Rock Island

Township Organization September 1, 1856, on application of three petitioners, signed by over fifty legal voters of Rock Island County, praying for the question of township organization; it was ordered by the court that the question be submitted to the voters of said county, to vote for or against township organization at the next November election. Abstract of votes given at said election resulted as follows: For township organization, 2314. Against township organization, 147. Tuesday, December 2, 1856, the court appointed Lemuel Andrews, Nathaniel Belcher and Flavel J. Whitney as commissioners to divide the county into towns, in accordance with … Read more

Town Of Andalusia, Illinois Andalusia is one of the historic towns of Rock Island County. It is located on the Mississippi River, about ten miles west of the City of Rock Island. The township has about six miles of frontage on the river, but has less depth, being less than half the size of a congressional township. Though small in size it is one of the hustling townships of the county. Its history dates from the earliest settlement of the country. One of the first settlers was Captain B. W. Clark, father of Captain W. L. Clark, of Buffalo, Scott … Read more

Town Of Rock Island, Illinois The Town of Rock Island came into being as a new edition of Stephenson, enlarged and revised by an act of the Legislature, passed in March, 1841. This act changed the name to Rock Island, and incorporated the latter as a town under a board of nine trustees. The trustees of the old village held over until the next annual election in September, but a special election was held on the first Mon-day in April for four other trustees, who, together with the five old trustees, constituted the new board. The additional trustees elected were: … Read more

Topography of Rock Island County Rock Island County lies upon the western boundary of the great agricultural prairie state of Illinois. This boundary, the majestic Mississippi River, is bordered by bluffs that give a rugged and diversified surface to this river county. Rock Island County is notably a river county, for it stretches for almost sixty miles in an irregular strip along the Father of Waters. It also has for its boundary line (for the upper half of the county) upon the southeast another famous stream, Rock River. The third natural boundary is Meredosia Slough or creek which separates Rock … Read more

South Rock Island Township, Illinois The township extends south from the corporate limits of the City of Rock Island to the north shore of the Rock River. This township is exceedingly productive of agricultural products. Its chief distinction lies in its phenomenal growth. From a mere pasture, hills and farm lands it has developed into one of the most desirable residence portions of Rock Island County. The principal place of interest is the noted Black Hawk’s Watch Tower, which at the present time is quite a summer resort. From this tower Black Hawk kept watch for his enemies, either red … Read more

Stage and Hack Routes in 1855 Rock Island and Moline Hacks run as follows: Leave Rock Island at 8, 9:30 and 11 o’clock A. M., and at 1, 2:30 and 5 o’clock P. M.; leave Moline at 7:15, 9:15 and 11 o’clock A. M., and 1, 3 and 4 o’clock P. M. Packages of less than one hundred and fifty pounds weight carried carefully and delivered promptly. Camden and Rock Island Hack leaves Camden at 8 o’clock A. M. and 2 o’clock P. M.; leaves Rock Island at 11 o’clock A. M. and 6 o’clock P. M. Stages for Galena … Read more

The Standard Table Oil Cloth Company In July, 1901, the organization of the Standard Table Oil Cloth Company was effected; seven manufacturers sold their plants to the Standard Company.- These plants were largely located-in the east. The product of the company is light weight oil cloth, by which is meant oil cloth manufactured on a cotton base used for covering tables, imitations of leather, bag muslin, shelf and stair oil cloth. The company has never manufactured oil cloth for floors, which is a separate industry, inasmuch as floor oil cloth is manufactured on a burlap instead of a cotton base, … Read more

The Settlers’ Affidavits While at Fort Armstrong the settlers had prepared another petition, together with numerous affidavits, which they presented to General Gaines. The following is the substance of the depositions of sundry citizens of the Rock River settlement, taken before William Brasher, J. P., and Joel Wells, J. P., on the 10th of June, 1831. First. John Wells, John W. Spencer, Jonah H. Case, Rennah Wells, Samuel Wells, Benjamin F. Pike, Joseph Danforth and Moses Johnson, before Wm. Brazer, J. P., swear that the Sac Indians did through the last year repeatedly threaten to kill them for being on … Read more

South Moline Township, Illinois Was organized as a town March 14, 1879. It comprises all the territory originally in Moline Township, lying south and east of the corporate limits of the City of Moline. The history of the township, with the exception of its extreme eastern portion is so strongly interwoven with Moline, it is hard to draw a historical line. Among its earliest settlers were David Sears, Charles Atkinson, Joseph Danforth, Joel Wells and Huntington Wells. Village Of Silvis November 14, 1906, thirty-six petitioners representing over 300 resident population, petitioned the county court of Rock Island County, Illinois, for … Read more