PLATT, John

PLATT, JOHNSON

Posted By: Chantel Schmitt (email)
Date: 5/6/2012 at 14:57:07

John Platt (1813-1880)

John Platt may never have come to Rockford, but in 1856 he became a member of the Rockford Company, which financed the establishment and platting of Rockford. He conducted most of his affairs in Rockford through his nephew, Dwight Johnson. Platt was born on March 8, 1813, in West Haven, Connecticut, and, in 1831 went to Alton Illinois, where he worked as a clerk in a dry goods store. Six years later he built his own store in Rockford, Illinois, which he sold in 1839 to purchase 1,100 acres of land to engage in farming. In 1841 he returned to Rockford, Illinois and for the remainder of his life was in real estate. It was during that time he invested in the Rockford Company. In July of 1880 Mr. Platt died, leaving a greater share of his wealth to Mr. Johnson.

Vala, Michael F. The Story of Rockford, 316. M.F. Vala Publishing, Dubuque, IA. 1970.

ORIGINAL CITATION:
Rockford Reveille (July 17, 1880); obits.