First Ferries
In looking over the records, we find that licenses for ferries were
granted as follows: To George Davenport and Joshua Vandruff, for a ferry
across Rock River, March, 1834; at the same date to George Davenport for a
ferry across the Slough, and to Rinnah Wells for a ferry across Rock
River.
Jonah H. Case, Antoine LeClaire and W. F. Brashar were granted a license
to run a ferry across the Mississippi to the Iowa shore in March, 1835.
Nathaniel Belcher was granted a license to establish a ferry across the
Mississippi at Port Byron in March, 1837.
In October, 1837, a ferry feud had arisen. John Wilson, owner of the main
ferry between Stephenson and the Iowa shore, made an application to the
County Commissioners for an "order vacating Henry Powars' ferry." The
order was granted in 1838 "for the in-sufficiency of his boats, the want
of hands, and for ferrying beyond the limits."
Early Settlements of Rock County
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908