The present city of Sterling took its rise from the combination of two villages, known as Harrisburgh and Chatham. Harrisburgh was settled first, the pioneer being Hezekiah Brink, who in early June, 1834, put up a house of logs and rifted lumber in what is now the First Ward of Sterling. This primitive building was the first one erected in the now populous city. Mr. Brink's nearest neighbor at that time was Mr. McClure, who had made a claim on Rock river, near the present village of Prophetstown. Close to his habita­tion the beautiful Rock river, the Sinnissippi of the Indians, and all around him was the boundless prairie, the only variation in the landscape being here and there along the river bank a narrow belt of timber. The place was desolate enough, and illy portended the growth in a comparatively few years of a large and wealthy city. Mr. Brink was soon afterwards joined by others, as mentioned in the history of the township, and the settlement began its career. In the summer of 1836, Capt. D. S. Harris, of the steamer Pioneer, came up the river with a load of provisions, and landed above the rapids, the settlers assisting with their ox teams in towing the boat over them to the landing point. A quantity of these provisions were sold to the settlers, and for payment the Captain took a one half interest in the town, which was then, in his honor, named Harrisburgh. Immediately afterwards Capt. Harris, Elijah Worthington, Hezekiah Brink, and others, had the town surveyed, laid out, and platted, the survey being made by Israel Mitchell, of Jo Daviess county, and the plat recorded in Ogle county. The town was bounded on the east and north by the city limets on the west by what is now Vine street, in the city of Sterling, and on the south by Rock river. A meeting was held by Capt. Harris and the leading settlers on board the steamer while it was being taken over the rapids, and among other matters discussed was that of establishing a Postoffice in the new town, and it was finally decided that a petition asking for one should be forwarded ‘ to Washington, as soon as some other preliminary matters had been settled. This petition was sent on in due time to the Postoffice Department, with a request that the name of the Postoffice be Rock River Rapids, and the postmaster Hezekiah Brink. The Department immediately acted upon it and granted both requests, but Mr. Brink declined to accept the position, and the Postoffice was abandoned. Some error having been discovered in the first sur­vey, the town of Harrisburgh was re-surveyed and re-platted in 1837, by Joseph Crawford, now President of the First National Bank at Dixon. Mr. Swan, an agent of Capt. Harris, built a store that season on the bank of the river, known afterwards as the Richardson House which was occupied by Worthington & Brink, with a stock of goods. Several dwelling houses were also erectad in 1836 and 1837. In the spring of 1835, William Kirkpatrick, a resident of Sangamon county, Illinois, made a claim and built a cabin in what was afterwards known as Chatham. He was then the owner of a mill and a large claim on Yellow creek, near Freeport, Stephenson county, and the few inhabitants who had made permanent settlements in and around the territory now comprising the city of Sterling, were suspicious that Kirkpatrick was a land shark, basing their opinion upon the fact that the owner of so large a mill claim needed all his means to take care of and improve it, and whatever else he obtained would be merely for specu­lative purposes. The views entertained by the settlers were soon made known to him, and he invited a conference. Several meetings were held, which finally resulted in a compromise, Kirkpatrick agreeing to enter into a bond in the penal sum of $1000 conditioned that he should lay out a town at the rapids of Rock river, the next year. The bond was made and executed on the 16th of November, 1835, to Isaac H. Albertson, Simeon M. Coe, Wyatt Cantrell, Solomon Whitman, Ward Storer, Nathaniel Morehouse, John J. Albertson, Harvey Mor­gan, and John Simonson. In the spring of 1836, Kirkpatrick carried out his agreement, had the town laid out and platted, and gave to it the name of Chatham. During the summer he built a frame house in the town, hauling his lumber from his mill at Yellow creek, a distance of forty miles. This was the first frame house erected in what is now the city of Sterling, and stood on the bank of the river, occupying the site of Col. Boyden’s present residence. The orig­inal settlers of Chatham were: Nelson Mason, John D. Barnett, P. C. Cushman, P. F. Batcheller, John Enderton, A. McMoore, Robert 0. Andrews, John Ma­son, and Hugh Wallace. Messrs. Mason and Barnett purchased the interest of Kirkpatrick in the town, put some improvements to the frame house, arid filled it with an assortment of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats, caps, cloth­ing, etc., making the stock the first assorted one opened in Whiteside county. The settlers in Buffalo, Elkhorn, and Genesee Groves, and also from Lyndon, Prophetstown and Portland, as well as many Indians then remaining in the Win­nebago swamps, did their trading at this store. The original survey and plat of Chatham was made by Joseph Crawford, but in the spring of 1837 it was found that they were incorrect, and that re-surveying and re-platting was necessary, which was done by Charles R. Rood, now of Garden Plain. About five hundred lots were then platted. The plats of both Chatham and Harrisburgh were made and recorded before any of the townships were surveyed and divided into sections by the Gov­ernment surveyors, and several years before the land was placed into market by the Government. Chatham was bounded on the east by the street now known as cherry street, in the city of Sterling; on the north by the city limits; on the west originally by what is now A street, and on the south by the river. The tier of blocks between Locust arid A, and part of B streets, were afterwards vacated by act of the General Assembly, upon petition of Hugh Wallace, and made a farm. Mason & Barnett were succeeded in 1841 in the general mercantile line, by William and George Adams, who erected a store building for their trade on Third street, the site being now occupied by the residence of Mr. Summy. Some other buildings were put up, but the growth of both Chatham and H­arrisburgh at that time was very slow.

