Principal sources

The Rock Island Republican, 1851-1854. A weekly, this predecessor to the Rock Island Argus reported frequently on local and regional railroad developments.

Memoir of Henry Farnam, by Henry W. Farnam, his son. The memoir was published in 1889, six years after the senior Mr. Farnam's death.

Iron Road to Empire, by William Edwards Hayes. Published in 1953 to mark the Rock's 100th anniversary, it contains a colorful account of the early days. It's been re-published as Rock Island Lines - The First Century.

Seventy Years of Service, 1852-1922. A special issue of Rock Island Magazine, a R.I. Lines publication, it contains a detailed history of the road written by F. J. Nevins.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Rock Island County, Volume I. This was published in 1914 by Muncell Publishing Co., Chicago.

Other helpful materials -- and helpful people -- were found at:
The Rock Island Public Library
The Rock Island County Historical Society
The University of Iowa Library's Special Collections Department, which includes an extensive railroad collection.