Rock Island County Facts

Rock Island County was created on February 9, 1831 (Laws, 1831, p. 52) and was formed from Jo Daviess County. County organization was completed in 1833. Present area, or parts of it, formerly included in: Attached to JoDaviess County [Laws, 1831, p. 53] (1831–1833), JoDaviess County (1827–1831), Mercer County (1825–1827), Henry County (1825–1827), Pike County (1821–1825), Fulton County (1823–1825), Madison County (1812–1821) and St. Clair County (1794–1812). The County was named for rock island of that name in the Mississippi. The County Seat is Rock Island . Prior County Seats was Farnhamsburg—House of John Barrell [temporary designation] (1833–1835), Stephenson—Name changed to Rock Island in 1841 (1835–1841) and Rock Island (1841-Present). See also County History for more historical details. Counties adjacent to Rock Island County are Clinton County, Iowa (north), Whiteside County (northeast), Henry County (southeast), Mercer County (south), Louisa County, Iowa (southwest), Muscatine County, Iowa (west), Scott County, Iowa (northwest). Rock Island County Townships include Andalusia (Formed from Edgington in September, 1858), Blackhawk (Name changed from Camden on October 1, 1857), Bowling, Buffalo Prairie (Name changed from Buffalo to Copper on October 1, 1857; from Copper to Buffalo Prairie in January, 1858), Canoe Creek, Coal Valley, Coe (Name changed from Fremont to Penn on October 1, 1857; from Penn to Coe in January, 1858), Cordova, Drury, Edgington, Hampton, Moline, Port Byron, Rock Island, Rural (Formed from Coal Valley), South Moline (Formed from Moline in March, 1879), South Rock Island (Formed from Rock Island on March 1, 1878), Zuma (Name changed from Walker on October 1, 1857) Townships Cities, Towns and Communities include Andalusia, Buffalo Prairie, Campbell's Island (unincorporated), Carbon Cliff, Castle Junction, Coal Valley (partial), Cordova, Coyne Center, East Moline, Edgington, Ginger Hill, Hampton, Hillsdale, Illinois City, Milan, Moline, Oak Grove, Port Byron, Rapids City, Reynolds, Rock Island, Rock Island Arsenal, Taylor Ridge, Silvis The Rock Island County Official Government Website Map of Rock Island County and its civil and congressional townships Rock Island County, Illinois History Books at Amazon.com Family History Library - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.

There are free downloadable and printable forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms, U.K. Census Extraction Forms, Research Calendar, Ancestral Chart, Research Extract, Correspondence Record , Family Group Sheet , Source Summary Form.

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Records at the Rock Island County Courthouse

See Also Illinois Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

PLEASE READ!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

The Official County website is located at http://www.co.rock-island.il.us/. All departments below at located at the Rock Island County Courthouse, 1504 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201 , unless a different address is listed below. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.

   Rock Island County Circuit Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1835 and Court Records from 1834 and is located at the address above. Phone Number: (309) 558-3570
   The Clerk of the Circuit Court, commonly known as the Circuit Clerk, is the keeper of the files and records of the Circuit Court.  The Circuit Clerk works at the direction of Circuit Court, Appellate Court and Supreme Court of Illinois and is mandated to follow and enforce the laws of the State of Illinois.  The Circuit Clerk's Office processes all documents in criminal law, chancery, support, probate, adoption, juvenile, drainage, local improvement, mental, small claims, traffic, ordinance violations, prepares appeals to the higher court, issues passports, summons jurors, tax deeds and handles approximately ten million dollars in costs, fines, restitution, investments and support each year.  The Office also issues summonses, writs, attachments, subpoenas and all other tasks as mandated by the courts.

   Rock Island County Recorder has Land Records from 1835 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: (309) 558-3360
   The County Recorder of Deeds serves the people of County by receiving, filing and maintaining all records related to real property in our county. These documents range from all types of conveyance deeds, mortgages, releases and assignments, property liens, as well as, assorted federal, state and local liens. The Recorder’s office is responsible for the recordation and storage of plats of subdivision, land surveys and monument records. Many other types of miscellaneous documents are recorded, such as; foreign birth certificates, foreign marriage licenses, and military discharge paperwork to name a few.

   Rock Island County Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1877 and Marriage Records from 1833 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: (309) 786-4451
    The County Clerk maintains records and issues certificates of vital statistics (birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates) for the entire County.