Lying between Vine street, or the west line of Harrisburgh, and Cherry on the east line of Chatham, was a space of ground which remained for some time as neutral territory. This space now covers over six blocks of the of Sterling. A survey and plat of this ground was made by Charles assistants R. Rood, his assistants in making the survey being Col. Ezekiel Kilgour, Nelson Mason, Samuel Barnett, Andrew Oliver, and Col. W. M. Kilgour, then a boy. The survey was made some time after that of Harrisburgh and Chatham but before the township was surveyed and divided into sections by the government surveyors. Mr. Rood had, therefore, to make his starting points at the northwest and southeast corners of the Congressional township, and make his calculations in running his lines therefrom as to what section, or part of sections, this particular piece of ground would be on when the Government sur­veyer located the sections in the township. The survey was accurately made, and the land afterwards found to be on section 22. The plat was recorded in Whiteside county.

The towns of Harrisburgh and Chatham, being in such proximity were rivals until a common interest demanded the throwing aside of all personal feelings and uniting to promote the general good. In one thing, however, the people of both ­towns agreed perfectly from the start, and that was that Rock river would continue to be a navigable stream, and become the great thoroughfare for the exportation of their products, and the importation of such goods as would be demanded in the market. They looked to St. Louis, and other southern ports, as the points at which they must buy and sell. There was no thought then that in Rock river would ever be reduced to such an extent as to preclude navigation, or that the iron horse would monopolize the carrying trade, and divert the channel of transportation from the southern cities to the great city on the lake. Aside from the river, the only method of transportation was the toilsome one, by team. It is no wonder, then, they looked with pride upon the noble river, and hailed the arrival of a steamer with every demonstration of delight. To meet this steamboat traffic the streets running from the river were laid out one hundred feet wide, while those running parallell with it were made much narrower, an order which the people would now prefer to have reversed. The first dwellings, as well as business houses, were also erected on the bank of the river, so as to be near the center of trade. Rock river was navigable at that time, and Congress had so declared, which latter fact, of itself, was undoubtedly sufficient to remove all doubts, if any had been permitted to exist. The steamer Pioneer, commanded by Capt. Harris, came puffing up the river as early as 1836, and the people of the upper town, in the exuberance of their joy, named the place Harrisburgh, in his honor. Other steamers followed, and the prospect was that an era of uninterrupted river navigation had commenced, the vessels to ply at least as far north as Harrisburgh and Chatham. The rapids opposed a farther ascent of the river, but these could be easily avoided by digging a canal, and in 1839 a contract was let to construct one which would shun them entirely. But “the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglee.” The canal was never finished: Rock river threw up the Sponge as a navigable stream, and the locomotive came in as the propelling power for transportation.

In June, 1837, a Postoffice was established in Chatham, called Rock River Rapids, and John D. Barnett appointed Postmaster. The mail was brought from Dixon by Nelson Mason, who had secured the contract, by horse during the summer, and in the winter in what was called a “jumper.” The mail then was taken no farther west than the Rapids Postoffice, Mr. Mason carrying it for a consideration of eight cents per mile. It came tri-monthly, and was received at Dixon from the general mail carried by coach from Peoria to Galena, the route being by way of Dixon’s ferry. This mail was carried for a long time by James Dixon, a son of the late well known Father Dixon. The Postoffice was kept in Mason & Barnett’s store, a small frame building standing on the river bank, a little south of where Dr. Royer now resides. Previous to the establishment of this Postoffice, the settlers in and around Harrisburgh and Chatham were compelled to go to Dixon for their mail. The letters and papers would be directed to Rock River Rapids, but as there was no office at that point, they would be detained at Dixon until called for, and the silver quarter paid for each letter. Mr. Barnett was Postmaster for about a year, when Daniel D. Guiles received the appointment, and moved the office to Harrisburgh, keeping it in a frame building which is still standing south of Lincoln Park, and not far from where John Dunmore now lives. This was a victory for Harrisburgh, and she wore the escutcheon for some time. In 1841, Eliphalet B. Worthington was appoint­ed Postmaster, and kept the office for quite a time in his house, on Main street, in Harrisburgh, the site of which is now occupied by the residence of R. L. Mangan. Mr. Worthington afterwards bought some lots on the intermediate space between Harrisburgh and Chatham, and situated on the street now known as Broadway, upon which he built a house, and upon its completion moved the Postoffice into it. This was considered a good stroke of policy on the part of Mr. Worthington, as it allayed all feeling between the rival towns as to which should have the honor of possessing Uncle-Sani’s depository for the mail, besides strengthening his tenure of office. Being on neutral ground, and about midway between the points contending for the supremacy, the combatants laid down their armor, and shook hands over the verdant chasm. At this time Harnisburgh was familiarly known as Tinkertown; the neutral territory where the Postoffice was located, Tylertown; and Chatham, Muncey. Simeon M. Coe is said to have been the author of these names. But whether that be so, or not, each had its significance, as every old settler is well aware. These names clung to the lo­calities for some time after the consolidation of the towns. In the early part of 1840 Sterling was without a store, Mason & Barnett having gone out of business. Happer & Mcllvaine soon afterwards started one, but remained only about six months when they moved their stock of goods to Albany, on the Mississippi river, where they continued in trade for a long time, Mr. Happer being still in business there. Theodore and Elijah Winn then opened a small stock in the upper town, and continued in business until 1843 when they sold to Blanchard & Fuller, but as they did not increase the stock the people of Sterling procured their supplies from Dixon and Albany, the former place being ten miles to the east, and the latter thirty miles to the west. Happer & Mcllvaine, at Albany, secured a large share of the trade. Albany and Fulton were the principal shipping points for the products of the county. Wheat was mainly the article of production, and the demand was then at the South. Sometimes there was a surplus of stock over the home consumption, a market for which was found at the Galena lead mines

