Rock Island County Soldiers' Monument
The feeling inspired in a great number of the people of the County, to
pay a tribute to the soldiers of this County, who had and would die in the
war for the protection of the Union, was expressed and recognized by- the
Board of Supervisors December 17, 1863, by the passing of a resolution,
appropriating $1,500 toward the building of a suitable monument to be
placed in Courthouse Square as a memorial to the soldiers of this County
who died in the War of the Rebellion; and that their names be inscribed
thereon.
For the purpose of carrying out the intent of the resolution, the clerk of
the Court was authorized to issue county orders to the amount of $1,500 to
the County Monument Committee whenever they may call for them. The
committee appointed were Nathaniel Belcher, B. H. Kimball, S. S. Foster,
J. Q. Wynkoop and S. W. Wheelock. September 12, 1867, the Board of
Supervisors authorized Major James M. Beardsley, chairman of the Citizens'
Committee, to procure plans and specifications. The design presented by
Leonard W. Volk, Sculptor, of Chicago, was accepted by the committee and
contracted for.
Committees were appointed throughout the County to solicit contributions
from every-body, which received a hearty recognition.
December 17, 1868, the Board of Super-visors authorized the County Clerk
to draw an order on the County Treasurer for the amount necessary to
complete the Rock Island County Soldiers' Memorial Monument, upon the
order of the County Monument Committee, after they should have expended
the amounts already appropriated by the County and donated by the people.
The approximate cost of the monument was $10,000; larger proportion coming
from the people's donations.
The base of the monument is Concord granite, and Athens, Illinois,
limestone; the shaft, which is capped, is surmounted by a statue of a
Union soldier; all of Italian marble, and is about fifty feet in height. A
copper box was placed in the base, under the marble shaft, where was
placed newspapers of the day, and historical documents. Names of all
soldiers enlisted from the County are engraved on the bases.
The monument was first placed a trifle north of midway, between the east
entrance of the Court House and the street sidewalk.
In removing the monument to its present location one of the base stones
were broken and replaced with granite. On the base of the monument is
inscribed this sentiment:
"In memory of its patriotic and heroic sons, who served their country
during the Great Rebellion, and died that the Nation might live, Rock
Island County dedicates this Monument."
On Friday, April 9, 1869-the day being the fourth anniversary of the
surrender of Lee's army to General U. S. Grant at Appomattox Court House,
Virginia-occurred the dedication of the Soldiers' Memorial Monument.
With clouds and rain the previous day, filled the feelings of the people
with disappointment; but the morning dawned clear and beautiful. The
crowds gathered from the cities and country,. with a fine, strong and
large representation of our Iowa neighbors. The Court House square, with
Illinois and Orleans Streets, were crowded. The city was gaily decorated
with flags, bunting and banners. At about 2 o'clock the police and
military formed at Court House square; the Masonic orders on Buffalo
Street, the Odd Fellows and Good Templers on Illinois; the Fire Department
on Market Square, and the civic societies in Court House square. A long
line of march was made, starting from Court House square; east on Orleans
Street to Madison; north on Madison to Illinois; west on Illinois to
Otter; south on Otter to Orleans; and east on Orleans to Court House
square, where the ceremonies commenced. The military from the Island made
a most commanding appearance. General T. J. Rod-man and most of the
officers were present. The Turner Societies with their fine singing added
much to the occasion. Salutes were fired, whistles blowing and church
bells ringing. After the invocation to the people, Honorable Emery A.
Storrs of Chicago was introduced, and made the main address of the day, a
most eloquent and patriotic oration.
The ceremonies of the day were highly interesting and impressive, and
indication of the community's deep respect for the dead soldier. The
occasion was the most memorable in the history of Rock Island County-full
30,000 people being present.
The twelve cannon originally placed around the Court House yard were given
to the County by the War Department through an act of Congress, and are
cannons captured from the Confederacy-several of them being spiked. Two of
these cannon were after-wards presented to Graham Post No. 212, G. A. R.,
Moline, Illinois, and placed in Riverside Cemetery.
Decoration Day ceremonies have been regularly observed; first by the Rock
Island Light Artillery, and since their disbandment by G. A. R. Posts
situate here.
Early Settlements of Rock Island County
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908