On August 27, 1832, Alexander Trent bought a lot where he and his brother Martin built a house for their families. Alex was a corporal in Lincoln's company during the Black Hawk War. In the autumn of 1832, he bought William Clary's store and was issued a tavern license that December. On June 6, 1833, Alex was issued a license to operate the New Salem ferry. The rates, fixed by law, were the same as William Clary had charged. Trent renewed his license once on March 6, 1834, but then sold the enterprise to Jacob and Hardin Bale.