When Whiteside county became fully organized, and the question of the the County Seat arose, the people of Harrisburgh and Chatham be­ing the propriety of securing the boon. Neither of them could expect to get it in the face of the opposition of the other, and yet neither would yield. It was well known that the one which secured the prize would be the town, and the other would lose its name and identity. Local pride rebelled against such an emergency as the latter, and hence strenuous efforts were made. The towns had been rivals for several years, and each had put forth its best efforts for the supremacy. The location of the Postoffice had given them opportunity for a trial of influence and strength, but owing to the office being moved to neutral territory, neither gained any advantage. That was but a slight matter, however, compared to the county seat of such a county as Whiteside even then promised to become. The people of Harrisburgh reasoned that if the courthouse, jail, and other county buildings could be located within its bailiwick, the town would speedily become the most important in the county, and but a few years elapse before it would grow to be a large and populous city, and thos of Chatham followed the same ratiocination. The inhabitants outside of these towns were equally anxious as those within them, to get the county seat tin that locality, believing it would add an impetus to the growth of the town securing it, and thus afford an improved market for their products. Contentions among themselves, and a heavy pressure from without, rendered the state of things anything but pleasant to the citizens of both towns. “What shall we do?” was the question the Harrisburghers and Chathamites asked themselves. “What will you do?" was the one propounded without; but what to do remained a mooted point. Finally the proprietors of the two towns seeing that the discretion was the better part of valor, agreed to have a meeting and hold a friendly discussion over the important matter. The first convocation did not result in an agreement; neither did several other ones subsequently held. Eventually early in 1839, it was decided to unite the towns, and then came the question of the name for the consolidated town. On this point Worthington and Brink represented Harrisburgh, and Wallace and Mason, Chatham. Mr. Brink strongly urged the name of Pipsissiway, but the others considered that cognomen way out of the way, and wanted one more civilized in its character, even if it should not be so euphonious. To end the debate a proposition was made to make Broadway the dividing line, and have coppers tossed as to which side of that street the county buildings should be situated in the event of the county seat being located in the consolidated town, the winners also to have the also to have the right naming the future city. The gentlemen mentioned above were selected as the tossing parties, and upon examination of the coin of the realm as it fell to the floor after exhausting the evolutions given to it by their dextrous hands. It was found that Wallace and Mason had won. These gentlemen then agreed upon the name of Sterling, and the new town was ready to enter the field as a competitor for the seat of justice of Whiteside county. The elections held in 1839 under an act of the General Assembly, to locate the county seat, and other matters pertaining to the subject, will be found under the head of “County Seat !- Chapter IV, pages 71—76, of this volume. The court house in Sterling was ordered by the County Commissioners Court to be located on Block 57, west of Broadway, and the work upon it commenced in 1842, Luther Bush receiving the contract for the brick and stone work, and plastering; and D. F. Batcheller, A. McMoore, and William Oliver, for the wood work. Court was first held in the building in 1844. At the time of the removal of the county seat to Sterhing, Hugh Wallace was the only lawyer residing in the place. Mr. Smith from Vermont, settled soon afterwards, but was drowned on the 4th day of July, 1843, while attempting to cross Rock river during a fierce gust of wind. Maj. M. S. Henry came in 1844. Now there are fifteen disciples of Coke and and Blackatone in the city. The old court house is still standing, although its uses as a seat of justice ceased at the removal of the county seat to Morrison in 1858. We have mentioned the fact that as early as 1839 an appropriation was made under the the internal improvement act of the General Assembly, to Construct a canal around the rapids on the Rock Falls side of the river, which would enable steamboats and other river craft to go farther up the stream, and the untimely fate of the scheme by reason of the crash which followed the reck1ess and extravagant system of finance of the State at that time. This failure, however, did not deter those who considered Rock river a navigable stream from soliciting other appropriations, and entering into other undertakings, to remove or avoid obstructions to navigation. They therefore petitioned the General Assembly of the State to pass an act for the improvement of Rock river, under which a tax could be levied for the purpose. In complianee with this request the General Assembly passed an act on the 25th of February, 1845, entitled “An act for the improvement of the navigation of Rock river.” By the provisions of this act the County Commissioners of the counties lying on the river, were authorized to levy a tax in their respective counties to secure the removal of all obstructions from the rapids at Sterling to the mouth of the river, the work to be done under the superintendence of a Board of Commissioners. The report of these Commissioners, made December 6, 1847, and signed by John Dixon, President, states as follows in regard to the improvement of the rapids:

“The contract made with Thomas McCabe to excavate a channel through the rapids at Sterling, having been given up by him, the Board employed William Pollock, one of our members, to superintend the work on said rapids, with authority to employ the necessary workmen, and procure the necessary tools and im­plements. Mr. Pollock reports that he found it very difficult to get suitable workmen, but with the small number he succeeded in raising, he has made considerab1e improvement in that part of the channel that remained to be excavated, by removing the more prominent obstructions in the channel, by which means the passage of flat and keel boats will be much facilitated. The Board expended for the work upon said rapids under Mr. Pollock’s superintendence, and for the services of Mr. Pollock, connected with it, the sum of four hundred and flfty4wo dollars, and fifty-three cents. There had been previously paid to Mr. McCabe for excavation on said rapids under his contract, in the years 1845 and 1846, the sum of five hundred and sixty-five dollars and seventy-eight cents, making with the amount paid during the last season, the sum of ten hundred and eighteen dollars and thirty-one cents, which has been expended by authority of this Board for the excavation on the rapids at Sterling. And although the channel has not been completed through the rapids, such as was contracted for with Mr. McCabe, yet the Board is of the opinion that by the work already done, the passing Up and down said channel for boats, rafts and other craft, will be found to be materially improved and expedited, and that persons who have occasion to pass up or down said rapids will be satisfied that the money expended thereon by this Board, as above stated, has not been misapplied.” The Board made a further report, December 23, 1848, in which they state that “since their last reportin December, 1847, the Board has held but one meeting, which was last, at which they appropriated of the tax assessed for the improvement navigation of Rock river, a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars to be expended under the superintendence of William Pollock, in removing obstrutions to the navigation of Rock river from the rapids at Sterling to the mouth of the river; of which sum Mr. Pollock has expended eighty dollars and fifty cents in the removal of the most prominent obstructions.” It will be seen by these reports that the commissioners appointed under the act of the General Assembly, for the improvement of the navigation of Rock river, entertained the most positive assurance that by the removal of the obstructions then known to exist, the stream would be rendered navigable for the future for “boats, rafts craft.” This idea prevailed for some years later, but was finally abandoned, as we have mentioned elsewhere, and the water of the river put to a use at Sterling, Rock Falls, Lyndon, and other places, which has proved of much greater financial advantage.

