he was only about forty-five years of age.

Norman Cornelius Thompson was born in Knoxville. Georgia, May 25. 1828. He came to Rockford in 1857. He built one of the largest manufacturing plants on the water power, and his immense output contributed in no small degree to the prestige of Rockford as a manufacturing city. Mr. Thompson was a public spirited citizen, and a generous supporter of the First Presbyterian church. Financial reverses over took him in 1884, which resulted in the suspension of his bank in East Rockford, and his retirement from his manufacturing industry. Mr. Thompson died July 4, 1898.

Thomas Butterworth was born in Manchester, England, September 6, 1827. In his twentieth year he came to America, and landed at New Orleans. On account of yellow fever, he immediately went to Cincinnati. He entered the employ of Stacy & Company, the proprietors of the Cincinnati gas works, and in their interest he was sent to repair the works in Rockford about 1856. The latter plant was then owned by Lane, Sanford & Co. He remained in Rockford and assumed the management of the works. He also continued the business of contractor, and built Brown's Hall, the old People's Bank Building on State street, and other buildings. He subsequently sold his contracting business, and in time became the sole owner of the gas plant. In 1878 Mr. Butterworth was elected a member of the legislature, as a democrat, and served one term. His death occurred at Ashville, North Carolina, April 5, 1885.

William H. Townsend came to Rockford in 1857, from Springfield, Pennsylvania. He was in affluent circumstances. His home was on South Third street, well known in later years as the residence of Dr. D. S. Clark. Mr. Townsend was a stockholder and director of the Rock River Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and the later reverses of the company were a source of such anxiety to him that he became deranged. June 2, 1869, his body was found in Rock river, about four and a half miles south of the city. Mr. Townsend was about sixty years of age, and had been a member of the board of education. He was held in high esteem, and his death was a great shock to the community.

F. H. Manny came to Rockford in 1859. He was a cousin of John P. and John H. Manny. For some years he was engaged in manufacturing on the water-power. His home was the residence owned later by W. F. Hudler, on the South side. He met with reverses in 1875, went to Waukegan, and from there to Chicago. Mr. Manny died in Chicago, April 15, 1899, at the age of eighty-two years. The remains were brought to Rockford for interment.

Among other well known citizens who came to Rockford during this period are the following : George Prufant, George H. Dennett, Wm. McKinley, 1855 ; A. C. Burpee, 1856; David Keyt, S. F. Penfield, D. S. Hough, H. B. Hale, W. H. Smith, C. A. Shaw, 1857; John R. Porter, 1859.

Other citizens engaged in active business during the fifties were : L. H. Todd, dealer in boots and shoes Thomas Ennett, contractor ; D. Miller, boots and shoes ; J. W. Seccomb, books ; C. T. Sackett, painter ; W. G. Johnson, painter ; Robert Smith, hatter ; J. B. Agard, grain buyer ; Joseph Burns. dry goods ; Lyman, physician ; John Fraley, druggist ; Israel Sovereign, hardware dealer.

Several early settlers should have been mentioned in their proper chronological order. Among these was Levi Rhoades, born at Hinsdale, New York, June 25, 1830. In 1847 he came to Rockford. He learned the cooper's trade, and during the war he laid the foundation of a large estate in supplying the demand for barrels. He Continued in this business until 1884. Mr. Rhoades was interested in many manufacturing enterprises, and was a man of great force and executive ability. He was elected mayor of Rockford in 1876, and served one year. His death occurred November 19, 1891.

W. D. Trahern was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, March 24, 1824. In 1848 he came to Rockford, and the following year he began the manufacture of threshing-machines. In 1862 Mr. Trahern engaged in the manufacture of iron pumps. Mr. Trahern was successful in business, a considerate employer, and was highly esteemed. He died November 2, 1883.

History of Winnebago County-1877

Illinois Ancestors