Rock Island

Rock Island Waterworks System August 14, 1871, the city council passed an ordinance authorizing the location of a pumping station near the Rock Island Plow factory, at the west end of the city and the installing of water mains along the business streets, bonds to the amount of $75,000 being issued to meet the cost. In a few years there began to be complaints that the water was bad, especially after a system of sewers had been built in 1878. The city was divided into two sewer districts, with Seventeenth Street as the dividing line, and the waste of the […]

Rock Island’s Second Petition “Farnhamburg, May 19, 1831. “To his Excellency, the Governor of the State of Illinois: “We, the undersigned, citizens of Rock River and its vicinity, having previously sent a petition to your honor, praying your protection against these Sac Indians who were at that time doing every kind of mischief as was set forth and represented to your honor; but feeling ourselves more aggrieved and our situation more precarious. we have been compelled to make our distress known to you by sending one of our neighbors who ,is well acquainted with our situation. If we do not

The Rock River Rangers At the suggestion of General Gaines the men and larger boys of the settlement formed themselves into a company, elected officers, and named themselves “Rock River Rangers,” and tendered their services to General Gaines, who accepted the company of fifty-eight men, and mustered them into the service. No record of this company’s enrollment has been found, it probably never having been forwarded to Washington. Judge Spencer in his “Reminiscences,” gives June 5th as the date. The following is a roster of the company: Captain: Benjamin F. Pike. First Lieutenant: John W. Spencer. Second Lieutenant: Griffith Aubury.

Rock Island Public Schools The citizens of Rock Island at an early day evinced a great interest in education. Prior to 1857, the schools of Rock Island existed under the sub-district form of organization. At this time, however, the attendance became so large and the schools were growing so rapidly that a different organization became necessary in order that the pupils of the district might enjoy better facilities for securing a common school education. Through a united effort a law was enacted to incorporate the “Rock Island School District,” and a charter obtained February 18, 1857, for the establishment of

Rock Island Settlers in 1832 The following is a list of settlers of this county, as complete as I have been able to make from the data that I have found, in the spring of 1832. Just previous to the breaking out of the war in 1832, there was quite an increase of settlers, many of whom left. Some stayed during the war and then left and I have not been able to learn their names. Allen, Archibald Aubury, Griffith Bain, John L. Barrel, John Bartlett, Michael Been, Joseph Benson, Henry Brasher, William T. Bryant, Leonard Burner, Edward Case, Charles

The Rock Island Public Library The public library building of the City of Rock Island, is very beautiful in design and architecture, and is the most imposing edifice belonging to the city, and of it all its citizens are justly proud. In fact it is readily con-ceded to be the most beautiful and commodious public building in the county, and with its valuable and well selected library, both for reference and general- literature, its influence for good in the community is very great and cannot be over-estimated. Its architecture is of “Ionic ” design. Its interior decoration is in “Italian

Rock Island Public Parks The parks of Rock Island consist of three public squares, and a tract containing about forty acres within the corporate limits, known as Long View Park. The small parks are known respectively as Spencer Square, Garnsey Square and Court House Square. Spencer Square is situated in what is known as Spencer and Case’s Addition, this Addition was laid out in 1836 by John W. Spencer and Jonah Case. What is now known as Spencer Square was not laid out in lots, but in the first instance was occupied in part for school purposes, from April, 1846,

Rock Island Post Office The first post office in this county was established in connection with old Fort Armstrong, April 23, 1825, Colonel George Davenport being the first postmaster. Owing to the fact that there was no one to administer the obligations of the position Mr. Davenport served a number of years without taking an oath. April 4, 1834, the first post office was established upon the mainland and Joseph Conway was made the’ first postmaster. The office was first located at Farnhamsburg, but when Stephenson became the county seat it was removed to somewhere in the neighbor-hood of what

The Rock Island Petition “April 30, 1831. “His Excellency, the Governor of the State of Illinois : “We, the undersigned, being citizens of Rock River and its vicinity, beg leave to state to your honor the grievances which we labor under and pray your protection against the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians who have again taken possession of our lands near the mouth of Rock River and its vicinity. They have, and now are, burning our fences, destroying our crops of wheat now growing by turning in all their horses. They also threat-en our lives if we attempt to