John Galt opened a store in Sterling in 1844, and the next year James L. Crawford became a partner, the firm name being Galt & Crawford. Afterwards John B Crawford entered as a partner, and the firm name was changed to Galt, Crawford & Co. In 1847 J. H. Boynton and James C. Woodburn formed a partnership under the name of Boynton & Woodburn, and opened an assorted stock of goods. Mr. Woodburn died in 1848, and Mr. Boynton continued the the business. The latter was in the peddling trade previous to 1847. His wagon was labeled “Western Trader,” and was known by all the settlers in Northern and Southern Wisconsin. It has been rightfully said of him that he was a Napoleon in that branch of trade. M. S. Henry commenced a private bank and in 1854 formed a partnership with Lorenzo Hapgood, the firm name being H.S. Henry & Co. This bank was continued until 1861. H. A Munson also opened a bank during that time, in connection with an insurance company, and ran it for a short time. A. H. Buckwalter started a store about the same time as Boynton & Woodburn, and after conducting it awhile, received Edward Jameison as a partner. The house closed about 1858. Feather & Hoover followed when the latter retired, E. G. Allen became a member of the firm, and remained so until the firm was dissolved in 1859. The firm of Patterson & Witmer commenced business in 1855, and had a heavy trade for about ten years, when the Pattersons retired. The firm of David N. Crawford & Co., came into existence after the dissolution of that of Galt, Crawford & Co. Mr. Craw­ford continued in business ever since, his partners, however, having been changed several times. These were among the oldest and largest of the early business houses of Sterling, after the removal of Happer & Mcllvaine to Albany, the stores of Mason & Barnett, and others, were in existence before the con­solidation of Harrisburgh and Chatham.

The excitement in regard to the Postoffice ran high again in 1856. When E.B. Worthington retired, Lewis D. Crandall received the appointment as Postmaster and located the office soon afterwards in a building on the north side of Third street not far from where Maj. M. S. Henry now lives. There was not much objection made to the removal to that place, and had the office remained there until the demands of the people as the town increased required a differ­ation, everything relating to the mail and its delivery would have been serene. But by some means not generally understood, Mr. Crandall was removed and Joseph Hutchinson appointed. This change was enough of itself, as it appeared to arouse the indignation of the people. They wanted to be consulted in so important a matter. It was probably not so much because they desired Mr. Crandall retained, as it was to have a voice in the appointment of his successor in case of his removal, the great object being to have an incumbent in the position who would keep the office at a point convenient to the business district. The announcement, therefore, of the removal of Crandall, and the appointment of Hutchinson, created the greatest excitement among the citizens and business men generally, as they knew it portended a change of base as to the Postoffice location, and sure enough the change was made. Hutchinson kept a store in what was then known as Wallacetown, some distance west of the business part of Sterling, and there he established the Postoffice. To get to it the merchant, lawyer, doctor, mechanic, and the “rest of mankind and and womankind” in Sterling proper, would be compelled to travel greatly out of their way, and in rainy weather to wade through thick mud. To show how deepiy they resented this movement on the part of the government and its new appointee, they refused to mail their letters at Sterling, and directed all their correspondents to send their mail to Galt or Nelson. Some even went so far as -. to refuse to take their mail out of the Sterling Postoffice, preferring to suffer the inconvenience occasioned by the delay rather than in any manner patronise the Hutchinson institution. This inconvenience caused considerable trouble in the business matters, but it was cheerfully submitted to. Meetings were held by the indignant citizens to devise means to secure the removal of Hutchinson, or if he must be kept in office to get an order from the Postoffice Department causing a return of the office to a locality within the business part of the town. On one occasion a large number gathered at one of the stores just after a very heavy rain, and as usual the Postoffice was the theme of discussion. It did not take long to excite the already intense feeling of the crowd, and to make them ripe for any movement which could be used as a means of retaliation for the great wrong perpetrated upon them. The suggestion soon came that they all march down to Hutchinsons’s store through the deep mud, and carry with them on their —boots as much of the article as could be made to adhere, and when they had entered the place to deposit it by thorough stamping upon the floor or any other con­venient place. The chronicles of the times do not state the result. Relief, however, came afterwards in the removal of Hutchinson, and the appointment of L. King Hawthorne, who moved the office to Third street, between Mulberry and Spruce. This brought it again within gunshot of the stores and other business places, and the people once more calmly returned to their various pur suits. The stirring times during Hutchinson’s incumbency are still fresh in the remembrance of many of the citizens of Sterling. The growth of Sterling was slow until the railroad era. Up to that time it was considerably behind Fulton, Albany and Dixon. Its prospects for the future were often so dark and gloomy that neighboring towns looked upon it as a doubtful enterprise. The citizens, however, were not dismayed. They felt assured that the vast water power would he utilized at no distant day, and that the fertile agricultural country surrounding it would soon be populated by en­terprising and thrifty farmers. It needed only some avenue more speedy than the common highway to take the products of the machinery at the water power, and the surplus products of the soil, to a general distributing market, to make available the advantages which nature had so lavishly bestowed upon it. Railroads were being constructed through different parts of the State, and the peo­ple felt assured that the beautiful valley of Rock river would not remain long as a region unknown to the iron horse. Chicago was sending out tracks in dif­ferent directions; and it would be strange if one did not find its way through the Rock river country. The more sagacious predicted that the time would come when an air line railroad would run from the Lakes to the Mississippi” They saw the great markets at the east reaching out even then for the pro­ducts of the Upper Mississippi Valley, and the way to grasp them could only be afforded by the locomotive and the car. In these predictions they were correct and the air line railroad came. The project of constructing a railroad from Chicago directly west to the Mississippi river was brought forward as early as 1851. Previous to that time, the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad had been completed to Rockford, and afterwards to Freeport. But that road did not answer the purpose for Rock river valley, neither did it look toward a consummation of the project of a direct line from the Lakes to the Mississippi river, and as a consequence the St. Charles Air line, the Dixon Air Line, and the Mississippi & Rock River Junction Railroads were projected, and work upon them commenced. In 1853 the Michigan Central, and the Galena & Chicago Union Companies came for­ward and assisted these newly organized companies, and eventually they all passed into the hands of the latter, and the name of the Chicago & Galena Union Railway was assumed. This company immediately pushed forward the work of completing the present road from Chicago to Fulton, and in 1856 the first train entered Sterling. The people had been watching and waiting for so long, that when it did occur their joy was unbounded, and to give vent to it in part at least, an old fashioned barbacue was decided upon. This remembered occasion was held in the summer. Over three thousand peopIe assembled under an awning composed of branches of trees in full leaf erected just south of the present artesian well. A large, fat ox had been donated by S. Miles Coe, and roasted whole, and after partaking of it, and a other viands and luxuries furnished by the grateful citizens, the vast concourse listened to an eloquent oration delivered by Benjamin F. Taylor, the then literary editor of the Chicago Evening Journal. At its conclusion the "little giant of the West,” Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, came forward and made one of those happy addresses for which he was so famous. Those who heard it say it was superior in matter and delivery to anything of the kind they ever heard. The ceremonies and festivities of the occasion concluded with a ball in the evening, which was largely attended, Mr. Douglas being among the gayest of he gay throng which, inspired by the best of music, threaded the maxy intricacies of the dance. From that day Sterling has been rapidly marching on to wealth and greatness.

