Dedication
We dedicate this souvenir book to our ancestors who dared to dream of a better life, and who came to this wild land of the rivers putting down roots to make a permaneent home for future generations.
Dedication to Jacob McInterfer
Jacob McInterfer knew a good thing when he saw it. When he arrived to this area in 1829, he realized the water power that could be obbtained was immense. His only difficulty was selecting the best site because two streams emptied into the St. Joseph and this made a difficult choice. As McInterfer was the only settler in the neighborhood he did wish to build bridges to get anywhere, so he built his log cabin on the west side of the Rock River.
Early Settlements
Early Villages - Platted, but never became permanent
1830 - MOAB - Section 20 - Platted by Richerts and Shinnamans
1839 - St. Joseph - Section 19 - Platted by J. McInterfer and G. Buck
Sesquicentennial Year 1986
November, 1836 -
John Bowman platted Village of Three Rivers on Section 18
December, 1836 -
George Buck, Jonathon Brown, Benjamin Sherman, Edward
Pierson, and L.B. Brown platted
Lockport Village - Section 19 - 20
Message from Mayor Al White
It is at this bench mark in time, 150th year, our
Sesquicentennial, that we recognize again the many contributions made by
our pioneer ancestors. These hardy souls who pushed back the frontiers
through their courage and rugged individualism deserve our eternal thanks.
Were it not for them, the fine and beautiful community you see about you
would not exist. In this commemorative book you will be intrduced
to many of the leading contributors to our heritage. You will see
graphic displays of their skills and ingenuity. As you peruse this
book, you will sense your trip through time. It is amazing indeed
that in 150 short years our mode of transportation has been from horse
and buggy to airline jets and indeed to spacecraft. What will the
next 150 years bring?
What really makes Three Rivers a good place to live
I think may be best expressed by this poem:
I like to live in a little town
Where the trees meet over the street.
You wave your hand and say "Hello!"
To every person you meet.
I like to stop for a minute outside of a grocery store
And hear the kindly gossip of the folks moving in next door.
For life is interwoven with friends you learn to know,
And you feel their joys and sorrows as they daily come and go.
So I'm glad to live in a little town
And care no more to roam
For every house in a little town
Is more than a house - it's a home.
(signed) Albert E. White
Al White
Mayor 1986
Go to: Introduction Page 3
[top of page]