Welcome to
Rock Island County, Illinois
Genealogy and History

Join Candi as she presents some of Rock Island County's history and genealogy.  While it is both unique and typical at the same time, we think you will find it an exciting Illinois Trail to follow on your journey through the past.

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Sorry we are unable to do personal research!
Note: This website is under going changes. Many of the links have changed!

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 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

Biographies
Births
Businesses

Cemeteries
Census Data
Churches up-dated
Cities and Townships

 Court Chambers up-dated

Infirmary, Poor House, Poor Farm
Immigration

Land Grants

Marriage Notices up-dated
Military

Naturalization Records
Newspaper Articles up-dated

Obituaries up-dated

Postcards
Post Offices

Railroads

River Boats

Schools

Deaths
Deceased Doctors 1804 -1929
 

Directories

 History (Indians, Pioneers and Early Settlers)

Historic Districts, Neighborhoods & Architectural Areas

May 2009
Misc. News Articles - Barb Z. and Candi
Church News  - Candi
Crime News - Candi
Marriage Notices - Candi
Obituaries for Magill, McFarland, M'Faggart and Walsh Surnames - Friend of Free Genealogy & Candi

April 2009
8 Obituaries added- Candi
Crime Court News Article- Candi

March 2009
Partial Listing for Old Port Byron Cemetery - Friend of Free Genealogy
Newspaper Listing - Candi
Obituaries submitted by Nancy Piper

Feb. 2009
Coe Township History added.- Candi
Cordova Township History added- Candi

History added and/or new: Second Baptist Church, German Presbyterian Church,
Christian Church of R.I., The First Catholic Congregation, First Methodist Episcopal Church, German Methodist Episcopal Church and First Baptist Church -Candi

Hebrew Cemetery Partial Transcription (about 450 names)- Candi

1876-1889 Graduates of Moline High School -Kim

Crime News updated - Kim
Marriage Notices updated - Kim
New -Murder of Col George Davenport - Candi
New - Court Case Histories - Candi

Jan. 2009:
Obits submitted by Debbie Gibson, Judy Hook, Melva L. Taylor and John Hutchins
Newspaper Articles submitted by Nancy Piper
County Farm 1911 History added
New- Land Grants
New- 1869 Post Office Listing
New- Deceased Doctors of Rock Island County 1804 -1929 submitted by Janice

Links to Sites with Rock Island Data

Julie Chance McElroy's site is filled with transcribed data -
cemetery transcriptions, obituaries, census data, biographies and more! Visit her site here