Unlike most other towns, Sterling did not organize as a village previous to its incorporation as a city. There were probably valid reasons why this was not done, yet in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the people of so large a town as it had grown to be, would not have been content to have remained under township organization simply for so many years. Local pride alone would have induced many to organize as a municipality. The citizens of Sterling, however, were undoubtedly looking forward to the day when they could jump into the harness as a full fledged city, without the preparatory schooling as a village. Such at any rate was the case.

Sterling was organized as a city under a special charter granted by the Assembly of the State, and approved February 16, 1857. The first election undere the charter was held in April of that year, and resulted in the choice of Lorenzo Hapgood for Mayor; John Pettigrew and David H. Myers, as aldermen for the First Ward; Henry Bush and D. R. Beck, for the Second Ward and James Galt and B. G. Wheeler, for the Third Ward. The City Council met for organization at Boynton’s Hall, on the evening of April 23 1857, William Caffrey was appointed Clerk pro tem, after which Mayor Hap­good delivered his inaugural address. Some preliminary business was transacted, and the Council adjourned to meet at the same place on the evening of April 25th. At that meeting L. King Hawthorne was elected City Clerk; Edward N. Kirk City Attorney; and Winfield S. Wilkinson, City Surveyor. Mayor Hapgood appointed the following committees: On Finance, Ald, Galt, Beck, and Pettigrew; On Claims, Ald. Beck, Wheeler, and Myers; On Judiciary, Ald, Bush, and Pettigrew; On Printing, Ald. Myers, Galt, and Beck; On Streets and Alleys, Ald. Pettigrew, Bush, and Galt; On Ordinances, Ald. Bush, Galt, and Pettigrew. The first ordinance was passed by the Council, and approved by the Mayor, May 2, 1857, and related to the duties and salary of the City Surveyor. The second, relating to shows and exhibitions, was also passed and approved at the same meeting. Something of a contest arose over the selection of an official newspaper organ, there being two newspapers published in the city at the time, known as the Sterling Times, and the Republican. To ascertain which one was entitled to the honor, the Committee on Printing required both to furnish sworn lists of their subscribers, and when these verified lists were handed in, it was found that the Times had 187 subscribers, and the Republican 186, the former therefore winning the prize by a single name. This did not satisfy Mr. Caffrey, publisher of the Republican and at the next meeting of the Council he sent in a petition asking for a reconsideration of the vote which gave his rival the coveted honor of calling his paper the official organ. A special committee consisting of Ald. Bush, Pettigrew, and Galt was appointed to consider the matter, but before they reported a compromise was effected by which each paper agreed to publish the proceedings of the Council gratis, and charge the same rates for publishing ordinances and notices as had been before charged by the Republican. Ald. Myers resigned his seat in June, 1857, and on the 30th of that month a special election was held, at which Asa F. R. Emmons was chosen to fill the vacancy. Sterling Aldermen were fined at that day, one dollar and costs, for every time they were absent from a meeting of the Board. At the meeting of the Council held on the 6th of August, 1857 Hezekiah Windom, and two hundred and forty-five other residents of the Second Ward, presented a petition praying the Council not to grant any license for the sale of spirituous liquors in that Ward. The petition was referred to a special committee who reported on the 13th of the same month, adversely to the prayer it contained. The report stated that some eleven weeks previous to the presentation of the petition, the City Council had adopted the policy of refusing to grant license for the sale of liquor in any part of the city, and passed an or­dinance strictly forbidding its sale within the city limits, but that no effort had been made to enforce the ordinance, and in consequence parties sold openly in each Ward. Under such a state of affairs the Council had thought it best to repeal the prohibitory ordinance, and license a limited number of houses to sell spirituous, vinous, and malt liquors, in the respective Wards. The Committee did not, therefore, deem it policy to discriminate as to license in favor of any Ward. The report was adopted by the Council. This was the first attempt on the part of any of the citizens of Sterling, as such simply, to secure the intediction of the sale of intoxicating liquors in any part of the city limits. The principle, however, had taken root, and finally triumphed. The charter was amended by an act of the General Assembly in 1869, and the city has been working under the amended charter since that time. Under this charter the corporate limits of the city are described to be all that district embraced in the platted town of Sterling, including the several additions thereto, as now platted and recorded in the office of the Recorder of Whiteside county; also all that part of the Southwest quarter of section twentytwo, in said town, which lies north of Rock river, and all that part of the said town of Sterling lying between the said platted town and the central line of Rock river and bounded on the east by the section line running between sections twenty two and twenty-three, in said town, and on the west by the line of G street, in Wallace’s addition to the said city of Sterling, extended southerly to the middle of Rock river.” Section three provides that whenever any tract of land adjoining the city shall be laid off into town lots, and duly recorded, the same shall be annexed and form a part of the city. Section four divides the city into Wards as follows: "All that part of the city lying east of the center line of Broadway, extending to the north and south boundaries of the city, to constitute the First Ward; all that part lying west of First Ward and east of the center line of Lo­cust street, extending to the north and south boundaries of the city, to constitute the Second Ward; and all that part of the city lying west of the center line to Locust street to constitute the Third Ward.” The Mayor or any two Aldermen may call special meetings of the city Council. City elections are held on the first Monday in March, in each year.

