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		Centennial Bridge in Rock Island County   Brief History of Rock Island County (1901) Rock Island county, in the northwestern section of the State bordering upon the Mississippi River (which constitutes its northwestern boundary for more than 60 miles), and having an area of 440 square miles. In 1816, the Government erected a fort on Rock Island (an island in the Mississippi, 3 miles long and one-half to three-quarters of a mile wide), naming it Fort Armstrong. It has always remained a military post, and is now the seat of an extensive arsenal and work-shops. Fort Armstrong In the spring of 1828, settlements were made near Port Byron by John and Thomas Kinney, Archibald Allen and George Harlan. Other early settlers, near Rock Island and Rapids City, were J.W. Spencer, J.W. Barriels, Benjamin F. Pike and Conrad Leak; and among the pioneers were Wells and Michael Bartlett, Joel Thompson, the Simms brothers and George Davenport. The country was full of Indians, this being the headquarters of Black Hawk and the initial point of the Black Hawk War. By 1829 settlers were increased in number and county organization was effected in 1833, Rock Island (then called Stephenson) being made the county-seat. Joseph Conway was the first County Clerk, and Joel Wells, Sr., the first Treasurer. The first court was held at the residence of John W. Barriels, in Farnhamsburg. The county is irregular in shape, and the soil and scenery greatly varied. Coal is abundant, the water-power inexhaustible, and the county's mining and manufacturing interests are very extensive. Several lines of railway cross the county, affording admirable transportation facilities to both eastern and western markets. Rock Island and Moline are the two principal cities in the county, though there are several other important points. Coal Valley is the center of large mining interests, and Milan is also a manufacturing center. Port Byron is one of the oldest towns in the county, and has considerable lime and lumber interests, while Watertown is the seat of the Western Hospital for the Insane. Population of the county in 1880 was 38,302; in 1890, 41,917; in 1900, 55,249 Rock Island County was established on February 9, 1831, with organization completed in 1833.
Rock Island County Formation: From 1831–1833, it was attached to JoDaviess County 1827–1831- JoDaviess 1825–1827 - Mercer 1825–1827 - Henry 1821–1825 - Pike 1823–1825 - Fulton 1812–1821 - Madison 1794–1812 - St. Clair
Surrounding Counties Mercer / Henry / Whiteside Scott County, Iowa  across the River
County Seats: 1833–1835 - Farnhamsburg - House of John Barrell 1835–1841 - Stephenson - Name changed to Rock Island in 1841. 1841 – Rock Island
Rock Island Library  401 19th St. Rock Island, IL 309-732-7323 Oldest IL Library Read about it Here
Andalusia Library 503 Second Street West PO Box 268 Andalusia, IL 309-798-2542
Cordova District Library 402 Main Avenue Cordova IL 61242-0247 309-654-2330 Read about it Here
Moline Library The downtown branch of their library is located at: 504 17th Street Moline, IL 61265 309-762-6883 Their southeast branch is located at: 3130 41st Street Moline, IL 61265 309-762-6883
Rock Island County Courthouse 1504 Third Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 Telephone: County Clerk - (309) 558-3570 Circuit Clerk - (309) 786-4451 Recorder - (309) 558-3360
IRAD Depository University Library Western Illinois University 1 University Circle Macomb, IL 61455 Telephone: (309) 298-2716

Data Topics
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Biographies	Births	Businesses	Cemeteries
Census Data	Churches	Cities and Townships	County Institutions and their Records
Court Records	Deaths Deceased Doctors 1804 -1929	Directories	History (Indians, Pioneers and Early Settlers)
Historic Districts, Neighborhoods & Architectural Areas	Immigration	Land Grants	Marriages
Military Records	Naturalization Records	Newspaper Articles	Obituaries
Postcards	Post Offices	Railroads	River Boats
Schools	Wills and Probate Records
Website Updates: Apr 2012: obit for FISHER Feb 2012: obit for HAYNES Jan 2012: obits for SHERWOOD, WATES Dec 2011: obit for SAWYER October 2011: obit for WALLACE August 2011: bio for STANLEY, obits for WHITESIDE, DUNBAR, BEAM July 2011: MARSDEN obit June 2011: obits for SELHOST, YORK; Location for Dunlap Cemetery March 2011: Report on the county jail; bio for BARDWELL; obit for BARKES January 2011: Weatherhead Family bio; WENNERSTROM obits December 2010: Obits for SCHAVE, GOSS, KLIMSTRA, DEERE May 2009: Misc. News Articles, Church News, Crime News, Marriage Notices, Obituaries for Magill, McFarland, M'Faggart and Walsh Surnames April 2009: 8 Obituaries added; Crime Court News Article March 2009: Partial Listing for Old Port Byron Cemetery; Newspaper Listing; Obituaries

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