Early Days of Rockford

Air -- "Lucy Long" My friends, I pray you listen, I'll sing a little song, About the village of Rockford, It will not take me long; And how it was first settled By enterprising men, And all the news about it, I'll tell you if I can. Situated in a wilderness, With forests all around, Thirteen miles from Grand Rapids, Is this florishing town. On the banks of Rogue river, Where runs the water still, And in the early settled days, Was called Laphamville. First settled by Smith Lapham, In eighteen and forty-three, Then came the Hunter brothers To keep him company. Lapham and Hunter Brothers Built each a shingle mill, On the banks of Rogue river Are the same old buildings still. In the early days of Rockford They had to run a stage, They had no other conveyance To get from place to place. Now they go by railway, The cars run night and day; The early days of Rockford Have nearly passed away.