Illinois State Laws
February 07, 1851     Pg 48
In the following pages you will read about the history of the
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad and the connection the company
shared with my great grandfather, Edward John Engel and my great grand uncle,
Clifford Lamotte Nichols.
Included in this section will be information about their friends, relatives and
co-workers with additional information of the towns and cities they lived and
worked in.
My Present Past
A genealogical experience
Click on an image to view full size
Chicago Rock Island Railroad
Illinois State Laws
February 07, 1851     Pg 47
Illinois State Laws
February 07, 1851     Pg 49
Illinois State Laws
February 07, 1851     Pg 50
The Rock Island and La Salle Railroad Company, was incorporated on February 27, 1847. An amended charter
was approved on February 7, 1851 as the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad. Construction began September 17,
1851 in Chicago and the first train was operated on October 10, 1852 between Chicago and Joliet, Illinois.
Construction continued on through La Salle, Illinois and Rock Island, Illinois was reached on February 22, 1854,
becoming the first railroad to connect Chicago with the Mississippi River.
Above Images:
1851 Private Laws of the Sate of Illinois
Passed: February 07, 1851
Seventeenth General Assembly
Springfield, Illinois
1852 Map of the Chicago & Rock Island,
Peoria & Bureau Valley and
Mississippi & Missouri Railroads with
their connections to New York
Background:
1860, Illinois Gazette Advertisement
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific
Edward J. Engel, my great grandfather and Clifford L. Nichols, my great
grand uncle worked for the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad.

Edward was an Agent for the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific from 1875 to
1878 at these locations: Joliet, Genesco, Tiskilwa, Ottawa and Marseilles,
Illinois. In 1878-79 after the death of his brother in-law, James Crawford,
E.J. was the Operator/Agent at the C B & Q - C R I & P Junction in
Wyanet, Illinois until 1881.

Clifford L Nichols was hired in May, 1891 as a Dispatcher at Horton, Kansas.
In January, 1892 as Chief Dispatcher at Fairbury, Nebraska. He was
promoted to Superintendent of the Illinois Division, headquarters at
Blue Island, Illinois on August 07, 1893, a title he held until January of
1903, when he was re-assigned to Fairbury, Nebraska as Chief Dispatcher.
Clifford departed the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad in 1904.
History of Davenport and
Scott County, Iowa
Harry E Downer 1910  Pg 898
History of Davenport and
Scott County, Iowa
Harry E Downer 1910  Pg 899
History of Davenport and
Scott County, Iowa
Harry E Downer 1910  Pg 900
History of Davenport and
Scott County, Iowa
Harry E Downer 1910  Pg 901
History of Davenport and
Scott County, Iowa
Harry E Downer 1910  Pg 902
History of Davenport and
Scott County, Iowa
Harry E Downer 1910  Pg 903
The information from the pages above are
from the words of Ambrose C Fulton, one of
the main contributors to the Chicago Rock
Island & Pacific and the Mississippi &
Missouri Railroad. He also served on the
Congressional Pacific Railroad Committee.
Chicago Rock Island Railroad

Amended Charter June 22, 1852
1852 Charter on left provided "that
Chicago and Rock Island Rail Road
Company is hereby authorized from
time to time to relocate and
reconstruct any parts of its road
west of the Fox River feeder in the
town of Ottawa in LaSalle County and
between it and the City of Peru, and
for that purpose may procure the
right of way on any part so relocated
in the manner pointed out in the Acts
incorporating said Company."

The article on the right is from
Chicago; Her Commerce and Railroads
The Daily Democratic Press   1853.

Below:
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific timeline
1853 Chicago Commerce   Pages 19-20
Built from Chicago to Joliet, Illinois, (40 miles) via Junction (Englewood), Normal Park, Hamilton Park,
Auburn Park, Gresham, Washington Heights, Givins, Burr Oak, Blue Island, Robbins, Midlothian, Oak Forest,
Bremen (Tinley Park), Mokena, and New Lenox by 10/10/1852.

Joliet to Morris, Illinois, (22 miles) via Rockdale and Minooka by 1/5/1853.

Morris, Ottawa, Illinois, (23 miles) via Stockdale, Seneca, and Marseilles by 2/14/1853

Ottawa to LaSalle, Illinois, (14 miles) via Arzner, and Utica by 3/21/1853

LaSalle to Peru, Illinois, (1 mile) by 4/16/1853

Purchased Railroad Bridge Company (1/17/1853) on 9/8/1853

Peru to Bureau Junction, Illinois, (14 miles) via Spring Valley, Marquette, and Trenton (De Pue) by 9/12/1853

Bureau Junction to Sheffield, Illinois, (23 miles) via Tiskilwa and Wyanet by 10/12/1853