Tyler & Thurston, which equipage I had in charge for the occasion, and handed the reins to the Judge. He was followed as he drove off by the benedictions of the assembly. We had no shoes to throw after them, as they were required for personal use, and rice had not yet come into vogue; but God-bless-yous and our best wishes did follow in the wake of the disappearing vehicle."

Isaiah Lyon and Mary Hitchcock were married March 31, 1841. The bride's father was Jonathan Hitchcock. He had recently built the brick house at 111 North First street, now occupied by E. S. Tebbetts as a residence and dental rooms. The bridal party were given a charivari. This is of French origin, and is said to have been introduced into the west by the settlers of that nationality at Kaskaskia.

There was considerable social intercourse between Rockford and the neighboring towns. The settlers of Belvidere and Rockford were of the same general class. Prof. Whitman, who was a stated supply at one time in one of the local pulpits, was widely known as a Baptist clergyman and educator. Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. R. S. Molony, also of Belvidere, were nieces of Miss Matilda Hoffman, the young lady to whom Washington Irving was engaged. She died in April, 1809, at the age of eighteen. By way of a digression it may be said that Irving slept with her Bible and prayer-book under his pillow, and they were his inseparable companions. His devotion to her memory caused him to remain a bachelor. In his private note-book he wrote: "She died in the beauty of her youth, and in my memory she will ever be young and beautiful." In St. Mark's Eve, in Bracebridge Hall, he plaintively says: "There are departed beings whom I have loved as I never again shall love in this world—who have loved me as I never again shall be loved!" Miss Hoffman died in the arms of Rebecca Gratz, a beautiful Jewess of Philadelphia. Irving visited Sir Walter Scott in 1817; and upon the strength of his vivid description of this lady, Sir Walter made her the heroine of Ivanhoe, Rebecca, the most romantic creation of female character that the author ever conceived.

Dr. Molony represented his district in congress from 1851 to 1853, as a Democrat. Chicago was then included in that district. Senator and Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas were occasional guests at the Molony home, which was a social centre in the neighboring village.

Mr. and Mrs. Abiram Morgan were leaders in social circles. Mrs. Morgan was one whom everybody esteemed. Her kindness, ready sympathy, genuine hospitality and superior housekeeping made her log-house as a palace-home, where all loved to visit; and the genius of the place remained to the third generation. Their grandchildren are Mrs. Underwood and Mrs. Ogden, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Horsman. A third daughter died when a child, and was buried in a corner of the homestead grove, where her grave could be seen for many years. The remains were finally removed to the West side cemetery. A grandson of Mr. Horsman has developed literary talent, and he has written articles for the magazines, which have been published during the past year.

Mrs. Spafford says that among her first acquaintances were Mr. and Mrs. John W. Taylor. In their home was the essence of hospitality. Mr. Taylor was always the courtly and attentive host, and Mrs. Taylor lent a charm to whatever place she occupied by the sweetness and grace of her manner. Mr. Taylor is now residing in New York City. His sister was the first Mrs. T. D. Robertson.

There were

James Mitchell was one of nature's noblemen. Francis Burnap, the ancient bachelor and astute lawyer, with his wig, which never quite covered the natural hair; Judge Shaw, an old-school gentleman; and David Penfield, whom many remember with respect. The three Potter brothers and their families left their impress upon the community until this day. The kindly nature and ready sympathy of Mrs. Alden Thomas endeared her to all her friends. Volney Marsh, with his tuningfork and an old-fashioned singing-book, with which he kept time, was a familiar figure in the singing-gallery. "Brad" McKenney was quite a prominent character in those days. It has been said he was heard more in public than any other man in the community. He was known far and wide for his kindness of heart, and he would leave his business to nurse the sick whenever his services were needed.

The Sanford brothers, Albert, Robert, and Goodyear Asa, were representative society men. Robert died November 22, 1871, at Virginia City, Montana, aged fifty years. Mrs. A. C. Spafford, the first Mrs. John Spafford and Mrs. I. N. Cunningham were sisters. Mrs. W. P. Dennis was a fine housekeper and a lady of refinement. Shepherd Leach was popular in social circles. Rev. William S. Curtis, pastor of the First Congrega

tional church, was highly esteemed. His wife was Miss Martha Leach, a sister of Shepherd Leach. Jason Marsh was the "Beau" Brummell of his day. Rev. Lansing Porter had a wide personal acquaintance.

There was a scarcity of young society, and young ladies were at a premium. A well known young man of the village went quite a distance into the country to call upon some young ladies. The old gentleman, their father, arose from his chair at nine o'clock and announced that he was the last person up in the house, and that it was his time to retire.

