Untitled Document

SETTLERS OF THE EARLY FORTIES.

Orrin Miller came to Rockford in 1843 and engaged in the practice of law. He was a brilliant and able attorney. Mr. Miller married a daughter of Willard Wheeler. About 1871 he removed to the Pacific coast. His death occurred at Pomona. near Los Angeles, in February. 1891. He was about seventy years of age. His remains were brought to Rockford for interment.

Another early lawyer of the village was Grant B. Udell. His name is occasionally found on old legal documents : but he seems not to have been generally remembered.

Anson S. Miller was a prominent lawyer and politician half a century ago. He was elected state senator in 1846. was postmaster of Rockford under appointment of President Lincoln,and probate judge from 1857 to 1865. Judge Miller was one of the presidential electors in 1864,and was chosen by the electoral college to carry the vote of Illinois to Washington. Judge Miller died January 7, 1891, at Santa Cruz, California. For twenty years preceding his death he had resided in California. Judge Miller was eighty-two years of age.

Cyrus F. Miller. a brother of Judge Miller, was born near Rome. New York. He came to Winnebago count y in 1839 or 40 and was for many years a well known member of the local bar, and justice of the peace. Mr. Miller removed to Chicago in 1871, directly after the great fire. He practiced law in that city until 1876, when he returned to Rockford. His death occurred June 4, 1890. at Beatrice, Nebraska, and his remains were brought to Rockford for burial.

Daniel Dow came to Rockford in 1841, and opened a boot and shoe store, and later he carried a general stock of merchandise. He purchased goods at St. Louis, and his first trip to that city was made by team to Galena thence by the Mississippi to his destination. Mr. Dow continued in business until 1859. when he retired and traveled extensively. Upon his return to Rockford he began dealing in grain. Mr. Dow served the Third ward as alderman for six years. He died November 8. 1903.

Lewis B. Gregory is a native of Seneca county, New York. He was born in 1820. of New England ancestry. His father was Rev. Harry Gregory, a Methodist minister. Mr. Gregory acquired a seminary education. He came to Rockford in 1843. and began teaching the same year. Mr. Gregory is probably the oldest living teacher in the county. After teaching several terms, he became interested in business on the old water power on the east side of the river. He was a nephew of Samuel and Eliphalet Gregory, settlers of 1835.

George Tullock was a well known citizen of Scottish birth. He was born in 1815, and came to Rockford in 1841. At Chicago Mr. Tullock hired his passage with a teamster; but the roads were so bad that he started ahead on foot. and arrived in Rockford three days ahead of the team. Mr. Tullock was employed by Daniel Dow nearl y four years as a shoemaker. He then became a farmer.

Past and Present of Winnebago County

Illinois Ancestors