Rock Island

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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. … Read more

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

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, … Read more