Click Here to Search Illinois Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records! - Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Court Records by clicking the link below:

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• Rock Island County, Illinois Court Books at Amazon.com
• Illinois Immigration & Emigration Records - Immigration records help the family historian to understand the movements of their ancestry as they relocated to different parts of the world.

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Rock Island County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Illinois

Click Here to Search Illinois Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.

Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62702-5097. It can take up to 6 weeks to get a vital record from Illinois. Some documents are just too important to wait 6 weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. Birth, Marriage, Divorce & Death Certificates Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Often in as few as three business days!

A number of resources are available for individuals doing genealogical research using vital records filed in the state of Illinois. Births and deaths before January 1, 1916 and marriages before January 1, 1962 are recorded only in the office of the county clerk where the event occurred. Most county clerks have indexes to the records that are prior to 1916 that are available for the purpose of genealogical research. These indexes generally provide the name, date and place of occurrence and are located in county courthouses located throughout the state. Although self-service access to the indexes is generally permitted, the law limits physical access to the individual records to the clerk's staff. When you locate a record from the index, it will be necessary for the clerk to pull the record for you once you have paid the appropriate search fee. Please check with the county clerk for fees and policies on reviewing indexes.

• Birth, Death Certificates:
• Birth, Death Certificates: The Division of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth, death and marriage records that occur in Illinois from 1916 to the present. Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE
  • Cost: Initial search and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $17.00 (long) or $10.00 (uncertified) per certificate by mail.
    Make your check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • In Person: In-person orders can be dropped off for mail out within two business days at the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records office, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. (Large volume orders may take longer.) PLEASE NOTE: the person requesting the record will be asked to show a valid picture identification card.
  • Processing Time: 6 weeks when ordered by MAIL [application for birth records, application for death records] or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
• Marriage & Divorce Certificates: The Division of Vital Records also maintains an index of marriages & divorces from 1962 to the present. Copies of the marriage & divorce records are available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage license was obtained or divorce was granted. Fees vary.
  • Cost: $5.00. Make your check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $5.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Processing Time: 6 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY

Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

• Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE
• Database index on death certificates for the years 1916 to 1950
• Statewide Marriage Index, 1763 to 1900
• Rock Island County, Illinois Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com

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Rock Island County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records

Click Here to Search Illinois Voter Lists & Census Records! - Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable.

  Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Rock Island County, Illinois are 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Rock Island County, Illinois are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

  See Also Statewide Records that exist for Illinois

Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Census Records by clicking the link below:

• Rock Island County, Illinois Census Books at Amazon.com

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Rock Island County Maps & Atlases

   Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Ohio and other states.

  You can view rotating animated maps for Illinois showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps
   You can view rotating animated maps for Illinois showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries.

Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Maps. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Maps by clicking the link below:

• The USGenWeb Archives Digital Map Library
• Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection: Illinois Maps
• Federal Township Plats of Illinois (1804-1891)
• Rock Island County, Illinois Map Books at Amazon.com

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Rock Island County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Illinois

Click Here to Search Illinois Military Records! - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

   The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Military Records by clicking the link below:

• Illinois Society of Daughters of the American Revolution
• National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution,
• Illinois Society of Sons of the American Revolution,
• National Society of Sons of the American Revolution, 1000 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40203; (502) 589-1776
• Southern Claims Commission from the State of Illinois (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents In the 1870s, southerners claimed compensation from the U.S. government for items used by the Union Army, ranging from corn and horses, to trees and church buildings.
• Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900 from the State of Illinois (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Pension applications for service in the U.S. Army between 1861 and 1917, grouped according to the units in which the veterans served.
• Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
• Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
• Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, from NARA publication M804.
• Database of Illinois War of 1812 Veterans
• Database of Illinois Black Hawk War Veterans
• Illinois Mexican War Veterans
• Illinois Civil War Database
• Illinois Civil War Rosters
• Illinois Spanish-American War Veterans Database
• Rock Island County, Illinois - Confederate Dead at Rock Island Prison (now called Arsenal Island)
• Illinois: 1929 Roll of Honor Database contains the burial locations of 72,000 Illinois veterans, some from WWI
• Rock Island County, Illinois Military Books at Amazon.com

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Rock Island County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

   The first known tax authorization in Illinois fell under the jurisdiction of the Territory of the United States North West of the River Ohio. The tax was based on every hundred acres of unimproved uncleared prairie or wood land, divided into three classes based on quality of earth surface and soil. The rates were thirty, twenty, and ten cents, to be paid annually. Property with delinquent taxes was sold at public auction. There do not appear to be any surviving tax records from this territorial period.

