The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-07
MOLINE.

81
The rapid advance which our sister c ny IS
making, in every field of enterprize,s anu
most especially IN that of manufactures, as
attracting marked attention. Believing that
her interests are identical with those OF
Rock Island, and out of courtesy to our pat
roas and friends residing there, we have eol-a
lected few notes which may prove OF some
in terest to the public, and serve to illustrate
the progress going on around u.s.
The first settlement OF Moline began about
the year ls4l. Joel Wells, Sen, was proba-i
ly one of the earliest settlers, and among
those who shortly followed him, we msA'
mention the names of Charles Atkinson,
Huntingdon Wells, Joel Wells jun. 1lmo-
thy Woods, and David B. Sears. ne cniei
attraction was the water power WHICH mas
since become so famous. The most careless
observer. even at that time, could not fail to
percieye that at some future day the site
which then charmed the eye of the savage
with its picturesque beauty, would be crowd
ed with manufactures, massive in size, and
representative of the vast wealth which
steady industry is ever certain to accumulate
While elated by the never ceasing progress
developing itself in every direction, we
should not forget that the pioneers of this
section had but faint idea of how rapidly
their wilderness settlements would be trans
formed into towns and cites, Extensive ma
chinery and steam engines were too fire.
quently Injuries which frontier capitalists
could scarcely indulge in. Water power
was therefore an inducement to setting favor.
ed points, not to be lightly considered, to
say nothing Of the advantages which might
be secured for the future.
In the year 1912, Messrs David B. Sears,
and John W. Spencer, of Rock Island, Sc.
cured charter from the state, for the build
ing of the Moline Dam, and other necessary
Improvements for the development of the
water.power at that point They commenc
ed their project with energy, and not only
completed it by the next year, but also con.
strueted and put in operation, in conjunc-
ton with Spencer 81. White, capacious
saw mill and -four mill combined. The
Touring mill is still in operation, being now
conducted BY Messrs Good i johnson. In
the year lS43, the town was also laid off
In 1916, Mr.. Charles Atkinson built fine
saw mill on the dam, which was successful
ly conducted for several years, but fnall,
destroyed by fire. On the following year
Spencer II. White built a saw mill on the
Island. --.r-~
Somewhere between 1913 and 1850, the
exact date Of which we are unable to ascer-
tain, the water power passed into the hands
of Messrs Pitts, Gilbert, 4 Pitts. New
York firm, who who retained it until 1851
They then disposed of it to a company from
Syracuse, N. Y, which retained it short
time, but becoming involved in litigation on
account of operations of its predecessors,
sold out to the present owners, constituting
the Moline Water Power Company. OF this
corporation, Mr.. Charles Atkinson is pres
ident, and to his sound business abilities
much of its success is due. Owing to the
purchase of the head of the Island by the
government, some little adjustment of inter
ests was required. The matter was placed
in Mr.. Atkinson's hands, however, and ar
ranged satisfactorily to both parties. By
this negotiation the company secures the
water power perpetually, the government
owning the half adjoining the Island, and
to carry on all the required improvements
The largest manufacturing establishment
IN Moline, as the public is well aware, is
Deere L Co.'S pillow works, and of the kind
probably the largest in the United States
The founder of this extensive concern, Mr.
John Deere, was one of the early. settlers o
this section, and being gifted with an unus
ual inventive genius, and a full share of the
muscle that characterized our hardy prede
cessors, literally hammered his way to wealth
and the respect of his fellow men. Mr.
Deere commenced business in his presen
line, at Grand De Tour, Ogle county, this
state, in 1887, in small blacksmith shop
and consequently, in very small way, con
structing the first pillow ever made in this o.
any other country, which would scour anG
keep bright in the rich prairie SOIL TIL.
few which he turned out, found ready sale
and gave unusual satisfaction. His trad
slowly increased. In time he gave employ
ment to two assistants. By his skill, energy
and industry, his business expanded ever
year and finally reached such proportions a
to encourage him to seek some more con
spicuous point, capable of furnishing create
facilities for receiving stock, and shppins
goods. After quite an extensive tour il
search of the desired location, he decided i,
favor of Moline, where he removed his estab
lishment. This was in 1847. On re-open
ing business, his works were abons ON
eighth their present size, and of still YES
capacity than that ratio. After carrying O
operations alone for several years, Nj
Deere, sold two.thirds of the concern, an
the firm became Deere, Tate & Could
This was continued but a short time, when
dissolution took place, Mr.. Deere again b.
coming sole proprietor. In few years a
ter, his son Charles became partner. La;
July the present firm was organized, consis
ing of John Deere, Charles II. Deere, Stepl
en- Fl. VIele, and George W. Vinton.s Cor
nected with the counting room, is Mr.. L. /
Vinton, first class young business mar
who fIIs his nosifio,t with ability and rrof