The fo1lowing are the names of the different Mayors, Aldermen, and City Clerks of the city of Sterling from the organization of the city in 1857, up to and including the year 1877, with the date of their election 1857:—Mayor, Lorenzo Hapgood; Aldermen, John Pettigrew, Daniel H. Myers, Henry Bush, D. R. Beck, B. G. Wheeler, James Galt; City Clerk, L. King Hawthorne. 1858 :—Mayor, Lorenzo Hapgood; Aldermen, John Petti­grew, Charles L. Ginkinger, S. Hazen; City Clerk, L. King Hawthorne. 1859: Mayor, Lørenzo Hapgood; Aldermen, Henry LeFevre, Smith Barrett, David Leavitt; City Clerk, L. King Hawthorne. 1860, Mayor, Nelson Mason; Alder­man John Pettigrew, Ansel A. Terrell, Morgan Baker; City Clerk, L. King Hawthorne. 1861 :—Mayor, John L. Price; Aldermen, William L. Youmans, Benjamin Gurtisen, Thomas K. Facey; City Clerk, L. King Hawthorne. 1862: Mayor Nelson Mason; Aldermen, John Pettigrew, Ansel A. Terrell, Morgan Baker, City Clerk, J. Haskell—Mr. Haskell resigned and J. B. Myers was ap­pointed. 1863 :_Mayor, Fred Sackett; Aldermen, William L. Yeomans, S. L. Warren, Thomas K. Facey, Charles M. Worthington; City Clerk, J. B. Myers., 1864, Samuel S. Patterson; Aldermen, George W. Brewer, Henry S. Street, Edward 0. Cook; City Clerk, W. H. Thatcher. 1865:—Mayor, Nelson Maxon, Aldermen, Richard L. Mangan, R. B. Stoddard, James M. Wallace; City Clerk, W. H. Thatcher, 1866 —Mayor, Thomas A. Galt; Aldermen, W. W. Pratt, L. Morse, Benjamin C. Coblentz; City Clerk, W. H. Thatcher. 1867, Benjamin C. Coblentz; Aldermen, Henry Thomas, Joseph H. Boynton, George B. Kitel, City Clerk, W H Thatcher 1868 —Mayor, Benjamin C. Coblentz; Alderman, John Pettigrew, Joseph M. Patterson, Andrew J. Hull; City Clerk, W. H. Thatcher. 1869 —Mayor, C. P. Sanford; Aldermen, William L. Yeomans, A.A. Terrell, A. N. Young, L. P. Johnson Miles S. Henry, H. A. Bunn, City Clerk, C. L. Sheldon. 1870 :—Mayor, John G. Manahan; Aldermen, Don Dippell, Benjamin Gurtisen, Clarence Jewett, H. S. Street; City Clerk, C. L. Sheldon, 1871 :—Mayor. John G. Manahan; Aldermen, Maltby C. Stull, John Martin, L. P. Johnson, R. B. Colcord William L. Patterson, James M. Wallace; City Clerk, C. L. Sheldon. 1872 —Mayor, John G. Manahan; Alder­man, Henry H. Hoover, Benjamin Gurtisen, Decius 0. Coe; City Clerk, C. L. Sheldon. 1873 :—Mayor, William H. Bennett; Aldermen, Maltby C. Stull, Jacob R. Sides, William C. Robinson, S. H. Kingery, James M. Wallace, R. Shove; City Clerk, Lucius R. Root—Mr. Root resigned, and J. C. Teats was appointed to fill the vacancy. 1874 —Mayor, Joshua V. McKinney; Aldermen, Cyrenus Beecher, M. H. Kreider, C. L. Sheldon; City Clerk, J. C. Teats. 1875 —Mayor, B.C. Church; Aldermen, Maltby C. Stull, William C. Robinson, S. H. Kingery, D.J. Jenne, James M. Wallace, Nicholas Gaulrapp; City Clerk, J. C. Teats. Mayor, B. C. Church; Aldermen, Cyrenus Beecher, Meno S. Bowman, A.J. Hull; City Clerk, J. C. Teats. 1877 —Mayor, Joseph M. Patterson; Al­der,am. Wi1liam Lightcap, Norman A. Thomas, W. C. Robinson, Horace. G. Clark, Henry S. Warner, John Werntz, M. B. Fitzgerald, M. A. Bunn, E.W. Edson; City clerk, J. ~. Teats.

