A Digital Collection of Rockford, Illinois History
Illinois Central Railroad
“Robert Rides The Iron Horse”
Illinois Central known as the ‘wrong way’ railroad due to its direction
It also ran from Chicago to Elgin to Rockford to Freeport to Madison
The railroad paid $60,000 for Mary Manny’s land and $15,000 for her house
Source: “Tinker Topics” 2007, Rockford Public Library Local History Collection
American Surety Company
Williams Manny Stevens & Engstrom Inc.
605-11 Brown Building
Source: 1937 Rockford City Directory
Ghost Tours – Tinker Swiss Cottage
Steve Litteral, Executive Director of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens and Kathi Kresol of the Rockford Public Library discuss ghosts at the Tinker Swiss Cottage.
Source: Rock River Times, 10/30 – 11/05/2013, Vol. 21, No. 2
Emerson and Company
Reaper and mower manufacturers
J. H. Manny Reaper and Mower
East side of Main between Pine and South Streets
Source: 1857, 1869 Rockford City Directories
Emerson Manufacturing Company
Started in 1895, it was originally J. H. Manny and Co.
Their office was in the railroad station, 609 South Main Street
Source: Rockford Morning Star, 01/05/1946; in Rockfordiana Files, Historic Houses and Landmarks – 1, Rockford Public Library Local History Collection
Ralph Emerson
At Manny – McCormick trial
Partner with Manny 1854
Source: Article from 02/18/1953, Rockfordiana File “Bio MAL-MAN”, Rockford Public Library Local History Collection