STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 96
Not all the old residents of Scott county migrated hither - some are Scott countians "to the manor born." Such is the subject of this sketch, B.F. Rockwood, who was born upon the farm two miles southeast of Exeter, upon which he has lived, March 15, 1848. His ancestors came to America in 1628, and his grandfather was a general in the war of the revolution and served in the war of 1812.
His father died when B.F. was but eight years of age, and, as the lad had to get into the bread-winning harness early in life, his education was sadly neglected. He was permitted to attend the district schools, crude affairs at that day, but three or four months each year, and when he was thirteen years of age worked for James Burbank for twenty cents per day. When he was fourteen years of age he received seven dollars per month from the same gentleman. He worked at well-digging and various other kinds of hard labor until he was twenty-two years old.
In 1870 he was married to Miss Nancy E. Nyhart of Naples, and went to housekeeping on the old Crawford place, west of Bluffs. In December of that year he secured work on the Wabash railroad and in March moved to Neelys. In June, 1871, he quit railroading and took up the occupation of coal miner - it paid better. During the time he worked in the Neelys mines he attended night school. In December, 1872, he removed to Springfield and there worked in the mines for about a year when he returned to the old homestead, bought part of the Bolles farm and erected a commodious house and other buildings. To Mr. and Mrs. Rockwood were born twelve children; they are: George R.; B.F. Jr., Ada B.; Ora, who died when two years of age; Homer G.; Maud R.; Mary A.; Grover C.; Samuel J.; Florence E. died with diphtheria, Frost Bassett, died with diphtheria, and Flora Helen. Two sons and two daughters of Mr. Rockwood are now teaching school in Scott county.
Political honors have also come to Mr. Rockwood. In 1886 he was elected justice of the peace at Exeter and served in that capacity for four years. The same year he was elected school director and served for thirteen years. In 1893 he was elected clerk and treasurer of road district No. 7, and in 1896 was re-elected.
He has contributed no little to the business history of Bluffs. In 1889 he engaged in the implement and furniture business there. In 1891 W. H. Green was taken into partnership and the firm was then known as Rockwood & Green, which partnership continued until 1897 when Mr. Green withdrew and B.F. Rockwood, Jr., was given his interest in the business. In 1901 they closed out and B.F. Jr., accepted a position with the John Deere Co.
Always a staunch democrat; taking a lively interest in politics and candidates, throwing his home open to them at all times - glad to have them come - B.F. Rockwood is known in that country around Exeter as one of the faithful patriarchs in the grand old county of Scott.