The city of Sterling is one hundred and ten miles west of Chicago, and twenty-six miles east of the Mississippi river. Its location is sixty~three and six one hundredths feet above low water in Lake Michigan, and six hundred and forty-six feet above the level of the sea, taking the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad track as the point of elevation. It is in latitude 40 degrees, 50 min utes north, and longitude 90 degrees, 5 minutes west, from Greenwich The railway facilities are excellent to all points, as it is situated on the air line of the Galena Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, which afford speedy transportation accomodations east and west, and is the northern ter­minus of the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad, opening communication with the south. On the Rock Falls side is the terminus of the Rock River branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In 1852 the property holders of Sterling by common consent deeded to John GaIt one-half of their unimproved lots, in trust, to be conveyed by him as such trustee to a company that would duly organize under the laws of the State, and construct a dam across Rock river, opposite the town, together with a suitable head race. A company known as the Sterling Hydraulic Company, with John A. Holland then at its head, was accordingly organized in 1854, and the work on the dam and race commenced. The dam was finished in September, 1855, at a cost of about seven thousand dollars, and is one thousand feet in length, and fourteen feet wide, the power being under a six foot head of water. The present officers of the Hydraulic Company are: Lorenzo Hapgood, Pres­ident, and James M. Wallace, Secretary and Treasurer. The first bridge connecting Sterling and Rock Falls was erected in 1856—’57, but was washed away by a freshet soon after its completion. The present bridge was built in 1863 by the Sterling Bridge Company, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. It is a toll bridge, and has been extensively used since its construction. In 1868 a part of the bridge was carried away, but the loss was soon replaced. The officers of this Company are: William. L. Patterson, President, and William A. Sanborn, Secretary and Treasurer. During the ses­sion of the last General Assembly an act was passed to allow the construction of bridges over the waters within the State, according to the provisions therein contained, and under it the electors of Sterling held an election in August last to decide whether or not a free bridge should be built across the river connecting Sterling and Rock Falls. The project had been discussed for some time pre­viously, and the contestants for quite a period were supposed to be pretty evenly divided, but as the election approached the friends of the bridge increased in numerical force, and finally carried the day by a large majority. The bridge will extend from the foot of Mulberry street in Sterling, to Bridge street, a little east of the Industrial Building, in Rock Falls. Work has already commenced on the structure on the south side. The entire cost will be borne by the city of Sterling, which has voted $40,000 for its construction. It will be built of iron, and made throughout a substantial structure. After the destruction of the first bridge in 1857, B. G. Wheeler, a banker in Sterling, and one of its first Aldermen, started a ferry above the rapids, but it got so frequently out of re­pair that it was comparatively useless. When that was abandoned James A. Patterson ran one for a time below the rapids, but stern fate decreed that it should not be a success, and it was also abandoned. In 1874, George W. Barr purchased a steam tug of some parties in Lyons, Iowa, fitted it for a ferry boat, and conveyed it to Sterling where he launched it upon the river above the dam, and commenced the ferry business. The little steamer was christened the White Swan, and from the start has done a good business, making one hundred and fifty trips daily during the season. It has passed through several hands since it was launched by Capt. Barr, but in 1876 came into the possession of James A. DeGroff, who is the present owner. Mr. DeGroff is one of the solid men of Sterling, and although not taking charge of the boat himself, sees that every comfort and convenience are afforded to those who patronize it.

Sterling is lighted with gas furnished by the Sterling Gas Light Company, which was incorporated in 1874. The works, which are quite extensive, were erected during the same year, at a cost of forty thousand dollars. Between three and four miles of mains have been laid, and a large number of lamp posts erected throughout the city. The business streets, and many of those on which private residences are exclusively situated, are finely lighted. The hotels, public halls, and many of the stores and dwellings are also lighted by gas furnished by these works. The officers of the Company are: Joseph M. Patterson, President: William L. Patterson, Secretary; and John Charter, Treasurer.

The Fire Department of Sterling is composed of one engine company, three hose companies and one hook and ladder company. It is in excellent condition, and the members number about one hundred and fifty in all, active,energet­ic men, ready at any time when duty calls them. The companies are as follows: Columbia Engine and Hose Company, No. 1, located on Market street North of Third street; Niagara Hose Company, No. 2, located at the foot of Locust street, on the water power; Hose Company, No. 3, located on the corner of B and Third streets; and Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, located on Market street, north of Third. The latter company carries six ladders, four Babcock Fire Extinguishers, as well as all other necessary appliances. The city has the Holly system of pumps for fire purposes. These are located on the water power at the foot of Locust street, the wheel and power furnished by the hydraulic Company. Pipes extend from this point to different parts of the city and at all necessary corners of streets fire plugs are situated so that in conflagration a good supply of water can be obtained. An abundant abundant can also be furnished by the artesian well belonging to the estate of the late Joel Harvey, and in time it will undoubtedly be utilized for fire, and largely for domestic and other purposes. This well is situated in the northeastern part of he city, and is 1,665 feet deep, having a flow of fourteen feet. The power furnished by it is sufficient to reach the upper story of any building in the city.

The Postoffice is located at No. 90 Mulberry street, a few doors south of Third street, to which place it was removed by Mrs. Emily J. C. Bushnell, now Mrs. M.S. Henry, shortly after she received her appointment as Postmistress. Upon her resignation in 1871, Mrs. Electa E. Smith, the present Postmistress, was appointed. The business of the office has increaseI rapidly in the past few years and as a consequence it has been enlarged from time to time as the pub­lic demanded. It now contains eight hundred and eighty-two boxes, and one hundred and twenty-five drawers. During the fiscal year of 1876, the office paid to the Government six thousand dollars, besides defraying all expenses. The money order department during the same year transacted a business of two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.

