August P. Smith, founder of the City of Rock Falls was an industrialist iwth the vision of establishing Rock Falls as an "industrial city" prior ot 1867 when he purchased 65 acres of land on the south side of the Rock River upon which the city is located today.
Smith was formerly an ative of Cobleskill, New yorka nd was born Feb. 2, 1831. In 1848 he left for New yOrk City where he resided for two years and then became a resident of Cherry Valley also in New York State. After two years Smith moved to Goversville NY and he resided there until he moved to Sterling in 1856.
While residing in Gloversville Smith married Elvira J. Champlin on APril 14, 1855. Smith and his wife were the parents of four daughters, Florence born in 1859, Mabel E. in 1861, Helen in 1863 and Gertrude in 1868. While residing in Sterling, Smith was a music teacher with ane stablished reputation of an "accomplished musician" and he directed the choir at the Congregational Church in Sterling.
The Rock Falls industrial era began in 1867 when Smith moved across the river and purchased lands, laid out the town of Rock Falls, built a race for power and awakened a spirit of progress and improvement which resulted in the creation of a thriving village on the site where Indians frequented earlier. Smith possessed the capital necessary to improve the property and at once began the construction of a race, connecting with the dam of the Sterling Hydraulic Company, built in 1854. This race was completed at a cost of $12,000 and the work of building a town began.
Many noteworthy events occurred during the year 1867 after Smith purchased the 65 acre land tract for the town of Rock Falls. Smith hired John Arey to survey and lay out the town and the plat was originally recorded at the Whiteside County seat, Jan. 28, 1868. An interesting and historic meetin was held in Rock Falls Aug. 28, 1867. The meeting was held in the store owned by Mr. Hapgood "on the south side of the river." Mr. Haskell was named secretary of the meeting and apparently Thomas A. Galt was named as moderator. Galt told the assembly the meeting had been called for the purpose of taking measures for the establishment of a mill for the manufacture of woolen goods and to take some action in reference to the extension of the railroad to this place.
The City of Rock Falls was officially named during this historic meeting in 1867. The name "Rock Falls" was suggested by Smith and it apparently met with the approval of those present. The main topic at the meeting was that of the woolen mill and entering the discussion and planning were Chairman Galt, SMith, ALonzo Golder, James Page, F. Cushing and J.A. Patterson. It was indicated $40,000 would be an ample amount to erect the building and place the mill in running order. Upon opening the subscription list, about $3,500 was subscribed from those men present.
This group then appointed a committee to obtain subscriptions from the manufacturing plant venture and the committee consisted of J.M. Patterson, M.O. Coe and Thomas A. Galt for Sterling; Frank Cushing for Coloma; Alonzo Golder and Nathan Williams for Montmorency; Reuben Davis for Hahnaman; A. J. Teller and George Richmond for Prophetstown and Austin Morse for Hume. On a final action at the meeting, a committee of J.A> Patterson, Thomas A. Galt and A.P. Smith was named to confer with the officers of the Northwestern, or any railroad company, in reference to a railroad connection with Rock Falls.
Shortly after moving to Rock Falls, Smith built an impressive home for that day and it was called "Oaklawn." The home was located on the south east corner of Avenue F. and East Second Street. The home is still standing today (1976) and has undergone numerous owners int he past years and is currently an apartment dwelling. In 1869 Smith built the mitten factory and was engaged int he manufacture of mittens and gloves. The building was located on East Third Street just off First Avenue. It wa a three-story frame building built at a cost of $4,000.
Smith's zeal in promoting the manufacturing and industrial climate continued and in 1872 he organized a company which later constructed the Rock Falls Industrial Building. The Rock Falls city directory in the year 1887 revealed Smith owning a knitting mill located over Chamberlains Jewelry Store in addition to a real estate office from which he sold business and residential lots and hydraulic power. Smith died Oct. 1, 1895 and he was singularly honored as flags in both Rock Falls and Sterling were flown at half mast as a tribute to him.
