Rock Island

Moline Health Department On September 11, 1905, an ordinance was passed by the City Council of Moline, creating and establishing a board of health. On January 2, 1906. Dr. R. C. J. Meyer was appointed as the first commissioner, and the first board consisted (as required by ordinance) of the commissioner, Dr. R. C. J. Meyer, chairman; the mayor, Andrew Olsen; the chief of police, Edward Kittleson, secretary. The first meeting of the board was held on January 5, 1906, at which time it was decided that to accomplish the purpose of this department it would be necessary to start … Read more

Moline Fire Department According to the recollections of the “oldest inhabitant” the first fire department of Moline was organized in 1852. A hand engine, the “Metamora,” together with a hose cart, and about two thousand feet of hose, constituted the entire fire apparatus of the city. Charles H. Deere was fireman of the hose company, and Doctor Sweetland foreman of the ” Metamora.” L. B. Mapes, M. A. Gould, William Watt, H. E. Mapes, J. A. Holt and Frank Kerns were among the members. The “Metamora” was a mammoth concern, and a regular man-killer; but the boys claim that with … Read more

Moline Furniture Works The Moline Furniture Works was incorporated in 1898 with a capital stock of $25,000. Their principal manufacture is wood mantels, office and store fixtures, and special furniture to order. Officers of the company are: George W. Johnson, president and treasurer; F. A. Landee, vice-president; F. A. Johnson, secretary. In 1907 the capital stock was increased to $100,000. Since starting in 1898 they have yearly experienced a very flattering increase in their business.         City of Moline    Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908

Major Taylor’s Battle After the capture of Fort Shelby by the British, Colonel William McKay left for Macinac and Captain Thomas G. Anderson was in command. The British had great influence with the northwest Indians, and it is not to be wondered at as they made the Indians believe that the Americans would drive out the Indian, while the British wanted the Indian to retain his lands. In a letter dated August 21, 1814, Colonel R. McDonall, British commandant, wrote Captain Anderson: “Assure them (Sacs and Foxes) that great efforts are being made by the king in their behalf, and … Read more

The Moline Business Men’s Association In response to a petition circulated by Messrs. C. F. Dewend and C. Iver Josephson, a meeting was held in the City Hall on September 13, 1898, which was attended by about one hundred of Moline’s most prominent business, professional and manufacturing men for the purpose of organizing the above association. Temporary officers and committees were appointed on membership, finance, bylaws and incorporation, a preamble was drawn up, the import of which was that the association was organized to subserve and advance all material and legitimate interests of Moline, East Moline and vicinity, and our … Read more

Moline City Hospital In 1891 Judge John M. Gould framed a bill and went to Springfield asking the Legislature for a two-mill tax to be levied for hospital purposes for cities under 100,000 inhabitants. After the bill was passed, a home association was formed in 1892 and directors appointed, consisting of Doctor A. H. Arp, Doctor W. K. Sloan and W. B. Inman. The directors looked up a site, and during the time until 1898 the tax accumulation and donations enabled them to build. and open the hospital that year with three patients. Prior to this the ladies had formed … Read more

Moline Club Organized December 9, 1895, its object being for the advancement of social inter-course among its members and to promote the civic, business and industrial interests of the City of Moline. The membership consists of three classes: Resident, non-resident and honorary. The resident membership being limited to three hundred members. Any male eighteen years of age or over, living within the City of Moline, shall be eligible to resident membership. Any male adult whose residence is without the limits of Moline shall be eligible to non-resident membership. Any person of public distinction shall be eligible to honorary membership. The … Read more

Major Campbell’s Expedition When General Howard, commandant of the American forces in the west, learned of the return of the troops from Prairie du Chien, he immediately organized another expedition to be sent up the river to reinforce Fort Shelby. On July 4, 1814, the second expedition left Cap au Gris. It consisted of three fortified barges, or keel boats, each with a cabin and all having sails. There were thirty-three regular soldiers and sixty-five rangers (militia), some of the latter being Frenchmen from Cahokia. The expedition including the sutlers’ establishment, boatmen, and women and children, making one hundred and … Read more

Letter from General William Clark “Superintendency of Indian Affairs. “St. Louis, May 28, 1831. “Sir: I have the honor to inclose you a copy of a letter of 26th inst., just received from the Governor of Illinois, by which you will perceive he has thought it necessary to call out a force of about 700 militia for the protection of the citizens of that state, who reside near Rock River, and for the purpose of removing a band of Sacs which he states are now about Rock Island. “As the commanding general of this division of the army, I have … Read more

Letter to Governor Reynolds “Superintendency of Indian Affairs, “St. Louis, May 28, 1831. “Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th inst.. informing me of your having considered it necessary to call out a force of militia of about seven hundred for the protection of the citizens of Illinois who reside near Rock Island invasion and for the purpose of removing a band of Sac Indians who are now about Rock Island, etc. “You intimate that to prevent the necessity of employing this force, perhaps a request from me to those Indians to … Read more