Beginning with statehood, tax records form a large part of county archival material. The 1819 laws provided the first taxation process, imposing taxes on land, bank stock owned, slaves and indentured negroes or mulattoes, plus a poor tax. The tax was collected by the county with income divided between the county and state. Taxpayers lists were eliminated in 1824, and in 1825 a county road tax and school taxes were enacted.

Original and microfilmed tax records at Illinois Regional Archives Depositories include taxable land lists, assessors books, railroad tax books, road tax records, and collectors books, the earliest record dated 1817. Other county tax records are located in county seats.

Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

• Rock Island County, Illinois Tax Books at Amazon.com

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Rock Island County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Illinois Genealogical Addresses

   The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

• Colonel Davenport Historial Foundation Rock Island, Rock Island
• Hampton Historical Society, 601 1st Ave, Hampton IL 61256; (309) 755-0362
• Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society, Rock Island IL 61299
• Rock Island County Historical Society, PO Box 632, Moline IL 61265
• Rock Island County IL Genealogical Society, Rock Island
• Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Western Illinois University, University Library, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455; Telephone: (309) 298-2716. Map and Directions. Covers the following counties: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Peoria, Pike, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark and Warren. Hours: Monday – Friday, except state holidays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Local Illinois Researchers, Find a local researcher or become a local researcher.
• National Archives - Great Lakes Region(Chicago), 7358 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois 60629-5898; 773-948-9001; E-mail: chicago.archives@nara.gov (Maintains retired records from Federal agencies and courts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.)
  General Information Leaflet
• Illinois State Archives, Norton Building, Capitol Complex, Springfield, IL 62756; TELEPHONE: (217) 782-4682, Fax: (217) 524-3930; HOURS: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• The Illinois State Historical Society, 210 1/2 S. Sixth, Springfield, IL 62701-1503; Phone: (217)525-2781, Fax: (217)525-2783, [EMAIL]
• Illinois State Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 10195, Springfield, IL 62791; Phone: (217) 789-1968, [EMAIL]
• Illinois State Library, 300 South 2nd Street, Springfield, IL 62701-1796; Phone: (217) 785-5600
  
• Illinois State Historical Library, Old State Capitol, Springfield, IL 62701
  County histories, plat books, census indexes, cemetery indexes, city material, family and association files, microfilmed newspapers, manuscripts, and photographs are located beneath the restored old state capitol between 5th and 6th streets and Washington and Adams streets.
• Illinois Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
• Illinois Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com

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Rock Island County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Illinois

Click Here to Search Illinois Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

   There are many churches and cemeteries in Rock Island County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Rock Island County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Despite the early Catholic missionaries in Illinois, their church had almost totally disappeared from the state by the time of the American Revolution. Later migration of English-speaking Catholics reestablished the church in the state. In 1850 the largest religious denomination in Illinois was the Methodists. Baptists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Congregationalists followed. Episcopalians had organized in the state in 1835, the Disciples of Christ were in Illinois prior to 1830, and the Lutherans grew in numbers with the German and Scandinavian emigration of the 1840s.

   The Genealogical Society of Utah and the Daughters of the American Revolution have compiled cemetery records for the state of Illinois. Soldiers' Burial Places in State of Illinois for Wars 1774-1898 is available on thirty-one reels of microfilm from the FHL. Local genealogical societies may have information and possible printed records of cemeteries in their locale.

Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

• Rock Island County, Illinois Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
• Rock Island County, Illinois Church Books at Amazon.com

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Click Here to Search Illinois Family Tree Records! - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

   When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Rock Island County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Rock Island County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

• Search 60 Years Of Everton Data : For the first time ever you can get access to more than 150,000 pedigree files and family group sheets from Evertons. Learn More
• Search the Family Tree DNA Project- Use DNA testing to break through your genealogical barriers!
• Sites on USGenweb: [ Rock Island County ] [ Illinois ] [ Main Page ]
• Rock Island County ILGenWeb Archives
• [GenForum Message Boards] [Rootsweb Message Boards]
• Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
• Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
• The Illinois Family Group Sheet Project
• Meet your ancestors. Learn their stories. Start your FREE family tree.
• Illinois Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
• Genealogical Document Search and Retrieval Service
• Rock Island County, Illinois Family Books at Amazon.com

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County History

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On February 9, 1831 the Illinois General Assembly established Rock Island County and defined its boundaries. In 1833 early pioneers approved formation of a county government with the first county election held on July 5th of that year. In 1856 petitions were submitted to the County Board requesting the formation of townships during the next election in November. In this election Col. George Davenport, John W. Spencer and George W. Harlan were the first County Commissioners elected along with Benjamin Axe being chosen first Sheriff and Levi Wells first County Coroner. This township form of government is still in existence after nearly 150 years.