Rock Island Police Department In the early days of Rock Island the police force was small, being in proportion to the needs of the city in this respect. As the population increased the number of guardians of the property and peace of the citizens was gradually increased, mainly by the addition of night men. For many years the marshal was the only day man on ordinary occasions. He staid about the city offices and if anything came up demanding his services he went out alone and disposed of the business. About thirty years ago the first attempt was made to

Rock Island Manufactories Our manufacturing interests are strong and growing every day. Space forbids our mentioning everybody. The products of the factories are very diversified, and all, large and small, are on a good sound basis, with a very satisfactory business. The Rock Island Plow Company was originally established in 1854 by Charles Buford and R. N. Tate; afterwards named B. D. Buford and Company, and later the Rock Island Plow Company. They manufacture high grade agricultural implements; mainly plows, cultivators, harrows, hay loaders and other farm implements. The company has recently been re-organized, increasing its capital stock from $600,000

The Rock Island Mutual Building, Loan and Savings Association In the year 1880 on the invitation of the late Samuel S. Guyer, the pioneer savings institution of Rock Island was organized. This institution was one of the first Building Associations organized in Illinois and has been the model for many similar associations in this and adjoining States. During the first year the total receipts were only $4,263.70. But so rapidly were the investing public educated in the advantages of the Building Association, that in the year 1894 the annual receipts had increased to $237,619.05. How much benefit has accrued from

Rock Island Industrial Home Association The Rock Island Industrial Home Association was formed at a mass-meeting of the members of the labor unions of the City, headed by the Knights of Labor, held in December, 1887. The branches of organized labor represented in the association, in the beginning, included Knights of Labor, printers, glass-blowers, tailors, iron molders, cigar makers, carpenters, switchmen and locomotive firemen. The first efforts of the association were turned toward the raising of a fund with which to purchase a lot and erect a home for labor. To do this an annual fair was instituted. The first

Rock Island Fire Department The old “Bucket Brigade” was followed by the regular Volunteer Fire Department, which was organized in 1856, and a Land engine purchased, and named “Western No. 1.” The engine when received was housed in a new two-story brick building on the north-west corner of Court House Square. Frazer Wilson was elected president, and George E. Biddison foreman. The company was limited to seventy-five members. Later another company was formed and took the name of “Aquarius No. 2” -motto “Water Bearer.” The company having a membership of sixty-five, with George L. Carlton as foreman. The second company

Rock Island Hospitals and Homes For a city the size of Rock Island, it is adequately supplied with institutions for caring for the sick, injured and indigent. Bethany Home, for neglected children, orphans and deserving poor, located in the upper end of Rock Island, on ‘Fifth Avenue, was formerly known as the Union Mission, and was located at Eighth Street and Fourth Avenue. Later it was transferred to South Rock Island, where it was maintained until January 3, 1906. The new quarters are of brick, and are capable of accommodating fifty children. There are now forty inmates. The cost of

Rock Island County Soldiers’ Monument The feeling inspired in a great number of the people of the County, to pay a tribute to the soldiers of this County, who had and would die in the war for the protection of the Union, was expressed and recognized by- the Board of Supervisors December 17, 1863, by the passing of a resolution, appropriating $1,500 toward the building of a suitable monument to be placed in Courthouse Square as a memorial to the soldiers of this County who died in the War of the Rebellion; and that their names be inscribed thereon. For

Rock Island – Davenport Ferry The waters of historic old Mississippi, with-in smoke-signal of the Watch Tower of Black Hawk, the Sachem, have been parted by the keels of Illini dug-out, Huron birch canoe, batteau of voyageur, flat boat of pioneer, winch-ferry of the early settler, horse-ferry of established villagers, steamer of modern date, and motor boat of oil and electricity of the opening era, and almost without exception, the introduction of these modes of passing over its waters have been due to transversely directed migration rather than lateral travel-the desire to cross the river rather than float with or

Rock Island County Court House As attractive, perhaps, as any court house in the states and more remarkable in architecture by far than many, is the handsome county building of Rock Island. Stately and inviting for business, this edifice stands a monument to the progressive spirit of the people, who, keeping pace with the advancement of the times, put it there. Way back in 1826 a small but well designed building known as “John Barrel’s house,” enclosed within its walls the first gathering of men to transact Rock Island County business. That house stood in Farnhamsburg and besides being the