Whatever may have been the differences between the East and West sides in business affairs, in the social life of the community there were no two sides of the river. A common feeling of sympathy made them one people. H. H. Waldo comments in this wise upon Rockford society in the forties and fifties: "Society was free from artificial distinctions. The pioneer days were the red-letter days of my life. I would like to live them over again. There was a more fraternal feeling among men in the same line of business. Competition was not so strong. The popular amusements were instructive as well as entertaining."

The larger number of social distinctions are natural rather than artificial. Friendships are formed upon the basis of social affinity, which is as truly a natural law as chemical affinity. The public ball was one of the popular amusements among a class of residents of the olden time. These balls were usually held at the Rockford House, the Washington House, or the Winnebago House. Christmas and New Year's were usually chosen for these events. Guests came from considerable distance. At a "union" ball held at the Winnebago House, January 22, 1845, managers were elected from Rockford, Whig Hill, Beloit, Roscoe, Belvidere, Cleveland, Byron, Grand Detour, Oregon, Dixon, and Charleston. The sporting element has been admirably portrayed by Mr. Thurston, in his Reminiscences. They have the genuine flavor of an interesting phase of life in a new community. Hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes. Barnraisings were seasons of social interest as well as of mutual helpfulness. Occasionally a marriage would be followed by a charivari, which, happily, has become obsolete in civilized communities.

CHAPTER XLIX.

PREDOMINANCE OF THE NEW ENGLAND TYPE IN EARLY ROCKFORD.

E

=MERSON observes that an institution is the lengthened shadow of one man; as, the Reformation of Luther; Methodism, of Wesley; and that all history resolves itself into the biography of a few stout and earnest persons. Thus, he says, "events grow on the same stem with persons; are sub-persons. The larger number of the early settlers of Rockford came from New England. Some emigrated from New York and other states, but the New England element predominated. These pioneers impressed their personality upon this community, and it has remained until this day. The New Englanders, in their native home, were a homogeneous race; even the Chinese were scarcely more so. With the exception of a few Huguenot families, who came from the old world at the close of the seventeenth century, and who, from religious sympathy and other causes, were easily grafted on the primeval vine, they were all descendants of English stock.

Industry, thrift, and a high sense of personal honor are prominent traits in the typical son of New England. Soil and climate determine in some measure the character of a people. The rocky soil of New England required the husbandman to practice the virtue of industry. In a speech given at a dinner of the Pilgrim Society in Plymouth, in 1855, Wendell Phillips gave this unique characterization of the Puritans: "How true it is that the Puritans originated no new truth! How true it is, also, Mr. President, that it is not truth which agitates the world. Plato in the groves of the Academy sounded on and on to the utmost depth of philosophy, but Athens was quiet. Calling around him the choicest minds of Greece, he pointed out the worthlessness of their altars and the sham of public life, but Athens was quiet,—it was all speculation. When Socrates walked the streets of Athens, and, questioning every-day life, struck the altar till the faith of the passer-by faltered, it came close to action, and immediately they gave him hemlock, for the city was turned upside down. Imight find a better illustra

tion in the streets of Jerusalem. What the Puritans gave the world was not thought, but action. Europe had ideas, but she was letting 'I dare not wait upon I would,' like the cat in the adage. The Puritans, with native pluck, launched out into the deep sea. Men, who called themselves thinkers, had been creeping along the Mediterranean, from headland to headland, in their timidity; the Pilgrims launched boldly out into the Atlantic, and trusted God. That is the claim they have upon posterity. It was action that made them what they were."

That which is purchased at the greatest cost is usually the most highly treasured; and thus the industrious farmer and artisan became frugal. It was a point of honor with a true New Englander to maintain his family and pay his debts. This he could not do except by a persevering industry, and a methodical and prudent management of his affairs. He must be economical if he would be generous, or even just; for extravagance sooner or later weakens the sense of moral obligation. These traits of industry and thrift were pleasantly satirized many years ago by a southern writer, in the following paragraph: "We of the south are mistaken in the character of these people, when we think of them only as peddlers in horn flints and bark nutmegs. Their energy and enterprise are directed to all objects, great and small, within their reach. At the fall of a scanty rivulet, they set up their little manufactory of wooden buttons or combs; they plant a barren hillside with broomcorn, and make it into brooms at the bottom,—and on its top they erect a windmill. Thus, at a single spot, you may set the air, the earth and the water all working for them. But, at the same time, the ocean is whitened to its extremities with the sails of their ships, and the land is covered with their works of art and usefulness."

The early New Englanders have been charged with coldness and severity of manner. For an austere people, however, they have been easily enkindled with noble enthusiasms. There are certain traits prominent in their type of character, such as their love of order and the habit of self-control, which hasty observers have mistaken for tokens of a want of earnestness. But seldom, if ever, has there been a more sublime rage than was shown near Boston, in April, 1775, and for eight years thereafter. The accusation most frequently repeated against those stalwart people is that of religious intolerance. Christian charity, however, has been a slow and painful evolution through the centu