Early Settlements of Rock Island County

Undoubtedly the first white men to cast their eyes upon Rock Island soil were Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette, when they and their five French canoe-men, in June 1673, floated from the mouth of the Wisconsin River down the broad Mississippi. We do not know that they landed at any spot in the boundary of what is now Rock Island County, but as they came over the Rock Island rapids, gliding down the swift flowing water, they could not fail to notice the Island of Rock Island with its rocky shores and beautiful groves, for their canoes must needs take the channel on the north shore of the island. All early voyagers remarked upon this locality, and it was generally considered "the handsomest and most delightful spot of the same size on the whole globe."

We have no record of the first white man who stepped on Rock Island soil. We know that as early as 1690 Nicholas Perrot, French commandant of the west, built a post opposite to where Dubuque, Iowa, now is and that in 1695 Pierre Le Sueur built a fort on a large island in the Mississippi River between Lake Pepin and the mouth of the St. Croix, which Charlevoix says became "the centre of commerce for the western parts." Le Sueur discovered lead mines on both sides of the Mississippi River (at Dubuque and Galena), and Penicault, his reporter and companion, speaks of the rapids at Rock Island. We know that agents of Anthony Crozat at some time between the years 1712 and 1717 worked the lead mines around Dubuque and Galena; that as early as 1792 printed maps of this country show the Rock Island Rapids, naming them "Nine-mile Rapids," and we further know that from 1788 to 1810 Julien Du Bisque with a force of Spanish, French and Indian miners operated the lead mines near where Dubuque, Iowa, now is, and floated his lead down the Mississippi to St. Louis and New Orleans, and it is not impossible that some of these people may have explored this county and even lived here; but the first record we have of a white man stopping at this locality is when Lieutenant Pike in 1805 made his trip up the Mississippi.

In 1828 the country along Rock River had not been surveyed and consequently was not open to entry. Yet the fame of the fertility of the soil and the beauty of the country had attracted the pioneer who is always in advance of the settler, and who often is termed the squatter, and these people relying upon the protection of Fort Armstrong began to select homes in this valley.

Organization Of Rock Island County

In the early history of the State of Illinois, all the territory lying north and west of the Illinois River formed one county, under the name of Pike County. Prior to the organization of Rock Island County, it was attached to Jo Daviess County.

By an act of the legislature, approved February 9, 1831, which after fixing the boundaries, and naming the county, provided for the election of certain county officers, whenever it should contain three hundred and fifty inhabitants; and that after such election, said County of Rock Island, should be considered as organized. Said boundaries were as follows: Beginning in the middle of the channel of the Mississippi River, on the north line of Township 15, north, and west of the Fourth Principal Meridian; thence running eastwardly on said line to the Fourth Principal Meridian; thence north to the middle of the channel of Rock River; thence up the middle of said channel to the Marais d'Osier Slough; thence along the middle of said slough to the middle of the channel of the Mississippi River; thence down along the middle of said channel to the place of beginning.

On the first day of March, 1833, a further act was passed, and three commissioners were appointed to select and locate a permanent seat of justice for Rock Island County; and when selected to be called Stephenson, in commemoration of Colonel Benjamin Stephenson; also by said act the citizens of Rock Island County were authorized to elect on the first Monday of July, 1833, three county commissioners, one sheriff, three justices of the peace (to reside in separate districts), three constables, and one coroner.

An election was held July 5, 1833, at the house of John Barrel, in Farnhamsburg, near the point where the south end of the present south bridge of the Rock Island Railroad is now located.

At this meeting, which was duly held at the time and place appointed, sixty-five citizens were present and took part. Joseph Danforth, Joel Wells, Sr., and William H. Simms served as judges, and Joseph Conway and W. Thompson as clerks. Those honored by election to the county commissionership were: George W. Harlan, John W. Spencer and Colonel George Davenport. Benjamin F. Pike was made sheriff; Levi Wells, coroner; George W. Harlan, J. B. Patterson, and Joe Wells, Jr., justices of the peace; George V. Miller, Huntington Wells, and Edward Corbin, constables. These were the pioneer office-holders of Rock Island County.