Rock Island County Infirmary and Poor House In the early days the county poor were boarded out in various places, but the county in about 1850 or 1852 purchased the old Rinnah Wells farm, which was located at the turn of the old Camden Mills road, about half a mile north of the wagon bridge, across the Rock River. On this farm was a long two-story frame house, which was made our first County Poor House. November 20, 1860, Rock Island County purchased the farm of James M. Smith, near Coal Valley, for a consideration of $3,000. Mr. Frederick Weyerhaeuser,

Rock Island Cemeteries Chippiannock Cemetery Association of Rock Island was organized in 1855. The cemetery grounds occupy a beautiful natural spot of sixty acres, one mile south of the City of Rock Island. Outside of the natural advantages, the grounds are beautifully laid out in winding drives and walks, according to plans made by Mr. Hotchkiss, who laid out the celebrated Greenwood Cemetery of Brooklyn, New York. The grounds are mainly sloping, with the hill top flat, backed by a wooded ravine, and are nicely timbered with fine old trees. It is an ideal spot for a cemetery, and surpassed

Rock Island Club The idea of forming an association such as the Rock Island Club was first broached by a party of Rock Island gentlemen, who met on the evening of November 18, 1896, at the Harper House. F. W. Bahnsen was chosen temporary chairman, and E. J. Burns temporary secretary. A committee of seven was named to perfect an organization, and at a meeting two days afterward, the latter appointed a sub-committee of three to draw up a constitution and by-laws, and to take out articles of incorporation. A charter was secured during December of the same year, and

Rock County Island Biographies I-M Surnames   A – H Surnames I – M Surnames N – Z Surnames Jackson, William, Hon. Johnson, Honorable George W. Johnson, Walter Juhl, Nicholai Junge, Julius Kelly, Frank H. Kittilsen, Edward, Colonel Knox, Benjamin Franklin Knox, Charles Bishop Knox, Edwin B. Landee, Frank A. Larkin, Charles J. Leas, J. Silas Liekefett, Frederick C. Little, Robert E. Mackin, Thomas, Rev. Marshall, William H. Matthews, David W. McCabe, L. S. McConochie, William McDonald, Hugh A. J. McEniry, Matthew J. McEniry, William McEniry, William, Hon. McGlynn, Patterson S. McHugh, Charles McMaster, Sylvester Washington Medill, T J., Hon.

Rock County Island Biographies N-Z Surnames A-H Surnames I – M Surnames N – Z Surnames Negus, Isaac Nessler, Thomas Nourse, Charles R. Olmsted, Robert Ward Ostrom, Dr. Louis Owens, Alexander Parker, John W. Parmenter, Elwin Elbert Payne, William, Hon. Pettit, Guy V. Potter, John W. Robinson, James Franklin Robinson, Thomas J., Captain Roche, John W. Rosenfield, Max Daniel Rosenfield, Morris Rosenfield, Walter A. Rudgren, Martin Theodore Scaffer, Henry C., Hon. Schoonmaker, Martin Scott, John Kimberland Searle, Charles J. Searle, Elhanan John, Colonel Sechler, Daniel M. Sechler, Thomas M. Simpson, Harry P. Spencer, John W., Judge Stelck, Henry Stephens, George

Rock Island Arsenal Summing up the history pertaining to the Rock Island Arsenal, located upon the Island of Rock Island, and lying conjointly, one might say, between the cities of Moline, Rock Island and Davenport, is no light task. In the data which contributes to the construction of this history, some of which has been incorporated verbatim, there are numerous dates and incidents which give rise to conflicting thoughts and deductions and the writer has been compelled, in some instances, to resort to comparisons upon which to base his judgments. Since the advent of Colonel George Davenport, May 10, 1816,

Rock Island County Biographies A-H Surnames   A-H Surnames I – M Surnames N – Z Surnames Ainsworth, Harry Ainsworth, Henry A. Anderson, O. Frederick Arp, A. H., Dr. Ashdown, Mark Beal, Albert M., M. D. Bean, William H. Beardsley, Ezra M., Col. Beardsley, James M. Beardsley, James M., Major Bernhardi, Carl O., M. D. Bernhardi, Carl, M. D. Blanding, Virgil Marion Blunt, Stanhope E., Colonel Boyer, John A., Deacon Brackett, James Brown, Henry E. Browning, John T., Hon. Buffum, Almon A. Campbell, Thomas Carter, Charles Crawford, Dr. Casteel, H. E. Chapman, Harry Landon Chase, Henry Howland, M. D. Connelly,