We have been enabled from the records to obtain the following amounts of city indebtedness for the years named: On the first of April, 1867, the indebtedness was $16,056,39; on February 15, 1870, $17,030,87; February 15, 1871 $12,747,86; February 15, 1872, $10,237,01; February 15, 1873, $5,129,54; February 15, 1874, $6,223,10; February 15, 1875, $9,733,91;February 15, 1876, $4,588.64; February 15, 1877, $4,225,14. The present indebtedness is small when we take into consideration the size of the city, the expenses necessarily incurred in sustaining its government, and the amount expended for needed improvements.

The charter election in Sterling for several years has turned almost wholly upon the question of licensing the sale of spirituous, vinous, and malt liquors. Since 1873 the no-license party has been largely in the majority, and has carried the entire city ticket at each election, but nearly every Alderman. At the incoming of the anti-license party in 1874, a stringent ordinance was passed prohibiting the sale of spirituous liquors, ale, wine and beer, in less quantities than five gallons. The ordinance provides that “every person or corporation who shall, by himself or herself, or by agent, employe, servant, or otherwise within the limits of said city of Sterling, or within one mile of said limits north of Rock river, sell or barter, in any manner, any wine, rum, gin, brandy, whisky malt liquors, strong beer, ale, porter, mixed liquors, or any intoxicating liquors whatever, in less quantities than five gallons, shall, upon conviction thereof be fined not less than ten dollars, nor more than one hundred dollars.” For the sale or barter on Sunday, within the limits mentioned, the penalty is not less than twenty dollars, nor more than one hundred dollars. The ordinance further provides that the giving away of liquors, or other shift or device to evade its provisions, shall be deemed and held to be unlawful selling within its intent and meaning. The city authorities have been very active in discovering every violation of the ordinance, and when once ascertained the violators are prosecuted to its full extent. The result is that liquor is not sold openly. and probably but comparatively little in secret dives or dark corners. The example set by Sterling has been followed by several other towns and villages in the County.

A large number of business houses and private residences have been erect­ed in the city within the past few years, and notably so during the years 1876 and 1877. During the latter year several large blocks of stores, mainly on Third and Locust streets, besides over one hundred private residences in different parts of the town, have been built. Additions and improvexnent~ have also been made to the various manufacturing establishments. The Galt house, one of the finest hotels west of Chicago, was erected in 1876—77, and formally opened to the public on the 21st of August, of the latter year. Over five hun­dred guests participated in the complimentary banquet given in its honor, under the management of Messrs. A Terrell, Joseph M. Patterson, and E. W. Edson, an executive committee on the part of the citizens. The hotel is situated on the southwest corner of Locust and Fourth streets, with a front of one hun­dred and twenty feet on the former street, and one hundred on the latter is four stories high, with a basement, and has all the room, convenience, and elegance of the modern first class hotel. It is owned by Thomas A. Galt. The Wallace House, long known as a capital hotel, has been greatly enlarged an improved during the past year, by its enterprising owners, and ranks with the best in the country. The Boynton House is also a fine hotel, and has been kept for many years by its owner, J. H. Boynton. -

The city of Sterling in 1877 contains ten dry goods houses, fourteen groceries, six hardware, stove, and tin stores, seven drug stores, seven clothing stores, eight boot and shoe stores, four jewelry establishments, three musical instrument establishments, four agricultural implement establishments, two hat and cap dealers, three furniture dealers, one wholesale and retail harness and saddle manufacturer and dealer, three harness shops, four milliners, five dressmakers, two stationers, two marble and granite works, three cigar manufacturers, five tobaceonists, three bakeries, one feed store, one auction store, One paint store, three photographers, seven coal dealers, four barber shops, three plumbing establishments, four meat markets, two wholesale liquor dealers, two live stock dealers, three butter dealers, three lumber dealers, two ice dealers, two brick makers, two tanneries, three confectionery stores, three eating houses, one laundry, one packing house, two grain dealers, one brewery, three livery stables, four cooper establishments, seven blacksmith shops, seventeen lawyers, twelve physicians, three dentists, three newspapers, six hotels. The manufactories, mills, and distillery are mentioned under the applupriate head.

In 1855, the city of Sterling had a population of 1,741: in 1860, 2,427; and in 1870 3,998. The population in 1877 is estimated at 7500.

The following extract from an article published in the Western Manufacturer, of Chicago, shows the light in which Sterling is regarded by non-residents, and is a fair expresion of the estimation entertained by all who have visited it;

"It is a city presenting advantages to the business man and manufacturer second to none in the country. Possessed of an almost unlimited water power, with the rapid growth of the industrial interests of the West, its future grand possibilities cannot be over estimated. It abounds in an educated and industrious population,unexcelled publis schools, numerous well appointed and well united churches, live newspapers, and every essential element which characterizes a city. Sterling offers to capitalists opportunities for the most profitable investment of their money in manufacturing and business enterprise, as well as the refinements and comforts of a pleasant home.

Sterling - a flourishing city on the north bank of Rock River, in Whiteside County, 109 miles west of Chicago, 29 miles east of Clinton, Iowa, and 52 miles east-northeast of Rock Island. It has ample railway facilities, furnished by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Sterling & Peoria, and the Chicago & Northwestern Rail roads. It contains fourteen churches, an opera house, high and grade schools, Carnegie library, Government postoffice building, three banks, electric street and interurban car lines, electric and gas lighting, water-works, paved streets and sidewalks, fire department and four newspaper offices, two issuing daily editions. It has fine water-power, and is an important manufacturing center, its works turning out agricultural implements, carriages, paper, barbed-wire, school furniture, burial caskets, pumps, sash, doors, etc. It also has the Sterling Iron Works, besides foundries and machine shops. The river here flows through charming scenery. Pop. (1890), 5,824; (1900), 6,309.

Contributed by Kim Torp from the "Historical Encylopedia of Illinois" 1901