The county commissioners met at John Barrel's and organized three days later. Joseph Conway was made clerk and Joseph Wells, Sr., treasurer and assessor. As there was neither county seat or any county building, the commissioners ordered that sessions of court and general elections be held at the house of John Barrel in Farnhamsburg. Asaph Wells and Joel Wells, Jr., were appointed supervisors of roads at the March term, 1834.

At this time the settlers had to depend upon Fort Armstrong for mail facilities. The matter of going to the post office became burdensome, as it included ferriage to the island. This expense added to the postage of twenty-five cents on each letter became grievous and the settlers petitioned the postmaster-general for a post office to be established at the convenient and useful home of John Barrel. This was done in 1834 and Joseph Conway made postmaster.

In June, 1834, the county was divided for convenience into two voting precincts, these being denominated the "Upper" and the " Lower." The boundaries of the Upper Precinct commenced at the mouth of the Marais d'Osier Slough and continued as far west as Henry McNeal's house. The voters in this territory assembled at the home of Walter Phillips. The remainder of the county formed the Lower Precinct and the voting place was fixed at the house owned by Davenport and Farnham in Farnhamsburg. The first judges appointed in the Upper Precinct were Asaph Wells, James Haskell and Thomas L. Galpin; in the Lower, Joel Wells, Sr., William Brashar and William Carr.

February 12, 1835, the legislature passed an act to establish the county seat of Rock Island County. The commissioners appointed under this law, on the 8th day of June 1835, located and established the town of Stephen-son, and the county seat of Rock Island County. The commissioners were George Davenport, John W. Spencer, and John Vanatta.

By order of the county commissioners court, in November, 1835, the records and courts of the county were removed from Farnhamsburg to Stephenson.

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 general assembly act for township organization, passed February 17, 1851.

June 29, 30, and July 1, 1857, credentials were presented to the board of supervisors by the representatives of the following named towns :

Rock Island, R. M. Marshall, Zachariah Cook; Canoe Creek, I. H. Marshall; Hampton, Lucius Wells; Drury, Peter Demoss; Edgington, James Baker; Bowling, T. W. Vincent; Coal Valley, Lewis Wilson; Buffalo, O. H. P. Moore; Port Byron, David S. Hobert; Walker, Rinnah Wells; Fremont, A. S. Coe; Camden, H. J. Brunot; Moline, Jeremiah Chamberlin; Cordova, George Marshall.

September 18, 1857, by order of the board of supervisors, the names of the following towns were changed:

Town of Camden, changed to Black Hawk; town of Fremont, changed to Penn; town of Buffalo, changed to Copper; town of Walker, changed to Zuma.

January 6, 1858, town of Copper, changed to Buffalo Prairie; town of Penn, changed to Coe.

September 16, 1858, a part of Edgington Township, was, through the prayer of petitioners-citizens of Edgington Township-by order of the board of supervisors, named Andalusia.

September 15, 1871, by petition of eighty-three legal voters of Coal Valley Township, a partition of the township was made, and named town of Rural.

March 3, 1873, a petition was presented to the board of supervisors, by Quincy McNeil and others, to annex that portion of the Town of Black Hawk north of Rock River to the Town of Rock Island.

December 12, 1873, by a vote of the board of supervisors-yeas, nine; nays, eight; absent, one-it was ordered that the portion of Black Hawk Township lying north of Rock River and south of the corporate limits of the City of Rock Island, be detached from the Town of Black Hawk and annexed to the Town of Rock Island.

December 14, 1877, the board of supervisors adopted a resolution that the portion of Rock Island Township, south of the corporate limits of the City of Rock Island, extending to the north shore of Rock River, be created and constituted the new Town of South Rock Island, to take effect March 1, 1878. The corporate limits of the City of Rock Island to be the Town of Rock Island.

November 16, 1872. Upon petition by three-fourths of the voters and property holders of the following tract to-wit: N. W. 1/4, Sec. 6, T. 17, R. 1, 4th P. M., and W. fractional 1/2 (south of Sylvan Water) of Sec. 31, T. 18, R. 1 W., 4th P. M., the city council annexed said territory to the City of Rock Island, and made it a part of the Fourth Ward of said city.

September 15, 1875, at a meeting of the board of supervisors the above tract (a part of Moline Township), to simplify administration and taxation, was annexed to the Town of Rock Island.

March 14, 1879. Adopted by the board of supervisors, that the Town of Moline be sub-divided. The incorporated City of Moline be organized as the Town of Moline; the remaining territory of Moline Township to be hereafter known as the Town of South Moline.

Several cities and villages with varying populations are located in Rock Island County.

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