are members of Westminster Presbyterian church. The other members of this family attended the First Congregational church. E. L. Herrick was born at Andover, Massachusetts, September 30, 1820. Mrs. Herrick, previous to her marriage, was a teacher in Rockford seminary. She came in September, 1852, and taught three years. They have three children: Elizabeth L., professor of French language and literature at Rockford college; Charles E., assistant cashier of the Manufacturers National Bank; and Frank J., of the firm of Bedwell & Herrick. Mrs. William Marshall, now residing in Florida, is a daughter of Mr. Herrick. Samuel Herrick was only four years of age when his parents came to this county, and he has continuously resided here since that time. His daughters, Hattie and Clara M., are teachers in the Rockford schools. The three Spafford brothers came to Rockford in 1839, in company with their brother-in-law, Jason Marsh. Their father was Dr. John Spafford. The eldest son, Charles H. Spafford, was born in Jefferson county, New York, January 6, 1819. He was educated at Castleton, Vermont. He had chosen the profession of the law, but his decision to come west changed his plans in life. Mr. Spafford performed a conspicuous part in the development of the city. He held the offices of postmaster, circuit clerk and recorder. He was president of the Kenosha & Rockford Railroad Company. Mr. Spafford, in company with his brother John, and John Hall, built Metropolitan Hall block. The stores and offices were owned separately and the hall was held in common. Mr. Spafford also, with others, built the block now known as the Chick House. Although Mr. Spafford made a large amount of money, he sustained reverses of fortune. When the banking house of Spafford, Clark & Ellis went into liquidation, he paid all the liabilities of the firm, which were forty-five thousand dollars. Mr. Spafford's splendid service in the early struggles of Rockford college will be noted in the chapter devoted to that subject. March, 8, 1842, Mr. Spafford was united in marriage to Miss Abby Warren. In March, 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Spafford celebrated their golden wedding. Their children are: Mrs. Carrie S. Brett, Mrs. Charles H. Godfrey, and Charles H. Spafford, Jr. Mr. Spafford died in September, 1892, at the age of seventy-three years. He was a genial gentleman; courtesy was the habit of his life. SPAFFORD BROTHERS.-PHINEAS HOWES. 127 Amos Catlin Spafford was born September 14, 1824, in Adams, Jefferson county, New York. After he came west he followed farming in this county until 1848. About a year later be was interested in a sawmill on the old water-power on the East side. In 1850 he went to California, where he remained two years. About 1854 he became a member of the banking firm of Briggs, Spafford & Penfield. Upon the organization of the Third National bank in 1864, Mr. Spafford became its president, and held this position thirty-three years, until his death. In 1876 he was one of the state commissioners at the centennial exposition. Mr. Spafford died suddenly at Adams, New York, while on a vacation, August 22, 1897. Mrs. Spafford died May 22, 1898. Their children are: Mrs. J. W. Archibald, who resides in Florida; Miss Jessie I. Spafford, professor of mathematics and physics at Rockford college; George C. Spafford, cashier of the Third National Bank, and Miss Nettie L. Spafford. Genuine worth is self-revealing. Mr. Spafford was a man whose face was an immediate passport to confidence, and it was a true index to his character. His genial disposition, sterling worth and absolute integrity shone out in every feature and expression. He was unostentatious, kind-hearted and neighborly in manner, and stood for the best things in the life of the city. He was conservative in judgment, yet efficient and progressive in business. He was a leading representative of the influential men whose strong and forceful characters have made Rockford a synonym for solidity, enterprise, morality and prosperity. John Spafford was born November 26, 1821. During his long life in Rockford he was engaged successively in farming, grocery, and grain and lumber trade. In 1856 he became the general agent of the Rockford & Kenosha Railroad company. Until within two years of his death, Mr. Spafford was president of the Rockford Wire Works Company and the Rockford Suspender Company; he was also interested in manufacturing a lubricating oil, and in a planing-mill. Mr. Spafford died December 5, 1897. His manner was ever gracious toward all sorts and conditions of men. Mrs. Spafford and one daughter, Miss Kate, survive. Two daughters are deceased. Phineas Howes was a native of Putnam county, New York, and was born September 25, 1817. He came to Rockford in 1839, and in that year he erected a small house on East State street, which is still standing. Mr. Howes was a carpenter aud joiner, and followed this trade for many years. He purchased a tract of land in Cherry Valley township. For about fifteen years he was a partner with John Lake in the lumber trade. By strict attention to business, Mr. Howes accumulated quite a large estate. His death occurred October 11, 1894. Mrs. C. H. Woolsey is a daughter. Mrs. Howes was a sister of the late Harris Barnum. She died December 10, 1877. William Worthington was born at Enfield, Connecticut, July 5, 1813. He came to Rockford in the spring of 1838. About 1840 he built a brick blacksmith's shop on the southwest corner of State and First streets, where the Crotty block now stands. This shop was eight or ten feet below the present grade. Later Mr. Worthington built a wagon shop on the samelot, about the same size, of wood, one story. This was the first wagon shop on the East side. There were then no other buildings on those corners. Mr. Worthington was the next blacksmith on the East side, after William Penfield, and was probably the fourth in the village. About 1842 Mr. Worthington formed a partnership with Hosea D. Searles, and opened a drug store. This was the founding of the business now carried on by Worthington & Slade. Mr. Searles had come from Connecticut the year before, and was familiarly known as "Doc." Mr. Worthington's children are: Miss Julia, William, Frank, and Charles. His death occurred April 11, 1886. Mr. Worthington's partner, "Doc." Searles, had a fund of humor and anecdotes with which he entertained his patrons. He possessed mechanical skill, which he utilized by making the first soda fountain in the village. It was made of wood, with a lever of the same material, about ten feet long. He also built a rotary steam engine, which he sold to the Mt. Morris seminary. Laomi Peake, Sr., a native of Herkimer county, New York, emigrated from St. Thomas, Upper Canada, to Rockford, in September, 1839. He was one of the few pioneers who brought ready capital. He came with about five thousand dollars in money, which was a princely sum for that time. Mr. Peake was the first person who made a harness in Rockford, although a man preceded him who did repairing. Mr. Peake purchased the northeast corner lot on First and State streets, sixty-six feet front on First street, by one hundred and fifty-six feet on State street, for one hundred dollars, and erected a brick building twenty-two by thirty-five feet, with two stories and a basement, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The corner of this lot is now occupied by the Manufacturers Bank. In 1852 he com |