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Freeport, city, seat (1838) of Stephenson county, northwestern Illinois, U.S. It lies on the Pecatonica River, about 25 miles (40 km) west of Rockford. Pennsylvania Germans began arriving in the area in the late 1820s. The town was founded in 1835 by trader William (“Tutty”) Baker and settled by unsuccessful miners from the Galena lead-mining district, about 40 miles (65 km) west. Baker established a free ferry service across the river and provided free meals...